Sunday Drive

Illustration titled "DON McLEAN: REFLECTIONS ON AN AMERICAN EPIC," showing a guitarist, newspaper headline "PRESIDENT KENNEDY ASSASSINATED," and references to "THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED."
A comic-book-style portrait connects Don McLean’s music with the cultural shockwaves following JFK’s assassination.

‘What a lovely day for a late August drive,’ Jane said with a smile. ‘We will pack a picnic lunch to eat by the cemetery after we see Grandma A’s grave,’ Jane continued. ‘We shall reflect on the sweet summer that is slipping through our fingers,’ Jane laughed. ‘We must pack Merlot and Oscar Mayer Wieners,’ Jane giggled.

‘Of course, the Merlot is essential for a late August journey to the cemetery,’ Neva J chimed in. ‘It is dusk now; soon it will be dark, a bit like Halloween,’ Neva J mentioned. ‘I will pack some candles for our Supper in the cemetery,’ Neva J winked.

‘The candlelight casts shadows on the tombstones,’ Chet noted. ‘Look, coming down the graveyard path, people wearing Halloween Costumes,’ Chet noted with some concern. ‘Well, it is President Trump and former President Biden and Kennedy with LBJ bringing up the rear of the procession,’ Chet mused. ‘Their masks are comical in their complexity,’ Chet noted.

Four cloaked figures procession through a candlelit cemetery beneath a crescent moon
Cloaked figures walk among candlelit graves beneath a purple midnight sky.

‘I see four masked figures, but they are not four Presidents; they are mysterious,’ Billy B observed. ‘Sitting beside me is President Kennedy, who told me to beware the Russians,’ Billy B said with some trepidation.

Man in a suit sitting among candlelit gravestones; text reads, "...and the shadows lengthen."
A solitary mourner sits among candlelit graves as shadows lengthen around him.

‘I can’t remember if I cried the day I read about his widowed bride.’

‘So it is a long drive back from Mt. Vernon to Eldorado,’ Jane said. ‘I hope our headlights hold out,’ Jane continued. ‘Four people are hitchhiking, a family with car trouble,’ Jane alerted.

Comic-style scene of a red convertible on Route 66 with two travelers
A red vintage convertible cruises Route 66 as a surprised traveler recognizes herself in a comic-book scene.

‘Where are we?’ Neva J asks. ‘Through the dim headlights, I see myself walking toward the cemetery holding a candle,’ Neva J whispered.

Comic panel labeled "DUSK." showing two women in a cemetery saying "Oh my God... You’re... ME?!" and "Who... who ARE you?!" with "FWOOSH" and "GASP!"
Two startled women confront one another among candlelit graves as dusk settles over the cemetery.

Perhaps it is the Merlot or even the Oscar Mayer Weiners, but something is strange here, and it is not exactly clear,’ Chet said with conviction. ‘Are we the ones in the mirror, or are they?’ Chet asked.

Boy exclaims “G-GHOST?” as a lookalike carries a mirror; “He looks just like me…”
A startled boy flees a moonlit cemetery as a mysterious lookalike carries a mirror behind him.

Leave a comment