That light always took too damn long. During the day you noticed less because there'd be traffic you'd wait on. But at night when nobody was around the waiting became unbearable. They needed to turn that intersection into a blinking yellow on one side and blinking red on the other after a certain time. Maybe 9pm? Hell in this town you could swing 7.
Alan thought his life was a lot like that intersection. Waiting for permission. When the obvious move was right in front of him. Nobody's around, just fucking go. Why are you sitting there waiting? What are you waiting for?
His foot pressed on the gas hard. He heard the engine roar. He didn't let off until he saw 95 miles per hour.
He had no explanation for why he sped like that. He had no destination. In fact he was actually trying to prolong a destination. Live as long in this limbo he had found during
winter break
as possible.
Life would be perfect if he was on vacation forever. If he was looking for a job but never actually had to find one. If he had a crush on
Imogen Howe
, but never learned whether she liked him back. He could go on like this forever. He wished.
Alan was too old and not dumb enough to believe he could stay in such limbo. Life would carry on.
Tonight he could return to
Westcity
without telling anyone. He would tell his mom after the fact. She wouldn't find it weird or concerning. They had that kind of relationship. Imogen he might send a long text. Jack and Aaron a short one each. They'd understand. And both of them probably were eager to get back to their own lives as well.
Alan was now driving at regular speeds in circles around town. Not wanting to go to Westcity but also not wanting to return to his mom's house. He wished there some places open that had young people drinking so he could drown out his pontifications over a few beers alone but surrounded by bodies.
But hardly any places were open in town. Few that were exclusively featured townies. In a way Alan did miss parts of Westcity. The fact that he could anonymously dip into a bar and keep to himself. Go to any bar in town here and people would talk.
His phone vibrated. Moment later he took it out and checked who it was. Aaron.