The Road (Not) Travelled

Started off at a postage stamp writing night. Evolved it a bit since then. Still just over 600 words though. About how sometimes the easiest (and/or repeated) decisions can actually be the hardest thing to do.

THE ROAD (NOT) TRAVELLED

Four hours into my six hour car ride, I come to a crossroads that makes me question my entire journey. As I approach the stop sign, I have an overwhelming feeling of confusion. I have no idea as to what direction to take. It's a simple question, really. My options are left or right.

A decision I've made many times, without thought or consideration. I should be turning right. The whole purpose for this journey is to turn right. It is a turn and a thoughtless decision that I have made several time before. My love will be hurt if my plans alter. The relationship has been unsteady for awhile, and not by not turning right it would surely bring about its demise.

Things have been, well, normal. Which in a way I shouldn't be complaining about. But, at the same time, we've both been talking about which way our lives are heading. I don't like this biweekly commuting anymore. It almost feels like a chore. This time it's my turn, next time I get to play host. And even our ideas for the next few years are polar opposite. I'm ready to settle down, get married. Maybe even have a child soon. Buy a house. I think the house is the biggest thing. I want somewhere to truly call home. Somewhere that I can design around my life, instead of putting up with what's given to me. And I would love to share that feeling of home and belonging with someone. But that would also mean at least one of us has to move. Uproot the life that we've created. And I'm not ready to do that yet. But perhaps that reluctance will be a hindrance to either one of us moving forward. My biggest fear ever is ending up alone.

I'm startled back to reality by a honk behind me and look up to see a disgruntled driver swerving around me to turn left. I could follow that jerk and go left as well. At the end of the roar, there could be anything. I've never gone that way before. Or, I could make this simple and turn around. Do I make my normal choice and please my love? Or do I take the road not previously taken? Turning around would be the safest and possible the stupidest decision I could make at this point.

Sometimes the road less travelled can be the best decision. My parents tried forcing me into med school, totally oblivious to my passions of art, music, food, and politics. They seemed oblivious to the fact that I faint at even a drop of blood. That would make me a great doctor. They told me I could get past that. There was a huge fight when I told them that I dropped out the biology program I had to take in advance of applying for law school, to pursue a degree in politics and art. They still don't even understand why I did it. Art and politics may not make me rich, but they make me happy. And happiness is something I need to pursue for myself, not for anyone else.

My phone rings and startles me. I pick it up, and see my love on the call display. I throw the phone back on the passenger seat after silencing its sound. I cannot let the phone call influence my decision, and I attempt to remove thought of it from my mind. I need to make this choice for myself. Only I know what the right direction is at this point. I flick on the blinker, and make my turn. I relax in my seat and take in the scenery as I follow the smooth pavement before me. If I change my mind, I can always turn around.

Reviews

[Tracie Skarbo]

Do I make my normal choice and please me love (this is the only typo I found. Did you mean my instead of me?)

I thought this was a great story. Full of great detail and we get to know the character very well in a short period. I like the way you have left out what the decision ultimately was. It leaves a sense of mystery to the ending and really would it have said more about the character then what we already know? I don't think so.

I liked this a lot.

Look forward to reading more from you.

Tigra