Driver Under Extreme Stress

Robert fumes in darkness.

Giggles erupt from the back seat.

Robert grips the steering wheel tighter.

His knuckles grow whiter.

When the laughs turn to arguing,

Robert shoots a glare at his wife

who is quiet in the passenger seat.

She remains buried in her crossword.

From the back seat comes a shout:

“Gimme that. It’s mine!”

Then a laugh, a cry, and a toy car

bounces off the dashboard

and knicks the driver’s wrist.

“That’s it!” Robert screams

“I’m turning this car around.

This place is as good as any!”

A brief silence ensues inside

the vehicle, while a downpour

and rumbling continue outside.

But back-seat laughter resumes

because the kids know Dad’s

threat is empty.

Besides, he can’t turn the car

around until after they leave

the car wash.