This post is written in conjunction with the 30 Days of Writing, a blog challenge devised by Nicky and Mike at “We Work For Cheese.” I’ll be participating throughout the month of June. If interested, you can see my post with the details of the challenge.
Please note that some of these posts will be serious, some will be normal, and some will be an attempt at humor.
In my last job, I had about a 20-minute commute each way. So that gave time for peeking around and enjoying scenery.
During the fall, there were splendid colors.
The winter usually included a gray feeling, or snow, and sometimes a glorious blue sky over sparkling snow.
When the spring comes, things start to bloom and the rolling hills and mountains in our area come to life.
The summer soon comes with warmer weather and the bliss of driving 20 minutes each way with air conditioning.
See, I worked odd hours though. Hence the life of the newspaper. That meant, I would be coming home after midnight, usually. So the scenery stops. A lot of times, the only things I’d see on my ride home would be homes with lights on, the occasional car, or deer. And, sometimes, those deer can be pretty stupid.
There were a few times where I saw cars on the side of the road. Sometimes, if I saw people out of their car, I would stop and bring the window down slightly to see if there was anything I can do. I am one of those people who is still skeptical and like to try and stay as safe as possible, and with it being after midnight, sometimes I feel it’s safer to move along etc.
It was a cold winter night a few years ago when I was coming home. I was still in my last car and, I will note, it was a mess. So I’m bee-bopping along and just outside of town when I crest a small hill and see a car on the side of the road. I see a man outside waving, so I slow down.
He’s slightly sweaty and in a panic mode.
Needless to say, I only cracked the window briefly.
In an out-of-breath way, he asks me if I can take him and his wife to the hospital. It’s an emergency and he ran out of gas. I told him my car was a mess and it might be better if I just call 911 for him.
He said he was ready to do that when he saw my car and he doesn’t think he has the time to do it.
At that point, I’m still a little worried but I say, “What’s the issue?”
He said “My wife is in labor!”
Pardon my use of language, but my reply was “Holy shit!”
I told him the car was a mess, but to cram into the car. He helps his wife in and he climbs in and as I take off, he calls the hospital, warning them we’re coming. I flew through the village (it’s a 30 mph zone and I am quite sure I didn’t go 30).
As I reached the hospital, I went right into the emergency room entrance and somebody was waiting outside with a wheelchair. The husband got out to help and shouted a thank you as they rushed into the hospital. They didn’t even shut the door! I got out and shut the door and scratched my head wondering if that just happened.
Crazy.
I never caught their name or anything, but as I drove by that spot on the side of the road the next day, their car was gone. I hope the husband came back with gas and drove it to the hospital to spend time with his wife and newborn.
I still try and be as safe as possible, but I do like to try and help if I can. Hopefully it won’t bite me in the ass one day, but I’m still under the belief that there are good people in this world and hopefully I won’t become a victim of a bad one!
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