Independence
"Isn't independence fun, Jack?" Tessa asked her dog, as they strolled alongside the highway. Jack, a loyal German shepherd, wagged his tail in agreement. Tessa grinned at the rising sun. In the distance, a lonely man was hoisting cargoes with a crane. Independence certainly did feel good. It felt like the fine desert sand sieving in and out of her sandals as she forged, and the pleasant pressure of her backpack straps on her shoulders.
It meant getting out of the stifling house, getting away from her stifling parents, and getting away from the hum of the airconditioner in her ear.
What would it be like in California? This was the question that ran through Tessa's mind as she and Jack hiked next to the road. She had imagined California a million times. It would be sparkling and gold with the sun. And the blue water would splash up against the beach. There would be seashells and movie stars everywhere. Tessa took a deep breath of fresh dry air. Tessa was so lost in her fantasy that she barely noticed the pickuop that had pulled up alongside her. "Hey Girlie," the man said. "Want a ride?
"Tessa looked at him. With a friendly exterior, he looked decent enough. She nodded and jumped in the cab, calling for Jack to follow her. The man stopped her. "The dog rides in back." Tessa could not ride without jack next to her. Jack was indispensable.
God knew what this dubious man would do to her if Jack weren't there. "Thanks anyway," she muttered, as she hopped out of the cab. The man made a face, like he tasted sometihing bitter. "Just a word of advice there, Girlie. Nobody is going pick you up with that big dog. You may as well just put down that thumb." "Humph," Tessa growled to herself. "Shows how much he knows, right Jack?" They trudged on, her thumb out. She clicked on her portable cassette radio, and sought out a stiation with some upbeat jazz. She smiled at Jack, walking onwards.
They walked, without one car even slowing down the tiniest bit. As much as Tessa hated to admit it, she thought the man in the pickup might have been right. The sun shone high in the sky. Tessa squinted at her quartz watch through her sunglasses, which blocked ultraviolet sunrays. "I think it's time for lunch, boy," she told Jack, dropping her backpack and sitting on it. She pulled out a hot, melted peanut butter and ham sandwich and a packet of kibble for Jack. She poured some water onto a dish for the shepherd.
After they finished their meal, the travelers started back on their hard journey again. They trudged on, and Tessa's legs began to ache. It
started in the balls and heels of her feet, and then her knees and thighs grew tired. She began to sweat. Her thick hair was glued to the sides of her knees and thighs grew tired. She began to sweat. Her thick hair was glued to the sides of her face and neck with sweat. The hot, thin air burned her cracked throat with every breath.
"Let's rest a while, Jack," Tessa rasped. The dog complied and threw himself down on the hot sand. Tessa hugged him, consoled by his being there with her, to protect her and keep her company. She unscrewed her aluminum water kettle, drinking up the last few drops of water.
Tessa and Jack struggled to their blistered feet and slowly marched on. Tessa didn't even bother to hold her thumb. When a car pulled up next to her, she staggered on blindly. It was a police car. The policeman over the seat and opened the door.
"Are you okay?" he asked the strange pedestrian.
She looked at him, in a daze. His eyes looked kind. She stumbled into his car and collapsed. The cop handed her a bottle of water, from which she gulped. The officer left the car, and let Jack into the backseat.
"Where do you live?" he asked gently. She told him. He nodded, and turned the car around, driving towards her home.
It took almost three hours to get back to Tessa's house. By then the sun had mercifully set. Tessa's parents were waiting outside the house. Tessa ran blindly to them, and tumbled into their arms. They helped her into the house. Tessa ran blindly to them, and tumbled into their arms. They helped her into house, where she instantaneously fell asleep, comforted by the hum of the air conditioner. |