My designated car seat was behind my father who drove while smoking unfiltered ‘Camel’ cigarettes.
He was a chain smoker. A habit he’d picked it up in the service.
Ashes would blow into the back seat as he drove us to our weekend park picnic outings or Sunday beach getaways.
I had the pleasure of inhaling carcinogen nicotine chemicals.
Despite complaints I’d felt like vomiting, the car ride would proceed with minimal sympathy.
At our destination, I’d have to sit until the dizzying feeling passed. Seltzer was the beverage I drank to settle my stomach meanwhile my siblings drank cokes.
2018©Isadora DeLaVega
Our car in a museum
Left back seat – Me
Snazzy Wings
Genre: Short Story
Word Count: 100
Photo Prompt:Yvette Prior
To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge
click here
Inside the Mind of Isadora 
August 30, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Well, at least your father drove you somewhere. Mine smoked, and I never saw him. A very interesting write. I really like it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 4:59 pm
Thnank you, Resa. My family didn’t go out every Sunday but enough Sunday’s to create this horrible memory. LOL … kids, we never had a chance. 😁
LikeLike
August 26, 2018 at 12:25 am
This is brilliantly pieced together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 4:52 pm
I’ve been on vacation.
Thank you for you rvery complimentar comment. I truly appreciate it.
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 19, 2018 at 12:45 pm
My ex was a heavy smoker I’m convinced it caused my asthma!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 4:50 pm
I’m with you, Gilly. I believe my asthma was caused by 2nd hand smoke.
Ahhh … knowledge of these things were unknown. It’s a shame.
Glad you chimed in my dear friend.
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 18, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Querida Isadora,
Yo recuerdo estas dias con mi madre en el coche. Viajes de infierno. Well written mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Querida Rochelle,
Gracias por sus buenas palabras.
Estaba en un crucero. Es bueno volver a escribir.
Abrazos y carino,
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
August 17, 2018 at 6:36 pm
Both my parents smoked in the car. Was hell. I suffered bronchitis as a kid. Wonder why?
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Ahhh … all those child-hood images I have of smoked filled rooms and our car.
For sure, a cause of my present day asthma. Sad … lack of knowledge.
Thanks, Dale. I’ve been on vacation … no media … I must say it felt good.
Izzy 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Ugh.
And how nice to disconnect for a while!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 6:12 pm
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 3:24 pm
A road to hell, from the sound of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 4:56 pm
I’ve been on vacation with no media connection. Sorry about the delay in responding.
For a young child, it was a nightmare while awake.
Glad you enjoyed my take on the photo prompt.
Thank you …
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 2:17 pm
Poor thing! I can sympathize with her! Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 4:58 pm
I think many children from the 1950’s – 60’s can relate.
A bad habit that is still a nightmare for those who can’t quit.
Thanks, PJ. I’ve been vacationing. There wasn’t any media connection.
It felt great to get away from it. BUT … I’m back.
Issy 😎
LikeLike
August 30, 2018 at 6:37 pm
How wonderful that you have been on vacation! I think you live in a place that could feel like vacation 12 months a year!! LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Yes, Florida is a vacation place, for sure. BUT … on vacation there’s no cooking or cleaning or chores. LOLOL
LikeLike
August 31, 2018 at 12:50 am
Hahahahaha! That is SO true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 11:07 am
My dad was a chain-smoker. Though he would step out every time he would crave for a smoke. Nonetheless, it bothered us. Nice story, Isadora 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 5:03 pm
I’ve been vacationing. No interest connections. I must admit it was nice.
Yes, people do go outside to smoke. It’s a shame it’s so very addictive.
Everyones health including their own is affected. Thank you for commenting and visiting.
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 9:38 am
This read like a true story (hope it isn’t). Nicely done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 5:00 pm
I must admit there are sprinkles of my childhood experience with parents smoking.
No one knew the ramifications of it way-back-when. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
August 17, 2018 at 5:19 am
You’ve described car rides with my parents also. I thought that I got motion sick – until they quit. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 7:54 pm
The horrors of 2nd hand smoke. Information out there helps but the addiction is storng for some.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I truly appreciate it.
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
August 17, 2018 at 2:08 am
Yes, passive smoke is equally dangerous. Those were days when smoking was allowed in enclosed spaces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Yes, indeed. They’re finding that 2nd hand smoke can be more dangerous than being a smoker.
A terrible habit that’s difficult to quit. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
August 17, 2018 at 12:50 am
I remember those car rides…
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 4:25 pm
If you’ve experienced these car 🚗 trips, you never forget them. Thanks for popping by and commenting.
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
August 16, 2018 at 9:47 pm
A Chevrolet impala how great is that. The Husband guessed about 1959. A time when cigarette companies told women inhaling banished nerves and opened the lungs. How wrong were they and how many people bounced babies while blowing smoke in their faces to have a laugh. A good story you share of the Hell that many seen as fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 4:21 pm
I think Husband has the right year. I really don’t remember. I was about 11 or 12. Wasn’t interested in cars. 😊
I laughed when I read the baby bouncing line. My uncle told me to grab his cigarette from his mouth while he bounced my brother. YUK !!!
Thank goodness things have changed a bit. Some things just stay with you. Thank you for your insightful comment.
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
August 16, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Thankfully a practice that is outlawed here now if children are in the car.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Yes children are much much protected now. Although, I did see a father recently light up with his son in the backseat while he waited for his wife to pick up a new pack at a quick stop store. Irony 😳
LikeLiked by 1 person