Sex and Cars

Fast Car

1982 Ford F150

You got a fast car I want a ticket to anywhere Maybe we make a deal Maybe together we can get somewhere

She knew he was home. His work gloves laid out on the floor by the entrance. Really they were thrown, the right one inside out. She imagined it stuck to his ring while he tugged at it. She could also smell him. The diesel mixed with oil, wrapped in sweat, and layered in Marlboro’s. A smell that would follow her onto the bus and into the diner. She sometimes wondered if her customers noticed.

Anyplace is better Starting from zero got nothing to lose

She closed the door lightly hoping he wouldn’t hear her, but she forgot about the broken hinge. As soon as the door knob left her hand she grasped at it hopelessly trying to catch it before it gave her presence away.

“Sarah! Is that you?”

She didn’t have to answer. She didn’t know why he asked her that. Who else ever found their way here. She felt the knot in her stomach tighten. He wasn’t supposed to be here. Her plan was to have dinner on the table. A note.

As she listened to his footsteps across the floor, she had to reassess her plan. She scurried around the entryway, picking up after him. She hung his jacket, put his boots on the deck and grabbed his gloves. The dirt stained hand in hers gave her pause.

You got a fast car I got a plan to get us out of here Just ‘cross the border and into the city

They met in high school. A graduation party at the lake. She was surprised she was invited and even more surprised she convinced her father to let her out of the house. She didn’t realize she was sitting in his pick-up, but when he and sat next to her she was glad. The basketball star. “Could this really be happening?” she thought to herself. Who would believe it? They talked through the night. She didn’t notice everyone leaving but when she looked around it was just the two of them. Under the stars.

And your arm felt nice wrapped ‘round my shoulder I had a feeling that I belonged I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

“I have to be home,” she told him as she made her way off the tailgate. He grabbed her arm, leaned in and kissed her. She would never forget that first kiss. She knew then she had already lost herself. The way he held her. Touched her hair. His hands on her back as he lifted her shirt over her head. The way he moved. She replayed that scene over and over. His body against hers.

You got a fast car I got a plan to get us out of here I been working at the convenience store Managed to save just a little bit of money

Six months later they were married. They had dreams. They would make a life together. He promised her she’d live like a queen. She believed him. He lost his first job six months later. He promised her he’d stop drinking. He told her he loved her. He promised he’d stop hurting her. He promised. His lies. His promises.

“Where you going?”

She felt the walls close in on her. Her plan, her future faded.

But is it fast enough so you can fly away You gotta make a decision Leave tonight or live and die this way

Fast Car, lyrics by Tracy Chapman

Thanks to Ernio Hernandez for the writing prompt

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