The Stop Sign

What's unusual is that all of the 'what ifs' and1

'It was a day like any other' honestly can't prepare2

you for something like this, I knew that.3

However something was tickling at my sanity,4

and it was just a matter of time before who5

I was caught up to what happened, I knew that too.6

My wife and I had been fighting7

And not one of those ridiculous fights you see8

On a television sitcom neither. We had drawn9

blood and the police had already been called10

out to the house once that day. I was riding high11

Off of my latest novel, and things were going great,12

and she was one of these broads that couldn't13

handle knowing women were finding14

me appealing again and that I was getting15

a second wind in my career while she...16

she was never quite able to pass her BAR exam,17

Or get the momentum back since the baby.18

Sure I loved her, but we had been together forever, and19

that was starting to weigh heavily upon the relationship.20

what we had in common was , or who rather, was our21

only son Alex, he is 6... Our pride and joy. Kids22

are little miracles you know? And Jill and I, my wife,23

we get crazy when we fight , and I'll24

speed off in a hurry, and then she'll start text25

messaging "U Cock Sucker, I hope you get a DUI!!!"26

And all kinds of nutty stuff like that, calling every five minutes27

And I'm just down the street at the pub.28

Well, that day Alex was after school late until 629

because he had swimming practice. Melisa, our30

babysitter and nanny was my editor's oldest daughter,31

but I was still fucking her and had been since she was 1532

I mean come on, I was only 30, Jesus Christ, what?33

I'm 32 now she's 17. My wife doesn't know, and now34

she'll never know. See, she always threatens to take Alex35

away when we get in fights, so it was just natural36

for me to try to beat her to the day care center.37

I mean it's not the first time I've raced from38

the corner pub to the preschool to get to39

him before her, because I worry, since40

she's normally drunker than me. Jill's one41

Of these rich girls, and drinks a lot daily.42

She's a fucking witch, that's why we fight43

She's always putting our son in between us.44

My latest novel, "Shaman" was selling45

Like Hotcakes. A novel that follows the life of a young Indian boy46

that finds a vision quest of his own that takes him all the47

way to congressman, where he is eventually assassinated48

By the CIA, for fear that he'll run for president.49

My masterpiece, so it wasn't that far fetched to assume50

that l was acting the fool, and behaving as though51

I was better than everyone, king of the mountain.52

I was heading from the pub in Laurel Canyon53

Up to the Day-care-center which is literally54

less than a mile from my house when that bitch started55

text messaging me again, so I answered my56

phone and just started yelling obscenities at57

her before she could get out the first word,58

but when I stopped no-one was on the line.59

I looked at the number to see who it was,60

and it was actually Melissa, oops, so I just assumed61

that she was calling to say that she had62

picked up Alex for Jill, and was now63

driving back to the house with him,64

because that's how Jill is, "why move65

when you can have someone else66

move around for you" was her motto.67

The new stop sign was just that, new,68

and that's what I'm saying, we've spent69

the last five years zinging through that70

intersection, it was the east to west that71

had to yield, and now it was the North72

to South that had to stop. I can still see73

the look in Alex's eyes when my Porsche74

T-boned him in the passenger seat of75

Melissa's white Honda Civic slowing down to turn left,76

it was something more than surprise it was, the end.77

Jill was stopped at the North side when I impacted78

Melissa's car, which then collided with79

her not causing serious damage, although80

Melissa was tossed through her sunroof,81

and into Jill's front windshield, dead.82

I don't know what good it would do now83

to say I'm sorry, or try to put things right.84

I guess the fact that I'm dictating this story85

to software that's typing it up for me,86

since I lost both of my arms in the accident87

Is proof enough, but what would it matter88

since there's no-one left to hold.89

I haven't even been left with wrists to slit,90

but for my own sick humor, and mind.91

Author notes

#3


A new stop sign at an intersection turns
tragedy for a young drunk couple arguing on their
cell phones when they collide with
their babysitter and six year old son
at a four way intersection, one late afternoon
in June, blocks away from their home
in the Hollywood hills.

What did you think? Please comment!

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Comments

1 - 22 of 22
  • falling curtain
    August 16, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I love the bluntness in the characters voice, it all comes clear at the end when you discover that he's lost everyone he loves. I loved the last lines 'I haven't even been left with wrists to slit,
    but for my own sick humor, and mind.' Good twist!

