On the Road to Barstow - by Julie Harris

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https://Voice.club - Dizzy and disoriented by the blinding snow, Laura stumbled and fell to her knees.

“Let’s rest, Eddie,” she pleaded. Her husband gently pulled her to her feet.

“We must keep moving, love.” He put his arms around her, trying to warm her, brushing the ice from her face.

“Look, there’s a light ahead!” He half carried her toward the cottage, the first sign of life they had seen in hours. The howling winds swirled around them as Laura slumped lifelessly against his shivering body.

She awoke to warmth and lamp light, wrapped in a thick blanket, being spoon-fed something warm and fragrant.

“Gran?” Her voice was weak, incredulous, her eyes still closed.

“I’m Sadie.” The silver-haired woman lifted another herb-scented spoonful.

Laura opened her eyes and looked around. The cozy room was lit by gas lamps and a crackling fire, a cast iron pot simmering just above the flames. Eddie was devouring the hot soup, eager to tell his story between mouthfuls.

“Zero visibility. Slashing sleet and snow. Jackknifed. Rolled out of the car just in time. Walked and walked and walked.”

“A car,” Sadie mused, fascinated. "I arrived the same way five years ago. Blown in by a storm. Well, you have a home here. I could use some company. "

“Kind of you, but soon as the storm ends, we’re off to Barstow.”

Sadie couldn’t help chuckling. “Barstow hasn’t been built yet! Do you know what year it is here?”

Laura had regained her strength and was wide awake now, smiling.

"Eddie, look around. No cell phones, no tvs, no computers. Electricity and telephones coming soon. Wholesome food, great companionship, a grandmother for the babies we’ll have. The simple life we always dreamed of. All that talk about wormholes and spacetime continuums, when all it took was getting lost in a blizzard! "

“Are you sure you want to stay, love?” Eddie sounded hesitant.

Sadie chimed in. “I’ve never been tempted to go back to that life. Can’t say I miss social media and arguments about climate change!”

Laura’s laughter filled the room. “I’m absolutely sure. Forget Barstow. We’re home!”

2 Likes
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Intriguing that the snow storm takes the couple back in time. Interesting that they chose a pre- social media time and simple traditional lifestyle. Glad that you made this era cosy and welcoming!

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I enjoyed this story, Julie. I love adventurous and time travel stories.

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Going from “dizzy and disoriented” to Laura’s laughter is quite a trip. Is it the storm, the new location, or Sadie’s immediate acceptance? Whatever the reason, it results in a story which made me smile and wish the best for Eddie and Laura.

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Thanks so much for your comment, @MargaridaBrei

I like to think that era was mostly cozy and welcoming, in spite of its limitations. At least it made a good story!

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Thanks so much, @ThompsonEmate

I always love thinking about time travel, so this story almost wrote itself!

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Hello @SusanGiles - I’m glad my story made you smile! I think the warmth and nurturing in Sadie’s home spoke to Laura, and seemed more appealing than some of today’s sterile “connections”. I wouldn’t mind going back a little in time myself!

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Wow! I love the story, Julie. It has echoes of Diana Gabaldon somehow. I find it fantastic the fact that Laura accepts this new reality with enthusiasm, while Eddie is hesitant instead. Finding a fellow time traveller was certainly a lucky strike!

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Thank you so much @GreeneWills

I’m not familiar with Diana Gabaldon - tell me more! Laura represents all of us who like the quiet, simple life and are often put off by today’s frantic pace and noise. In addition, much of the posturing on social media seems far removed from real friendships and deep human interactions. I’m with Laura on this one!

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Enjoyable time travelling story Julie with more than a hint of nostalgia for uncomplicated days without the intrusive social media and fake news. However, like the recent story by @CarrieOLeary there is also the need for survival which may be less glamorous

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Thank you for your comment, Julian. You’re right about the survival skills in that period of time perhaps being less glamorous than soft candlelight and warm fires! But at the time I’m thinking about they already had pretty sophisticated indoor plumbing, and telephones and electricity were just around the corner. A person could maintain a nice degree of privacy, and with the right “family” (biological or chosen) for emotional support, life might have been pretty nice. I’d love to try it for a week and see!!

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Your protagonist’s adventure in a simple traditional lifestyle is an extraordinary one, which makes it more lovely. I love it so much.