From a distance, you couldn’t tell the difference between John and Anthony. Just two boys standing on the street corner outside their school. They talked about sports, girls and fishing. They were laughing and joking while they waited for their parents. They shared each other’s phone numbers and said they’d get together. Soon their rides arrived and John got into a red Ford F150 while Anthony hopped into the backseat of a blue Prius. When they reached the stoplight, the red truck took a right turn and the blue car turned left. The boys never spoke to each other again
Category: flash
A night drive…
I lift my glass to those ‘good ole days’ when there wasn’t much to do but drive the gravel back roads, smoke cigarettes, and drink just about anything we could get our hands on. How we managed to survive it all is still a mystery to me.
My feet transfer the vibrations of tires touching gravel. The jarring shake of rut filled back roads move up my legs and out my arms then back into the steering wheel. I am in sync with my knobby tired, metal and glass steed as we speed through the perfect night.
The sky stretches out before me. A jeweled black velvet horizon surrounding a full moon that hangs brilliant; splashing a ghostly light into the countryside. The wood floors of ancient bridges rumble as I pass and the creeks and rivers catch the moon’s sparkle as they flow quickly beneath me and on into the darkness. The road comes alive for me while the rest of the world dreams. I move past cemeteries, where souls are frozen in place, longing for the freedom to ride along to oblivion. An old red barn built when the country was younger melts into its destiny. Brown brick grain silos stand godlike against the attack of time.
I roll down my window and let the cool night air blast away the anger, hate and dissolution that the sunlight brings. It mixes with the oven-like heater and I begin a dance with the night as the radio hums a low harmony and the soft glow from the dash lights mingle with it to create a perfect synchronicity.
These country back roads crisscross my path and stretch out into infinity. I travel through a landscape that is so satisfying and peaceful and I know that I am in control. I can choose my own destiny. Sometimes I think that if I just close my eyes and take my hands from the wheel, this could be…the end.
The City Market…
The smell of popcorn, burned hot dogs and sweat invaded his nostrils as Jason pushed his way down Fuller Street, past vegetable carts, homemade pie stands and the booth with carved wooden bears holding ‘Welcome signs’. He weaved around baby strollers and people who thought it a good idea to bring their dogs for a walk through the shoulder to shoulder traffic. He entered through the back of the jewelry stand and sat down at the table.
“How’d we do?” Sheila asked.
“Pretty good shopping day” he told his girlfriend as he emptied the wallets and watches from his pockets.
The Cutting
8/7/2019
Empty Boone’s Farm bottles rattled in the back floorboard to the rhythms of lust. She was only twelve when her father abandoned her. Now each night she spent in the back seat was just her attempt to erase him from her memory. Each night was an endless stream of the same old shit as boys, trying hard to act like men, dripped sweat from their foreheads. They took what they could and left her cold and empty. Every night ended with tears soaking her pillow. Each time the razor touched her skin, the scars took a little longer to heal.
We all use each other…
Karen is from Illinois. She followed the American dream west to make her future. In Peoria, she was beautiful, young and tan and everybody knew she would be a star. But now her empty stomach reminds her that home was a lifetime ago.
Karen spends her days on casting couches and nights trying to stand out against the crowd of young and tan Midwestern girls.
Billy lives in a mansion on the hill. He has money and connections. Karen gives Billy everything he dreams of. Billy gives Karen enough cash for a burger and another day’s chance of being discovered.
Jerry Brotherton 