Into the Dark

 

Dark Storm

 

It was a dark and stormy night as Joe hurried down the side street.  The snow was blindly swirling around him.  Following the buildings edge, Joe scrambled along towards main street.   Trying to pull his coat up tighter to keep the warmth inside, Joe had a losing battle with the slashing wind. 

 

Reaching the end of the building, Joe could tell he was closer.  Reaching the corner, Joe turned, only to turn back to the side street.  The harsh wind had  torn at his face, sending ice pain through his cheeks.  Reaching up, Joe pulled at his beanie cap, trying to pull it down over his face.  He laced the hood down tighter, covering his chin and mouth.  Feeling kind of secure, Joe turned the corner again to duel with the wind.  Leaning forward, Joe trudged into the fierce wind.  Flakes of snow were splattering against his coat and forming ice around his eyelids. 

 

Three fourths’ of the way down the block, Joe came to an entry way.  Stepping into the doorway, Joe got a reprieve from the howling wind.  Here he brushed the ice off his face and coat.  Standing there, Joe took a deep breath and slowly exhaling, he looked out the entry.  Other side of the street was not visible as small drifts swirled down the walk in front of him.  The street lights were but miniature light points.  Joe lingered knowing his journey had to continue in the fierce night. 

Into the Dark

Dark and Stormy Night

 

It was a dark and stormy night as Bob stood in the doorway, watching the wind ripple through the raindrops. Collar tuned up, hat pulled low, Bob peered out at the shimmering street, the street lights made small circular mirrors in the rippling water. 

Bob’s gaze roamed up the street, watching the ever changing shimmering of the tumbling water. 

Across the way, the all night dinner’s lights flickered off the shiny sidewalk in front.  There was almost no movement inside, Phil sat at station, counters corner, the waitress was the other end, rolling flatware into napkins, through the order window, cookie could be seen shuffling about the kitchen and the dishwasher was nowhere to be seen, probably out back grabbing a smoke. 

Bob turned back into the doorway, rustling inside his overcoat and pulled out a cigarette.  Out of the pant pocket came the lighter, hunched against the wind the flame could be seen flickering in the dark door way.  Bob retuned his attention to the street, cigarette cupped in his hand. 

Main street at night was usually pretty empty and tonight was no different.   Down by the movie house were a few parked cars.  Bob’s gazed rolled down main street, looking at the store fronts.   At the other end were a few parked cars in front a huge two story building.  This was the rooming house where Phil stayed.  It was also home to a few iterant workers, passing through town.  Day jobs could be found down at the river docks on occasion and there were other day jobs to keep the tramps busy but moving on. 

Taking a puff on the smoke, Bob’s eyes wandered down the street to the gas station.  The lights of the gas station glared into the falling raindrops.  Just beyond the gas station could be seen the highway.  Most of the headlights whizzed past but occasionally a car would stop and take on fuel and stretch their legs. 

It was another night in town as the glow from Bob’s cigarette lit his face ever so slightly.  Leaning against the corner of the doorway, Bob’s eyes returned to the diner.