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Mesa Coal
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Joined: 16 Apr 2013
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:59 pm Post subject: Standard H Reply with quote

She flipped over in a daze, rolling just far enough to catch the alarm with the edge of her hand. The loud buzz ended and she wiped her face to get the sleep out. Sitting up, she tugged the mauve comforter down and set foot on the worn carpet. She scrunched up her toes feeling the old strands unravel at the slightest tug. It, like so many other things in her utility apartment, was on the verge of falling apart. Barefoot, she padded across dingy off-white room to the left. The cracked tile of the kitchen sink and counter top, took up less than half the length of the wall. Another quarter was occupied by an electric stove from the 70’s, leaving only enough room for a small fridge that came to her thighs. Since counter space was at a premium, the coffee pot took position on top of the fridge. Burning her finger on the stream of hot water she filled the pot and dumped it into the machine. She flicked the button to turn it on and crossed back to her bed. Kneeling down she dragged the bottom most drawer out and rummaged through for a pair of jean. Spring in Arizona meant a short lived lull before you could bake just as easily in the shadows as you could an oven. Coffee done, she slid the orange tank on and pulled her hair back. She took a quick sip and inhaled the scent before and tossing the styrofoam cup, that was still mostly full, into the trash.

The shop was less than ten minutes away but sometimes it felt closer. Today, on her day off when she had better places to be, was one of those days. Reg, her boss, sat with his feet propped and his ankles crossed. His oil covered uniform hung on his frame like a suit that was 4 sizes too big. And his hair was in a loose salt and pepper ponytail that reminded her more of Woodstock and less of Motor city.

“Did you get that clutch in?” She passed him without waiting for an answer. She knew it was going to be a no anyway. It was Sunday and Reg didn’t get jack in on Sunday’s. She half wondered why she was here and then remembered. Because Reg doesn’t want to be. That might have bugged her if she hadn’t been promised part ownership starting next month.

“The drive shaft on that Charger has to come off.” Reg called behind her. She winced. That meant she was going to be here a lot longer than ten minutes. Sighing she grabbed her socket set from the wall and the air gun from the corner. She splayed out across the Creeper and used her heels to dig in. She pushed herself under the Dark Green Poly paint with practiced ease. She was halfway thru unscrewing the bolts when she heard a creak of metal. She froze and looked at the lift above her. It seemed to be holding steady but it was always better to check. She never got to move an inch farther as the Lift came down in a rush.
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Mesa Coal
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Joined: 16 Apr 2013
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:09 am Post subject: Reply with quote

Cold slid its way along her bones colliding with the warmth she seemed to be swimming in. The contrast frayed her nerves, and panic took hold. Opening her eyes, the pale blue of the sky burned behind a film of ice that clouded her vision and forced her to close them again. She tried to move her arm and push herself up, but somehow it didn’t feel like she was.

Where was the car? …. Was she dead?.... Had it dropped?... Was she still on the Creeper?.. Where was the rest of the shop?

She called out but the sound stuck at the roof of her mouth. It choked her forcing her head back into an arch. That only made her want to scream more and the cycle grew crueler. Time became pointless. She didn’t know if it was hours, or minutes, or even days that passed. It didn’t seem to matter. If she wasn’t dead already, she was going to be soon. Forcing her eyes open again she caught sight of a cluster of bare branches. Where were the leaves? This was Spring and the desert wildflowers had already spread halfway across the state. Where were the Oranges? Where were the Purples?

She tried moving again and this time succeeded in strangling out the note of pain stuck in her throat. A full scream launched from her lips as pain lit up her entire right leg and most of her torso. The burst left her winded and her lungs burning in need of air. Try as she could, none would refill it. She thought whatever higher power existed must have some mercy left as the black of unconsciousness claimed her.
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Mesa Coal
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Joined: 16 Apr 2013
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 1:25 pm Post subject: Reply with quote

The light burned. Was it supposed to burn? She put her hand up to her eyes as if to block it out and caught site of the little girl. Dark brown ringlets held in two ponytails bounced as she trotted across the red landscaping stone and pea gravel. “Daddy, here!” Dressed in her tiny brown jumper her miniature fingers clutched the flathead, extending it upward as she ran. Hazel eyes moved out from under the hood of the all white station wagon to smile down at her.

“Thank you, Mesa.” He took the screwdriver and went back to work on the big circular piece in in the center. “Do you remember what we call this, Mesa?”

“Is ‘at the air cweaner, right Daddy?” A deep throaty chuckle answered.

“Yes, Baby.” Across the yard, a tear rolled down her cheek. It had been a decade since she’d seen him. Her father, her teacher, her friend.

The world spun and she had to put her hand out to try and steady herself. She was no longer on the sidewalk. Instead she was next to an old orange threadbare couch. Her fifteen-year-old self down at the foot of it. Laying in sheets, wrapped for warmth, was the shell of the man who had been working on the family car. Gaunt and weighing all of 95 pounds, she ached as he took his last breath. The cancer having eaten away every bit of muscle and tissue between his spine and his kidneys, had now claimed its final victory. She watched herself calmly move to plant a tender kiss on his forehead. The younger version turned and gave a minor smile to her Mother before walking out of the room with her head down.

A vortex of blurred motion once more. “He would have wanted me right here.”

“No, he wanted you to get a good education. Go, see the world! He didn’t want you trapped in this dead end town.”

“This town was good enough for you, Mom. It was good enough to raise us in. Why isn’t it good enough for me?”

Mesa watched her Mother’s frustrated hand stoke back her greying hair. “You don’t want to end up the same way.”

It was Mesa’s mother who bought the cake when she became ASE certified. It was her Mom who took her out to dinner when she became GM Certified. And it was her Mother who offered to put up the collateral for part ownership when Reg agreed to make her partner. She hadn’t liked her choices, but she’d supported them.


A small moan of pain broke thru. Her position on the ground hadn’t changed. Bloody and broken in probably a few dozen places, Mesa silently said her goodbyes.
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