Author's notes:
I dont really like this story too much, but i posted it anyways. Please note none of the characters have any relation to anyone in real life that i know they are FICTIONAL. If they relate to you or anyone else it is mere coincidence. Also this has no real refelction on my parents (had to plug that since mom reads the site) It is a story about expectations, nothing more.

The Outlook Express

Jimmy just couldn't wait to get to wacky world. Ever since he had seen that commercial for their new roller coaster almost a year ago he had wanted to go. Today was the day. He peered out the window going over in his mind what it would be like to ride the newest, steepest, loopiest ride in the country. He tried not to squirm.. He wanted to be on his best behavior for his parents. Jimmy figured since they were taking the time to take him out, the least he could do was try to be patient and easy going as possible. The car rolled onward. For Jimmy it seemed like an eternity but patiently he sat and watched the hundreds of trees fly by in a giant green mass. He started to imagine himself in the new coaster. The car's roof had disappeared and Jimmy had his arms up mimicking every turn and dip that the coaster would take him on.

"Oh Jimmy you're going to have so much fun!" Dad said. Jimmy snapped back to reality. The car roof came back on and in Jimmy's head he heard the ride attendant thank him for riding and to come back soon. Jimmy just nodeded silently with a great big smile on his face. He didnt want to be a pest. How could he be? Today was his 13th birthday and he needed to start learning how to become a man. So, Jimmy thought, what better way to do it than to prove how polite and thoughtful he could be. He had gone to bed early the previous day, he had even finished all his homework the night before. His parents were so pleased at Jimmy's efforts that all the neighboorhood knew how good he was doing in school and how great of a boy and now a man Jimmy was becoming.

"Oh, Pull over here." Mom said. The car rolled into an old paved parking lot. "I just want to pick up a few things before we start our day." She said as everyone unbuckled and made their way out of the car.

---

That wasn't so bad Jimmy thought, suck it up he kept telling himself; only about an hour or so set back, no biggie. The outlet mall had done it's damage. Now the only thing in the way of Jimmy and that new roller coaster was the open road left to drive. The back seat was getting kind of cramped. Mom had done a lot of shopping. In fact, mom and dad were amazed at Jimmy's patientence and quietness as they shopped. He didnt complain one bit the entire time they were in the stores. "He's learning and growing so fast" Dad said. "He's going to be quite the chivalrous man someday." Jimmy didn't quite know what that meant but he figured it was good so he tried even harder, he knew he was on the right track. The cramped car moved on. Dad's stomach started to growl. "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." Dad said with the cliche tone in his voice.

"How about a lobster?" Mom said pointing out the lobster shack gone resturaunt coming up on the right. Jimmy released a silent sigh.

---

"That was great!" Dad said rubbing his belly and picking the pieces of extra lobster meat out of his teeth with a plastic sword. Jimmy had never seen his dad eat so much before, nor had he ever seen a 10 pound lobster. No matter he thought. Dad's happy, Mom's happy we should be set. Onward to wacky world. The car moved out of the lobster shack slower than it had ever moved before or so Jimmy thought. But the car ride was truly the only thing left for him to conquer.

---

Finally they were there. The signs off the highway had pointed them in the right direction after all. (Jimmy had his doubts) And there, as they pulled into the Wackey World parking lot he caught his first glimpse of it: The Out Look Express. 350 feet high it seemed to go up forever and then of course, back down forever in a series of loops and twists in an archeticeture that was so articulate it showed off the complexity of the human mind. Jimmy could hear the rattle of the chains tugging up the coaster and then the anticipating screams and gasps of the cargo as they saw the drop form over the peak of the cascading hill. Jimmy was so happy and so full of anticipation he could hardly contain himself. He wanted to fly or run or do something in order to get him to that coaster faster. He witheld and calmly walked with his parents to the ticket booth never taking his eyes off The Out Look.

"3 Adults please" Dad said
"149.99" The ticket boy replied, typing in the sales numbers

Dad opened his wallet, moved a few things around then looked down at Jimmy. He peered again into his black leather wallet, then to Jimmy, then back up to mom.

"Jimmy.. I uh.... well son...I don't know how I spent ....I mean... I didnt realize...we can always come again another time." Jimmy just looked up at his father. Waiting for a logical explanation, waiting for some form of words to come from his fathers mouth. Instead, his dad looked up at his mom and shook his head in disbelief that they had unknowingly spent all their money. Jimmy didnt know exactly how to feel at this moment. He wanted to be a good boy, he had tried to be a good boy. He had done anything and everything in his power to experience this one day.

"Just let me watch it once." Jimmy said.

Jim followed the coaster with his eyes. He tracked every movement and every turn the streamlined shuttle made. He memorized every loop and every dip until it was over.

As the car drove off, Jimmy watched The Outlook disappear in the horizon.

Maybe some other time he thought.

  posted by Darrell @ 7:15 PM