The Summer of Subtraction on Sixty-Six
It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime ideas: five guys driving Route 66 from Chicago to LA.
Dennis didn’t even make it out of the gate. After a 5-hour delay, we said screw him.
Marcus fell hard for a greasy spoon waitress near Carthage, Missouri; named Dido, no less. After a bitter battle, we sailed, another man down.
Aziz got drunk and fell into Oologah Lake in Oklahoma. He was busted up so bad they had to air-lift him to Tulsa.
John got bad news about his grandfather and flew home from Albuquerque.
I drove on. Best summer of my life.
January 7th, 2015 at 11:44 am
Seems to me to depict life and its quirks. The dream of five guys, unachievable coz of life’s circumstances except for one of them. What kept him? No drama? Focus?
January 7th, 2015 at 11:48 am
It could be a good metaphor for a lot of things, although I didn’t mean it like that. I guess the narrator just loves the open road and just driving. You can decide. 🙂
January 8th, 2015 at 3:48 am
Well, maybe I like too much to look for the deep. Found a parallel (I hope): parable of the sower. Great stories always stand out.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:55 pm
I could see that, the parable of the sower, that is: where each is taken out by a different vice or issue until only the one is left and he reaps the biggest reward.
January 7th, 2015 at 11:53 am
I love this, especially the last line. A great story.
Claire
January 7th, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Thanks, Claire. I like that last line too.
January 7th, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Oh, I too crave a solo trip.
January 7th, 2015 at 2:59 pm
I know what you mean, so maybe I’m channeling my own personality here. I used to take solo hiking trips when I lived in Korea. It was quite liberating.
January 8th, 2015 at 11:24 am
Yes, I gathered that. Best of luck to you and me for our ambitions, mate.
January 7th, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Hehe. Sounds like one of the classic stories about Route 66. Well done!
January 7th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Thanks! 🙂
January 7th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Great title in support of the story. Can’t take anything away from this.
January 11th, 2015 at 5:57 pm
Thanks!
January 7th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
Dear David,
From title to ending line, this is one great story. I could see a movie being made from this one. I’ve been through Carthage. The most memorable thing there is the Precious Moments Museum. Ask Marie sometime how much I love those. 😉 Dido? Really? He he.
Your stories never disappoint, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
January 7th, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Thanks, Rochelle. Your comments make my day once again. I haven’t been through any of that area but I was looking at a map of Rt. 66 and saw Carthage and well, I like history too. 🙂 I’m sure my wife would love the Precious Moments museum too. I hesitate to mention it to her since she’ll insist on going this weekend (8 hr drive, what’s that?)
Have a good week,
David
January 7th, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Hay caramba! Rochelle has informed me of a near catastrophic misunderstanding due to the lack of inflection in online posts. Despite the existence of a particular photo featuring a 20-year-old MG and Timmy, the Precious Moments mascot and despite that this photo continues to be displayed far too prominently in my mother’s home, I do not, will not, nor have I ever enjoyed anything remotely associated with Precious Moments, least of all a trip to Carthage.
Whew! Now that fire has been put out I can read the story that instigated this mess. (Do I dare?)
Grins,
Marie Gail
January 7th, 2015 at 10:55 pm
I’m entertained enough by your comment. It took me a second to remember the exact context that set it off. 🙂
January 8th, 2015 at 4:01 am
My thoughts exactly, David. I went there once with my kids (who were being horrible). I enlisted Marie Gail who shares my thoughts on Precious Moments. It’s the epitome IMHO of art in its lowest form.
Shalom,
Rochelle
January 8th, 2015 at 10:52 pm
I would think it could get overly saccharine quickly, in any case.
January 7th, 2015 at 3:09 pm
Great title for a very good story.
Cheers
KT
January 7th, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Thanks, KT.
January 7th, 2015 at 3:26 pm
That does actually sound fun too!
January 7th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
It would appeal to me too. 🙂
January 7th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Sounds like my average night on the town stretched out over a summer…
I jest.
Very interesting story and glad your protagonist didn’t give up just because he didn’t have company.
January 7th, 2015 at 3:44 pm
I kind of wonder if he should have, when his friend went to the hospital, but this way appeals to me, just continuing on the adventure with or without friends who have other things get in the way.
January 7th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Haha, good one, David. I love solo driving and travel and I love the last line as well as your title. Your story reminds me in some ways of the movie, “Breaking Away.”
janet
January 7th, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Thanks, Janet. I haven’t seen that movie, although I just looked it up on IMDB. It’s about cycling, right?
January 7th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
That was one heck of great 100 words. Congrats. Nice stuff. Randy
January 7th, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Thanks, Randy. I’m pretty happy with this one.
January 8th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
As you should be. Randy
January 7th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
I agree with all the comments. What I wanted to say was, “Fate was on his side.” 🙂
January 7th, 2015 at 10:50 pm
I guess so. At least nothing bad happened to him.
January 7th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
This made me smile. I like the way you worked in places along Route 66 without beating us over the head (although that would be hard to do in 100 words) Driving with five other guys or gals would make me crazy. Thanks for a grand “road trip”.
January 7th, 2015 at 10:52 pm
It was hard to cut it down to 100 words and I was tempted to go over for once, but I got it down eventually. I have had some great trips with a group of guys, although it wasn’t for more than a few days. A week or more-long trip like this might drive us all crazy.
