Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-9584883-20151217201044

“You will not have me. You will not have me. You will not have me. Not me mother fucker!!!…...”



Chapter 1. Free Bird



The sun was shining above the horizon through the windows of the 72 mustang. Windows down, the cool   morning fall air was whipping around inside the car making a beautiful mess of long hair. The Rolling Stones’s “Play with Fire” played on the radio. The Stones were big in 1973, so were muscle cars, long hair,   bell-bottoms, drugs, sex, rock-n-roll and Bowie. Sharon occupied the inner space of the mustang with two other girls, April and Jessica.

The three gal pals were on their way back home to Texas on Christmas break from New Mexico State University. They met freshman year and were happy to know fellow Texans so far away from home. They became thick as thieves on campus. Going to parties, the occasional concert, helping each other study. Even through break-ups with boyfriends. This was senior year, they were 21 and would be graduating, going off and living there lives. They knew this trip would likely be their last together. They weren’t going to waste it. It would have to be fun. They decided on that before they left campus.

“Look, don’t turn this trip into a total bummer April. It’s gonna be fun! Don’t fret mama, you’ll see.” Jessica reassured a pouting girl sitting on the floor of Sharon’s dorm room. They frequented her room most often as if they were unconsciously drawn to it. Sharon thought it was funny how their friendship seemed to circle around her. She was the unofficial ring leader.

“I know man. I just hate the fun to end is all. You two are my Curly and Mo.” April said looking up at   Jessica as she reached for the skinny joint in between Jessica’s lips.

“Yeah, we’ll stop at a few bars on the way. It won’t be so bad. It’s gonna be the three of us like every year. No guys this year to think about. It’s like the first time ever we’re all single at the same time.”   Sharon added as she sat on her bed waiting patiently for the blunt to pass to her.

“Yeah and we still have the rest of the year to hang out and live it up baby. No worries” Jessica said, lying on Sharon’s bed.

Looking out at the sun kissed morning sky 2 hours into the road trip, Sharon was at the wheel. She had on her big sunglasses, long strait hair flowing, whipping around. It felt nice. Nothing but desert surrounded them and the view was to die for. Jessica and April were asleep at the moment. They knew every 3 hours they would take turns driving. Jessica didn’t mind. Sunrise was her favorite time to drive. Especially with the windows down, cool wind in her hair.

Just then, the song ended and the d.j. began to speak over the a.m. airwaves “That was Play with Fire by the Rolling Stones. Real groovy tune man. By the way, don’t forget if you stop at Buffalo Bill’s food mart, they’re gonna treat ya real nice. They got everything from….”

Sharon tuned out the d.j. and focused on gorgeous colors ahead in the sky. Purples, pinks, even a little orange. It was fucking legendary. Sharon wanted to wake the girls up but decided to savor the moment just for her. It could be a happy place for her when she needed to escape for a few moments in the future. Finals, deaths in the family, overwhelming times she knew were inevitable.



Chapter 2. Knock Three Times

“Ok baby doll, your turn” Sharon said to Jessica, turning the mustang into a tiny gas station. They had always stopped at this place every trip. Once on the way home to Texas and once back. They were near the New Mexico-Texas border now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jessica looked toward the small tin building and smirked “Yep, he’s still here all right. Hey April, your man is waitin’ for ya” she taunted April who was sitting in the back seat. April began to get that nervous feeling she always got   around him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Every time they stopped, the same creepy old man sat out in front of the station with his great big rotten smile and big eyes. He always had lots to say to the trio each year. Last year he commented on what beautiful girls they were turning out to be. The year before that, he asked if they had boyfriends. Yessir, ole’ Jim Bob was a character. He loved flirting with the girls, every girl for that matter. He was on the border of being offensive and adorable. You might say he was a lovable asshole. One thing was for sure. Once you met Jim Bob, you never forgot him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Whoo-whee! Well Howdy girls. I see you’ve made it through another year in tact” Jim Bob shouted from his rocking chair.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jim Bob stood strait up looking into the mustang “Got yourself a new set of wheels I see. Boy she looks fast.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Do you mean April or the car Jim Bob” Jessica shouted over the loud engine. Sharon turned off the egnition.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Shut up Jess” April scowled at her pal in the front passenger seat. April was growing even more uneasy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Awe, you little dickens you. I mean this here pussy magnet you girls are ridin’ in. Say, what on earth would yall be doin’ in such a manly car anyway” Jim Bob asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Sharon’s Daddy bought it. It’s an early Graduation present for Ms. Trust fund here” Jessica backhanded Sharon in the chest.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sharon turned away from Jim Bob and winced at Jessica saying “Ouch, you shit! You hit my boob.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“mmm-mmm, you girls are looking lovely as always. So, you want me to fill’er up” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jessica smiled and asked “You mean April or the Car?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">April quickly backhanded Jessica on the back of the head and shouted “I said fuckin’ quit it already!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jessica could only laugh out loud. Sharon smiled turning back “Hey baby, she’s just kiddin’ don’t mind her. She’s gotta go to sleep sometime right?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Hee hee, you girls are a hoot and a holler” Jim Bob said as he walked away toward the gas pump.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The girls got out of the car. Sharon announced to Jim Bob “Hey we’re gonna use the bathroom real quick. We’ll settle up on the way out.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Alright. Y’all know where it is” he answered back staring at them as they walked toward the building.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“What a dirty ole man. You know he’s starin’ at our asses’ Sharon said to April and Jessica.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jessica looked back to see Jim bob’s eyes rise up from their backsides and nodded at her “Yep. He sure is.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The girls giggled as they made their way into the dirty bathroom.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Once the ladies room door was closed, April turned to them and said “At least this is the last year we have to see him   Man, he always gives me the wilies. There’s something not right about him.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“April, he’s just a dirty old man with little to look foreward to except flirting with pretty girls that stop by once in a while” Sharon said as she went into the last stall to pee.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jessica used the stall next to Sharon. “Hey, I’m getting hungry. Let’s stop at the Ponderosa for breakfast. I’m buyin’”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Yeah, sounds like a plan” Sharon Said convesing with Jessica.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Just then, Jessica let out a loud fart that echoed throughout the ladies room. Eveyone laughed. Even April.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Ewe! Fuckin’ fart-ass! I’m outta here” Sharon said laughing as she flushed the toilet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Dig that sucka” Jessica said clearing out the rest room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sharon and April waited outside the door. Sharon looked at April and asked “You sure you don’t need to go? It’s another hour til’ we reach the Ponderosa.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">April crossed her arms and said “Yeah, I’m ccol. I don’t like this place. Never have. I can wait.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Alright mama. We’ll be gone soon” Sharon said, wrapping her arm around April.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Just then, Jessica opens the door and proclaims “Elvis has left the building.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They all laugh as April shook her head

