SOL26March 28 Public Service Reminder

 

This month, I am writing with the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Group sharing bits and pieces of my life. It is an amazing challenge that forces me to think like a writer at least for a few weeks a year. 

"You have 30 miles left," Jenna dinged as I went past the last strip mall and then the last gas station on Route 23. It was raining cats and dogs, at that moment, and there was no urgent need for gas, yet. I made a mental note to get gas closer to home as I sang along with Carly and inched onto the interstate.

The traffic was slowing and I assumed, wrongly, one of the many pot-hole -repair-crews that were trying to break the cycle of blow-out times was at work just over the hill. Slowly we inched over the hill burning more precious petrol than any of us wanted to do in order to go a mile.  There was no reason for the jam in sight when the traffic churned to a total stop as the angry rain increased its attack. 

I joined Bruce, for a minute, but seriously he was happier than I was at that moment, so I turned my focus o my good friend in need, Google Map-Man. At first, it didn't look too bad, so I just sat watching the rain and wipers noticing their rhythm and then noticing Jenna had alerted me to 20 miles remaining. 

Over the next hour, yes hour, I alternated turning on and off the car, checking Google Map-Man for updates, and watching emergency vehicles snake through the angry crowd. I began to wonder if I would get home in time for my appointment? I started to think of all the contingency plans I could think about. 

The rain slowly ebbed, sunshine came out as Jenna mocked me showing just 10 miles left. Then we began moving in a positive direction. I got off at the next exit and scolded myself as if I was a naughty new driver.  "You do know better!"

Consider this a public service reminder