Saturday, April 22, 2017

"The Wreck" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Brian Murphy looked out into the darkness of the field. He couldn't see it, but he knew the car was out there. After 37 years, his beloved  Plymouth GTX was slowly being consumed by Blackberry vines.

Brian moved his wheelchair away from the window and once again thought of that night. It was just after graduation and he was challenged to a race by Mike Simmons. 

The two cars met on an abandoned road in the hills. Kids from school lined the side of the road near the starting point. One of the kids volunteered to start the race with a makeshift flag. Brian could feel the raw power from the engine. No one was going to beat his car.

As the flag dropped, Mike's Chevelle  moved ahead, but Brian quickly caught up. About mid-way down the road, Brian began to pull away. The race was almost won when his front tire blew. Brian fought to control his car, but there was nothing that could be done. 

The big GTX swerved into a ditch and then began to roll. When it stopped, Brian was pinned in the wreckage. After he was taken to the hospital. Brian found out that he was permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

Even when he was barely conscious, Brian insisted to his father that he wanted his car towed back home. 37 years later, the car remained in the field where it was towed all those years ago.

Brian was alone now. His parents had died several years before and he hardly left the farm anymore. From his window, Brian would stare at the car, willing it to come alive again... to save him. At night, he dreamed of the race, but in his dreams there was no blown tire and no accident.

On the anniversary of the race, a spectacular full moon illuminated the car. Brian stared intently at the wreck and soon heard the throbbing of the big V-8. The Plymouth's headlights came on next. His car was alive again!

Brian moved his wheelchair from his bedroom to the outside. The night was beautiful and he was young and strong again. Brian got up from the wheelchair and walked to his car. The GTX shined in the moonlight  and Brian took his seat behind the wheel. This time it would be different. This time he would win the race.

The next morning, a neighbor found Brian quietly weeping in the driver's side of the wrecked, silent car.








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