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Sharon said as she turned and walked to the front door “Come on little trouble maker, let’s hit the road. Remember, it’s your turn to drive.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">When they stepped outside, Jim Bob was nowhere in sight. The Mustang was abandoned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">They looked around as Sharon called out “Jim Bob. Were ready to settle up for the gas.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jim Bob did not answer.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jessica called out “Hey Jim Bob, stop playin’ with yourself and get out here!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">April backhanded Jessica on the upper arm saying “Shut up Jess! He might here you.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Good! I hope he does. What’s the big idea anyway, disappearing on us like that” Jessica questioned as she also looked around.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“He might just be in the bathroom is all” Sharon said. She called out “Jim Bob, we’re kinda in a hurry. I’ll leave the cash on the counter inside for you. Keep the change.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">She read the gas pump and walked back toward the building. In 1973, gas never rose above .50 cents per gallon. The total was $8, Sharon reached for a $10. Just then, Jim Bob walked from behind the tin building shouting “Sorry girls, I was just fetchin’ my nephew Bob. He’s shy around the ladies. Hold on, Hey Bobby   Come on out!” he shouted toward the back of the building.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The girls laid their eyes on the biggest man any of them had ever seen. He stood between 7.5 and 8 feet tall and nearly as wide as 2 refrigerators. As he made his way toward them, April’s blood ran cold as she said “We need to leave, now!”   She hurried behind the safety of the car.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jim Bob laughed and said “Don’t mind him. He’s alright. He don’t bite. I’m just having him help out for awhile. His mama, my sister passed away last month and he’s stayin’ here with me now helpin’ out.. Hey Bobby, come on over here and collect this gals money for the gasoline.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Bobby was directly in front of Sharon in three steps. He looked down at her, his outstretched hand open palm up which was as wide as Sharon’s torso. Sharon had never felt so powerless in her life. A feeling that was shared by her companions.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">“Sharon, be carefull” April warned with a bit of sobbing in her voice.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">“Here, keep the change” Sharon said looking up as she felt a pain in her neck telling her she couldn’t go any further. She placed the 10 in Bobby’s giant hand as he closed it tightly. You could see in your mind that hand wrapping around your wrist shattering it effortlessly. As if those hand had done such a thing before.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">Jessica staring intently at Bobby, lightly backhanded Sharon on the arm “Hey, let’s go.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">Jim Bob just laughed “Ok girls. We’ll be seeing ya.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">Sharon and April walked over to the car and opened the car to get in. April stood outside the car. Sharon looked out at April from the foreward tilted passenger seat “Hey, get in!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">April looked down at the dirt underneath her. Sharon also looked down. April had pissed her pants.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">Sharon said to Jessica “Hey Jess” motioning toward   April’s jeans.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">“Awe baby, it’s ok. Don’t worry. Just get in. We’re outta here.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">April reluctantly entered the mustang back seat. Jessica turned the ignition cuing the loud engine to fire up. As Sharon slammed the heavy door shut, Jim Bob and Bobby looked on as Jessica shifted into Drive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">“See you girls. See you real soon” Jim Bob said so that only Bobby could hear him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">With that, the trio peeled out, leaving the gas station.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 312.75pt;">Chapter 3. <ac_metadata title="Started a new tasty pasta today. First two chapters done.  No title yet.  For thos of you who are not familiar with my work.  I wrote Pasta Noir: Dames, Slugs and the Hatchetman, Ole&#039; broken bones pe"> </ac_metadata>