14.6.2009

Impala Cruise -Robert Burton Robinson

Impala Cruise 1

The young clerk smiled at Obadiah as he entered the convenience store. He already felt guilty about what he was about to do. Her smile had just made it that much more difficult. He went straight to the back and began eying the wall of refrigerated beer. His whole body vibrated with anticipation, even as his blood sugar level plummeted.

How had he sunk this low? Had he lost all sense of morality? Obadiah brushed his guilt aside. The only way to do pull it off was to do it without thinking. He wanted to be back on the road in two minutes, with a cold beer in hand, an open bag of Fritos on the seat beside him, and wads of cash stuffed in his coat pockets. Unfortunately, he no longer owned a car.

Just do it. He opened the glass door and grabbed a six-pack of Budweiser.


14.6.2009

Impala Cruise 2



 

He buckled his seat belt as she drove out onto the road. "Thanks again for saving me back there."

"No problem," she said. "I heard you tell the cop that your name is Obadiah Cross. Obadiah’s from the Bible, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

"So, what are you—some kind of preacher?"

"Look, just because your parents named you after somebody in the Bible, it doesn’t mean you’re going to grow up religious."

"Yeah, that’s true. Not every Mary is a virgin."

He looked straight ahead.


14.6.2009

Impala Cruise 3



Obadiah gobbled down two Big Macs, a super-sized fry, and a Coke while Impala ate her chicken sandwich. Every few seconds, his eyes did a quick scan of the room. "Ever feel like somebody’s watching you?"

"I’m watching you," she said. "And it ain’t pretty."

"I’m sorry. I was starving." He sucked down the last of his soft drink. "I need to…make a call."

"Okay. Need to borrow my cell?"

"Not that kind of call." He nodded toward the restrooms.

Oh, I get it, she thought, euphemism. "Local or long distance?"

"Long distance, I’m afraid."


14.6.2009

Impala Cruise 4

Impala had spotted a Motel 6 billboard a few miles back. They were getting close.

She glanced over at Obadiah. "So, where’s your car?"

"Huh?"

"A guy like you has a car. Where is it?"

"It got repossessed."

"Where’s your stuff? You don’t even have a backpack."

"Don’t rub it in."


14.6.2009

Impala Cruise 5

"Hey, Sleepyhead, I’m gonna walk over to Denny’s. You hungry?"

Obadiah couldn’t believe it was morning. He opened one eye to confirm it, and saw the sunlight seeping in from around the curtains. "Yeah, I guess."

"Well, then hop up and get dressed. I’ll get us a table."

When she opened the door it nearly blinded him. She let it slam. He jumped. Might as well get out of bed, he thought. Otherwise, she’d come back and drag him out by the ear.


14.6.2009

Impala Cruise 6

Obadiah ended the call and handed Impala her cell phone.

"So, he’ll pick you up at Whataburger," she said.

"Yeah. He’s moved way out in the country, and he says we’d get lost trying to find his house. Of course, he’s gonna be late. Johnny is always late."

"Well, you should have told him 9:00. Then he’d be sitting there waiting for you when we pull in at 9:30."

"I don’t mind waiting. Besides, I can’t lie to him."