Shane’s parents drop him off at the train station with money and instructions to take the train to his Aunt Sophie’s place for the holidays. The minute they drive off, he walks out again, leans against a pole, and throws out his thumb. Having just turned eighteen, he is, as he regularly reminds himself, now a fully legal adult and quite capable of having his own adventure. In the few days and nights it takes him to hitchhike all the way, he gets to know some very interesting people. Hippies, conmen, an ex-teacher ... and also the dog Jimmy. He learns there are more to people than meets the eye, and the world is rather bigger than his cosseted upbringing led him to believe. By the time he arrives at Aunt Sophie’s place, he has lost his virginity, acquired a dog and a cousin, and has the pleasing probability of a sweet summer romance to look forward to.

A Hitch in Time

The kids in the back seat and the dog were getting loud, laughing, barking, imitating each other and bouncing around. It didn’t bother me at all anymore, compared to the woman’s quiet muttering, but it bothered her a lot. “Shut up or I’ll stop this car and let you out right here!” she shouted. “I mean it now! You know what happened to Charlie!”


Oh my God, she’d already killed one of them! I couldn’t help it. Somehow I was able to speak and I blurted out, “Miss! I mean, Ma’am! Calm down now. It’s okay, I know it will be all right, all right?” I reached out and put my hand on her arm. She turned to face me, glaring, one eyebrow twitching and a horrible smirk on her reddened lips. “It’s okay,” I repeated, fearing nothing was ever going to be okay again. The baby burped and I felt my lap and legs grow wet. It didn’t bother me at all, the dear, sweet, innocent baby.


Chapter 12