29 April 2012
I just wanted to say that my cousin helped with story .So enjoy!
John rubbed his eyes and glanced to the digital clock on the dashboard; it was 1:26 AM in neon green letters. Music played softly in the car as John tried to focus on the road. In the passenger seat was his brother Dave, almost three years his junior. The brothers were traveling across the country, from New Hampshire to Las Vegas; they rarely got along for more than a few hours but this time they were pushing days. Dave had wanted to get away, and John had nothing keeping him at home; so they decided to take a trip out to Vegas. They would have taken a plane, but they didn’t have the extra money. That’s why John drove his 1980’s mustang down yet another quiet stretch of road in the American desert. A beeping sound interrupted the music on the radio and intrigued John to turn the volume up. He was trying to be a good driver and stay informed about anything happening in the area, but he also wanted to be a good brother and let Dave sleep. Dave had a short temper and was often cranky when he woke.
“The National Weather Service is tracking a large storm threatening rain, thunder, and lightening. Residents are advised to close the windows in their homes until the storm has passed, and anyone driving should seek shelter immediately. Reports say that the storm is creating a dust cloud that is sweeping through the desert; be extra careful in these areas.” The music turned back on as if nothing had happened, the monotone computerized voice had said its peace and gone.
Unfortunately, the announcement woke Dave from his sleep. He stirred, rubbed his eyes and then dragged his left hand over his head, through his short brown hair. He groaned as he tried to stretch, but his seatbelt was still on and his position had cramped all of his muscles. He looked quickly to John before looking out to the darkness.
“Where are we?” Dave asked as he cracked his knuckles.
“We’re still on the road.” John knew they were still going in the right direction; but stopping for directions would soon be a good idea.
“What does that mean?”
“You didn’t sleep long enough.”
“So much for Vegas.”
“I’ll get us there, don’t worry.”
“Haven’t you been paying attention, there must’ve been signs.”
“It’s dark outside and there’s nothing to see. I don’t remember the last time I actually saw a sign.”
“I should’ve driven.”
“Why, so you can scream at everyone you drive by or flip off a state trooper? Just close your eyes; I’ll wake you at dawn.” Dave cursed under his breath and punched the dashboard, turning the radio off. With a slow stream of blood dripping from his knuckles, Dave turned away in an attempt to sleep. But it didn’t last long; John turned the radio back on softly.
“The National Weather Service is tracking a large storm threatening rain, thunder, and lightening. Residents are advised to close the windows in their homes until the storm has passed, and anyone driving should seek shelter immediately. Reports say that the storm is creating a dust cloud that is sweeping through the desert; be extra careful in these areas.” The announcement came again, no more or less insistent than before. John wanted nothing more than to listen to music; maybe it would help him forget his brother’s constant criticism.
That was when he saw the first sign he could remember since Ohio. It was fitting with the history of the trip that never should’ve happened. John turned the car’s hi-beams on and slowed so that he could read the sign carefully. It was off to the side and weather worn, but he still managed to understand it.
LAKE HOUSE GAS AND GO CONVIENENCE OPEN 24 HOURS NEXT STOP TWENTY MILES GREAT FOOD AND A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE ONE MILE ON THE LEFT
That’s when the ‘check engine’ light clicked on. Its bright orange glow filled the inside of the car and turned John’s vision red, nothing seemed right. Dave shifted and looked at the dashboard to see the warning light. He moaned something under his breath that he didn’t even know and sat up in the seat. It seemed to take him a few moments to realize what he was seeing.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
“Didn’t you bring this to the shop before we left?”
“Last week, they said everything was fine.”
“I knew it; they always do things so that you’ll have to go back and spend more money. Or they charge so much you might as well just buy a new car.” Dave cursed. “Damned thieves always trying to steal from old women.”
“They’re professionals.”
“Professional con artists.”
“Next time, you bring this car to them. Tell them how you feel, don’t bitch to me.”
“We should’ve gotten a rental.”
“Do you know how much they charge; especially if you plan to leave the state? That would piss you off.” Suddenly the ‘low oil’ and ‘low battery’ lights clicked on. “Oh, shit.” There was a sudden vibration that rocked John’s feet and a loud bang that made Dave jump in his seat. A pop followed immediately after and John lost control of the car. He fought the wheel but couldn’t stop when the car pivoted and dove into a small ditch on the side of the road. The engine died; no matter what John tried it wouldn’t start again. The power was fading too; the last thing the radio managed to utter was, “…reported severe lightening, for your own safety find shelter immediately.”
