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

CHAPTER 53: NIGHT MOVES

At the family business, the middle sibling almost didn’t want to leave that day. The shopkeeper had left a couple hours prior, but she was so enthralled once again by the interest, enthusiasm & kindness of the Route 66 travelers she’d greeted that day. Death always has a way of bringing people together, & the middle sibling found herself wishing that spirit would continue & not fizzle out with the dousing of everyday responsibilities & activities. But, life goes on. She quietly turned out the building’s lights, closed & locked the door, got into her car & headed for home.

Meanwhile, after a good day of seeing some Route 66 places north of Dwight IL, the 2 brothers opted to simply relax that evening with their cousin & his wife at their home. The eldest briefly called their sister as well as the shopkeeper to tell them about their day, while the youngest called to check in with Kyle & to make tentative arrangements for the next few broadcasts. The cousin put on some coffee & retrieved a cheesecake from a local bakery, ready for all of them once they all gathered in the living room to relax & chat the evening away.

That same night, the shopkeeper, still reflecting on the most-recent death, got up the gumption to call his contact at the local Route 66 Association to inquire about the train depot & who’d take care of it once it was completed. To his surprise, his contact said, without hesitation, “Why, you, of course!” The shopkeeper immediately felt a bit silly for thinking he was “too old” to be the caretaker, but that feeling of silliness didn’t last long. His mind was soon racing about all the people to whom he’d be helping to re-introduce a part of the town’s history.