Blue Chickens

“Classical is very good. I’m fond of opera myself. Very moving.” Lyell stared forward, his hand clenching and un-clenching the wheel. “Not too interested in break up or love songs either. Find them pretty repetitive.”  It wasn’t just that however, love songs. Break up songs. They reminded him too much of the loved ones he’s lost. Either to break ups or worse. “I went through a metal phase a while back though. Even the bad kind.” The man let out a soft chuckle.

“But I listen to many things as well, as long as it catches my interest.” They were coming up in a rest stop. Lyell wondered if Shane wanted anything. Would he even tell him if he did? “Rest stop up ahead. You hungry or anything. Need to use the restroom?  The next stop is quite a while away.”

“Operas are good. I’m ah. Hell what’s the-- Prince Igor? I like that one.” He’d continue the topic but then Lyell mentioned a rest stop. “Probably not a bad idea. Stretch a little, get a food. So on. Especially if it’s a ways to the next one. How far you wanna keep going today? We gonna make it to the next one before we need to quit for a while?”

The music was appreciated. A easy distraction for his wandering mind. Lyell often needed multiple things to focus on. “ That’s just fine.” The man kept his stare a head, only allowing his gaze to drift to Shane for a few seconds before focusing his attention on the road.  

“ What type of music do you prefer?”  He asked, needing the conversation. Lyell took in a breath. His thoughts racing despite himself. He often found he simply thought too often and too much. In a way it became overwhelming. The man wished he could just be at peace but that seemed impossible.

The only time he felt peace was when he was just a bit tipsy. Drinking helped slow things down enough that he could relax. But Lyell knew it could became a rather nasty habit if he wasn’t careful.

“Honestly I’ll listen to just about anything. With a couple of exceptions. I like stuff that’s actually musical? I mean I like rock music but I can’t stand the ones where it sounds like the guy’s trying to gargle the microphone. You can have ‘angry’ rock without just being screeching and growling. And you know, actually has something to say. I get sorta sick of love songs. Especially if they’re just the breakup songs, which tend to go ‘waah why do they not love me I’m great’, those just. Get over it ok.” Shane shrugged and looked out the window. No reason, there. He just thought they sounded whiny, no great deep meaning.

He could remember seeing that. The light in peoples eyes just slowly fade and die into emptiness. It had happened to him. The weight of the company, the mindless work and the long hours. It was more then just soul crushing to bare. “Through all my years of working I don’t think I ever experienced anything like Joja.” Lyell’s voice had softened, his tone tired.

“I’ve always worked the land really. Sure I would take on odd jobs here and there. But I’d always come back to farming.” It was his life really. More then just nice work, but a way of life. He had been born on a farm in the 1420′s.  Grew up learning the ways of a hard working gentlemen.

“Glad you’re enjoying working on the farm though. It can be hard and tiring but you’ve been doing real well.” Lyell paused, glancing at the radio. “Why don’t you put on some background noise?”

“Sure. What kind of music do you like?” Shane asked, popping the radio on. “I can go for whatever? Mostly.” He flicked about on the radio dial idly, trying to find any good stations. It was harder when it was out on the road between cities, stations faded in and out sometimes. But he found a decent one with older rock music on it. “...This one okay?”

Joja, truly a soul sucking place to work. Just thinking about the company made his skin crawl. He had spent far too long working that dead end job. And for no reason besides being used to it. The company was also the only place really hiring at the time. And working for them developed a few new skills. But the management had been hell.

“ Joja isn’t the place for me.” Lyell said blandly, “ I do much better working outdoors. Physical labor. I don’t mind being behind a computer or stocking shelves all day, but it’s not a long term situation I’d like to be in.”

His attention shifted from the road to the bottle. He never did like driving or eating while he was driving. “ I’ll be sure to if I need it.” But he wouldn’t need it. It was much safer to stay focused on the long road ahead. “ Figured that we’ll stop before it gets too dark. Rest in a hotel if I can find one. “

Memories played behind his eyes. Thoughts of another man traveling by foot with him to a old farm in forget me not valley. They had been going from a big city to the peaceful life in the country. Away from the gang life and all it implied. This was a different moment, but somehow it rung similar in his mind.

“Gotta be something somewhere. Even if it’s a little motel thing, this is a major road. Anyone not putting a hotel just a little before Zuzu is missing out. Lots of folk travel out this far from further away, and need a rest. Just hope they aren’t booked up entirely.” Shane shrugs and takes a swig off his drink again.

Durdle Door von neelchen auf flickr