Andre sat up on his bike seat in the back alley of his house and flicked the tassel he’d attached to his handlebar. The drink in his other hand warm and untouched. His friends George and Zane waited for him, drinks open and half drunk. They had asked what was wrong with him, why he wasn’t drinking, celebrating like a big shot.
Andre had his eyes closed, his fingers running down the fine, silken tassel. Finally, he said, “I don’t want to move too fast or breathe too much. Keep my eyes closed. Cause right now, I’m rich. I’m sitting in my Ferrari, in a driveway with a fountain in the middle, sipping Champaign from one of those fine crystals mom always wanted. I’m rich and sitting and thinking that I have all of this cause I was the only one to graduate in my whole family. And none of my lazy-ass friends can say that.” He smiled and chanced a quick peek from one eye.
“Man, look at you! You’re sitting on a triple hand-me-down bike, in an alley that smells like cat piss and burned rubber. All you got is a warm pop cause we couldn’t find anyone to score us some booze…you ain’t rich. You’re just like us. Fool.” They talked dirt at him but slapped him on the back like a brother.
Andre left his bike, opened his pop, and followed his friends through the alley. He didn’t have a car yet, but he swore he’d hang that tassel off of the rearview mirror on whatever he could afford, even if it wasn’t a Ferrari…just yet.
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Postcard Stories Podcast – An Author Reading.
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4 Replies to “Life Imagined”
Well. If you’re gonna dream, might as well dream big!!
I’ve been that kid. I can feel all the hope he has and it made me remember where I cam from and the joy I feel when I remember how far I’ve come.
I think he’s gonna make it too.
I remember thinking I had the world by the tail when I graduated. It was nice to live in that euphoria for a while…and then reality hit. But I still try to hang on to that young dreamer, at least a little. Thanks for reading, Michelle!
Ah, this brings back memories of my brother and me riding our bikes down by the railroad tracks pretending to be kids with magic powers on our way to the future. We didn’t have much, but we has each other. Thanks for the brief look back, Carmen.
Why do most of us remember having magic powers when we were kids? It’s so interesting! I’d love to feel that way again. Thanks for reading and commenting, Mary!
Word of the Year-2025
For my 2025 word of the year, I chose COURAGE. I know, it’s not the most original pick—but hear me out. Something about courage stuck with me this time, especially after watching a documentary on The Tragically Hip. For those unfamiliar, they’re kind of a Canadian thing. A band that
Hinterland is Real
They say seeing is believing. I didn’t know what that meant until that night. I was coming home late, later than I should, and I knew I was going to catch heck. Momma didn’t even pretend to be patient when me or my sister wasn’t home in time for dinner.
Deadly Mist
The mist crept closer, slithering across the boot prints she left behind on the soft, moist ground. She urged her legs to go faster over the uneven path. A leafless tree grabbed at the flying strands of her long silver hair as she ran past. They hung like shiny tinsel