The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
Car Dancing
The boy is a teenager, but also a boy. He sits in the passenger seat of a truck and dances in his spot. He sit-dances with the best of them, though he’s dancing alone. As his father stops at the stoplight–even as cars file around and pause nearby–he’s punching at the air, he’s wiggling and moving. He peers over his shoulder and out the window for half a moment, only to have it confirmed that people are watching. My brother and I have been smiling at his unchecked glee, but now he’s been checked. He turns back and ceases. The music still plays, and he clearly wants to keep dancing, but he hesitates.
My brother and I keep watching him. I’ve taken off my sunglasses, so when he glances again at our car, he sees that our smiles are encouraging. We’re not a cause for stage fright, but a supportive audience. Bolstered–not checking with any of the other waiting vehicles–he does a seated Cha-Cha with his shoulders. He smiles and delights again in the freedom of dancing in traffic.
At the green light, as the truck moves away, his gives us a nod and a huge grin.
-Colorado.
A Turkish stop sign in Izmir. Disregard if you’re dancing.
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
A small moment, nicely observed. So many things of that sort escape our view, but you caught this one. Well done.
Thank you, Tom! The small things seem to be my hobby. 🙂
I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts on the story. Welcome!
Paige
I like to car dance also
Me too! Let’s road trip-dance sometime! 🙂
Paige
Love it. Of course, Paige ! 🙂 And no, I shan’t stop, no matter what.
Dance it up, M-R! 🙂
There is so much more about life… 🙂 !
All the best for you, dear Page
Liebe Grüße
Maccabros
Vielen Dank, Maccabros! Stimmt. 🙂 I will be brushing up on my German this fall, so I hope I can write a bit more to you–and read more as well.
Paige
I knew what country the sign was from when I saw it 🙂 We saw a lot of those signs from the bus during our tour.
Haha, yes, but did they heed the signs? 🙂
It’s such a lovely country. I’ve enjoyed every minute there.
Paige
Another great recall of your observation of a moment in time! I love your snapshots of the minutiae of life, Paige!
🙂 Thank you, Sue! I do have a tendency to fixate!
Paige
Reblogged this on The Nice Thing About Strangers and commented:
Have a great week! 🙂