 From my yet to be published novel, Dare to Escape, we learn our main character, Mary Jane, (MJ) continues to put more distance, she thinks, between her and her tormentor. As she and Nelson, her companion, make a run for the Mexican border from Canada, they stop at places once only names on a map. “We finally reach Texarkana on the Texas and Arkansas border,” says MJ. The state line divides this city: Texarkana, Arkansas has a population of about 27,000; Texarkana,Texas has a population of 35,000 (fulfilling the reputation that everything is bigger in Texas). For hundreds of years before European settlement, the Great Southwest Trail crossed here. “As we drive through this strange bi-city, we detect an unpleasant industrial/municipal sewage odour. When we cross the Sulfur River we figure this must be the source of the foul smell,” says MJ. As far away from Canada as she is, MJ cannot shake the feeling her tormentor and one-time partner, Tommy, is on to her. She fearfully expects to see him at any moment. She does marvel, though, that she and Nelson have arrived in Texas. Boy, is she ready for a drink at a local bar! |
Of course, Texas being Texas there are the expected signs of chest-thumping: May God bless Texas! Texas Bar-B-Que ---Come ‘n get it!
Route Memphis to Texarkana
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