I conceived and wrote the following short story several weeks ago, in one sitting, while nestled in a comfortable chair deep within a local hospital waiting room. It’s based on actual events which a family member shared with me recently. The names and locations are fictional. Hope you enjoy.
Hank and his friends from Valley Retirement Home were all aged, the years now accentuating their wrinkles, sags, and visual acuity. Make no mistake, their minds were quite intact. The bus they had willingly boarded was also aged. Though even after several thousand miles she still had life left in her. It was a Greyhound, quite comfortable with a very necessary restroom situated in the rear. One could easily argue two were needed at times.
The casino lay ahead, a few more miles away, along a less traveled old county road. A destination they looked forward to like children to candy. They couldn’t wait to indulge a little pocket change in exchange for the din of flashing lights, clanging bells, and the anticipation of “the big payoff”.
Sam the bus driver enjoyed the scarcity of traffic on this particular stretch of road. He normally wouldn’t take this route but today just felt like a change. Perhaps a bit of unfamiliar scenery would do them all some good, he thought. A healthy distraction as it were.
Hank peered out the window. The morning sun warmed the summer air as it streamed through the scarcity of clouds. Shadows danced about through the trees as the bus moved with purposeful intention.
“Look Martha”, he motioned to his wife next to him, “they finally tore down the old Ellison place. Haven’t been on this road in years I suppose.”
“It’s a little bumpy in here, don’t you think?” she noted.
“Yes ind…”
Suddenly there was a loud pop. The bus jolted to the right, tilting a bit. A rock had lodged under the tire rim which caused the bus frame to lunge upward with a single thump. The weaker passengers struggled to maintain their balance while Sam skillfully brought the bus to a stop. He put the transmission in park, leaving the diesel engine idling.
Disorientation permeated the cabin. Sam swung around to examine his precious cargo. “Everyone alright?”
Once happy passengers were now grumbling.
“What's going on now?” one exclaimed. “Are we finally there?” said another, awakened from her slumber.
Sam spoke up, “Folks we’ve lost a tire it seems. Just relax, I’ll go check it out.”
“Why’d he go this way anyway?” said a soft voice of another from in the back section. “Damn fool.”
The sunshine bore down on the aluminum clad shell and poured through the bare windows. Didn’t take long for the temperature to start rising.
“Turn up the air please. Lord have mercy!” a voice pleaded.
“Why is it so hot in here?” Martha inquired rather loudly as if no one was listening or cared.
Sam looked down at the console to check the air conditioner. The engine was idling and the fan was on but cold air was not forthcoming. He tapped the buttons once, then harder as though that would magically fix the problem. It didn’t. “I suggest we move outside. Those trees near the bus will provide a bit of relief from the sun.”
All twenty two souls aboard disembarked. Some slowly, others even slower. Most were visibly annoyed, understandably so. They were in the prime of their lives and had little time for inconvenience. Hank and Martha joined the others, discontented with the fact that they’d now have to stand or find a natural implement to sit upon.
Martha soon heard the call of nature.
“Hank, I’ve got to go back inside and use the bathroom. I hate those things. They’re so small and messy. And that stench!” She had hoped to wait but some things are inevitable for those who are in the upper double digits of life. She climbed back aboard and made her way to the rear of the bus.
Moments later a request beckoned from deep within. “Hank, come here. The bathroom door won’t open.”
“Oh no, what now?“ Hank said to himself.
Martha had always relied upon Hank to fix things. One way or another, they usually got fixed.
Hank approached the pesky door. “Let me try.” Hank reached for the handle and pulled. No luck. He used additional force. Again, no luck. Then he kicked the door as if that should work like it always does in the movies. Still no luck. “Well, it opened when we left. I know, ‘cause I used it. Wait, that bump must have dislodged the hinge.” Hank reasoned.
Panic struck Hank’s mind. Martha’s was already stricken. The others, well no sense telling them just yet. No motion, no bathroom, no air conditioning, no casino, and bladders stretched to there limit!
Their despair was short-lived. For as slowly as the minutes had seemingly passed for them, help was swiftly approaching. That glorious Greyhound logo grew larger as it emerged from the horizon a distance away. A cumulative sigh could be heard clear to the next county.
Demonstrating that indeed sometimes the drive can be more noteworthy than the destination.
Jim
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4
Mine too. Funny how that Scripture applies to a stinky & problematic bathroom.
Isaiah 46:4 is one of my favorites! Thanks!