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Along The Road
Along The Road
Along The Road
Ebook186 pages2 hours

Along The Road

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“Along the Road” refers to the human drama, the rises and falls, that are common to people worldwide. The novel describes the amusing and the dangerous, adventures, new experiences, and unavoidable suffering.
Maybe this book will help you not give up and keep the faith. While reading, you may find that the sensation of community replaces feelings of loneliness. As you encounter pleasant emotions, know that they bring you the strength and power to take action. You can be inspired by the times when your internal self and the external world perfectly reflect each other, becoming a complete whole. Grab hold of the joy of living and hang onto it tightly. Slow your pace of life down; look around, take a breath, and tell the people that you love, “thank you.”
Take the time to remember your long-forgotten, good and simple childhood preferences. They will color your life in happy hues. Love the people around you, and they will return the affection.
Thank you for reading, and enjoy the book.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherSonata Masale
Release dateMay 21, 2016
ISBN9781311579010
Along The Road

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    Book preview

    Along The Road - Sonata Masale

    Along the Road

    A Novel

    Along the Road

    Written by Sonata Mašalė

    Author Sonata Mašalė

    Translated from Lithuanian by Audrius Masalas

    Edited and Adapted by Sonnet Fitzgerald

    Dedicated to those throughout the world

    who wish to perceive

    their true selves.

    Table of Contents

    Foreword

    Along the Road — Just Two

    Along the Road — Even if it Hurts

    Along the Road — A Good Time

    Conclusion

    AfterWold

    Foreword

    The novel Along the Road is amazing and unique in its own way. The main focus and characters are two people traveling together through the hard periods of life. How do they feel? What do they think? Where are they going? Sometimes life is as bitter as a lemon, sometimes it is full of miraculous moments of happiness. This novel is intended to lead to a deeper understanding of the world around us as you begin to truly understand yourself.

    Change is the only permanence in our lives. All our lives, movement and transition are spinning around us, upending the existence of everyone on this journey. The transformation never stops. Don’t forget the rule: External circumstances will always push us towards change, and nothing we do can stop it. I have called this a personal force majeure, circumstances that affect our lives beyond our control. But changing our attitude can change who we are. In the midst of change, we have the power to control our mind, our emotions and feelings. Events can be transformed by new behavior.

    This book exists to free us from the crushing frameworks that box us in. It aims to release us from standards and stereotypes, and to kick off the mask that keeps us from seeing the truth.

    The title, Along the Road, refers to the journeys of two different people traveling in parallel lives. The vortex of life spins and manipulates their decisions in unexpected ways.

    Along the Road refers to the human drama, the rises and falls, that are common to people worldwide. The novel describes the amusing and the dangerous, adventures, new experiences, and unavoidable suffering.

    Maybe this book will help you not give up and keep the faith. While reading, you may find that the sensation of community replaces feelings of loneliness. As you encounter pleasant emotions, know that they bring you the strength and power to take action. You can be inspired by the times when your internal self and the external world perfectly reflect each other, becoming a complete whole. Grab hold of the joy of living and hang onto it tightly. Slow your pace of life down; look around, take a breath, and tell the people that you love, thank you.

    Take the time to remember your long-forgotten, good and simple childhood preferences. They will color your life in happy hues. Love the people around you, and they will return the affection.

    Thank you for reading, and enjoy the book.

    Along the Road — Just Two

    Imagine a beautiful summer evening. There is a quiet sunset, and you can hear crickets and the croak of frogs in the pond. Nearby, a woodpecker is hammering an old tree trunk. The peaceful calm is enchanting. Soon, the sun sets behind the forest. The shadows of birch trees are reflected in the still surface of the pond. The water invites you to cool off, to refresh yourself and rinse your hot body.

    Sit down. Sink your feet into the cool water. Your happy heart sings. The summer afternoon murmurs softly, Enjoy the silence. You are surrounded by a natural synchronicity. In one prefect moment, nothing is missing.

