Flat Tire Read online



  Barry B. Begault

  14280

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  PUBLISHED BY:

  Flat Tire

  Copyright 2011, 2013 Barry B. Begault

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  About The Author

  Chapter One

  David’s phone’s chimed indicating a message. He fished his phone from his pants pocket and reviewed the message.

  “I gotta go, sis. Mrs. Caldwell’s in labor and I have to get back to Barstow,” he said a little unhappily with a one shoulder shrug.

  “It’s been a great weekend, and it's amazing how comfortable it is in this habitat y’all built." he outstretched his hands palms up to indicate the dwelling around him.

  " It seems like every time I come out here y’all have done something else to the place.” remarked David with a smile.

  "I look forward to coming to see y'all to see what new invention Richard has created."

  “Thanks David. Richard’s really getting practical experience on solar energy use. He’s learning to effectively harness solar energy and his inventions get better every week.” his sister replied grinning back at him.

  Richard smiled from across the room.

  “I’m really impressed, sis. You and Richard have really made some cool inventions.” he said proudly, “How much longer are y’all going to be out here?”

  “Probably another ten months before our research is done and the grant money will have been exhausted. I’ll be glad to get back to civilization again,” she smiled and the corners of her eyes crinkled.

  “Yeah, but I lose my get-away spot, away from civilization.” David laughed lightly.

  Barbara and David rose from the couch together chattering about his visit and walked to the front door. He put his arm around his shorter sister's shoulder still listening and conversing . She talked animatedly with her hands.

  Richard waved to him from across the den, which had a workshop on the other end, and David saw he was repairing a solar reflector or collector.

  David waved and raised his voice cheerfully. “Thanks Richard. It’s been a great weekend as usual.”

  Richard waved back, and nodded his head. “It’s always nice to have you visit, Dave.”

  They reached the front door and David opened it. He released his sister's shoulder and walked out through the wide door onto the covered front porch with his sister on his heels.

  The cool evening air flooded into the foyer through the open door as Barbara walked out onto front porch behind her brother to bid him farewell. She folded her arms under her breasts in a brace against the dropping temperatures.

  He turned around to face her, smiling at his pretty sister’s face.

  “Ya know, sometimes I wish you didn’t have that satellite link then I wouldn’t have to rush off like this,” he said in a sarcastic voice.

  Barbara pushed out her lower lip in a mocking sad face. “I know.”

  “But seriously, this has been really great. I needed this long weekend off away from everything just to veg and chill out for awhile. You and Richard are always such great hosts.”

  Barbara squeezed her brother’s hand and smiled up at him beatifically.

  "It's always great to have my older brother visit" her smile lit up her face.

  David glanced at the setting sun over the miles of open, empty desert.

  He could feel the desert cooling off for the night. The few birds that were around his sister’s abode foraging for food stopped their daily scavenging and headed for shelter from the cold night to come.

  “Thanks bro I know your patients need you, and may I say most of them love you.” she said and draped her arms around her brother’s neck and threw her head back to look up into his face.

  “I love you brother, and I really enjoy our closeness,” she said her face serious. “I always have enjoyed spending time with you. We just relate so well.” she finished and smiled a toothy grin at him.

  He smiled back at her and gave her a brotherly hug.

  " Sometimes every other month with y'all just doesn't seem frequent enough."

  “I agree David and I know this researcher and she…”

  “Aw come on, sis.” he interrupted a little irritated, “You know since Marilyn, I can’t date. I just never have gotten closure on all of it.” he gently released her and screwed up his face in a scowl.

  “Dave, it’s been two years. I know you and Marilyn were true soul-mates, but you have to move on, brother. I love you and just want the best for you.” she reached out and squeezed his hand; sad faced.

  “I know, I know, I love you too. It’s just that...,” his voice trailed and he thought about his little sister and her life.

  He stared intently at his sister in amazement for a few moments. She and her husband, survival and atmospheric experts, with two doctorates each in their careers, and they both loved their work.

  When they moved out here in the desert to conduct global warming experiments in the middle of nowhere, David thought they were nuts, but the solitude did have its rewards. Barbara and Richard were as close as two people in love could be.

  They had, what he thought was, the perfect life. The life they had worked so hard to create at and the life they wanted. This was truly his sister’s dream come true. If only he could be that lucky again.

  “One day, brother, happiness will be yours again.” she said holding up her right hand with her forefinger pointing up for emphasis.

  “Anyway, be careful driving down our driveway.” Barbara’s melodious voice broke David’s thoughts.

  “Uh, sis, your driveway is twenty five miles long.” David lightheartedly replied. He turned his head and look towards the highway with his right hand on his forehead as to shade his eyes from the sun in jest.

  Barbara laughed, stood on her tippy toes and gave him a big sisterly kiss on his left cheek.

  “Really David, be careful. Do you want one of our walkie-talkies in case you need help between here and the highway?” she said concerned.

  “Naw sis really, I don’t need it. I’ve been out here dozens of times and have never had a problem. But thanks.” he said confidently waving off the offer with his left hand, palm out.

  “I know. But please, be careful.” she gave her brother a last, long, hard, hug.

  David and his sister parted, he turned and walked to his car then stopped by the car door and turned around once more to his see sister. She too had stopped and turned when she reached the doorway. They both waved one last time.