1. The Road To Bliss


    Date: 7/14/2024, Categories: First Time Author: Obsolete_Fox

    I spotted her walking alone on the side of the rural road, but as I drew closer in the truck, she didn't stick her thumb out for a ride. Her long red hair cascaded down her back, and the shorts she wore revealed a lot of leg. I tried not to stare, but one thing was clear: the girl wasn't from around here.
    
    She was limping a little when I slowed the truck to a crawl beside her. The wedge sandals she had on definitely weren't suitable for a long walk. That July day was hot but overcast, and I had the driver's window down. "Is everything okay, ma'am?" I called to her.
    
    She looked over at me with a scowl. "Who are you calling ma'am?"
    
    Even with that angry glare, she was a pretty thing, with large blue eyes and full lips. Her blouse was made of that stretchy material so she could pull it off her shoulders, and it was obvious she wasn't wearing a bra. "Oh, sorry, I was just being polite," I stammered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
    
    Her face broke into a huge grin. "I'm just giving you a hard time," she told me. "But seeing as how I'm all of twenty-two, I think it's a little soon for you to be calling me ma'am."
    
    "What should I call you, then?" I asked, flashing my own grin.
    
    "Bliss."
    
    Now I was the one scowling; was she taking me for a fool? "That can't be your real name."
    
    "It is since I changed it when I turned eighteen. It used to be Vera, but Bliss suits me better, don't you think?" She winced while looking down at her feet. Those sandals were going to ...
    ... leave some awful blisters.
    
    "Well now, I imagine it does," I managed to say. She had me plenty flustered. "Is that your car I passed a little ways back?"
    
    "Yep. The piece of shit broke down on me." Bliss let out a sigh and then shrugged. "Should have known it wouldn't make the trip."
    
    "I can give you a ride to the nearest town. I'm on my way there. It ain't much more than a spot in the road, but you can get a bite to eat and call someone to pick you up."
    
    Her eyes brightened at my offer. "That would be great!" She hurried around to the passenger door, and once she was sitting on the bench seat beside me, she held out her hand. "What's your name?"
    
    "Van." I shook her hand, feeling a little shy now that she was so close. "It's nice to meet you, Bliss."
    
    "Likewise. How old are you, anyway?"
    
    "I turned eighteen earlier this year." As I began driving again, I found myself wishing I were older; eighteen and twenty-two seemed worlds apart right then.
    
    "And you live around here?"
    
    "All my life. My parents have a farm, and I'm staying on to help with it." When I glanced at her, I made sure to look at her face instead of her chest. "What brings you to these parts?"
    
    "I was on my way to meet some friends at a cabin one of them owns. It's only about an hour from here, so I shouldn't have to wait long for a ride once I get in touch with them." Bliss wrinkled her nose when gospel music began playing from the radio. "You mind if I turn this?"
    
    "Uh, sure, go ahead," I ...
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