Pilar strode towards the car , looking amazing in a yellow sundress . For a brief moment , I remembered the first time I ’ d seen her . I had tripped over myself in an effort to introduce myself . Somehow this beautiful woman had let me into her life . I ’ d pg 16 been grateful then , but now I realized I ’ d been the prize in this relationship . Every man before me had been typical , buying her things , paying her bills , and the only places she ’ d been before me were Vegas and Miami . In our relatively short two years together , we ’ d taken at least ten trips . I didn ’ t want to buy her things , I wanted to impress her with the world .
15
Stories , Poetry & Flash Fiction
Short
The Trip to
NOWHERE by Marlon Hayes
There ’ s nothing like a weekend trip to spark up the romance . A nice three day lovefest to restart our engines . My girlfriend Pilar wasn ’ t as excited as me , but you can ’ t predict everyone ’ s ignition point . We needed a break . I knew it , but she refused to acknowledge our days of wine and roses were numbered .
My car was freshly washed , the interior rubbed down with whatever chemicals those fellas at the car wash used . Peach may have been the predominant ingredient , conjuring images of Georgia , and women with cut off blue jean shorts . I was a bit sour we weren ’ t going as far as Georgia , but it was okay . Our scheduled trip was to the wine country of southwestern Michigan , where we had a room booked at a bed and breakfast . The room was pricey , but I was striving to make this weekend memorable .
The simple things I required for a road trip stayed in my car at all times . Sunflower seeds ( they never get stale !), a Rand-McNally road map , and a small cooler , able to hold 18 beers if they were loaded right . My car was fully gassed , ready to roll , but Pilar hadn ’ t come outside yet . I sat in the driver ’ s seat , tapping my fingers against the wheel . I was hyped to hit the road , and I refused to let her dampen my spirits .
I hoped she had not forgotten to pack anything . On every road trip , she always left something , a toothbrush , deodorant , something . Whatever small thing she forgot always became a bone of contention for her to blame me for because I rushed her , or had upset her , making it always my fault . Pilar was adamant about everything always being my fault . If it was raining outside , somehow I was to blame . Slight exaggeration , but not by much .
Pilar strode towards the car , looking amazing in a yellow sundress . For a brief moment , I remembered the first time I ’ d seen her . I had tripped over myself in an effort to introduce myself . Somehow this beautiful woman had let me into her life . I ’ d pg 16 been grateful then , but now I realized I ’ d been the prize in this relationship . Every man before me had been typical , buying her things , paying her bills , and the only places she ’ d been before me were Vegas and Miami . In our relatively short two years together , we ’ d taken at least ten trips . I didn ’ t want to buy her things , I wanted to impress her with the world .
“ It ’ s about time you showed up , I had almost changed my mind about going ,” she said , sliding into the passenger side seat . “ Are you going to put my bags in , or not ? There wasn ’ t a kiss , a morning greeting , or even a smile acknowledging my presence . I stepped out of the car and walked around to her side . Pilar had three bags , and I couldn ’ t understand why , because we ’ d only be away for a couple of days . After placing the bags in the trunk , I made a wager with myself she still had forgotten something .
15