Once again, I saw it. Classic picture.
I stopped at a red light next to a jalopy filled with kids in the backseat and at least three grown folks in the front. From looking outside of my tinted windows, everybody in the car looked agitated. I slowly sat back into my plush seats. The sight all too instantly brought me back to something.
I was back, sitting in that rear seat pilled up with my cousins. I was lanky, tall and a little older pre-teen so they always stuck me in the middle, on the hard hump.
If I were lucky I’d get the window seat and watch the scenery instead of the back of someone’s head.
Just my luck. Sigh. I’m wedged.
I wished I could have my own car and money. I would certainly get to the mall quicker and cooler. I wouldn’t be uncomfortable and get say on what’s on the radio.
Just something, because I grew tired of hearing they’re complaints and being picked on.
“It’s hot.”
“I’m hungry.”
“Sue, it’s too hot in here,” they’d repeat to my mom.
“When are you going to get the air-condition’ fixed?”
“Are we going to get something to eat?”
“Look at the dollar 2-piece special at Churches.”
“Awe man, there goes another red light, we’re going to be full of sweat”.
I threw my head back waiting on someone to save me, or at least finally come and tell me I’m adopted and I’ll be out of the situation!
“It’s just too hot up in here,” they echoed.
“Ohhhh, look at those people in that BMW, girl you know they riding clean. I bet they ain’t got no problems,” yelled, my older cousin with a drivers’ license.
“She prolly go home to the gated fence and tell the butler what she wants to eat,” she added.
“I wish I was in there,” my brother said.
“Ohh, that’s my car,” my little cousins calling shots on the cars.
It wasn’t nice sitting in the back of the old Buick on hot summer days just trying to make it to the mall to window shop. After days of sitting at home looking at each other, a trip outside, even if it meant to be canned like pickles it was worth it, sometimes.
On and on they would rag, as if we could do anything right then and there.
I didn’t complain because I already knew the situation I was going into. I felt like it would be a waste of my time and breath. I knew the Buick had no air. I knew it was going to be hot every day. I knew we would sweat and lose some of our fresh fully clean smell. I knew we were going to have to pile together to make the trip. I know I had only five dollars and a happy meal was $2.99. I knew we would look poor and meager to other people with nicer things. It’s not like we hadn’t made this trip before! I just wanted to get to the mall to see the fresh stuff coming out! We do this nearly every week. But, if I had to take another trip with them like this again, forget it, I’ll just stay at the house with the cat. Man! I surely wish for better days to come.
GREEN LIGHT! ALREADY!!!
I smiled compassionately. Who said it wasn’t cool to grow up? Time for me to go, I know what it’s like. I’m glad I envisioned something. Without any hesitation I zoomed off.
I stopped at a red light next to a jalopy filled with kids in the backseat and at least three grown folks in the front. From looking outside of my tinted windows, everybody in the car looked agitated. I slowly sat back into my plush seats. The sight all too instantly brought me back to something.
I was back, sitting in that rear seat pilled up with my cousins. I was lanky, tall and a little older pre-teen so they always stuck me in the middle, on the hard hump.
If I were lucky I’d get the window seat and watch the scenery instead of the back of someone’s head.
Just my luck. Sigh. I’m wedged.
I wished I could have my own car and money. I would certainly get to the mall quicker and cooler. I wouldn’t be uncomfortable and get say on what’s on the radio.
Just something, because I grew tired of hearing they’re complaints and being picked on.
“It’s hot.”
“I’m hungry.”
“Sue, it’s too hot in here,” they’d repeat to my mom.
“When are you going to get the air-condition’ fixed?”
“Are we going to get something to eat?”
“Look at the dollar 2-piece special at Churches.”
“Awe man, there goes another red light, we’re going to be full of sweat”.
I threw my head back waiting on someone to save me, or at least finally come and tell me I’m adopted and I’ll be out of the situation!
“It’s just too hot up in here,” they echoed.
“Ohhhh, look at those people in that BMW, girl you know they riding clean. I bet they ain’t got no problems,” yelled, my older cousin with a drivers’ license.
“She prolly go home to the gated fence and tell the butler what she wants to eat,” she added.
“I wish I was in there,” my brother said.
“Ohh, that’s my car,” my little cousins calling shots on the cars.
It wasn’t nice sitting in the back of the old Buick on hot summer days just trying to make it to the mall to window shop. After days of sitting at home looking at each other, a trip outside, even if it meant to be canned like pickles it was worth it, sometimes.
On and on they would rag, as if we could do anything right then and there.
I didn’t complain because I already knew the situation I was going into. I felt like it would be a waste of my time and breath. I knew the Buick had no air. I knew it was going to be hot every day. I knew we would sweat and lose some of our fresh fully clean smell. I knew we were going to have to pile together to make the trip. I know I had only five dollars and a happy meal was $2.99. I knew we would look poor and meager to other people with nicer things. It’s not like we hadn’t made this trip before! I just wanted to get to the mall to see the fresh stuff coming out! We do this nearly every week. But, if I had to take another trip with them like this again, forget it, I’ll just stay at the house with the cat. Man! I surely wish for better days to come.
GREEN LIGHT! ALREADY!!!
I smiled compassionately. Who said it wasn’t cool to grow up? Time for me to go, I know what it’s like. I’m glad I envisioned something. Without any hesitation I zoomed off.
2 comments:
I just happen to be that guy you saw in Barnes and Noble on Tuesday night. You forgot that I graduated with you in May. :( How many gigs will your memory stick have? LOL! Just kidding. I love your page. It is very unique. I read some of the stories, and some were quite hilarious. I hope you make fantastic sales with your debut book. You'll be able to put more money towards that scholarship. Anyway, just wanted to stop by like I said I would and to wish you well in all your endeavors.
Man I like this one...it sounds like alot of people from our area...times sure were hard then...now everyone got dark tent and air conditioning...lol...brought back memories
Post a Comment