Strange things seem to happen when no eyes are there to catch them. I once thought that people who saw UFO’s and bigfoot were crazy. If they saw them, how come no one else saw them? Where was all the proof, the pictures and hi-def video? I used to wonder.
It was a sunny afternoon and I had just delivered some copy to an old orchid. I was doing their new Apple Times Newspaper that they handed out to passerbys and locals. It was an easy job, far less stressful then my other clients out of the big city. Usually I have the printing company drop them off, but this time I decided I would check out the place my self. I had been there ages ago when I first got their business, yet from that day I had been to busy to drive all the way out there. The sun was shining, a cool breeze blew across the arces and I thought to my self ‘what the heck, let’s go see those fellows out there’. I was greeted with smiles and warm apple cider and donuts. We talked about all the years of business and the newspaper and what else they wanted to do. With some extra cider and donuts they welcomed me back anytime. I waved good bye and traveled back home through those old country roads. They bounced up and down wooded hills, past farms and large arces of corn or wheat. I peered down at my dash and noticed that I was running low on gas so I started to look for a station. Out here that might be rare. Luckily through some trees at the top of a hill stood a station that lept straight out of time. I pulled in and waved to the man inside. He nodded and went back to his paper he was reading. I pulled up and started to fill my van up with gas. Across the street was a defunct gas station that stood against a backdrop of dark green trees and brush. The paint was peeling off and vines and bits of rust were crawling up the sides of the columns to the small roof over the pumps. A small one person building stood off to the side. A old black lincoln pulled up to one of the pumps and a tall man wearing a large brimmed hat stepped out. I wanted to yell over that the pumps were not working, but the man reached out for the handle and almost like it was there, took it from the station and inserted it into the back of his old black lincoln. He held an invisible gas handle, his hand squeezing something that wasn’t there. He was robotic and turned towards me as if he was on a swivel. I waved and he started towards me. A part of me told me to run, but the gentlemen in me told me to stay and not be rude. He crossed the small street and I met him at the edge of the asphalt. He moved in slow fluid motions, both arms swinging wide as he approached and stopped.
“Good afternoon” I said shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand. Skin slid back from his mouth revealing a sharp smile.
“Yes it is” his arm extended and he opened his hand to receive a shake. I didn’t immediately move and he stood frozen in position.
“Oh”I grasped his hand and we shook. His grip was strong and forceful. He let go and I withdrew my hand and returned it to my pockets. “You know mister, I don’t think that station is in working order” He nodded and turned to look towards his car and returned to me still nodding.
“Some machines run on a different kind of fuel then others sonny” he said taking off his hat, readjusting it and reapplying. His eyes were a deep amber that glowed when the sun hit them for a tiny fraction it was allowed. I heard my pump click as I was done fueling up.
I turned to look and shot a thumb back at my car “Looks like I am all set, you take care” I started toward my car.
“You too sonny. I’ll see you later. Give Jenny my best” I turned immediately. He was back at his car, door open waving at me as he disappeared inside. The engine started with a high pitch whirl and the wheels sputtered into action as the lincoln pitched up onto the road and head off in the opposite direction I was going. I watched it glide down the street until it rounded a corner. I could still feel his skin on my hand in my pocket.
I think in reality. Somethings are not meant to be seen. Those strange things, events, monsters that humans catch a glimpse of. Just a glimpse is all they can see. As if they saw more. Reality might seem to become fiction.
Inspired by old abandon gas station in the middle of nowhere (who knows who might still use them)