Beer And Broken Dreams
Beer And Broken Dreams
BJ Neblett
© 2015
The black Toyota Camry sported no sun roof, had a small parking lot dent to the right front fender, and a prominent purple Huskies decal. A Hillary For President bumper sticker screamed from the car’s rear bumper, while a pair of chrome palm trees, embracing the Washington state license plate, declared the vehicle’s Florida origins. Matched luggage, along with several hurriedly packed boxes cluttered the back seat and rear window shelf. They had been hastily captioned in green felt marker ink as Linens; Books; Knick Knacks, and Kitchen Stuff. The baggage that obscured my view of the sweet, sandy haired driver needed no identifying tags. I was familiar with their sad contents: Forgotten Promises; Broken Dreams.
A well manicured hand with a white tan line ringing the third finger appeared through the driver’s window. “Here, you finish it, I have to go…”
I took a long pull from the can of Bud Light. It was her favorite. And my final tangible link to her.
“Text me when you…” The rest of my words were lost to the revving motor.
Pulling away from the curb, the sedan’s tires slipped and hesitated for a moment on the wet pavement. I watched as the car’s taillights disappeared into the mist. The half empty container of warm beer in my hand was the perfect metaphor for our relationship. As a writer, some of my best work had come at the hands of heartache and frustration. Being totally crazy about someone you cannot have is great food for inspiration. I sensed a best seller in my future.
“Text me,” I repeated to the empty parking space.
A whisper of wind swept through a young maple tree; its branches reluctant to relinquish their hold on the changing season. They seemed to ask, “Where exactly lays that fine line between hopeless romantic and helpless fool?”
As I stood there alone in the rain, I discovered three things about myself: I am a hopeless romantic. A hopeless romantic is a pretty cool and amazing thing to be. And I don’t care much for the taste of beer.