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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book... “hello goodbye goodbye hello” Down in the Dirt (v132) (the October 2015 Issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

Order this writing in the book the Intersection the Down in the Dirt July - Dec. 2015 collection book		get the 318 page July - Dec. 2015 Down in the Dirt issue collection 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Planned Vacation #2

Chad Newbill

As he closed the door,
he pulled his jacket up around his neck and delicately maneuvered down the icy front porch
His steps grew longer, higher and faster, as he plunged his feet into the deep snow.
His eyes were fused to the car that was covered with salt from the winter streets.
The countless shades of gray smothered him!
The color represented his mind; his mood; his life.
Still humming from his six pack of beer, he headed to the corner party store to grab a pack of cigarettes.

The wheels of the gloomy car slid slightly as he parked.
The neon beer signs from the store flashed in his eyes.
He had been in this store a thousand times before,
but he and the owner had never held a conversation;
only head nods and the counting of his change.
Brushing the snow flakes from his sleeves,
his squeaky shoes made their way to the cooler of beer.

A quart of Pabst.

He set the sweating bottle on the counter and picked up a pack of gum.
The owner put the beer in a narrow, brown paper sack and mumbled his total.
He began to pay when he realized what he had come for.
His mind was thinking of something beyond his purchases.
He quickly asked for a pack of cigarettes.
?Soft pack Marlboros.
?The owner turned his back and stretched out his short torso to grab the cigarettes from the top shelf.

The owner unknowingly, or maybe knowingly, brandished his hand gun that was tucked in the back of his slacks.
?Without saying a word, he picked up his merchandise and hunched over as he readied himself for the arctic blast that was waiting for him on the other side of the door.
As the door shut, he heard the register ring for the man in line behind him.
?He threw the cigarettes and gum in the passenger seat and squeezed the packaged beer between his legs.
The bottle top cracked open and he swigged the beer until he could no longer hold his breath.
He put his car in reverse to back into the
unplowed parking lot.
The snow crunched under his tires
like fingernails on a blackboard.
He put the car in “drive” and inched forward before he gently pushed the brake peddle at the intersection.

He looked down both ways of the street.
But it wasn’t for safeties sake.
His mind raced as he thought of going to work in the morning; his wife, his kids, his life.
The longer he sat in the parking lot,
the more hurried he felt.
He clicked on his turn signal and headed away from his home

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