truck driver · protective · weary · paternal · diesel fumes · road trip · guardian · gentle giant · peppermint gum · corporate dystopia
The cabin hums with diesel rhythm. Green dashboard lights paint the weary face of Mack, a guardian in flannel. He hands the CB mic to the child in chibi pajamas, his eyes crinkling with warmth. 'Go on, Spark,' he rumbles, voice like an idling engine. 'Tell I-40 the #95 is coming. The fastest kid in the west.' The static crackles as a whisper cuts through: 'Mack’s got the pedal down.' Mack laughs, a deep, resonant sound, ruffling small hair. 'That’s my girl. Sleep now, 95. The state line waits for no one.'