Passions in Prose |
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Return To Sender (Part Fourteen) |
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Magnus![]() ![]()
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA ![]() |
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).] |
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© Copyright 2004 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved | |||
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Smiling...this has been one of the better entries...still making notes... |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Thank you for writing these. ![]() "if you won't let me fall for you |
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Marge Tindal![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Magnus~ Well, to be honest ... I could have done without Bill's urgent calling ... but that's just me~ ![]() Onward to the next one~ *Huglets* ![]() ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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