Disclaimer: I don't own anything besides the idea for this story. I only borrowed the characters.

A/N: This is the only story so far with a specific date. This story is set in/or after 1956 because of the release date of the two books mentioned. I also took that scene with George and Jim reading on the sofa from Tom Ford's A Single Man as my inspiration for this story. It fits Therese's obsession with dying a sudden death.

The last notes of the last song faded. The record has ended.

"It's your turn to change the record. Wanna surprise me?"

"I might be old but not senile. It's your turn, Therese." Carol poked Therese with her toe. Both were sitting on the sofa, facing each other, legs outstretched. They were reading.

"Still it was worth a try. What are you reading?"

Carol kept up the cover of the book for Therese to see: A Cold Spring by Elizabeth Bishop.

"Show me what you got." Therese was reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac. "Really? You're reading something by that egomaniac tramp? I'm shocked."

"He's writing about a road trip across the US. Doesn't that ring a bell for you?" Therese got up, gave Carol a peck on the cheek and changed the record. She fixed two drinks and returned with a grin on her face.

"What is it? Tell me what makes you smile like that." Carol demanded.

"If I die in this moment, here with you, in absolute bliss, it'd be the perfect way to die."

"Don't say that. I wouldn't be okay with it at all if you died in this very instant. Not in the slightest."

"Good answer, Mrs. Aird. Therese smirked.

"Don't call me that."

The first notes of the new record started to spread across the room. Living for you is easy living / It's easy to live when you're in love.

"Really? This song?"

Carol and Therese started cackling.