A Writer’s Book of Days (01/07) – Once, When No One Was Looking…

104.3, advertisement. 97.5, talk show. 103.1, The Beatles., 94.3, alternative rock. 106.7, a bumper previewing the upcoming ’80s segment. I keep that station on.

I was driving down Sunrise Highway, on the service road. I don’t remember where I was going – perhaps South Shore Mall or Home Depot, two of the few reasons I’d drive the service road. It was a breezy summer day, so I kept the windows opened a crack instead of using the air conditioner.

Then I heard the haunting piano intro. She’s like the wind, through my trees… Patrick Swayze had recently died. The station was playing the song in his memory. How could I not sing along?

I was alone, which was good. I generally don’t like singing in front of people, especially cheesy ’80s music. No cars were around me either, so I started to belt it out, particularly the female duet. I was getting really into it.

No cars had been around me at the beginning of the song, but I had pulled up to a red light, oblivious that there were now cars all around me. Just a fool to believe I have anything she needs… The man to my right honked and waved. I snapped back to reality, slightly embarrassed.

But I realized he’d never see me again. He was making a right and the light was about to turn green. You bet your bippy I finished. Just a fool (just a fool) to believe (just a fool to believe) she’s like the wind…