Driving Down Memory Lane

Although John Thomas was drivng up on Highway 5, it was like driving down memory lane for Donnie.  You see, the newest version of the Fantastic Four had to to depart from Hwy 5 North to travel on Hwy 605 North to meet Greg at the Renaissance Fair in Irwandale.  When they departed from the fair, instead of back tracking, they moved forward by connecting to the HWY 210.

The first memory for Donnie was that they would not be going through Hollywood.  John Thomas knew how painful it was for Donnie to have to relive all the broken dreams that never came to fruition.  His latest failure was producing the screenplay, The First Man of the White House.  Not only did he fail to produce this comedy in 2008, the tragedy was that Donnie was unable to find backers for 2012 either.  JT deliberately rerouted the trip via Hwy 210 instead.

As JT, Donnie, Clyde and Baby were travelling on Hwy 210, they saw an exit sign for Pasadena.  What wonderful memories of living and attending Fuller Theological Seminary.  Donnie wondered if they should turn off and try to live in Pasadena again.  John Thomas assured Donnie that when he was old enough, they would reconsider his finishing his masters degree.  For the time being, JT had a better idea in store.

Driving through Glendale brought up more wonderful memories.  Donnie borrowed John Thomas's cell phone and called his life long friend Patti Jacobs Moreno.  Patti has worked at Univeral Studios in the sound editing for over 25 years.  She is even on the Oscar selection committee for two of the sound awards.  Donnie is so proud of Patti.

A sign for Hwy 101 brought up wonderful memories of working at Sportsmen's Lodge.  Donnie and Tim Page became friends by having both worked at that famous valley restaurant.  So many years ago.  Tim has been the president and founder of Total Involvement Ministries for over 23 years now since that time.

The memories of La Canada and Gar Ezell, the memories of Magic Mountain and family vacations there, so many memories along Hwy 5.  The further we drove, the further in the past we went.  When we reached Sacramento, Donnie was filled with memories of his being stationed at McClellan Air Force Base.  If Donnie could start out life over again, he would have made a careeer serving in the United States Air Force as a Chaplain.  Maybe if there is reincarnation, that is exactly what Donnie will do.

There is a major fork in the road, one way goes to San Francisco and the other goes to Sacramento.  John Thomas made no hesitation at all.  He would protect Donnie from the confusion that he had got tangled with in the past and free him from the perversion that thrives in that city.  Although they were not going to San Fran, they were not going to Sacramento either.

With the "liitle yellow light" flashing off and on and now, the red brake light was on, Donnie wondered where JT was taking them.  JT told Donnie not to worry so much and go to sleep.  "No, Donnie, Go back to dreaming instead."

With Baby now sitting in the front sit, there was plenty of room for Donnie to cuddle up next to the window with Clyde in his tank by his side.  No more fighting, no more bickering, no more sqwauking between the three of them.  It was easy for Donnie to dream.

John Thomas had a plan.  A new beginning and a new life.  He could hardly wait to see the expressions on their faces when they reached their new home.  No more homelessness.  No more joblessness.