4 am.
The windows mist up and clear.
Wipers, never short of stamina, never lose their rhythm, clear the morning rain.
The soft click of the back and forth, lull me into a gentle place.
Waze signals 10.5 hours in front of us.
I’m the first to carry the baton.
I’m pressing to slingshot over the GW Bridge ahead of rush hour.
Rain, highway warning signs, road construction.
Truckers, tourists, insomiacs – all being squeezed, four lanes into one.
We clear.
We fly out of the shoot and enter the NJ turnpike.
The right hand makes slight course corrections.
The right foot steady, to 82 mph.
Makin’ time in Summer time.
Susan sleeps in the back.
Eric snores to my right.
But for the hum of the engine, the cabin is quiet.
A thin stream of light lines the horizon, dawn stretching to lift Night.
Quiet? Not.
More like Levithan’s Unquiet – words and thoughts crash into each other.
It’s Eric’s Senior Year.
Mom and Dad are dropping off their precious cargo and deadheading back.
The Melancholy Bus rides again.
I flip the keys to Mom at our first pit stop.
Rest rooms, coffee, and a top up of fuel.
But what are Road Trips without Fast Food?
The Golden Arches. Billions Served. Quarter Pounders. Fries. Hot Apple Pies.
But we’ve evolved.
We’re so beyond that.
You say I can’t do it.
I say, anything is possible.
You say I’ll have regrets.
I’ll say you’re probably right.
I settle into the back seat.
My back rests against the door.
My legs are up on the seat.
I lay a handful of napkins on the floor.
I pause to admire The Box. Smooth. Pastel colors.
If there is a God.
And God made Man.
And Man made this, it has to be Sacred.
Nothing else could so trigger this reaction.
I need a Dentist’s saliva vacuum to suck out the overflow.
We’re flooding here.
I open The Box.
There lay six new borne Krispy Kremes, babes wrapped in cloth in the manger.
My hands are shaking. I’m an addict. I’m sure of it.
One hand gripping the box. The other is workin’ hand to mouth. In 7 minutes:
- 2 original glazed. (380 cal total)
- 1 chocolate glazed. (400 cal each)
- 1 glazed blueberry cake. (300 cal each)
I stop to take a breath.
I’m lightheaded with vertigo. A Sugar Buzz.
There are two left in the box.
I set the box down.
I need an intervention.
God help me. What have I done?
I shout up to the front seat:
“Can you please lock the doors, so I don’t roll onto the highway.”
The Melancholy Bus rides on.
Notes:
- Photograph – Execupundit
- Related Posts in the Driving Series
Hope Eric has a fabulous senior year!
Thank you Peggy.
tried to overdo the sweet to take away some of the bittersweet taste. that’s all. looking for balance.
What a beautiful representation of gluttony…thank you for shedding light Beth.
I can really get it. Krispy Kremes, yum, yum! Love your description. Something like having victory and defeat all within minutes. But so very good!
Smiling. That butter, melt in your mouth taste – just so finger linkin’ good.
so familiar with this kind of melacholy
In parental DNA I suppose.
Really good David!
Melancholy moments in the highs and lows of life.
Wishing the impact of them would come and go as easily…
Yes…smooth with peaceful transition. Thank you Val.
And then there’s the I-5 – https://emandyves.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/its-the-i-5/
Yes, that was a great post. Thanks Darlene
So perfectly written. It’s all there.
Love the dentist’s saliva vacuum reference. And the capitalization on Sugar and Buzz. It’s it’s own thing.
Cheers to the senior year – for all of you.
Smiling. Thank you Bonnie.
Yippee! DK’s gone on a sugar binge–I’m getting a running post sometime in the next 72 hours. Finding a comfy chair and pouring a glass of vino in anticipation… 😀😀 (And wishing Eric a fabulous senior ?!! (Where did the time go?) year….
The rage hasn’t built up yet Lori, but be assured, it’s coming. 🙂 And yes, the time has flown by….
How about a little rueful reflection and understanding for yourself instead, pal? As they say in the Liberty Mutual commercial, ‘Newsflash, you’re human.’ 😉
Laughing. We’ll save that for the meditators. I need to keep my unique balance! 🙂
Can’t argue with you there, DK. The risible quality of your raving is what I savor…
Ah yes. You suggest better understanding and self-love. But can’t resist the rubbernecking on the car crash. I TOTALLY GET IT. 🙂
Wow where have the years gone. All the best to Eric on his senior year 🙂
Yes, exactly. Thanks Bim.
Oh, my. I’ve driven that melancholy bus. But never had the pleasure of the Krispy Kreme fix in the process. I’m trying to figure out how far south you had to go to find one. I haven’t had one of those puppies since South Carolina..decades now. ☺
They are like nothing else I’ve eaten. Sweet buttery melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.
Vivid imagery, David. You made me laugh so hard. I remember riding that buss a few years back…waffles swimming in cream and syrup of years passed too quickly. I wish Eric a fabulous senior year.
Thank you Helen. Smiling. Waffles. OMG. I’m hungry.
Gotta soften the blows. Sometimes sugar helps, sometimes you just get fat ha! Senior year will be great, no need for the melancholy bus…… Next step Rehab! I can suggest some for you. But they are in Fiji…
Ha! I bet you can.
Love, love Krispy Kremes…there is no having just one, or two, or three…a much needed dose of comfort food, sounds like!
Smiling. You are right Vicki. One does not come close to satisfying.
Where is the “love this” option. KK is a tough but tasty addiction. Good luck to Eric!
Smiling. Thank you!
“I need an intervention!” Yeah, you would have punched anyone trying that in the mouth. With powdered sugar flying.
You KNOW me!!
now I want some donuts…
Drooling just thinking about it…😃