Love In The Traffic Jam

By Howard Moon

Bill was filled with anticipation. He was going to meet his new girlfriend. They had been meeting for just over a month and saw one another two or three times a week.

Visiting her was part of his morning ritual, and he did not want to be late. Finishing breakfast, he put the dishes in the sink, took his mug of coffee, and got into the car. It was exactly 7 a.m. when he backed out of the driveway. He was right on schedule.

Bill turned onto the interstate entrance at precisely 7:12 a.m. She was there in her red Toyota, it was easy to spot, waiting patiently in the line of cars. Traffic was at a near standstill, as it was most mornings.

He easily merged in with the other vehicles and pulled up beside her in the near gridlock. She was in the mis-named fast lane, especially at this time of the morning. Bill traveled along beside her. He looked over, smiled, and wished her, “Good morning.” She continued to stare straight ahead absorbed in her thoughts. He sensed his greeting understood, if not acknowledged.

Both drove with windows rolled up. The heat, engine noise, and fumes prevented the drivers from letting any of the outside in. It made two-way conversation difficult, but that did not stop him from talking. He continued the conversation, glancing over at his brown-haired beauty now and then. She smiled slightly and Bill knew she was enjoying their morning chat, even if it was one sided.

Bill had still more to talk about, however traffic began to thin out.

She appeared to be singing along with the radio to pass the time. He smiled and waved to her saying, “Have a good day.”

They both began to accelerate, Bill signaling and getting off at the next exit.

He watched as she sped down the highway to her morning destination unphased by the fact that once again they had not really spoken. Happy to know she always seemed to appreciate their morning meeting.

She was completely oblivious to the romantic comedy that played out in Bill’s mind each morning as she made her way through the traffic.

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Howard Moon is a writer and poet. His writing and poetry have appeared in multiple books, collections, and anthologies.

He is of Native heritage and identifies as BIPOC.

He is a brain injury survivor, diagnosed with hemiplegia, and suffers from mental illness. He speaks out as an advocate for those with Mental Illness and Disabilities.

He lives in central Florida.