Laura DeLuca - In Perfect Harmony

Ravi Dawes turned his 1963 Ford Econoline off the parkway onto the marshy road leading into Wildwood, New Jersey. It was Memorial Day weekend and the traffic had picked up a lot since his initial visit in March. In the early spring the roads had been barren of life, but now the number of cars had increased along with the temperature. Already in late May, the forecaster predicted a high of eighty-five degrees. It mustve sent city folks flocking to the coast because vehicles with Pennsylvania and New York tags formed a solid line all the way to the base of the bridge. It was easy to see how far they stretched from the high perch of his van. Some people scoffed at the lime-green paint job, and it was often dubbed the Mystery Machine , but Ravi had customized the interior to cart around all his music equipment. Since he recently put in a new engine, hed be driving his baby for another two decades at least. Unfortunately, it didnt come with a Great Dane or have the ability to sprout wings to help him bypass the horrible traffic.

Ravi ran his hand down his face. This is what I get for moving to a tourist town.

When a Metallica song came on the stereo, Ravi cranked up the volume all the way and bobbed his head along with the music. Singing the lyrics helped pass the time. In between verses, he checked the rearview mirror and saw an even longer line forming behind him. A bike buzzed by, flying past the cars and trucks idling on the road. Ravi could probably walk to his destination faster and he wished it was an option. Anything had to be better than sitting around doing nothing. Hed never dealt well with idle time. He always had to keep busy. When he didnt, he thought too much and that was a dangerous pastime for him.

Fighting back a yawn, Ravi rubbed his eyes. Their bright green color was the only trait hed inherited from his American father. The rest of his features left little doubt about his Indian heritage. His jet-black hair was cut short, with a few strands in the front currently dyed crimson. His cocoa skin was only a shade lighter than his mothers. When he was a kid, his father liked to joke that he added the cream to the coffee. Ravi hadnt understood that joke until he was in high school and by then his father was long gone.

Wonder what the old man would think of me now.

Most people admired Ravis exotic, but still all-American appearance. He was the perfect example of multi-cultural diversity, from his ability to rock a crowd on both guitar and sitar, to his devout Buddhist practices. He could also handle the drums and had a voice that made some girls swoon, but he wasnt sure any of that wouldve mattered to the decorated colonel hed called dad. Since his father had died of a heart attack while he was stationed overseas during the Gulf War, Ravi had no way of knowing if his pop approved of his career path. Of course, there were a few other choices that definitely wouldve made his father shake his head.

Beep. Beep.

What the f

He stopped himself before he could utter the swear word. This was exactly why he needed to stay busy. Ravi gripped his steering wheel tighter with one hand and toyed with his prayer beads with the other. The tigers eye stones gave him courage, and the security of their presence also calmed him down. They were the only reason he didnt flip the bird to the guy behind him. What was the idiot beeping about anyway? Ravi mightve gotten lost in his memories, but the car in front of him had only inched forward a few feet. There was a time not so long ago, before Ravi had returned to his spiritual path, that he wouldve gotten out of the car and started a fist fight for far less. But that was all in the past. Ravi was turning over a new leaf, starting life over in a new town, and putting his past behind himthe anger, the drinking, and even Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

Thinking about her still hurt, even after all this time. It had been impossible to move on in his hometown, a place where every street corner held memories of the high school sweetheart hed loved for more than a decade. Thats why he had to move. He hadnt planned on leaving the suburbs of Pennsylvania for the Jersey shore, but when the perfect job opened up at a vocational school outside of Wildwood, New Jersey, it was difficult to turn away. Who didnt like the idea of having summers off and the beach within driving distance?

Despite the annoying backup, Ravi knew hed made the right decision. Hed recently completed his last interview with the board, and now his spot as the new music teacher was secured. As soon as the current school year ended, hed become an official resident of New Jersey. Now all he had to do was line up a few gigs for the summer and hed be good to go. Since he already made the drive, hed actually set up an interview with a local bar owner that night.

Finally!

Ravi shifted the gears on his old van when the truck in front of him rolled forward. The cars picked up speed quickly once they began moving. The drawbridge mustve been up. That was the only explanation. Now that he was able to go the speed limit, Ravi crossed the water onto the island of Wildwood in no time. It didnt take long to pull up outside of the bar, a small establishment with a surf board and cartoon caricature of beach bums in a wood-paneled car on the side of the wall. Not far from the board was a sign that read Woodys .

Ravi had already chatted with the owner a few times online, so he recognized Trevor Sawyer right away when he swung through the doors. Since the bartender was busy serving drinks to one of his customers, Ravi took a seat a few stools down to wait for him to finish. He hadnt intended to eavesdrop on the conversation, but even with the combination of the radio playing and the flat screen TV broadcasting the most recent soccer game, it was hard to avoid hearing them when they were in such close proximity.

So, Erin, Trevor laid a trio of bottles in front of her, is Lainey still traipsing around Europe? Whens she coming back?

Sometime in June, hopefully. Erin sighed, and Ravi enjoyed the way her voice chimed like notes of music, even though she sounded sad. Its the third time theyve been delayed. Drews director is really tough. Theyre both ready to come home.

Trevor gave a sympathetic nod. Well, let Lainey know I miss her too. Karaoke night hasnt been the same since she left. Im actually thinking about hiring a singer for Friday nights, and speak of the devil, here he is! Trevor gestured in Ravis direction. Erin Conway, say hello to Ravi Dawes, Woodys new one man band.

A pleasure to meet you. Ravi jumped down from the stool to extend his hand. Hed initially intended to shake, but at the last second, he kissed her fingers, surprising even himself with his boldness.

Erin smiled, but her cheeks colored a delightful pink. Nice to meet you too, Ravi. Im sure well be seeing quite a bit of each other if youll be here Friday nights. My friends and I are regulars.