January 7th, 2015 at 7:24 pm
As someone in the “downsizing” stage of life, this strums the deeper heartstrings. Purging, de-cluttering, simplifying. Seeking and finding clarity in the empty spaces. Buds? Who needs ’em, when you’ve got open road?
January 7th, 2015 at 10:53 pm
There is something freeing about just being out there, going somewhere, even if you don’t know where. I guess that’s the attraction with stories like On the Road.
January 7th, 2015 at 8:26 pm
David,
Great story. Stellar endings. Much better than the pseudo art celebrated by lovers of Precious Moments figurines.
All my best,
Marie Gail
January 7th, 2015 at 10:57 pm
I have a feeling you’ve got some deep-seated resentment towards precious moments. Here’s one just for you: http://i.somethingawful.com/inserts/articlepics/photoshop/precious/StreetPreacher_roulette.jpg
January 8th, 2015 at 7:48 pm
I love it, David! Our dear Rochelle, who also dislikes the saccharine nature of the art depicting those large-headed children, has provided me with a few hilarious spoofs on them as well. I plan to request a special drawing to accompany my next vampire story. It seems an appropriate way to manage my disdain for hacks that get rich off insipid pictures and figurines of grossly disproportionate children.
(Ummm . . . It strikes me that I just might be the one with the problem . . . but . . . )
All my best,
Marie Gail
January 10th, 2015 at 1:04 am
The worst thing about that picture, I noticed, is that they’re using a pistol instead of a revolver, which for Russian roulette ups the stakes from 1 in 6 chance of a bullet to 1 in 1. 🙂
January 12th, 2015 at 2:01 pm
That’s the first thing my wife noticed in the picture as well. 🙂 She also mentioned that I must have some trauma related to Precious Moments in order to have such a viciously negative reaction toward them. I told her that I’ll leave those memories in my shrink’s office later. 😛
Cheers!
MG
January 7th, 2015 at 9:28 pm
I really enjoyed this. It rang true but had the allure of adventure.
January 11th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
It’s not based on reality, although I’ve had enough group trips that I could imagine something like this happening.
January 7th, 2015 at 11:38 pm
That is a very good way of spending summer!
January 8th, 2015 at 10:57 pm
I’d love it. Of course, nowadays, there’s always the issue of time and money.
January 9th, 2015 at 8:28 am
yeah.
January 8th, 2015 at 1:03 am
Ah.. Best laid plans fail for all but one.. Maybe the greasy spoon waitress was worth it though 😉
January 8th, 2015 at 10:57 pm
That’s probably the only one besides the narrator who won’t have regrets (you’d hope). I should write next week’s story from his perspective. 🙂
January 8th, 2015 at 2:06 am
I love your title. The story races along brilliantly – all of them just dropping by the wayside. Fun.
January 8th, 2015 at 10:56 pm
Thanks, Margaret. Glad you liked it. 🙂
January 8th, 2015 at 4:00 am
Dear David,
Oh what a story. Would it be strange to say that it brought me to tears? It evoked long gone summers so well that I was there and riding with your protagonist, a silent but happy passenger carried south and west with your words.
Aloha,
Doug
January 8th, 2015 at 10:54 pm
Doug, your comment was almost a story in itself. I’m truly happy that it touched you. I felt a sense of bittersweet nostalgia when I wrote it, so I’m glad it came across.
January 8th, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Yeah, leave those losers behind and have a real journey. I bet this type of thing happens on Route 66 or any long journey, but it’s such a long, long road, and full of possibilities or disasters, or near death experiences. Great story, David!
January 11th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
I’d love to go on a really long trip like this with a group of friends, although you have to be careful who you take, since even good friends can rub each other the wrong way after a long time. Have you ever been on Rt. 66? I’d like to try it sometime.
January 9th, 2015 at 2:57 am
Sometimes, the best times are to be had when you’ve only yourself for company. You captured this beatifully and the rhythm of the story was capped by a cracker of a last line. Well done.
January 11th, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Thanks, Sandra. I’ve had some great trips by myself in Korea. There are times when it’s better to be in a group and times when alone is better.
January 9th, 2015 at 4:05 am
Sounds like you got your kicks that summer once you were alone. Enjoyed the tale
January 11th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
January 11th, 2015 at 12:00 am
The eating and partying side of the route. The line about Dennis not making it has me chuckling.
Ellespeth
January 11th, 2015 at 4:31 pm
There’s always that one, right? The one everyone has to wait for. At least in my group there always seems to be one. 🙂
January 11th, 2015 at 8:42 pm
The makings of a great picaresque tale. I’d like to know what happens; hell, I’d like to be along!
January 11th, 2015 at 10:04 pm
I’m not sure what happens next, although hopefully all the friends find each other again.
January 11th, 2015 at 11:50 pm
Written like a nice short story you’d find in a short story collection.
January 12th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Start to finish this story grabbed me, Dave. It is eloquent in its telling, but no clichés or silly surprises. I can imagine all of it being true… the sign of wonderful fiction.
January 14th, 2015 at 10:24 pm
Thank you so much. 🙂 That is a wonderful compliment, Dawn.
January 13th, 2015 at 11:21 pm
Good story, David. A little touch of humor and a lot of reality. At least he made it even though his friends didn’t. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
January 14th, 2015 at 10:22 pm
Thanks, Suzanne. 🙂
January 13th, 2015 at 11:31 pm
Oh, I enjoyed this one, too!!!
January 14th, 2015 at 10:21 pm
Thanks. 🙂