Christmas Morning
Dad woke us up and said it was time to go. Our stuff was already in the car because he and Mom hadn't slept all night so they could get everything ready. Mom sat with Dad's rifle pointed down toward the wheel well, and when we were all settled she turned around and gave us each a peanut butter granola bar that had to last for three hundred miles. Dad told us to lay down and go back to sleep. When Tyler said he couldn't lay down with the seatbelt on, Dad said go ahead and take it off. Tyler opened his granola bar and said that riding in a car with no seat belt was against the law and wasn't safe and Dad said that riding in a car these days wasn't safe either. Mom said that's enough, both of you, even though Tyler hadn't said anything wrong. I tucked my granola bar into the waistband of my jeans so that Tyler wouldn't steal it from me. Then I listened to the bumps in the road through the car seat. They made Mom's box of shells rattle.
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Author's Note
This is part of a series about various ends of the world. So far, it's the only piece with little kids in it. The accompanying photo was taken by a real little kid.
Other stories by Erin Fitzgerald
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real nice piece, Erin.
very nice. have you sent this out anywhere. if not send it to me i wouldnt mind running it over the holidays.
oh, i guess you need to know this: my brain doesnt work until 2 pm, sorry. www.dogzplot.com
Thanks so much, Scott.
Barry, you gave one of the other pieces from this series a good home. I'll drop you an email.
bridgeport zoo, right?
very cool.
Beautiful and simple. This is great, Erin.
This is a haunting piece, Erin. The title adds an intriguing layer to the whole.
Thanks, Amanda and Myfanwy!
Such a light touch, but so powerful!
I like the peanut butter bars that must last for 300 miles, and the mystery of their destination. This is lovely.
I'm late to the party but this is GREAT! I'd take this over the Road any day.
I like this piece, Erin. I esp. like how the way the kids are acting, with normalcy, not used to precarious situations or criminality, inflates the reader's sense of concern and tension about what is happening with the parents and the gun. :) All best, H
I love the concept of the series. I hope to see more of them.