Clarence drives down the two lane highway, the age spots on his hands contrasting against his pale skin where his hands grip the wheel in the ten and two position. The gold band of his wedding ring barely fits on his swollen finger, but he refuses to take it off despite the tight fit and the black nick in the precious metal. His khaki pants remain wrinkle free, despite Clarence having been on the road for the past three weeks. His grey button down shirt is tucked into the pants, and his navy sweater vest is lint free. His shoes are polished and shiny under the dash. His face is clean shaven, and his thinning blonde hair is neatly combed, every hair in its place.
The old SUV is spotless inside, not a speck of dirt or dust to be found anywhere. …show more content…
“So, Clarence, since we’re going to be riding together for a little while, why don’t we get to know each other a little bit? It’d be a good way to pass the time.”
“Okay. Why don’t you start?” Clarence answers carefully.
“I’d be happy too.” Rex pauses for a moment, thinking about what to say and where to begin. He decides to stick with the basics, and begins speaking. “I’m from New York City, born and raised,” he says proudly. “I’m heading to Palo Alto to visit an old friend. Plane tickets are so expensive and I don’t have a car, so I thought I’d try hitchhiking across the country. It’s taken me about four days and three rides to make it the first 1500 miles.” Rex stops talking and waits for Clarence to speak. It takes him a moment to gather his thoughts and settle on his usual story, which is a slightly altered version of the truth.
“I’m from Bedford, New Hampshire, but I moved with my wife to Philadelphia twenty-five years ago. I’m on my way to visit my sister in Salt Lake City,” he finishes.
Rex nods at his wedding band. “Your wife didn’t want to come with you?”
Clarence shakes his head. “She died a few years ago of cancer.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Rex says genuinely. “That must have been …show more content…
The parking lot is deserted at this time of night, and the lights in the lot are all powered off. Despite the sign declaring the rest stop is open 24 hours a day, the rest stop actually looks closed. Clarence selects a parking space away from the small building and near the forested edge of the lot. The car comes to an easy stop and Clarence shifts it into park. He cracks the front windows for airflow and cuts the ignition. Clarence leans back in his seat and rolls slightly on his side, pretending to relax as he quietly pulls his knife out of the door pocket. Rex leans forward and grabs a jacket from his duffle bag, using it to hide his knife as he lays back in his seat. He rests his head on the jacket like a pillow and grips his knife in his right hand by the door. He slows his breathing, pretending to sleep, as Clarence does the same on the other
The old SUV is spotless inside, not a speck of dirt or dust to be found anywhere. …show more content…
“So, Clarence, since we’re going to be riding together for a little while, why don’t we get to know each other a little bit? It’d be a good way to pass the time.”
“Okay. Why don’t you start?” Clarence answers carefully.
“I’d be happy too.” Rex pauses for a moment, thinking about what to say and where to begin. He decides to stick with the basics, and begins speaking. “I’m from New York City, born and raised,” he says proudly. “I’m heading to Palo Alto to visit an old friend. Plane tickets are so expensive and I don’t have a car, so I thought I’d try hitchhiking across the country. It’s taken me about four days and three rides to make it the first 1500 miles.” Rex stops talking and waits for Clarence to speak. It takes him a moment to gather his thoughts and settle on his usual story, which is a slightly altered version of the truth.
“I’m from Bedford, New Hampshire, but I moved with my wife to Philadelphia twenty-five years ago. I’m on my way to visit my sister in Salt Lake City,” he finishes.
Rex nods at his wedding band. “Your wife didn’t want to come with you?”
Clarence shakes his head. “She died a few years ago of cancer.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Rex says genuinely. “That must have been …show more content…
The parking lot is deserted at this time of night, and the lights in the lot are all powered off. Despite the sign declaring the rest stop is open 24 hours a day, the rest stop actually looks closed. Clarence selects a parking space away from the small building and near the forested edge of the lot. The car comes to an easy stop and Clarence shifts it into park. He cracks the front windows for airflow and cuts the ignition. Clarence leans back in his seat and rolls slightly on his side, pretending to relax as he quietly pulls his knife out of the door pocket. Rex leans forward and grabs a jacket from his duffle bag, using it to hide his knife as he lays back in his seat. He rests his head on the jacket like a pillow and grips his knife in his right hand by the door. He slows his breathing, pretending to sleep, as Clarence does the same on the other