This is my twentieth contribution to:
The 750 Word Project 2024
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Preface
Strange name for a story, right?
Traffic
was a story that I wrote collaboratively with my friend,
Djmac1031
. We have started to write Traffic 2, but it’s stalled. Something I take full responsibility for. I wrote this short story in part to help get me back on track with Traffic 2.
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Natalie looked at the fuel gauge nervously. It had dipped into the red while they were still in the Tioga Pass. Jim had insisted they had enough gas. But the weather had been bad. Low cloud meant no majestic views of Yosemite. And there had been a pile-up. They’d had to leave the engine running to keep warm.
They were through the Sierra now and into the upper Owens Valley. Google said there was a gas station in two miles. They should make it. Half a mile to go. It was going to be fine. Nat’s thoughts turned to hotel sex. It was always a turn on. Then it didn’t take much to get her motor running.
She could see the gas stop ahead and sighed. Relief that turned into panic when she also saw the closed sign.
“Shit, Jim! What are we gonna do?”
Jim was trying to figure out how far the next station was. Way too far. “I guess we have to call AAA.” He was waiting for an ‘I told you so’ but none came.
Instead Nat made a call. Her voice became more agitated the longer the conversation went. Things didn’t sound good.
Natalie rang off and glared at Jim. “Tomorrow. They said tomorrow, with the bad weather.”
Jim felt he should try to head off the inevitable explosion. “I’m sorry, you said to get gas. I was wrong.”