Once outside of the car, the brothers could see the extent of the damage. A tire had popped on the front passenger side and it appeared as though the axle may have snapped. Worse yet, the car struck a heavy rock and the radiator was smashed; they wouldn’t be able to get the car out on their own. Dave wasn’t happy; he tore his shirt off, exposing the dog tattoo on his back, and screamed obscenities into the night sky. Anything near him was picked up and thrown as far as he could muster; he kicked the car and used a rock to break off the passenger side-mirror.
“Hey!” John yelled at him, though Dave didn’t respond. “You’re going to pay for that. If you want to break something go somewhere so I don’t have to watch. I’m tired of you breaking my things.” Dave stopped moving, though his chest heaved heavily as sweat covered him. Finally he moved to grab his shirt and turned to John.
“What now?”
“I saw a sign for a gas station; it’s less than a mile down the road.”
“Come on!” He was flustered and spoke sharply, John expected no less.
*
The storm was raging around them, blinding them with sand and deafening them with thunder, as the brothers stumbled down the long road. They walked for what felt like hours, each step harder to take than the one before, and only the light from Lake House promised relief.John rubbed his eyes and glanced to the digital clock on the dashboard; it was 1:26 AM in neon green letters. Music played softly in the car as John tried to focus on the road. In the passenger seat was his brother Dave, almost three years his junior. The brothers were traveling across the country, from New Hampshire to Las Vegas; they rarely got along for more than a few hours but this time they were pushing days. Dave had wanted to get away, and John had nothing keeping him at home; so they decided to take a trip out to Vegas. They would have taken a plane, but they didn’t have the extra money. That’s why John drove his 1980’s mustang down yet another quiet stretch of road in the American desert. A beeping sound interrupted the music on the radio and intrigued John to turn the volume up. He was trying to be a good driver and stay informed about anything happening in the area, but he also wanted to be a good brother and let Dave sleep. Dave had a short temper and was often cranky when he woke.
“The National Weather Service is tracking a large storm threatening rain, thunder, and lightening. Residents are advised to close the windows in their homes until the storm has passed, and anyone driving should seek shelter immediately. Reports say that the storm is creating a dust cloud that is sweeping through the desert; be extra careful in these areas.” The music turned back on as if nothing had happened, the monotone computerized voice had said its peace and gone.
Unfortunately, the announcement woke Dave from his sleep. He stirred, rubbed his eyes and then dragged his left hand over his head, through his short brown hair. He groaned as he tried to stretch, but his seatbelt was still on and his position had cramped all of his muscles. He looked quickly to John before looking out to the darkness.
“Where are we?” Dave asked as he cracked his knuckles.
“We’re still on the road.” John knew they were still going in the right direction; but stopping for directions would soon be a good idea.
“What does that mean?”
“You didn’t sleep long enough.”
“So much for Vegas.”
“I’ll get us there, don’t worry.”
“Haven’t you been paying attention, there must’ve been signs.”
“It’s dark outside and there’s nothing to see. I don’t remember the last time I actually saw a sign.”
“I should’ve driven.”
“Why, so you can scream at everyone you drive by or flip off a state trooper? Just close your eyes; I’ll wake you at dawn.” Dave cursed under his breath and punched the dashboard, turning the radio off. With a slow stream of blood dripping from his knuckles, Dave turned away in an attempt to sleep. But it didn’t last long; John turned the radio back on softly.
“The National Weather Service is tracking a large storm threatening rain, thunder, and lightening. Residents are advised to close the windows in their homes until the storm has passed, and anyone driving should seek shelter immediately. Reports say that the storm is creating a dust cloud that is sweeping through the desert; be extra careful in these areas.” The announcement came again, no more or less insistent than before. John wanted nothing more than to listen to music; maybe it would help him forget his brother’s constant criticism.
That was when he saw the first sign he could remember since Ohio. It was fitting with the history of the trip that never should’ve hap
On A Quiet Stretch Of The Road • Opuss № I