Exactly 100 words like always…
The tire exploded, the van jerked hard to the right and back. The schedule 40 steel pipes tied to the roof racks held firm. I pulled off at the exit and changed the tire, checked the pipes on the roof and made my way to the gas station. Exit 21 off of 495 deposited me into another world. The man at the station spoke little English but knew what I needed, a new tire and rim. With all that weight a spare wouldn’t be safe. He smiled and said ” ‘alf’ hour”. I walked to the nearby park, finding a place to rest.
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Very interesting and unique take on the prompt. Well written, but I didn’t expect anything less from you, Mr. Poet. 🙂
You can just call me Mr.Tom has more of an ethnic feel and goes along with this post!
Hi Tom,
Very interesting and creative take on the photo. Well written. Ron
Hey Ron, thanks. Cindy makes a good point…think I’ll drop the H in half. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I like that the photo takes up with the very end of the story. I do like that “other world” quality of the story and the photo. Question, though: why spell “our” that way when “hour” is pronounced the same way? Thanks for your comment on mine. 🙂
You know I thought the same thing….afterwards. Not sure what would sound right. Just drop the H on half? Any suggestions.
A couple of apostrophes would help: ‘alf ‘our (I agree, it would read easier if hour had an “h”). Nice slice of life.
Perfect Vb Holmes..I like it. Thanks! Stop by anytime!
I like this unique take on the photo and I know how it feels to be traveling and have to find repairs. Well done.
Thanks Yaral…This more or less happened to me..Found myself in park where they were doing Tai Chi in the bushes.
Tai Chi in the bushes made me imagine little Chinese people hacking through vegetation in slow mo. 🙂 I, too, have been some place where I felt I was in a different country because of language. Recently in New Jersey near Philly, I stopped to get gas and could barely understand the person behind the counter and since they had the weirdest credit card system, I barely made it out alive and with gas. 🙂
You may want to get rid of the capital “S” in “He smiled”.
This is what happens when you write something in about ten minutes….LOL Thanks.
Janet.. I was totally freaked out…basically that’s what it looked like to me.
An original take on the prompt. Nicely done.
Thank you!
Nice little piece, well done. I think we’ve all experienced this no matter where in the world we live.
The world is getting smaller and you can find pockets of just about any culture right down the road. Thanks for stopping by Dude.
A refreshingly different take on the prompt. I enjoyed this one.
Thank you Rochelle. “Refreshingly”…I like that.
what is the significance of the roof rack strength? what is being held up there?
I see the confusion there Rich. I added two words….now two words have to go. Hmmmm….Well thanks for stopping by and ruining exactly 100 words.
This is why I’m glad I don’t drive. An exploding tire would be my worst nightmare.
Thanks for stopping by Lora! Why don’t you drive?
Dear Tom,
I like how your story leads us to the park and rest in a peaceful spot rather than starting with the prompt. Quite nice. Thaks.
aloha,
doug
Thanks Doug,
I always like hearing from you. I will stop by your blog later today and have a look. You are great talent and I look forward to reading your work.
Tom