121

I headed to the outskirts of the city, looking out at the long rows of hotels and motels on the beach side and the small apartment complexes on the other side. As I flew near the bridge leading in and out of the city, I spotted something very colorful underneath it. I was curious enough to go and have a look.

Upon closer inspection it was a very brightly-painted van parked in the shade under the bridge. And by 'brightly,' I mean decorated with huge, multicolored flowers and peace signs. It was a hippie van! I touched down a few meters away from it, realizing it was on and had music playing. Hits of the oldies, no less. I looked around carefully to make sure no one was around before making myself visible once again. I then inspected my body, patting myself, making sure I was all there before giving a nod of approval.

I walked up to the van, curiously looking inside. There was a young woman with long, brunette hair laying down in the back seat. She was nodding her head to the song, quietly singing along with it. I smirked, knocking on the window, which caused her to jump up in surprise.

"Oh, hi!" she exclaimed in a rather friendly tone. She quickly reached for the door to exit the vehicle. "You wouldn't happen to have a spare can of gas, would you? Maybe a siphon?"

"Sorry, I walked here," I explained while she closed the door behind her. "I didn't think I really needed gas on hand for that."

She chuckled. "I like you," she responded before extending a friendly hand. "My name's Ophelia."

I shook her hand and then wondered aloud, "Ophelia? I've never met anyone with that name before."

"I know I get that a lot. My parents were huge into the whole peace and love movement. They wanted something 'beautiful' and 'unique' when they named me. Although most of my friends ended up calling me Opie."

"Sounds rough," I replied. "I'm Anthony. Nice to meet you."

"Yeah, it totally is!" she exclaimed with a grin.

Well, she seemed like an extremely sunny spirit. I was curious, though, about why she would have a 60's-style van like that. She didn't look much older than a college girl.

I decided to ask. "So, what made you want to carry on the peace and love thing with this van?"

"Parents got me into it. It's all I grew up on at home and so, I started to enjoy it. Gotta love those old seventies songs, right?"

"Yeah, there are actually some good ones." She grinned and nodded. "But, why are you parked under here?"

"I know it sounds weird, but I liked the view here and how quiet it was. So, I wanted to hang out by the water for a little bit. Then I'm getting ready to leave and only then do I realize I'm out of gas. It's no sweat, I'm sure someone will come along soon. I'm just making the most of it enjoying how peaceful it is here."

I was surprised at the idea. Yes, it was weird, but it actually sounded like something I would do. Just enjoying random points of scenery, no matter how off-beat or out of the way it may be - was something I enjoyed from time to time.

"You know, I never did actually notice how nice it is under here," I replied as I took a good look around.

"You should totally think outside the box, more," she said with a hippie stoner vibe. "Spread your wings and be free like an eagle, man." The two of us shared a laugh.

"Well, hey, I don't want you to be stranded under here with no food or water or anything. I can go and get you some gas."

She seemed astounded. "You'd do that for a stranger? That's so nice of you!"

"I just want to help out, that's all. If it helps you get back home, then that's all I need."

As much as I also wanted to add 'it's the superhero way, ma'am,' I somehow managed to keep it inside.

"That's so, so sweet of you. Thank you so much, really."

"No problem," I said as I began to walk away. "I'll be right back!"

"I'm not going anywhere!" she called out. I smiled and shook my head.

Once I was out of sight behind the bridge's concrete base, I stopped and thought for a moment. I made the handle of a red plastic, portable gas can appear in my hand. I took hold of it and held it up to my head, rolling it around. Felt like there was a really good amount of gasoline in there. My options at that point were to either wait around for a while and come back, making it seem like I'd traveled a good distance.

"Hey, check it out!" I exclaimed from afar as I began walking back.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I found this can of gas just sitting along the sidewalk. Looks like someone left it there."

She looked at me in disbelief. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "Are you sure it has gas in it? Could be anything in there."

"Well, let's see," I said as I neared her. I popped open the cap to let her take a whiff. She immediately pulled her head back.

"Yep! That's definitely gasoline!" she said, coughing a bit. "But who the heck just leaves a tank of gas on the road like that?"

I shrugged. "Maybe someone who wanted to be kind to a person who runs out of gas nearby?"

"Well, that is extremely fortunate and very thoughtful of them if that's the case."

She turned around to open the van's gas flap and unscrew the top. I slowly poured the entire contents of the can into the van's gas tank. Then, I closed everything up and she was good to go. I turned to see her smiling thankfully at me.