Chapter 2 - The End (a new beginning?)

Aurora cast cascades of crimson, orange, and gold across bluing vestiges of the earth's atmosphere as he dropped her at her father's. She invited him in to drink coffee with her and Duke. Dad would be asleep at least until noon. He declined. There was purpose behind his soft kiss on her earlobe as her fingers reached for the Tahoe's door handle. He was in no position to linger. Somewhere between intermission and the closing curtain he'd decided. Dancing at Spurs and crepes at I-Hop hadn't changed his mind. He and she were going nowhere. He was going somewhere, albeit destination unknown at present. She smiled thinly and said, "Call me later." He said, "OK." He watched her sway slowly up the walk as she searched her purse for the house key. He waited until the door was closed...counted to ten...and put the Tahoe in gear. It was 2 miles to I-45, and the truck made an easy transition to 70 MPH in less than six seconds. North was good, for now. Maybe west a little later. The windows down, he thought the cool clear air never felt so refreshing before now. Humming along with Kenny Chesney, he wondered what needed building in southern Colorado...