Melanie
The sign said twenty miles to Sunnydale, TX and the nearest gas
station. As I glanced down at my fuel gauge, the empty light flashed at me. Like
I didn’t know my car was starving; we were all starving! The last stop was over
a hundred miles back, and I forgot to buy food. My stomach growled at me the minute
I thought about all the things I didn’t buy. I rubbed my abdomen in a circular
motion trying to ease the hunger pains.
“Well, Benny, I hope we can make it.”
I glanced over at my Beagle and rubbed his long brown
ears. He was the best co-pilot a girl could ask for as he never complained
about my driving or my choice in music. Benny opened his one good eye, giving me
a long look before he yawned and went back to sleep. He didn’t have a care in
the world.
“I wish I had your life,” I muttered to him before
turning back to the stretch of highway.
The empty light stopped flashing as my car started to
spit and sputter.
“No! No! Come on! We only have a few more miles to go.”
With a last sigh, the car died as I guided it over to
the shoulder of the road. I pounded my hands on the steering wheel in
frustration, silently seething inside. I pulled out my cell phone, but all it said
was “Searching for Service”.
A tightness started in my chest and tears filled my
eyes. Come on, Melanie, hold yourself together. The tears leaked out,
running hot trails down my cheeks. Not this too, on top of everything. My
retreat to my best friend stymied by a lack of fuel in my gas tank. Just
perfect. What to do now? I looked over at Benny. He curled into a little
brown ball, squeezing his one eye shut, totally ignoring me.
“Well, buddy, I guess we are going to have to hoof it
to town.” I wiped at my tears and blotted my mascara. “No need to have coon
eyes as we walk into Sunnydale” I muttered to myself.
I strained for his leash and my purse, both of which
had slid under the seat. Next, I searched for some sneakers, or boots, or
anything besides my cute strappy sandals. But, alas, in my haste to leave I’d
only packed those super cute sandals and a couple of pairs of heels. What
was I thinking! Stupid, Melanie. Just stupid. I grabbed the sandals without
a heel, blew my bangs out of my eyes, and clipped on Benny’s leash to start my
trek into town. I sure hope Sunnydale is more than just a one-horse town.
The sweltering heat plowed into me when I stepped out
of the car and onto the road: immediately, the sweat beaded on my back and ran
down my body.
“Why is it so hot in South Texas? It’s not even noon.”
I complained to Benny.
Of course, he didn’t care. He was too busy sniffing
all around, making happy little noises in his throat the way Beagles do as he
explored the large cacti, flowers, and jackrabbit trails. The sun continued to
beat down as we walked. Thirty minutes later, my shoulders were burnt and the
dirt clung between my toes while I dabbed the sweat from my eyes. How did
everything fall apart? Where was my life going? Sunnydale could not get here
fast enough.
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