bowled over by anger

Charles watched with wide eyes as the obsidian orb graciously curved its way down the glossy bowling lane. He continued to hold his follow through and his breath as the ball precariously flirted with the gutter’s edge. He stomped his foot on the varnished floor and pursed his lips as the ball rolled directly between the remaining two pins. He was well aware that had finished in last place again.

Charles clenched his fists as he walked back the to seating area. He tapped his bowling shoe impatiently as he waited for the machine to regurgitate his ball. He stiffly extended his middle finger as members of his bowling league extended their hands for a post game handshake. He gritted his teeth angrily as he stormed out of the bowling alley into the bright sunlight. He was temporarily blinded.

Charles let out a glottal grunt as he chucked his bowling ball at a random car in the parking lot. His eyes flashed with satisfied anger as the ball shattered the innocent vehicle’s windshield. He jumped into his Camaro and screeched out of the parking lot as “Born to be Wild” came on the radio. He sped through a red light as the sound of sirens began to crescendo behind him. He hit 75 mph as he shot up the ramp onto the highway. He hit 100 fifteen seconds later.

Charles looked into the rear view mirror as red and blue flashing lights crested the highway horizon behind him. He cursed under his breath as “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond came on the radio. He turned off the radio.

Charles’ ex wife was named Caroline. She was the one who encouraged him to join that stupid bowling league in the first place.