    The afternoon has an air of romance, and the woman peacefully lays back on the dock. Durable, strong arms cuddle her.

    Let’s go cool off, whispers Luke softly in her ear. He turns around, smiling, and kisses her on the cheek. Taking her hand, he helps her back from the dock. With certain steps and gentle kisses, the two make their way through the pine forest towards home.

    The day smells like fresh-cut grass, mowed earlier by Luke with his scythe. It feels as though the scent, strong enough to make one turn their head or kick up their legs, is healing the entire area.

    The woman is swinging a bunch of wild flowers. She strokes the cat, who is lying in the entryway. As Luke locks the door, the pleasantly tired woman says, We should go to bed. Tomorrow is busy. Chloe cuts the bread, and slowly the two eat their meal with homemade cheese and honey.

    The next day, they wake at sunrise. We need to be in Vilnius by the morning of the seventh, says Luke as he eats his breakfast.

    Yes, I know, the woman responds casually.

    Would you like some warm milk? They say it’s good for you.

    Yes, thank you, with honey and cinnamon.

    The day passes pleasantly. I’m going to have a shower. With a contented smile, the woman heads for the bathroom. Don’t wait for me. I’ll be out soon. Luke sits down to watch a bit of evening TV.

    As he turns it on, a thick, masculine voice announces trouble. Chloe steps out of the shower to listen. In recent days, the United States has been plunged into a financial crisis….

    Worried, the woman looks to her husband and asks, Do you think our customers in the US will be affected?

    Don’t be crazy, the man replies affectionately. We already have so many orders we can’t fill them all. He bends down to whisper in her ear, inhaling her milky-sweet scent. He runs his fingers through her hair. Chloe yawns, and Luke sees a smile on her face. The weekend had been pleasant and relaxing. They head up to the second floor.

    The man pulls his wife to himself in a strong embrace. The two settle back comfortably in bed, slipping their legs under the blankets. Chloe turns off the light. Goodnight.

    Goodnight. He kisses her on the mouth, sweet as honey. Silently they slip into happy dreams.

    The home, a newly crafted log cabin, smells pleasantly of trees. The cat is purring on their legs. Trees sway gently outside the window. With a thump, an apple falls from a nearby tree. Can you picture it? The scene makes you smile. The clock strikes midnight in a sea of silence and peace of mind.

    The following evening, Chloe and Luke lay in bed, reading. A show about the wild savanna plays on the TV. Luke decides to get up and get some work done. After a long time, the door opens, and Chloe goes to greet him.

    When Luke walks in, she can see his face is tired and troubled. As he takes his shoes off and hangs his jacket in the hallway closet, the mirror reflects his sadness… but he doesn’t say a word. A bad sign, thinks Chloe. She thinks perhaps he has a cold, and tells him to take some vitamin C before bed. Worried, she lays out their dinner, chicken with potatoes and pea soup. The cabin fills with the pleasant scent of food.

    They begin to eat in an uncomfortable silence, when Chloe asks, What’s happened, Luke?

    Do you want the good news or the bad news? He is angry as a hornet, his frustration written all across his face.

    I suspected bad news. Why are you so silent this evening? Her eyes are full of concern and her look embraces him across the table.

    Well there is no good news. Our business partners have bills to pay and they are tired of waiting. But our account is completely empty, and we have no orders to fill. He pauses, full of anger. I didn’t get the job.

    She turns her face away silently, hoping he will not see her fear. Don’t say a word to me, he snaps. I’m doing everything I can.

    So easily we dismiss other people.

    Luke eats his soup. How often can I keep calling people and asking, ‘Hey, remember me, do you have any projects?’ There’s no work.

    How could we have known two years ago that the crisis in the USA would affect us? Chloe implores.

    The United States is bad luck for all of us, including Lithuania, replies Luke. "I don’t want to talk about it, and I’m tired. He finishes his dinner angry and frustrated.

