Many of my stories are written for friends, and today’s story “Crossing” is no exception. Though it makes use of Lisa, a long time Internet friend, it was written with another friend in mind, a fellow author whom I met here on SoL shortly after I started posting again in December of 2020. Howard and I exchanged hundreds of emails in the six months I knew him, discussing writing and relating the adventures of our lives.
“Crossing” begins with an experience Howard told me about: waiting at a railroad crossing in a small Alabama town, and the beautiful girl in the car adjacent to his touching herself shamelessly. From that point on, the story is invention. I did the picture for Howard, and he was very pleased. Had Howard been able to read the entire story, I’m not sure he’d have been thrilled, but I think he would have smiled. I’m not sure why I didn’t write the story so Howard got the girl. I should have. During the last weeks of Howard’s life we talked frequently on the phone. Up until then, most of our correspondence involved Howard relating his fascinating life and me asking him questions and encouraging him to reveal more and more. He didn’t need much encouragement. His life was quite remarkable. At the end, he found it almost impossible to speak, and it was up to me to provide the words.
I miss Howard. Someday I may write a sequel to this story, and if I do, you can be sure Howard will get the girl.