  • luvdrkchocolate
    July 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    This was a Fabulous story!! Keep it up.....
    Though sad ending!


  • Yemassee gold member
    July 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    or in your Jill's case "foul?"


  • horus8
    July 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I spared jill, because, (for some reason god only enjoys) the jill's are always spared to perpetuate the migration of fowl.

  • Yemassee gold member
    July 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Several ironic twists here. The improbable three-way collision (interesting as a mirror to their inter-connected lives.) And of course this man, a writer, unable to do naturally what he was so excessively proud of...his writing. There is also the irony of his being unable to kill himself...a man who wanted more than his share, who lost it all in one freak moment. Of course it's fun to look at other possibilities that you might be saying here, for example the just retribution of God or whatever Preternatural beng you might choose. Interesting that you seem to have spared Jill, was there a reason? Popular justice of course would call for Melissa and the narrator getting their just desserts, but Alex died, so why not a clean sweep?

    I also wonder about the narrator saying he's sorry? For what? The accident? Or his earlier actions? It seems he has a lot to answer for but we are left wondering if he even knows which ones.

    An interesting read that gives the reader more to enjoy than just a simple work of Divine retribution.

  • Jinxgirl
    June 28, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    this is pretty ironic, i liked the way you have your own personal style of writing, it makes your story stand out. I didn't really think of this as horror however, more of a drama. the end was good, i liked that that mean man lost his arms lol. i guess i'm a sadist lol. Thanks for entering, good luick!

  • FyreMyst
    June 27, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    wow. You definitly did a wonderful job of option number 3. Very well done and I certaintly was not expecting that ending. Keep up the good work.
    All The Best To You And Yours
    LittleMoth

  • Rivage
    June 24, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    At first I was all like; damnit you damn Horus! You entered a POEM.. but then I read it and say that it was only a dead funny story that I rushed through like I was eating bananas..
    sorry for the delay in judging but I’m thankful you entered my contest..
    Love Sam

  • dori-ma
    June 8, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    this drew quite a mix from me ... well laughter being the main thing but it was quite an interesting tragedy well comic tragedy. good luck

  • Catressa
    May 2, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Crist.. threw me for a loop that is for damn sure .. good one lol.. I must point out? This is why my sexy ass don't own a cell phone.. I swear.. Take Care, Catressa

  • Naughtygrlred
    April 30, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    You can write damn you, and keep some one well glued to it too, Jeremi I wish the best to you and your writing career, you deserve it!


  • poetryality silver member
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Sorry to chuckle Jeremy, but the part about "not having any wrists left to slit", struk me as quite funny as hell. LOL You have quite the imagination! I am loving it, can't wait to read more about the events that surround this "stop sign". I mean did you guys make up or what? Creepshow indeed! Everything is written out so vividly that I am there with you, through it all. Your storytelling skills are unmatchable! Splendid!

    Renee ♥

  • Cat
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    You know what I like about this and your style in general? I like the detail. Not the fluidy, sweet detail that poets use but the gritty detail. You tell me things like, laurel canyon, day care center less than a mile from your house, shaman, Honda Civic... etc... So when I'm reading you, I'm right there with you, except I still have two good arms.

    M

  • blueeyestexas
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    WOW!! This is entrancing! And...so sad...seems like the author is still a bit cold from the accident...and I can't tell if the son survived or if the wife survived...I can imagine he is extremely p.o.-ed, and still not able to totally absorb the "impact" of this accident...tradgic...I am stunned!

    Peace, Kelly


  • blondeoverblue
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Brilliant just love it! Life has a way of being a bitch sometimes, but certainly makes one stop and think very well penned.

    Kat xxx


  • horus8
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    now it's done.


  • horus8
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    That's very kind thanks.

  • piccola
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    No wind to breathe .. left brethless.. my god; you're wonderful ..this is ... amazing and that begins with the A ... the rest of the alphabet .. is ..I still can't breathe..stuff like this brings on my seizures .. I'm in tears and it's just now beginning to penetrate ..

  • M.J.
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Great job Horus


  • blondeoverblue
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    smiles


  • horus8
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    It's still under construction, there's a new paragraph for you though if you'd like.


  • blondeoverblue
    April 29, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    I was just getting into this, in an enjoyable voyouristic kind of a way, was sorry when it finished

    Kat xxx

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