Route 66-based story
written by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his September 2009 Route 66 road trip

CHAPTER 33: DISTURBING THE PEACE

The eldest shook his head & folded his arms as the couple from Illinois approached him with the shopkeeper right behind them.

“I told ya they is trouble,” the shopkeeper continued, catching up to the couple.

The gentleman from Illinois opened his mouth to say something, but couldn’t get a word in because the shopkeeper kept talking.

“I knew I had seen that there car before you met ’em. They is up to no good. I hope you didn’t buy anythin’ they told ya.”

By this time, the Illinois couple & shopkeeper were standing in front of the eldest. The grandmotherly woman had a peacefully disturbed look on her face; she was upset, but calm. The man was flush, an apparent combination of anger & embarrassment. The eldest unfolded his arms, putting his hands down on the top remaining concrete step, sighed & looked up.

“Look, I don’t know what this is all about, but I was enjoying some time alone here & you all have interrupted that quietness for me,” said the eldest trying not to sound as perturbed & annoyed as he sensed he’d become.

“We’re so sorry,” the grandmotherly woman interjected.

“Sure ya are,” the shopkeeper smirked. “Yer only sorry because you done been caught.”

The grandmotherly woman shot a dirty look at the shopkeeper, who just shrugged his shoulders.

“We didn’t mean any harm,” the man from Illinois started. “We just didn’t know what to do.”

The eldest stood up, deliberately looking at the shopkeeper & then the couple from Illinois. He started slowly walking towards the Caprice Classic without saying a word.