Return To Sender (Part Fourteen)

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Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

0 posted 2004-01-05 08:04 PM

Driving a brand dandy new rental car with only 75 miles on the odometer,   a
cluster of gages that would surpass what was in an airplane’s cockpit...Mary
Lou felt nervous and intimidated by this Detroit package that leisurely motored
down the two lane highway as though on auto-pilot.  Bill, sitting next to her,
controlling his nervousness....He was not used to having a woman driving any
vehicle that he rode in.....Biting his tongue, he managed to keep conversation
civil and did not, not once, bring up the subject of her driving....But....

She knew he was nervous...after all, a man living all alone within miles of a
small town with such a name, Calamity.  Now, who in their right mind would
have chosen that name for a town in the middle of almost no where?  Certainly
Bill would have never selected such a name.  It reminded him too much of a
flame that burned many eons ago “before ML”.  And he was not going to
even think of broaching that subject at this point in time.  His wry smile would
have told her something was up if only she had noticed it....Hmmmmm, they
don’t always catch every little detail....he thought to himself....his grin  widening
noticeably.

Scrub brush, tumbleweeds, some scrub oak and various flora lined the roadway
between Calamity and home.  Mary Lou remembered the road well enough to
look for the drying coyote carcass hanging from the fence alongside their
side of the road.  This marker had become her reference point for turning into
the dirt road that lead about a mile toward Bill’s house.  Besides, if one looked
closely, they might see his mailbox.... one large enough to hold a duffel
bag or medium size suitcase....After all, one had to have room for those manuscripts
and other things that Bill was always being bombarded with....When the weather
was clear, it was common to see Bill walking the road, humming a tune as another
creation was being born  within this mind that overflowed with an imagination
greater than the Niagras....Well, perhaps close to that...certainly at least that
much.

It was early afternoon by the time they had arrived at home.  Numerous messages
were on the answering machine, the tattle tale beep rhythmically reminding them
that the messages needed clearing.  Bill attacked this upon entering the kitchen
through the back door.  Listening intently, a few from various publishers about
works he had submitted.  One from the neighbors down the road wishing Bill
well, advising him to call if he needed anything.  Such kindness was so common
place here.  Two very important messages, one from his Doctor friend, asking
Bill to call him....he had some leads regarding the health issues concerning Mary
Lou and her children.  The last, a message from Mary Lou’s son, telling her that
he would be arriving around 4 P.M., about two hours from then.  Leaving a cell.
number that they could reach him at.  He would need directions to get to Bill’s
home.  He would arrive before dark, this would ensure that the possibility of
another accident happening would be minimized by the daylight.  Mary Lou
was very aware of this, and her nervousness subsided markedly after having
heard her son’s message.  He was a safe and conscientious driver, street savvy
and level headed.  He should not have any difficulties in reaching them.

Bill began feeling the weariness of his recovering body.  His limbs felt heavy
and he knew that he must sit for a spell.  Perhaps put some light classical music
on the entertainment system stereo....music which often brought dreams as well
as inspiring thoughts or events that would meld perfectly into some piece of
writing that lay dormant on the credenza...  In moments, just moments, he was
peacefully sleeping.  Even the blanket that Mary Lou placed over his feet did
not cause him to stir....Nor did he feel the kiss that she lightly placed upon his
forehead.  If only he could have seen her eyes at that moment....could have
felt the love that radiated from them...

[This message has been edited by Magnus (01-07-2004 07:25 PM).]

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart