SSSC ***ONE MORE NIGHT ***

Danny pulled his rig back out onto the highway from the Double Decker truck stop.
"Best damn burgers for 300 miles" The sign outside boasted.It was true.He barely needed the fries on the side.
The sky was looming an ominous black front directly in his path.He knew he was in for a kadoozie of a storm before he found his way home.Turning on the radio, he dialed through a few garbled channels before sttling on a Brooks and Dunn tune.
God it would be good to be home..he thought.On the road for 4 days straight,hauling this trailer behind him.His back and shoulders were aching.He couldn't wait to sit in his easy chair,flicking through channels,while Sarah fixed him a sandwich and a beer.
Damn life was good.
Drops of rain began to hit the windsheild,and in the distance Danny saw a flash of lightning.
" Here, comes the fun..."
*************************************************************
Sarah, her golden hair spilling over the shoulders of her white sweater,was cuddling 10 month old Jamie. Rocking back and forth in the rocking chair, she rubbed his back,and stroked his tiny blonde curls. His eyes were heavy, after his full bottle, and he was close to dreamland.As she rocked him, she sang the same lullaby that her mother sang to her...
I once knew of an old man, a fisherman by trade
Who spoke of wives tales and nonsense,and big ones that got away,
Some said he was crazy, some said he spoke truth,
Here is what he had to say, now I'll tell it to you.

If wishes were fishes that swam in the sea,
I'd catch a big net full and bring it home with me
I'd wish for a good catch, and a ship strong and bold,
I'd wish for true love,and a big pot of gold.
I'd wish for calm waters and bright sunny days
And I'd wish for true love, till my last sail away.

I don't know what happened to that old fisherman,
He disappeared one stormy night, n'er again did he see land.
Oh how I miss that old man, and the stories that he told,
But I'll remember every word, till the days that I grow old.

Now here's one for you fisherman,who sail out on the sea,
When you bring in your net full, make a wish out there for me.


Sarah's Dad had been a fisherman,and ironically had been lost at sea during a vicious storm.Sarah had only been 7 years old at the time.All she remembered of her dad was his scruffy beard and how it scratched her cheek when he kissed her,and how he always smelled of saltwater and fish.

Life had been hard for Sarah and her mom after that.Moving in with their grandparents,her mom working all the time...
Eventually her grandparents past on...and her mother as well.Now Sarah still lived in the same house with Danny.She vowed she would never marry a fisherman.When she met Danny,a truck driver... it was love at first sight.
Carefully getting up off the rocking chair,she walked over to the crib and gently layed the baby down.He didn't wake up.Placing a blanket over him, she turned on the monitor,and switched off the light.

Outside,Sarah placed a pumpkin that she had carved earlier in the day.Many little ghosts and goblins would be coming for treats soon.The smell of a storm hung in the air, as she glanced up at the heavy grey clouds.
What a night for this..she thought...The one night kids get to dress up and have fun and mother nature has to ruin it.
She went inside to get the bowl of candy ready to give out,knowing they could show up at anytime.
*************************************************************
Jack Carter was sitting in Riley's Bar, been there most of the day. A mountain of peanut shells sat on the bar beside his latest drink.He had lost count how many he had.Fortunately, Riley had not.
"Jack...you had enough man...I'm cuttin' you off."
" Whatha hell ya mean....ya cuttin me off? I only hadda couple so far..."
" Jack,you have had way more than a couple...now get your arse home and sleep that off..."
" Yeah, yeah...whatha hell ever..." Jack stomped out into the storm that was pelting the small town, slamming the door behind him.He lived just down the street from Riley's and he walked staggering from side to side.
A couple of people moved aside at not just the site of him, but the smell of alcohol that emanated not just from his breath..but every pore it seemed.
"Who tha hell does that Riley think he is anyways...cuttin me off..I 'm a payin' customer damn it!"
Walking up to his front door, he caught sight of his Ford Tempo in the driveway.Jack got himself an idea.
30 miles over into the next town,High Falls,was the Patterson,a bar /hotel combination.Perhaps he could take a little drive and spend the night there. Yeah..good idea Jack.
He took the keys from his pocket and hopped in.Backing out of the driveway, he almost ploughed into his neighbours car parked on the street.
The Tempo's tires squealed as he pulled away in the direction of High falls.
As the wind picked up...the rain came harder.
*************************************************************
Sarah looked at the empty bowl, having given the last treats away.She placed it in the kitchen,and went outside for the pumpkin.The night had turned violent and the wind blew the screen door from her hands as she opened it,rain soaking her almost immediately.She carried the pumpkin inside and placed it on the counter.Tomorrow she would cut it up and cook it to use in pies or muffins.
Tonight, Danny was on his way home and should be here within the hour.She went to the bathroom to check her hair and make-up.Jamie, the little darling was still fast asleep.
*************************************************************

Danny, had just passed High Falls, on his way home to Murray Harbour.Just a few more miles baby, and I'm comin' home to you!The thought of her beautiful face, her silky hair,her warm soft skin, Oh what a night tonight!

The rain was still coming down in sheets,and his wipers were not doing much good.Lightening flashed,and he could hear the thunder over his radio and engine.Danny was approaching the stretch of highway he despised the most.At this point it was only 2 lanes,rock cut on the left side,and a guardrail on the right, the only thing between you 1500 feet down, and a cold ocean below.He slowed down a bit, shifting down, in this weather, he didn't want to take any chances.
Squinting through the windsheild at the torrent of water,he didn't see the Tempo come around the corner, speeding,with no headlights on, in the wrong lane. By the time he noticed it, it was too late to do anything but swerve to the right.
His truck and trailer passed clear through the guardrail at 80 km an hour, not a single wheel touching the embankment as he plunged into the violently churning dark water below.
In the Tempo, Jack Carter continued driving along, dreaming of another bottle or two...and continueing his night of fun.

