Charon's Crossing

He got behind the wheel and she scooted in beside him. She leaned towards him, her dark head nestled against his fair one. The men in the truck rolled their eyes as she pointed to the dashboard, then to the gear shift, then down towards his feet.

"This guy's somethin' else," one of the men said. "Doesn't he know how to drive a stick shift?" His voice rose. "Hey, lady, where's your boyfriend been all his life?"

Kathryn laughed, but her answer was for Matthew alone.

"He's been right h

ere," she said softly, "right here, waiting for me."

Matthew caught a handful of her hair in his hand, drew her close and kissed her soundly. Then, to a chorus of cheers, applause and whistles, he turned on the engine and coaxed the Jeep into a wobbling U-turn.

"Ready?" he said to Kathryn.

"Ready," she said.

The Jeep lurched down the drive. Then Matthew stepped hard on the gas and it shot out the gates of Charon's Crossing, carrying Kathryn and Matthew into a bright, new world.

The End