Oliver Benjamin
A pair of headlights had crossed over the center-divider and was
speeding directly towards them. Sprout froze in shock. Screams and
rummy saliva sprayed out from the back seat. Bennie hastily grabbed
for his chicken-bones to ward off the danger but there was no time.
At the last possible moment a thin hand flew to the steering
wheel and jerked it leftwards, forcing the van to the opposite side of
the road. The out of control car veered and clipped the van’s back
corner, sending it spinning safely onto the sandy shoulder. But the
car was not so lucky. It lost control, spun and rolled over completely,
crashing onto its roof and then over again.
In the silence of the aftermath, Sprout turned to Izzy and said,
“You saved us.”
“Hmm,” he replied, wondering if that counted as driving.
They emerged from the vehicle, quickly checked to make sure
none of them were hurt and rushed over to the other car. It was a
white Cadillac, smashed and steaming, its windshield wipers waving
an awkward hello.
Bennie yanked the door open. A short, slender man stepped out.
He was outfitted in a black 1960s smoking jacket and substantial gold
jewelry. Amazingly, there was a cocktail in his hand and he seemed
not to have spilled a drop. He glanced around at the four of them, one
eye taking in the scene, the other immobile. They gasped collectively.
“Hi there,” he said.
“Holy shit,” Bennie said.
“No way,” Colin said.
“I thought you were dead,” Sprout said.
“Maybe in one of those Japanese jobs, baby. But not in a caddy.
Know what I’m talking about? These things are like upholstered
tanks.” He took a long pull from his drink. “Fabulous.”
“No,” Sprout clarified, “I mean I thought you died years ago.”
The man cackled. “No way, man. I’m not Sammy. I’m an
impersonator. Sammie Davis Jr.” He extended his hand in greeting,
“With an i-e, that is. But what’s in a name? Right?”
“Right,” Colin admitted, “So what the fuck happened? Why were
you driving on the wrong side of the road? You almost fucking killed
us.”
“Oh. That. Sorry, chickybaby. Actually my glass eye fell out and I
was looking for it on the floor. I searched around for a minute and
found it. Must have drifted a bit. Wild.”
Despite his cavalier attitude, the situation was too weird for them
247
 |
 |
 |
 |