Moonlight Dancin' Off his Hair

***Song Lyrics from Sammy John's  Chevy Van  

 A few hours later, Gregg pulled his car into a lot of  the family owned inn.  He had stayed there several times over the years, it was rustic but clean and very private.  There was a lovely view of the water  out of all the windows, and one could lie in the bed and watch the sunset.  There was a small restaurant with good home cooked food. He would have dinner and rest up then finish the short trip down to San Francisco tomorrow afternoon. He looked forward to a good nights sleep.  He glanced over at his young companion., who had been pretty much out like a light since Gregg picked him up.  He was obviously beat. The guy was so slender, hell downright skinny. It  looked like he didn’t get much to eat.Gregg  had already promised him a meal, but he was thinking now that maybe he would ask the guy  to stay with him.  It really wasn’t safe for him to be on the road over night.  And he was obviously tired so unless he was going to sleep  under tree somewhere, it would be a long and difficult night for him. 

He looked so  peaceful lying there. Gregg judged him to be about in his early 20’s.  By time Gregg was  24 he had traveled the world with Santana.  Sang at Woodstock. Bedded countless women and hell  some men too.  But this guy seemed far different, not very sophisticated, trusting and  sweet. 

He parked the car and  leaned over and tap Steve on the shoulder. It took a minute for his big hazel eyes to open, then he said “ Are we here already ?” “ Yeah” Gregg told him. “ And I was thinking if you felt like it, after we  eat you stay the night here. Then ride  to San Francisco with me tomorrow.  “ Steve said, Oh I would appreciate a meal but, I don’t have money for a hotel.  I will get a ride with someone  tonight, plenty of traffic on the highway.” Gregg shook his head, “ Look, you are obviously beat, I can share the room. Right now  you look like you would be thumbing a ride in your  sleep.  I don’t mind paying, help out a fellow singer. After all we have to start somewhere."

Steve looked out of the car window at the coast line. He said  “ It is beautiful here.”  “Yeah”, Gregg said it is nice, I know the owners,  been coming here off and on for a few years.  Now I am starved, let’s go check into a room and supper.” The two men got out of the car and walked to the office. A variety of people all ages, couples and singles were walking along the beach, enjoying the view and the still somewhat cool water.  After  obtaining a room, the guys took the key and went to put their stuff inside.  The room was large with a queen size bed  and a pull out sofa bed, a small fridge and a bathroom with a Jacuzzi bathtub and a shower.  Gregg said “ After dinner we will get some beers and  snacks to put in the fridge in case of the munchies in the night . I  have some good weed.  “ At Steve’s surprised expression, Gregg told him “ “As I said this is a very laid back place. People come here for privacy and peace and quiet, so no one will bug us. So there is nothing to worry about. “

After unpacking a few things, Gregg and Steve both took quick showers before  going  over to the restaurant. The water felt good on Steve’s  skin after the day on the roadside.  He dressed in his last fresh outfit  while planning to see about doing some laundry before they left the next day.

Steve and Gregg was ravenous by time they finally sat down at a table in the cozy restaurant. The menu selection was basic but there were plenty of choices. While they were waiting for their order to arrive Gregg asked “ So what is it you do for a living, that is when you aren’t thumbing rides up and down the coast ?”  Steve  said “ Well actually  I took a bus  up to the audition, I just didn’t have the money for a ticket back. While I am trying to get my music career started I work on my families farm, taking care of the livestock. I build turkey cages, tend to them, feed, keep them clean, all that stuff. Gregg was silent for a minute then burst out laughing. He said “ You are a farm boy, I knew it.”  Steve looked a bit miffed then said “ I am singer, I even went to college."  Steve’s irritated expression just made Gregg  chuckled harder and Steve said “ I am not a country bumpkin. “  “ Gregg said “ Yes you are, you should have seen your expression when I mentioned pot.” Steve looked at his new companion, a bit of a hurt look  in his eyes. Gregg picked up on that and said “ I am sorry Steve, I am just teasing.  I am really glad I picked you up.  You are nice, down to earth  person,. That is one of the reason I became disillusioned with Santana, everyone around me was so  jaded. Everything came so fast, too much too quick.  And we didn’t really get chance to appreciate it. Gregg reached across the table and squeezed Steve’s  arm gently. Steve didn’t pull away, he seemed to enjoy the contact. Neither said anything for a moment  then Steve opened his mouth to speak. However he was then interrupted by the arrival of their food.  

After  eating  the  delicious meal, the two  realized it was almost time for the sun to set.  They walked down the beach to a rocky cove that Gregg was familiar with.  It was beautiful and they  watched sky turn red,  then shades of pink, blue and  purple.  The breeze was a bit cool and Steve was happy  he had remembered to get a  light jacket out of his pack and  bring it with him. While the sky grew dark and the beach emptied off visitors,  Steve revealed  more about his life at home, his  Mom and stepdad, and his musical ambitions. Gregg talked about his family, his time in Santana, the family’s  restaurant  in which he had been working.  Noting it was getting late they decided to head out to the convenience store to get  some beer and junk food.  After piling up on soda, cupcakes, chips and dips and two six packs Greg drove  them back to the hotel.  The radio played softly in the darkness and  they enjoyed the  soft breeze blowing in the open  car windows. Steve leaned  his head against the  seat and listened to  Sammy John’s melodic  voice.

 I gave a girl a ride in my wagon ***

She crawled in and took control

She was tired 'cause her mind was a-draggin'

I said, get some sleep and dream of rock and roll

 

'Cause like a princess she was layin' there

Moonlight dancin' off her hair

She woke up and took me by the hand

She's gonna love me in my Chevy van

And that's all right with me

 

 

Her young face was like that of an angel

Her long legs were tanned and brown

Better keep your eyes on the road, son

Better slow this vehicle down

 

 

'Cause like a princess she was layin' there

Moonlight dancin' off her hair

She woke up and took me by the hand

We made love in my Chevy van

And that's all right with me

 

 

I put her out in a town that was so small

You could throw a rock from end to end

A dirt-road main street, she walked off in bare feet

It's a shame I won't be passin' through again

 

 

'Cause like a princess she was layin' there

Moonlight dancin' off her hair

She woke up and took me by the hand

We made love in my Chevy van

And that's all right with me

 

 

'Cause like a princess she was layin' there

Moonlight dancin' off her hair

She woke up and took me by the hand

We made love in my Chevy van

And that's all right with me

 

 “ I love this song, “ Steve told Gregg.  “ Gregg nodded  and said “ Yeah it is nice. The song ended  and Steve asked. “ Did you ever do that, I mean pick up a hitchhiker and have a one night stand with them.” Gregg giggled “ I don’t  pick up hitch hikers usually.” Steve said “ You picked me up.” Gregg felt himself grinning. “ You looked sort of sad and lonely. And there are unfortunately getting be a  lot of wierdos  out there.  I didn’t  want you to run into the wrong person. “.  Steve said “ Oh you wanted to protect me. “  “ Well  you are young and kind of tiny.”  Gregg tried to explain.  “ I am 25,” Steve told him frustrated.  “ Wow,” you look a lot younger, Gregg told him, I just turned 27.” Steve continued,  “ I can’t help it cause I am small and skinny.  I am  determined to make it in the music business and I don’t want to ask for help. Makes for some lean times in the eating department. “ Anyway you did not answer my question, did  you ever pick up a hitch hiker and let you them make love to you. “ Gregg smiled and  said “ Never a hitch hiker but yes in the late 60’s and the first few years of this decade, I had plenty of one nighters, you know groupies, free love hippies, there was always someone.   Steve  didn’t say anything else  as they pulled into the hotel parking lot.