How dare John die leaving a cryptic note; “Read On the Road, play the jazz king, unthink and begin. It’s under your nose.”
Arriving in Illinois at the start of Route 66 she knew it was the right place on seeing the signs ‘begin’ and ‘unthink’. She looked down seeing nothing on the pavement and no clue from the old building dwarfed by the skyscraper.
She’d kill him if he wasn’t already dead. What was the message’s meaning. Suddenly she understood. Under her nose was her pregnant belly. She was to live, travel the mother road taking her kicks as they came.
photo prompt © Jean L. Hays
prompt for Friday Fictioneers
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Careful, Irene – you’re in danger of needing to remove all that stuff about memoir-writing …
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Yes I’m bored with myself M-R and these flashes give me a bit of light relief. I had no idea Route 66 is no longer …. so I’m learning too.
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Your ventures into fiction are most rewarding.
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I’m having fun. 🙂
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Dear Irene,
First off, welcome to Friday Fictioneers. I feel it only fair to warn you, though, it’s a lot like The Hotel California. “You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave.” 😉
Nice take on the prompt and word play.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle for the welcome to Friday Fictioneers. I have been doing the 99 word flash fiction and found that I enjoy the brevity and the break from memoir. I know what you mean about “you can never leave.”
Thanks for kind words . Cheers Irene
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Fun!
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Fun to do also.
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Dear Irene,
I like the double meaning of your last line. Good husband, smart wife, great story.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks so much for commenting Doug on my first foray into the Friday Fictioneers. Probably have much to learn – writing, creating and researching subjects like Route 66. Glad the double meaning came through. Cheers Irene
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Oh you are clever my friend…she certainly got her kicks on that old Route 66. Wonderful 🙂
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You are too kind Sherri. I am finding a lot of fun in doing flash and can see that it helps both creativity and writing practice. 🙂
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Clever, very good 🙂
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Thank you very much.
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Well done – clever work incorporating all those references. And welcome.
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Thank you. I learnt a lot doing this flash as I hadn’t known Route 66 is no longer anything but a historic memory. I have enjoyed my first venture into Friday fictioneers and look forward to picking up the next prompt on Wednesday and having a bit of time to think.
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Welcome to the Fictioneers, and great take on the prompt. I like how you included so many elements of the picture, but made the story itself about something else entirely. And I liked the glimpse you gave us into a loving couple and a difficult but promising future for your characters.
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Thanks. Not having done one before I concentrated on the picture but now having gone around and read some wonderful stories I know you can use the prompt is a prompt to whereever you want to take it . I look forward to picking up the prompt on Wednesday and having time to think. Thanks for dropping by.
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Cryptic message followed by cryptic tale.
Then all is revealed, superbly.
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Thanks I enjoyed my first attempt in the realm of the Friday fictioneers
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This is the beginning of a great story, Irene. I hope you continue with it!
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Thanks Noelle. I hadn’t thought about but I think motherhood and Route 66 are two subjects I really know nothing about. I had no idea Route 66 was defunct. Has saddened me – I think at the back of my mind I had always thought I would do the great American road trip and get my kicks on route 66.
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Wonderful take on the prompt. I hope she takes his words to heart and lives life to the fullest!!
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Thanks Kirsten. She had followed orders to that point so hopefully she will. Thanks for dropping by and commenting
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She’s got a long road ahead – with plenty of kicks, both good and bad. Nice idea. Enjoyable reading.
Marg
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Thanks Marg. A lifelong road I think. Thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Irene, nice to see you in FF! You’re off to a great start with this story. I particularly like your word play in the last line.
janet
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Thanks Janet. Looking forward to being a regular participant. Glad you liked it. Cheers Irene
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Great play on the phrase, “Get your kicks on Route 66.”
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I learnt a bit of American History in this one. Of course I grew up knowing of Route 66 but had no idea it had become a route of history.
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Haha! 😀 Yes.
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Love that last line.
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🙂
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Thanks for the follow Irene. I think we have a lot in common. As far as dog breeds go, the German Shepherd is my favorite too. Liza whom I wrote of, was a German Shepherd Dog, and though there have been several since, she was quite special. Dogs are like people aren’t they? You like each one for their special qualities,.
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Your welcome. Yes they are all special family members with their own endearing personalities. 🙂
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