Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Journey

The sound of distant thunder knocked on the door of my subconscious... the globulous drops of monsoonal rain beat on my face. I slowly opened my eyes, seeing the cottonwood branches overhead, and the golden yellow surrounding my periphery...for a brief few moments wondering...you know...that sense one has as you pass the veil that separates dream from awakening.

I stood up, turned around, and headed for the car, parked so nonchalantly in the middle of this abandoned stretch of Rt. 66. Before I could reach the car the rain had ceased. I looked down this lonely stretch of 2-lane, with its deep, dark cracks and weeds thrusting upwards like fists from the underworld. I turned, gazing out to the western sky, pleased to see a rather large and vivid double rainbow...

"Somewhere, over the rainbow..." a sweet and hopeful song that held in its melody and lyrics the portent of possibilities...

I wiped the rain from my face and opened the car door, grabbing a cigarette from the dash. I put the cigarette between my wet lips, struck a match...its strangely sweet, sulfurous odor more pleasing than the cigarette. I quickly put it out and got in the car. I started the engine, pleased to hear the familiar, powerful sound of the V-8 beneath the hood of this perfectly restored '59 Plymouth Savoy...identical in every way, including the two-tone cream and coral finish, to the road chariot I had driven on these same highways some 3 decades ago. I pushed the "D" button and headed back to the main highway. Next stop, Gallup...and dinner.

This is another installment for the weekly, creative writing meme, Saturday Centus. Our assignment this week is to continue, in 100 words or less, a story from a past installment of Saturday Centus. I decided to continue with my story, "The Journey". The new installment is in italics.

For other great creative stories, please go to Saturday Centus...sponsored by Jenny Matlock...

Jenny Matlock

12 comments:

  1. You are a great writer! I still don't have the courage to attempt this feat! But I enjoy reading these and particularly like this one! Have a good weekend friend and make sure you come around and visit the Miracle Make Over posts all weekend long. Anne

    ReplyDelete
  2. This was a great addition to the first Centus. I could see this story going further. I love the idea of you having the old car. My brother-in-law that passed away had about 4 older cars that he worked on. One was the original MG that was his first car he ever got. Great job with this Jeff.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Loved how you continued this. Your descriptions were elegant. I could feel the power of that old car.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great extention there! I can imagine you behind the wheel!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The problem with this Centus assignment is that now that we get some fleshing out, we're going to want to know more.

    This story is just starting!

    =)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Loved more 66 atmopshere...can picture a meal in Gallup very well!

    ReplyDelete
  7. i remember your first story jeff. lovin the theme this week to finish. anything ending with food is always a good move ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jeff, As usual, your writing is smart and very visual and sensual. I could see the car, you wiping the rain from your face, and I could smell the sulfur from the match.

    Thanks for another masterpiece..........cj

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nicely done, Jeff. I remember this one, and what you added only makes it more delicious. I really like your vivid writing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jeff, this was really neat. I enjoyed your first link and the "rest of the story" progression is so natural.

    This was really wonderful.

    I really like the way you write.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great progression of this story. I can picture that gorgeous car, in all it's V8 glory, heading down the road. And I can smell that match. Beautiful imagery!

    ReplyDelete
  12. A really cool continuation of the story Jeff. Great job this week!

    ReplyDelete