'Til the Love Runs Out
She pulled the car over to the side of the road. Dust swirled. She looked around before easing the door open. She stepped out of the car and took a deep breath. The sun was high in the sky. She held a hand up to shield her eyes. Squinting, she surveyed the landscape before her. I should have remembered my sunglasses, she thought. You know the drill, Stella. You know it.
To the east, west, north, and south, it was all familiar; she'd been here before. She left the car on the side of the road and strode across the highway. She didn't bother looking both ways. No one ever passed this way. She was alone and would stay that way until it was time to drive away.
When would it be time? It was always different. Sometimes she stayed only a few minutes, other times it had taken a lot longer. This time, she feared, it might take awhile. She didn't dare imagine how long "awhile" might be. She found the bench and stretched out. One hand cradled her head, the other blocked the sun. Next time, I hope there isn't a next time, bring the damn sunglasses, she thought.
Her mind wandered, but never far enough. She was here for the duration. It was a stop she had to make . She sat a moment, then laid down again. She stood, walked a few steps, and returned to the bench. This was the hardest part - the waiting. The time never passed fast enough. Had time stopped? Sometimes it felt as if it had.
Even though she was lonely and wished there was someone to talk to, she knew with the greatest certainty that she had to do this alone. She wouldn't be any good to anyone anyway. Not now. Soon, though, when the time had passed. She'd be able to rejoin the world.
She looked at her watch and glanced back at her car. Dust swirled and the sun bore down on her soul. It was going to be a minute. If only she could sleep. Sleep wasn't allowed. This, whatever "this" was had to be experienced. She knew this from well... experience. It was always like this. Wait for it. Wait for it. Wait for it.
'Til the love runs out, Stella thought. 'Til the love runs out.
To the east, west, north, and south, it was all familiar; she'd been here before. She left the car on the side of the road and strode across the highway. She didn't bother looking both ways. No one ever passed this way. She was alone and would stay that way until it was time to drive away.
When would it be time? It was always different. Sometimes she stayed only a few minutes, other times it had taken a lot longer. This time, she feared, it might take awhile. She didn't dare imagine how long "awhile" might be. She found the bench and stretched out. One hand cradled her head, the other blocked the sun. Next time, I hope there isn't a next time, bring the damn sunglasses, she thought.
Her mind wandered, but never far enough. She was here for the duration. It was a stop she had to make . She sat a moment, then laid down again. She stood, walked a few steps, and returned to the bench. This was the hardest part - the waiting. The time never passed fast enough. Had time stopped? Sometimes it felt as if it had.
Even though she was lonely and wished there was someone to talk to, she knew with the greatest certainty that she had to do this alone. She wouldn't be any good to anyone anyway. Not now. Soon, though, when the time had passed. She'd be able to rejoin the world.
She looked at her watch and glanced back at her car. Dust swirled and the sun bore down on her soul. It was going to be a minute. If only she could sleep. Sleep wasn't allowed. This, whatever "this" was had to be experienced. She knew this from well... experience. It was always like this. Wait for it. Wait for it. Wait for it.
'Til the love runs out, Stella thought. 'Til the love runs out.
Comments
Post a Comment