Ramble on: A soundtrack for the season (part two)

By Aitor Zabalegui

"Put some music on," Joe asked, turning his head as he carefully merged onto the highway.

It was a beautiful autumn day, and Anna reached for Joe's iPod, quickly choosing "Ragged Wood" by Fleet Foxes.

This drive was all her idea. She had simply felt a sudden urge to go, and although some would call her spontaneous, Joe knew she was just decisive -- and he was enjoying her decision.

Joe seemed like he had finally settled down. Anna had noticed his alarm at the restaurant when he couldn't pay the tip. She thought of telling him it was no problem, but decided she should just pretend he was saving the money for gas.

Anna looked ahead and watched as the lane markers slipped under the car, disappearing to the beat of Wilco's "California Stars." They had been driving for about an hour and had seen little change in scenery. The trees still blurred green on the side of the road as they passed.

Anna rested her head on the passenger window, feeling the warmth radiate down to the tips of her fingers. Before she knew it, her eyes had closed, her body too relaxed to possibly stay awake any longer.

Joe was feeling very comfortable, and he didn't realize that they had stopped talking. "Tweedy, you magician," he whispered as he looked over and noticed her sleeping. While reaching to queue "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" by The Smiths, he grazed Anna's hand, and was surprised by how warm she felt.

Since Anna had been asleep, Joe no longer felt a need to impress her with the songs he picked. In an attempt to be a safer driver, he decided to put the iPod on random, but ran over the shoulder bumps in the process. Jolted by the loud, rattling hum, he quickly swerved back into his lane, bouncing Anna's head against the window. Awaking as abruptly as she had fallen asleep, Anna reached to grasp the wheel but restrained herself as both she and the car regained composure.

R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming" came on as Joe and Anna laughed.

"I like the way his voice cracks. 'De-servs!'" Anna yelped.

"You sure you didn't hit your head too hard?"

"Remind me to drive next time. Wait, where are we going again?"

"North."

"This is ridiculous."

They decided to turn off at the next exit, a residential neighborhood set at the mouth of a small forest. Coming off the highway, Joe adjusted to suburban speeds, pressing the brakes for what felt like the first time in ages.

Halfway through Broken Social Scene's "Pacific Theme," Joe spotted a pie shop down the road, but before he could show Anna, they were hit.

A leaf landed on the windshield, capturing both of their attentions. Joe slowed to a stop and, without a word, got out of the car. Plucking the leaf from the windshield wiper, he couldn't help but smile. It glowed orange, yellow and brown. Every bit of autumn was in the palm of his hand. "Let's get some pie," he suggested as he handed the leaf to Anna, "I only have a couple dollars, but it should be enough."

The sun was beginning to set, and after eating, they decided to take a walk. Joe's iPod continued to play in his pocket, an unheard soundtrack until it was discovered by Anna as the wind died down. Pavement's "Major Leagues" was playing, and while they listened, neither had ever felt so warm.

As they got back into the car, Joe placed the leaf on the dashboard and headed toward the highway.

Contact Aitor Zabalegui at azabalegui@scu.edu.