“Why only five?”
“That’s what Bobby asked.”
“And?”
“Kane figured that we only needed five since someone had to drive the speedboat. Was the first I’d heard anything about a boat, but damn could that fucker fly over the water.”
Chuckling, Zakk cast a quick glance around. “Sure wouldn’t mind a lake and speedboat out here.”
“Sorry, I can’t wave a magic wand and make it appear, but we’re doing a bunch of shows in southern Cali. I’m sure we can find something that’ll fit the bill.”
“So what’d you guys do with those ducks,” Zakk asked. The line was moving slowly, but it was moving, and occasionally, Tripp caught an actual glimpse of the truck.
“Tied ropes from them to the speedboat and spent the rest of the week seeing how long we could hang on. The one with the most victories at the end of the week was the winner.”
“So who won?”
“The sweet nurses at the county hospital who kept having to patch us up,” Tripp admitted, feeling his face warm as a series of embarrassing memories flashed through his head. “Before we left we invited them out to the lake house and hosted a BBQ to thank them.”
“And hopefully didn’t make any additional work for them on their day off.”
“Naa, we steered clear of the ducks after a line broke free on a turn and sent Bobby flying way too close to a dock for anyone’s comfort.”
“And you try and claim you’re boring.”
“Meh.”
“So, was there an actual winner….besides the nurses?”
“Technically, Shanny lasted two pulls longer than Kane, though Kane claimed duck tampering.”
“Are you serious.”
“Yeah. Said someone kept inflating his duck.”
“Bull. You’re making that shit up.”
“Naaa man, I swear I’m not. You can ask them yourself when we get back.”
“Damn. At least I know one thing for certain.”
“Yeah, what?”
“There’s never gonna be a dull moment out there on the road with you.”
“Good, then you’ll never get bored.”
“Babe, we could spend eternity in matching recliners, watching music videos and arguing about whether a remake was better than the original song, and I’d still want to wake up at your side.”
“I love you too,” Tripp said, pulling Zakk into a kiss.
“Come on guys make out on your own time, or at least move out of the line.” Someone complained. Tripp pulled away reluctantly to see that there was only one more person in front of them. It wasn’t long after that they had their food, but with all the picnic tables full, the only thing left was to wander back to the RVs with it. Everything was neon now. Words written on trailors. Paths of neon hoops on the ground. People wore them as necklaces, hair clips, shoelaces, clipping and tying them to themselves in every way they would think of. One girl they passed wore a neon fringed vest that swayed every time she moved. It was a beautiful collection of colors, and when she twirled on his tiptoes in the dust they could see tiny neon wings on her back.
“This is quickly becoming my favorite festival,” Tripp said.
“Same. I love the vibe. I love the neon, and I love that the people who come out here just want to vibe to the music and be free.”
“I wish the rest of the world could be that way.”