BRIM

I love driving, especially alone late at night. It gives me a feeling of freedom. However, sometimes I feel a duty to go out with Talent and Dream, who both consider me their pal. Mostly I enjoy hanging out with them because Dream is a passionate and inspiring buddy and Talent is a humble and interesting young man. They both bring wonderfully real and rare moments to my life. Sometimes though they make me mad and upset when they have arguments, such as how I should drive, which turn I should take, where I should go, etc. In my heart I call Talent a little T as he always starts the argument and always loses. I call Dream a big D as he always proves he’s right. Maybe I shouldn’t have introduced little T to big D. Maybe big D is too good to be my friend as well as little T’s. 

Tonight, no surprise, they are at each other again. Just because I mentioned my New Year’s Resolution they both got excited and wanted to persuade me to do in their way. Driving the car in the dark, and them sitting on the backseat, I wondered now where and when the wonderful time with them had gone to and on what it had been based.

‘Look’, Little T spoke loudly suddenly.

‘What’? I said impatiently.

‘A hitchhiker’, Big D answered excitingly.

‘So’?I replied emotionlessly. Then I noticed a short and slim young girl hitchhiking by the gas station just ahead. 

‘Pull over’, Little T asked strongly.

‘Pick her up’, Big D ordered me almost at the same time.

‘Shut up you backseat drivers’, I turned my head back and shouted ‘I’m the driver’. 

‘Please’, Little T and Big D both leaned toward me and begged me.

It’s a miracle. They actually agreed with each other now. I forced down my resentment and skidded to a halt. They jumped out and opened the door for her. 

Looking over my shoulder I saw her sitting between little T and Big D and they winked at me. After I saw her face I suddenly realised why they were so happy to let her in. I have to say it’s a very beautiful face with a shining smile like an angel. It reminded me of someone but I couldn’t tell who.

Before I had time to introduce myself the girl spoke happily to me, ‘Hi Blossom, how are you? Long time no see’.

What did she mean long time no see. I was about to reply. Then she said ‘ You don’t remember me, do you? I’m Faith’.

Like a stormy light brightens the sky memories flashed across my mind. How I met Faith in youth and how we met Little T then Big D. We were like a gang hanging out together everywhere. Life was full of passions and surprises. No matter rain or shine we always believed that a better future was waiting for us. Then, I don’t know when or why I began to ignore her and keep her away from Little T, Big D and me. Until one day I lost her without noticing.I broke our promise of seeing the world together and lost the trust of Little T and Big D too. Now I saw them, my best friends, all siting back and smiling at me. I realised how important it was to keep Faith in my life. Faith is like the rainbow connecting Talent and Dream on each end. The three together can fly me higher and further happily.

Before I could say anything more they shouted loudly in one voice ‘ radio on, drive now’.

Oh, My God, another backseat driver. What a night.