Short Story: Finally

This is a short story I wrote based on real events described in a news article. I find it interesting how everyday news (or not so everyday news such as this article) can become a writing prompt.

Finally

He slowly rolled his beer glass between his fingertips, lost in thought. The cancer had metastasized. The doctor gave him six months, maybe a year, to live. Guess it’s time to cross some stuff off the ole Bucket List, he thought as he took a sip of his beer. He looked around the bar at the familiar faces. He was going to miss this place.

“Last call,” the bartender bellowed over the din.

Two o’clock already, he thought, as he looked at his watch. How time flies. He got up and slid a $20 under his empty glass. He waved good-bye to the bartender as he pushed open the front door. The cold air was a slap in the face, but it felt good.

He walked to his truck, got in, and buckled the seat belt from habit. He reached over and opened the glove box. He took a small notebook out. It was very well used. He opened it to the last page and read. His eyes lingered on #13. A slow smile spread across his face.

He started the truck and pulled out of the bar’s parking lot. Fastest way to find the police, he thought, is to rip right through town. He flew down Main Street at 75mph. Sure enough, he found the police.

“Whooooooo hoooooooo!” he yelled as the police car fell in behind him, its blue lights twirling, siren screeching. He punched the accelerator, laughing uproariously as the speedometer inched towards 100. By God, this was FUN, he thought as he sped down the road leaving the police officer to eat his dust. He wasn't even aware his old truck could go so fast!

The chase was on! He led the police officer all over town. He even slowed down once because he thought he’d lost him and that just wouldn’t do. He was having too much fun for it to end just because he’d outrun his pursuer.

Suddenly, he was jolted as his tires hit something lying in the road. He had been enjoying himself so much that he hadn’t noticed the second police car on the median or the “stop-sticks” laying across the road.

He managed to retain control of the truck despite its now-flat tires and pulled over to the side of the road. He glanced into the rear-view mirror and saw the police officers cautiously approaching his truck. He reached over and picked up his tattered notebook, still open to his bucket list. He removed the pencil from its binding and drew a line through #13.

There was a tap-tap-tap on his window. He rolled it down.

“Please step out of the vehicle, sir,” the police officer commanded.

He did. The police officer proceeded to frisk and handcuff him.

“Why in the world did you do that? What were you thinking?” the police officer asked.

"I don't have much time left to cross things off my bucket list, and I've always wanted to do that," he replied with a smile.

Based on:

“Compelling Explanations - John Hughes”

April 15, 2012

http://newsoftheweird.com/archive/nw120415.html (LINK BROKEN)