18 Comments
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Rick Lewis's avatar

"I reclined my seat a few notches." Such details as this in your storytelling make me smile from ear to ear. So much shown instead of told with such a simple line.

Maps's avatar

My favorite line is "My voice sounded a bit more like my own"

Rick Lewis's avatar

That was my no 2 highlight as well.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Yes, both such excellent lines!

Paul Michael's avatar

"There's no atheists in foxholes"... Not sure how that statement fits here but it came to mind so I'm sharing. Maybe because we find our personal relationship with God in many different ways.

Alex Michael's avatar

Without a doubt. It's a good saying.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

I really love where this piece ends up, of course, but also the whole sequence before the call... litigating arguments with people you've never met, forming acrostics with license plates. It's a kind of roadtrip, and a kind of luxuriating in having nothing to do that doesn't often happen anymore.

It's all the perfect preamble to the call, which is such an amazing conversation. It's my favorite kind of story, where expectations drop and I'm left pondering something so unexpected and beautiful.

James Bailey's avatar

“My voice sounded a bit more like my own.”

Beautiful.

Loved the elegance and simplicity of the story. You could have made it twice as long, I suspect, and I’m not sure it would have been any better. The compression was excellent. 👏

Tommy Dixon's avatar

Loved this Alex - also amazing on the flip phone

Maps's avatar

You drove alone for 2 days without a podcast? Or even local radio stations? I'm not strong enough.

Kathy Ayers's avatar

This is riveting! I love when expectations of a certain experience “sure” to happen give way to something altogether different. I think we need more writing about these wonderful, uplifting encounters that connect us all. Can’t tell you how much I loved this.

Your writing is fabulous.

Alex Michael's avatar

Thank you so much Kathy :)

Janelle Gray's avatar

Can't believe I just came across this piece now! Absolutely love how you portrayed your surprise and slight change in heart towards John Martin so subtly and realistically. Glad our paths crossed in WoP.

Alex Michael's avatar

Thanks Janelle, and likewise!

Emma Dorge's avatar

Loved this one!

Alex Michael's avatar

Much appreciated Emma!

Matt Cyr's avatar

Fun read. I remember those billboards, having grown up and vacationed across various parts of the southeast. There are some hum dingers out there. I never did call one but might the next time I’m back visiting.

Charlie Bleecker's avatar

This was so funny. John Martin. Who knew!