Ok ok. I know i said i wouldn't blog until the end of my midterm, but inspiration juices just keep flowing into my noodle and if i don't pour some of it out soon, i may die of stroke.
Anyways, i was struck with this really cool idea for a story while i was sitting for my English paper. I didn't really have the time to put it all into words during the test but i did managed to instill the rough idea though. Here's the more refined version.
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I didn’t feel comfortable driving the car. It was too big, too imposing and the woman on the sat nav was getting on my nerves.
“If possible, try to make a legal u-turn…try to make a legal u-turn.”
It was getting late and I wasn’t familiar with the neighbourhood. The huge BMW X5 rolled passed strips of worn-out shop houses, ugly convenient stores and overgrown yards. There were children in groups of four or five standing beside their bicycles. Their faces eerily glowed in the lights of their mobile phones. I couldn’t really make out any of them under their hooded jacket.
“Try to make a legal u-turn…”
“Shut up you stupid machine!” I shouted, suddenly aware that I probably had a drink too many.
Eyes followed me. Or at least that’s how I felt. I was too well dressed for that area and my car was too conspicuously expensive.Guilt started sinking in. Maybe I should just turn the car around and stop what I’m about to do before I regret. I shook that thought off and reminded myself to focus. Suddenly, the scene changed and rows of old warehouses with smashed skylights and dark walls came into sight. They looked as though they were deserted years ago.
I pulled up at one of the lots and cut the ignition. The shuddering diesel engine hummed to a stop. I dug out a paper from my right pocket and compared the fading signage with the address I had on it. “Marty’s Car Repair & Servicing”. I got down from the car and called out, but the only reply I got was from my echo. I curled my fingers through the chain linked fence and tried peering through the blanket of darkness
“Hmm, they’re probably not here yet.” I thought to myself.
I went back to the car to wait as the night was getting colder. The radio couldn’t get a signal and after a few tries, I gave up, I positioned myself comfortably on the plush leather seats, reached for the climate control knob and turned the heater up to maximum. I hadn’t slept well for the past days. The State Tower collapsed last week due to a structural failure and the hospital was pouring with injured victims. My eyelids were getting heavier.
I was sitting on the counter top munching on a PB&J sandwich. I loved peanut butter and jam. It was the only thing I could look forward to everyday. I would be the first to the kitchen every morning to make myself one. The caretakers always hid the jar of peanut butter on the highest shelf together with the other food supplies after dinner to prevent anyone from sneaking into the kitchen for a late night snack. Sometimes, when they forgot to bring them back down in the morning, I had to climb stacked chairs to reach it. It was worth going through the trouble though.
“There you are. Come on, we’re going to miss the bus.”
My sister grabbed a hold of my hand and we ran out of the building towards the leaving bus, barely managing to get on it. She took the front seat and I sat beside her like I always do. Jenna was a 9th grade student in Mckinley’s High. My elementary school was a couple of blocks away from hers but we took the same bus.
Both our parents died in a traffic accident when I was 5. We were sent to the children’s home because none of the relatives volunteered to take us. When we first moved in, I wasn’t used to unfamiliar environment and every night, I cried for my parents. The caretakers would try to comfort me but when that didn’t work they get frustrated and beat me until I stopped. When Jenna found out, she insisted on moving me to the girl’s quarters so that she could look after me. She turned down all her friends’ offers to the movies and the mall after school so that she could come right back to me. Every night, she read me stories and sang me songs to cheer me up before I went to bed. It wasn’t easy. I always wanted more and by the time I fell asleep, it was already way past midnight. When morning came, she had to go to school with dark circles.
“You know I love you a lot right Will?”’
“Err…yea. Definitely.” I replied, still munching on my PB&J sandwich
“Grieving is no excuse to shut everyone out of your world. Krista, little Jake and Kate, they all need you. You have to pull yourself together for them.”
“You’re acting weird Jenna. What are you talking about?”
“Look at me Will.”
“What?…” I said annoyed while turning to face her.
I was bowled over. She wasn’t the 15 year old teenager in a flawlessly pressed school uniform and a neatly tied pony tail. Instead, sitting there poised and well postured, was a beautiful woman in her late thirties.
“Je…Je…Jenna?”
“Don’t do drugs Will. We both know that it’s bad for you. It hurts seeing you like this. I know you’re upset but you don’t have to be, I’m fine now. I want you to focus on your family. They need you.”
“But I’m lost Jenna. I don’t know what to do. I couldn’t save you and you were gone. I wasn’t good enough. I failed Jenna, I failed.”
She caressed my face. I felt my stubble against her soft skin and realised i wasn't a boy anymore. Her touch was soothing, It felt almost surreal but I was sure it was her.
“Listen Will. It wasn’t your fault, there was nothing you could’ve done, there was nothing anyone could’ve done. You are the best of the bests and don’t ever for a second doubt that. I’m happy you were the one by my side at the time. I couldn’t ask for more.
The bus slowly came to a halt.
“Mckinley’s High!” shouted to bus driver.
“Look, I have to go. Don’t forget, you have a beautiful wife and an adorable pair of kids waiting for you at home to have dinner together. I love you, Will.”
“No..no sis, no…. Jen wait. Don’t leave me.”
“Silly boy. How could I ever. I was, am and always will be in your heart.”
The door swung shut and everything closed in. Suddenly, I was back in my BMW X5, drenched in sweat and panting deeply. My phone was ringing. I wiped off my tears and answered it. A voice on the other side said: “We got the stuff you want. Are you at the warehouse now?” I was still stunned and partially paralyzed, trying to piece together what had just happened with what was happening.
“Hello? Mate? Are you still there?”
“Oh….Uh...yea, yea, I’m here.”
“Ok. We’re reaching the warehouse. Have you got the money with you?”
“Yea. But erm....you know what, on second thought forget the deal, I’m out of here.”
“What? No, no w...wait, hold ………”
I hung up before he could say anything more and fired up the engine. The bright xenon headlights shot out onto the road like rays of hope.
“Welcome to BMW. If possible, try to make a legal u-turn.”
I smiled and looked up
”Okie Dokie sis!”
I pressed my foot on the accelerator pedal and swirled the car around. This time, I knew that I had finally made the right decision.
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If you're not emotionally disturbed by now, then you should probably wear this shirt.
Ha! Just kidding. I know it's not much. Soooo, if you read the whole story, you're really awesome already. I guess that's all for now. Keep posted!
