Johnny Prolly Had It Comin’

[inteus_mika]

I’m not a fan of country music.  You’d think I’d get used to it, growing up in small towns all across the American Southwest.  Never did take to it, though.  Can’t stand the sound.  Just isn’t me.  Sometimes best sums up moments from my life, though.  Couldn’t tell you what a country music album of my overall experience would be called, but I bet “

Comments

[murielle]

And I want to read all those stories! I thoroughly enjoyed this. I like your style. Good read!

[inteus_mika]

Thank you kindly. I enjoyed telling it. I think I'm gonna like it here.

[sinnamongirl]

I like this! I'm sort of a small town person myself (by birth and by choice) and you really hit the nail on the head with the characterizations and descriptions.

[inteus_mika]

Aw, shucks. Thanks. Feels that much nicer coming from one of our own. ;)

[prog_schlock]

I also grew up in a small town and hated country music (though I kind of love a lot of it now). Johnny is, of course, one of the iconic figures in song and story of the 20th and 21st century. That disappointment and bitterness about dashed hopes is so common (in big cities too).

What I like about this story is that your main character is sort of more like the guy in this song by John Mellencamp. He realizes he's maybe been a little trapped and a little disappointed but he's ultimately decided to take some action and do something else with his life than get stuck in some bar.

Nicely done!

[inteus_mika]

Mellencamp is much more speaking my language. Not sure I relate much to this song, but I do respect that he stayed true to his roots. I do like a lot of things that come close to country. And I wouldn't even say I hate country, I just don't dig how puffed up it got. I liked the old Outlaw Country, growing up, and give proper respect to the foundation that was Honkytonk. Waylon, Willie, Hank... they did a lot to shape our image of who we are. It's weird to hear myself saying I don't feel the same way about today's country, because I'm not old enough to be talking wistfully about the good ol' days... I'm not Johnny. There's still a lot I do like about small towns, though, or I woulda left a long time ago. But you're right... people are people. There's a bit of small town in all of us. We take it wherever we go. Thanks for getting it.

[halfshellvenus]

I loved the style of this, the detours down some interesting-looking paths before dragging yourself back again. And the intro... I'm with you on the hating country music, but turning that into a likely theme song for this story was unexpected.

Trust everyone to be who they are, and give them the space they need to be it.
Except, of course, when it involves them beating up on people who don't deserve it.

Terrific entry!

[inteus_mika]

Agreed. Very few things will cause me to resort to violence, but there you have my trigger. Glad my happy trails seem interesting. Will likely explore a few before I'm done here. Thanks for your kind words.

[eternal_ot]

How we’re all the same people. Living the same lives, with different names, different titles, from different places, in different skins. We all have the same story. We just tell it differently. We can’t see the ending from the chapter we’re in at the time. We’re just trying to turn to the next page.

Loved these lines. Made me stop and ponder, re-read and then move on..:) A great read, enjoyed it!

[inteus_mika]

Glad to know I touched a soft spot. Thanks very much!