Magic in the Mid-West

I had forgotten how long I had been driving west across interstate 70, but it had definitely been a quiet a while.  I had nothing against Kansas, but amber waves of grain should only go on for so long.  I was on a trip out west to for my brother's wedding which was to occur in just under a week, and was barely half way there.  I had been driving hard for two days by myself already, and it was staring to wear on me.  I saw a sign for a turn-off to a small town coming up in three miles.  It was still relatively early, only 6:30 in the evening, but I decided to take the exit when it came, only to find the town was actually another twenty miles down the road.  I decided it was better to get off and get a good, long night's sleep rather than grab another room last minute.  I had sensed my attention wavering that day more than was normal as I drove.  I couldn't help grin at the thought that I would have time to eat a good meal that evening instead of fast-food twenty minutes prior to sleep.  The small town I by chance decided to stop in was named of all things, Ponyville.  Though this town was not the true destination of my odyssey it became all too dear to me because of the overwhelming hospitality the people there had for me.

I slid casually into the town with a sign that seemed to boast a population of one hundred and twelve.  It was serene, almost frozen in time, like a picture, painted with gold in how the falling sun had cast its rays upon the buildings.  I made a mental checklist of what to do and in what order.  I decided on getting gas first, as that was the most dire of needs, then I'd check in to the local motel, go get something to eat, and finally come back to sleep.

"This'll be one heck of a night out" I thought to myself, "Crazy nights, that's me".

I pulled my truck, which seemed almost futuristic in the setting, into the gas station.  It only had two pumps and the first was taken by an elderly gentleman in a pickup which seemed almost his own age.  I pulled up to the pump surprised that it was advanced enough to have debt card access.  This would only take a minute, and then I could be on my way.  I payed, inserted the nozzle, set the lever to keep it flowing on its own, and leaned against my truck stretching my legs hard to get all the stiffness out from them.  Closing my eyes I listened to the steady clicking of the pump give my truck life as it stole more of my money than should be allowed.  It had been a minute or two and my tank I knew must almost be full.

"Hi, I've never seen you before, you must be new in town" came the cheery words of a girl I became painfully aware was standing less than a foot away from me.  My eyes erupted open as I jumped so high, it almost cause my seating upon the side of the truckbed.   Clutching my chest as I landed I observed the form of a bubbly girl approximately my age.  She wore a long sleeved shirt with broad horizontal stripes of white and light blue, and a pink puffy skirt that reached just shy of her knees but had matching stockings that ran into her light blue slip on shoes.  This was all completed by her hair which was huge and curly though not unkempt, with its huge coils reaching the middle of her back.  The only thing that kept my mind from its striking likeness to the styles of the 80s and 90s was that it was all completely pink, but oddly not unfitting.  She seemed to take notice as I continued to stare at her hair.

"Oh, ya, I dyed it a few days back for a wicked awesome party I threw for my friends, do you like it?"  She asked running a hand through it.

"It, suits you" I stammer as she smiled wih delight.  My eyes finally disengaged her hair and traveled down to actually look at her eyes.  They were as brilliant as turquoise gems and she grinned wide.

"I’m sorry if I scared you, it’s just I haven’t seen someone new around here in so long I just got so excited and,” she caught herself, “oh ya, my name Diane by the way, it's so very nice to meet you" she said with her voice ringing in the same joyous tone as it had been since the very first alarming words.  It was apparent by her demeanor that she was a very sweet and polite young lady, but unfortunately talked like lightning.  Her words became too fast, even in my heightened state, for my tired ears and mind to discern.  It became obvious how few visitors they did get as she rambled on incomprehensibly, though I did gleaned from her words something about a party for me and a bakery, moments before she disappeared, seemingly into the air.  I checked the pump which must have stopped about the time Diane had appeared, and proceeded to remove the nozzle.  I was then ready to set forth and check off the next item of my list though not before checking the half row in the back of the truck out of a playful paranoia.  Pleasingly it was empty.

I continued down the one main street that lead through the length of the town.  A small motel called the Mane Inn caught my eye.  I was small and old, though not run down.  I parked and proceed to check in wondering what was with the horse puns so many places had.  Once I had my key I threw my bag in the room and left for dinner.

Famished, and not feeling terribly picky, I quickly sifted through my few options.  I pulled into the parking lot of a small “ma and pa’s” style dinner.  Upon entering, it became almost surreal with the checker tile floor and an actual jukebox.  I felt as though I were in a retro movie.  The establishment only had three tables taken and no one at the bar.  No waitress was seen and so I was about to seat myself until a large fellow waving his whole arm, like I was some long lost friend, caught my attention.  He beckoned me to come over to the booth where both he and a young girl across from him sat.  They were to my right, halfway down the wall.  I as drew near, the girl though looking the opposite way quick changed sides.  She was now sitting with the large man and both looked directly at me as stopped.

“Yes sir?” I spoke half of me filled with confusion and the other with fear.  The man before me was almost as tall as me sitting down and I am rather tall.  He was larger than a stallion and looked more power than a bear.  He looked like someone that should’ve been from the south.  He wore a plaid shirt that was primarily red with its sleeves rolled up.

He grinned, “Well don’t just stand there, take a seat”.  His slight southern draw was very mellow and reminded me of home.  I slid onto the bench with my fear having dissipated.  The woman spoke up with a look of excitement in her eye.

“Howdy” her country accent infinity more pronounced, “My name is Jackie and this here is my brother, everyone calls him Big Mac.”

“I can see why” and he gave a polite grin at my words.  “I’m guessing he’s your big brother”

“Sure is, and he’s about the best I could ask for.  He hardly says anything but he sure does have the nicest heart I ever did see”.  She said half trying to embarrass him.  “We don’t eat out much but it’s easy to see someone who ain’t a regular in these parts.”

A waitress at last came to the table the sibling insisted I eat with them.  The food was nothing spectacular, but the conversation was excellent.  It had been quite a while since I had someone to talk to at length.  I didn’t hurt that it was with a drop dead beautiful southern gal.  It was nothing deep, which was nice as it helped me to unwind my mind.  Did I mention she was pretty?  She had a plaid shirt similar to Big Mac’s but more orange than anything else.  She had blond hair pulled into a huge pony tail, and a cowgirl hat on, though neither were for show.  Light freckles rested below her eyes which were greener than any leaf but more brilliant than any jade stone.  We finished and our waitress asked if we’d like any dessert and before I had a chance to say anything Jackie had ordered the three of us apple pie.

"They're the best in Kansas" said Jackie with an apologetic look after the waitress had left.  "Well at least they should be anyway, we supple the apples for this whole town."

"Eeyup" Big Mac said with an affirmative tone.

The pie wasn't expensive, so it wasn't a big deal, and it was pretty amazing.  We paid and went our separate ways, my spirits and stomach lifted.  I walked to my truck enjoying the full moon and replaying the conversation in my head.  I stopped as reached for the handle, noticing what was tied from my mirror.  One blue and two yellow balloons had been tied to my left mirror.  Confused but not concerned I cut them free with my pocket knife.  I returned to the motel and walked into my room, becoming aware of how much I ate half way there.  I readied myself for sleep without much care for my usual ritual.  I was ready for my stomach to stop aching and anxious to get back on the road the next day.  I closed my eyes, thoughts still streaming across my mind of the day, and slowly drifted to sleep.

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