By Charles Gray
This will be the last time I drive these roads. Roads I’ve traveled twenty-five miles on a single lane to and from work for twenty years. Roads shaded by trees. Roads winding over hills and around curves. Roads with views of the lake. Roads that slow down through neighborhoods. Roads with potholes. Roads so familiar they feel like friends. Roads that take me to that mom-and-pop store every morning for coffee.
Sometimes, life throws a twist. I was laid off. Now, I dread traveling on highways as just another aggravated commuter stuck in traffic.
There’s a detour sign up ahead. Figures.
Oh I like this!
Thanks, Raine D!!
I always enjoy your stories and this is one’s no exception. Let’s hope the detour brings unexpected opportunities.
Thanks, David. I appreciate it!!
I definitely saw the detour as a kind of dramatic irony. The narrator sees it as symbolic of his/her job change (life detour) or simply as another stressor in busy commuter life, but the reader can see it hopefully, as perhaps another beautiful winding road. Is this what you were going for? In any case, good job!
The unexpected twists of life’s journeys. Rooting for good times ahead for the narrator.
Beautiful. This really hit hard. Gorgeous writing.
Beautiful! This one really hit hard. Gorgeous writing.
Great story.
Thought-provoking work. It got me thinking. The roads of life can lead us to so many places. I love the symbolism and the writing. Great job 🙂