The setting sun lowers slowly in the sky, streaming the golden rays down into the truck as it rumbled down the road. Price sat in the front seat, one hand on the steering wheel, the other hanging out gently from the rolled down window, and a cigar is held in his fingers as the smoke flies away from the cab of the truck. As he drives down the road, his eyes glance into the rearview mirror, seeing the toddler in the backseat, their feet kicking excitedly. Toddler babble fills the backseat as the song plays through the stereo, which was as old as the pickup truck they were riding in.
How the hell'd we wind up like this? And why weren't we able to see the signs that we missed? Try and turn the tables. I wish you'd unclench your fists and unpack your suitcase. Lately there's been too much of this. But don't think it's too late.
Price smiled softly at the sweet voice in his backseat. Here he is, listening to divorce dad rock with his toddler, who was belting out the song. How fitting for his current life, since his ex-wife left him. The memory of Amy walking out on him and their child will forever be seared in his mind, but he did his best to maintain that happy face, for his child's sake at least.
Nothing's wrong just as long as you know that someday I will.. Someday, somehow I'm gonna make it alright but not right now. I know you're wondering when..
Price pulled into the gas station, and he turned the truck off. The roar of the old engine dies down, leaving just him and his kiddo in silence. Shuffling out of the truck, the older man hopped out of the truck and walked to the backseat, unbuckling the excited toddler out of the car seat and he held them close to his chest.
"Come on, kiddo. You can pick one piece of candy, deal?" Price said in a gruff voice as he walked into the gas station. The cashier knew Price by name, and he grinned as he reached for his usual cigars and already started to ring them up. Meanwhile, Price sat the toddler down so they could pick a piece of candy from the selection.