*************************************************************
Sarah went to the kitchen tofix a plate of dinner for Danny. He was never late...and loved it when she had dinner ready when he walked in the door. She expected him home any minute.

9:00pm...right on time. Danny walked through the door, dripping wet. He looked so tired and soaked to the skin.
"Danny!"Sarah squealed with delight, " My god you are soaking wet...let me get you a towel"
" It's ok babe. Yeah it's a wet one out there,tonight.Actually, I would prefer to just take everything off."
" Oh, really...." Sarah said with a coy little smile." Well then...."She didn't even finish her sentence. She took him by the hand and together they walked into the master bedroom,carefully closing the door so as not to wake Jamie.
*************************************************************
In the morning, Sarah awoke to the sounds of a hungry baby on the monitor, and the sun just beginning to rise.
"Danny," she whispered. " Do you want to go get Jamie? He will be so happy to see you."She reached her hand behind her..to prod him awake.
At first she felt empty space.Then moving her hand closer to the bed, sand, wet sand and seaweed.
Sarah jumped out of the bed and saw the mound of sand and seaweed where her husband should be....and a trail of saltwater footprints that led from the bed out the door.
Her scream could be heard many houses away as her own salty tears added to the prints on the floor.
*************************************************************


~~~ To anyone wondering, the lullaby is also mine, written 20 years ago while rocking my son to sleep.Although I did find a song with the same title , the work above is mine.~~~~~~~~~~~

[edit on 10-10-2007 by AccessDenied]

I love the poem in the story AD!

Edit: Good finish to that.. Umberleen sister of Neptune can play some very crule tricks on us mortals
Thats very creepy, but still happy in the sense she got one more night with whom she loved



[edit on 10-10-2007 by zysin5]

reply to post by zysin5


I was in the middle of it...accidently hit enter...Damn spelling finger has a mind of it's own...
It's edited now...and the poem is actually a lullaby...I wrote it 20 years ago.

Ad you have a bit of a Romeo and Juliet heart! I was actually glad that the bad man did not end up at her home and kill her moments before her hubby got home... But now why didnt you just bump off the bum? Whaaa, thats sad!

I love your poem, that is spectacular and one I will wish to share with all of fishermen in my life including my 93 year old Grandpa that still loves to go out in his boat after a hard days work. Btw he is still a Truck driver. Hauls Chat and gravel mostly these days but has a waiting list all year round. He will love your story.

[edit on 10-10-2007 by antar]

Thanks Antar... I thought of bumping off the drunk...but it have ruined the ending...and we all know real life doesn't seem to work that way.It's usually the innocent victim,and the drunk gets away.

Originally posted by AccessDenied

and the drunk gets away.

We have a talent for that.

Great story !!

Lex

The way you described that truck going off the road was really vivid. I've always thought being trapped in a vehicle underwater would be one of the worst deaths. No wonder he came back for "one more night".

Creeped me out.

Great story.

reply to post by elaine

I agree that it would be a horrible way to die.I have had dreams of that since I was very young, one of the reasons I put off getting my drivers licence till this year.Just 20 years late.

reply to post by Lexion

What is this "WE" BS?.....I know that you know better than that.

Another great story AD !!!! Can't say nothing else.......

Your're right AccessDenied. It wouldn't have been right to bump, off the drunk. Real life can be so unfair at times. It's just so sad.
Your lullaby is great and you have a REAL Gift for writing. I have really enjoyed reading your stories. Thank-you.

MountainStar..Thank you.
I did not write for many years...20 years in fact.The lullaby was the last thing I wrote all those years ago.Real life kinda got in the way,and I didn't think I was any good at it.Besides...who or what would I have written for?
I guess i needed to add some years of wisdom and experience, in order to be able to write again.
Thank you for your kind words.I am glad you enjoyed my stories.I will definitely write more.

reply to post by steve-o


Thanks Steve..the support of friends makes me want to keep writing.I have another couple of story ideas...perhaps I should play around with that and reserve them for the next contest.

Great story!

That poem at the beginning was amazing, have you ever published your poems?

I think you could get paid for writing like that.

reply to post by Enrikez


Thank you.As for the poem..it is actually a lullaby, yes I have the music in my head as well.
I have written a few poems, past tense and present.That is how I got writer status to begin with. I had a winning entry in the poetry contest a couple of months ago.
Thanks again for your kind words.

Another stonker of a tale AD

Hhmmm I'm gunna have to find me some big adult words to use next time!! hee hee!!



MonKey

reply to post by ChiKeyMonKey


Thanks Chikey....but your story was awesome as is...really.
Sorry it took me awhile to reply...too busy solving anagrams.
geez...my brain hurts.

AD just wanted to lend my support for this beautiful yet disturbing tale of love and fate. *Bump* and to wish you a very Happy Halloween, lets all meet in chat on Halloween night! AAAwwwooooooooooooooo!

Best of luck to you my friend!

reply to post by antar

Thanks Antar.If I was to chat I would enjoy one with you my friend.
Thanx.

Mom and I think you need a literary agent AD. Aim high. I liked the scene break effect - crisp. Mom said the "hand of Sarah reaching" and finding the "unexpected" reminds her of last week. I still have it ringing in my ears,"MIRA, GET UP, GET DR. RHEA NOW". I find that well-written, "from the heart of the mind", literature touches off a kind of a deja vu at times. Impactful.

Mira