    Because she is nervous, Chloe continues to ask him questions about what will happen. The discussion turns somber and oppressive. In response to her concerns, Luke grows rude and short-tempered. The tension in the home rises alarmingly in a matter of hours.

    The truth is, Luke has become obsolete over the past few years. His skin is folded into new wrinkles, his eyes darkened, his hair salt-and-pepper patchy. Just two years ago, he looked at least five years younger. It’s hard to believe how quickly the stress has taken a toll on his body. In the past, Chloe would have said such a thing was impossible, but now it is happening before her very eyes.

    You might think this is the end of Luke and Chloe, but it’s only the beginning of their story. Expectation and suspense are tearing them apart.

    In the morning I’ll go see if I can get another loan. Maybe we can get rid of some of the debt. Maybe we can sell some of our things to get a little bit of money. Seeing Chloe’s eye widen in alarm, he continues, Don’t worry, just the things we don’t need. Calm down, have a drink of tea.

    You need to collect the money that the customers owe us, too. That will help. Remember, when you ask, use the techniques we learned in the security services, advises Chloe. Keep your words polite, but your appearance and posture aggressive and intimidating. If you have to, raise your voice.

    Do you think that will help? asks Luke.

    I don’t know. I hope so.

    I’ll give them a call, but they have been avoiding me.

    Was this happening even back in May? asks Chloe. She wants to support him somehow, show she understands the pressure facing him.

    Yes, sighs Luke. It’s unlike him to be nervous about collecting a debt. I’ll try calling them again, he says again, thinking out loud.

    In the morning, Chloe is startled awake by the loud banging of the shutting door. Luke stomps outside. Mornings were not a good time to talk about how hard it is to cope with a situation.

    It’s autumn, and yellow leaves are falling in the cold wind and rain. Chloe gets up, makes the bed. She watches Luke leave through the window, and says a prayer as the car pulls away. A gust of rain splashes Luke right in the face. He lets out an oily curse and wipes his face with his hand as the car flies off towards the main road. The day is already difficult and disappointing.

    Chloe locks the front door and heads to the kitchen to start a pot of strong coffee. She stares blankly at Good Morning on the television as the warm aroma fills the cabin. Her coffee is a tiny bit of paradise in a mug. She takes a bubble bath, letting the warm water soothe her annoyance.

    After a few hours, she begins to anticipate Luke’s return. After all, he can’t run after companies all day long. Anxious, every wall begins to seem like a clock to her. She puts cabbage soup on to boil for lunch, and the steamy lid puffs lazily on the pot like a man out of breath. She lays cutlets of meat in a pan and their sizzle combines with the beat of the soup lid to create an orchestra in the kitchen, a symphony of food. She starts potatoes without thinking.

    Maybe, thinks Chloe, I can call him. But Luke’s phone is off, of course, he is busy today. I mustn’t disturb him.

    The sound of food cooking replaces the sounds from the radio. The cabin is cozy and pleasant. It shines with mahogany and new appliances. Chloe sits at the dining room table near the window, hoping to see or hear the car returning. The fragrant meal sits in front of her untouched as the music plays.

    Troubled, Chloe stands up and walks around the room. What’s taking him so long? What if something’s wrong? She sits on the sofa and looks out a different window through the flowers. Her heart is melting in anxiety. She stands up and walks over to the pot still full of soup. She walks back across the house. She’s a bird trapped in a cage. No matter what angle she looks out of the house, she sees only herself.

    Suddenly, the lock turns in the door. Luke walks in with a bang. His face is red, he’s off balance, and seething like a lion.

    You won’t believe the day I had, he growls. Without waiting for a response, he continues.

    What is it? breathes Chloe.

    Sit down, because it’s a long story. He pushes her towards a chair, ignoring her frightened face. At her side, he begins to speak.

    "I saw the debtor today. I had to wait at first, because that’s just how these things work. I was sitting, waiting, when the

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