Chapter One--They Call Me The Wanderer

Date Written: July 25th, 1997
Story Summary: Davy, Mike, Peter and Jen go on a road trip. During this time, some old feelings are reborn between two people in this group.
Author’s Comments: I tried to write in prose (or whatever they call it), which is harder than just writing it out in script format (well for me anyways). The road trip, the dummy of Micky, the crazy black woman, and Mike looking at me in the mirror was all from an actual dream I had a long time ago. I just added a whole lot to make a story.

It was a cool Saturday morning on January 12. Jen and the Monkees were standing by the front door with some of their bags of belongings. They had planned to go on a road trip to see some sights elsewhere and to get away from the cold weather where they lived.

"Okay, are we all set?" asked Mike as he picked up his bag by his foot. Davy drops a suitcase on Mike's foot. Mike closed his eyes and winced.

"Sorry 'bout that," said Davy as he picked his bag up off Mike's foot. Mike nodded his head at Davy.

"Too bad you can't come, Micky," said Peter as he picked up his bag.

Micky smiled and said "The annual Dolenz picnic. But don't worry about me. You guys go and have fun."

"Actually, you will be with us," said Jen as she pulled out a dummy from behind her bag. Its head was made from a brown paper bag with a picture of Micky's face taped to it. Davy shrugged and said "Well, at least your face."

"Why do we have to go now anyways?" asked Peter. "We could wait until after Micky's picnic."

"It's okay, Pete," said Micky. "I haven't seen some of these people in years. I'll come with you guys next time."

"We'll see you next week Mick," said Jen as she and Micky came together and kissed each other's cheeks. The others said their good-byes and went out the door. When they got to the Monkeemobile, they loaded their bags into the trunk.

"Okay, we all know the routine," said Mike as he walked over to the driver's side. "I'm driving, Davy reads the map, and of course..." He and Davy look through the windows of the car and see Jen and Peter already in the back seat making out.

"And Jen and Peter in the back," they both said at the same time. They both looked at each other and shook their heads and got into the Monkeemobile.

Somewhere along the way a strange event happened. A young black woman stopped them and told the four of them to get out of the car.

"What's all this about?" asked Mike as he shut the door of the driver's side. "I have to do something," answered the lady. "Alright! Everybody down! Now!"

Mike, Jen, Peter, Davy and the woman's two children lie down on the road as the black woman pulls out a gun.

"Mommy! Stop acting like this!" said the younger child, about seven years old. "She's right! Just be a nice person and put the gun away!" said Jen.

The older child, about 12 years old, tapped on Peter's shoulder. "She just got out of the mental institute. She'll be normal again soon. The gun isn't even loaded."

"Oh," said Peter as he tapped on Jen's shoulder. "Hey Jen?" He starts whispering in Jen's ear about what the little boy said. Then she whispers in Mike's ear and he gets up from the road.

"I'm sorry lady but we gotta go," he said as he helped the others get up. The lady starts waving the gun around.

"Stay or I'll shoot!" she yelled. The three Monkees and Jen get back inside the car. The woman pulls the trigger but nothing happens.

Days later, they were still not clear on where they were going. Peter is sleeping in the back seat with Jen's lap as his pillow, and Davy was in the middle seats sleeping.

"Hey, you know Mike. We're almost in Texas," said Jen as she stroked Peter's hair. Mike looks at Jen through the rear view mirror. "Yeah, so?"

"Well, I thought we could stop by your old house to see your family," said Jen.

"No, we don't have to, Jen."
"Aw come on, Mike. I want to hear stories about you when you were little."
"Jen, I think you know more than you need to."

Jen slowly gets up and props Peter's head down on a pillow. She moved to the passenger seat by Mike.

"Need help with the map?" she asked. "Yes I do," answered Mike. "My navigator over there fell asleep."

Jen read the map. "Go on 10 and stay there until you reach Dallas." Mike glanced at Jen. "Jen..."

"I'm just playing with you, Mike."
"You're still as playful as you were when we were together."

Jen looked out the window at the deserted land they were passing through.

"So, are you seeing anybody yet?" she curiously asked. "Isn't that kind of personal?" asked Mike.

"Aw come on," said Jen. "You know me really well. You can tell me anything. I'm with Peter all the time and I don't get a chance to talk to you or Davy or Micky."

Mike sighed. "No, I'm not seeing anybody yet. There's not a whole lot of wandering around."

"Oh God!" said Jen. "What's wrong?" asked Mike.

"You said 'wandering'."
"So?"
"Well, it just brought back some memories, that's all."

Jen looked out the window again and then at Mike. She was watching him intensely as he drove, as if she had never seen him drive before. Mike glanced at her and she quickly turned her head away and looked out the window again.

"What is it?" Mike asked. Jen shook her head. "You look like you're thinking about something."

Jen smiled. "You can read me like a book, you know that?" "Yes I do," he answered and looked at Jen. What are you thinking about?"

"My feelings," said Jen as she nervously fiddled around with the map that was in her lap. "I think, I...My mind is wandering."

"Wandering as in 'wandering' like you're thinking or 'wandering' as in my old definition of 'wandering'?" asked Mike.

"'Wandering as in your definition of it," answered. "I'm having these impure thoughts about somebody."

Silence again. Mike opened his mouth like he was about to say something but didn't. Jen turned her head towards Mike again and stared at him. She watched the way he licked his lips to moisten them from the intense heat that they were feeling. Not from the way the uncomfortable conversation was going, but it was just the heat from driving through the desert. She stared hard and thought about how it would feel to have her lips pressing against his. More thoughts of being with Mike rushed through her head.

Oh my God! What am I thinking? Jen thought to herself. I think I'm going crazy! I'm lusting over Mike! Just look at him! Boy do I wish I could--No! I'm not supposed to be thinking like this!

She quickly turned her head towards the window again. Mike glanced at Jen.

I wish I knew what was going on with her, Mike thought.

Hours later, Mike parked the Monkeemobile at a gas station. He turned to the others behind him. "Anybody going to the restroom?"

Jen unbuckled her seatbelt. "I am," she said and went out the door. "I'll just stay here," said Peter. "Me too," said Davy.

Mike got out of the car and walked to the back of the gas station to where the restrooms were. Jen was standing by the women's room door and watched as Mike opens the men's door.

"Jen, you're doing it again," he said as he walked up to her. "What is going on with you?"

Jen looked down at her feet. "I can't tell you Mike."

"Why not? It looks like something is really bothering you."
"There is something bothering me."
"Then tell me. What is it about?"
"That's why I can't tell you. It is about you."
"What's wrong with me?"

Oh gosh nothing is wrong with you! Jen thought.

"I can't say it Mike."

Mike put his hand on her right shoulder. Jen just about melted at the touch of his hand. "Come on. Talk to me Jen."

Oh his voice is so sweet and gentle! How can I not tell him now?! she thought.

"Mike, I..." Jen began and looked into Mike's eyes. Their heads came closer and closer to each other. The next thing they knew, their lips were locked together in a passionate kiss.

END OF CHAPTER 1

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