Hitch-Hikin' outta trouble ...

[DeliciousMaiden]

Sometimes when you have to get away quickly and put some distance between you and home, then there's only one way to travel ...

Click here to see OOC: re: casting

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

1st Ride goes to ...

gearhead73!

Many thanks for offering to kick this off with me.

Feel free to post when you wish...

Mari

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

'Shelley'

She’d gotten this far, so there was no reason to think that she couldn’t pick up a decent ride once more, or at least that’s what Shelley told herself as she set off once more. Thumb out, head down against the midday heat, she looked the picture of confident determination, even if she didn’t feel it inside. Sure she’d considered leaving home, if things didn’t work out right, but in the end her exit had been hasty. She had had to grab the opportunity whilst it was there and so a series of random events had got her way beyond her home town, but she couldn’t be easy until she had put considerably more distance between herself and the family and friends she now wished to evade.

If you’d asked about her up to a month before anyone would told you without doubt that she wasn’t ‘that type of girl’. But circumstances had changed and much as she knew hitch-hiking was not the safest form of transport, for a girl in her situation it was the least detectable and by far the cheapest! Even though she was 19 and technically not a ‘runaway’, the last thing Shelley needed was for some well-meaning family member or friend to come after her. She set down the cumbersome suitcase, wondering for the umpteenth time why on earth she hadn’t risked taking one of the family cases, or the backpacks, but at the time, she had feared that they would be all too quickly missed and supposed that the old battered suitcase that no one paid any attention to was the safest bet to ensure an undetected getaway: A decision she was regretting every minute as she hauled it along. Sure, she wanted to save money, but in the next town she came to, Shelley vowed that she’d buy a ruck sack, preferably from some cheap charity store, but either way she would make sure it was a darn sight more portable than this brown deadweight that she had chosen to bring along.

Tiring all too quickly, her arm dropped so that the bottom scraped along the road surface, but dragging it along in this way did nothing but kick up the dust and rather than increase her progress, Shelley was forced to move to the side of the road where she took out a bottle of water, to quench her thirst. She couldn’t even sit on the darn thing as she feared even her relatively light weight would bust the sides which was a risk she could not afford to take. She had thought that as she was unconcerned as to her next destination, as she continued in an opposite direction from which she’d come, getting a ride would be an easy enough business. But this time of day, it seemed that folks were more sensible than she and combined with her choice of a lesser travelled road, the lack of passing traffic reduced her odds considerably.

But there was nothing for it. With a sigh she stowed her precious water and with a determined haul at the handle, lifted the suitcase and set off, focusing only on putting one foot in front of the other as her other hand extended, thumb still up, more out of habit now than expectation. She could only hope that her calculations were correct and that there was a junction about a mile or two further along where there was supposed to be a gas station and hopefully somewhere for her to get a drink and maybe grab a ride. That was assuming she could even get there!

 

[gearhead73]

"What a beautiful day to be driving." Randy thought to himself. He had planning this trip for a few months now and he was glad that it was underway. 'Planning' wasn't really the right word for it. He didn't really have a plan, or a destination. All he really had was a fuel card with enough money on it to make lap or two around the country and 3 weeks before work, and life required his presence.
Whe his wife had mentioned taking their daughter to Disney, Randy had thought, 'Great, every 40yr old's dream; long lines, blistering heat, other peoples spawn running thither and yon. Yep, sounds good.'
He didn't mind the thought of taking his daughter to the overly priced theme park, in fact part of him thought it might be fun. He had never been there, and ha wondered what all of the hooplah was about. However, he knew his wife. Her incesant need to stick to the itinerary ans her constant watch of the clock so as not to be late for 'Dinner with the Princesses' rapidly squashed any illusions he had of just having a good time. Add in the fact that she had asked her sister to come along and well, that killed the idea for him completely.
Instead, he had come up with an alternative. He had suggested over dinner one night that there was a gathering at the distillery of his favorite whiskey, and thought it would be cool to check it out.
"It's okay." he had told her. "I don't mind. You now how I like to just get in the truck and drive." After much back and forth, they had reached an agreement, that 'It would probably work out better for everyone.'
After discussing all of the particulars, He had decided that 3 weeks should be long enough to get me where he was going, so the next day he put in for my vacation and started counting the days until it was time to leave.
Winter came and went, then so did spring and Randy's departure date sped closer and closer. He couldn't have been more excited. Mechanic by trade he meticulouly went over his pickup, to make sure it was ready for the trip. The oil was changed, the engine tuned, and the interior received a much needed scrubbing. The morning he was to leave and he bounded out of bed to begin his morning routine, sans shaving. "Who's gonna see me?", he thought to himself as he spat the minty foam into the sink. A few kisses, hugs and hearfelt 'I love you's' and he climbed into the seat of the truck and left.
He did love his family; more than anything on this earth. His wife was beautiful, and caring, and although her cooking left a lot to be desired, she had always made their home and llife together warm. As with most couples though, the years and commitments of work and child rearing had taken their toll. Although Randy and his wife loved each other, thay had consumated that love in a few years. When their daughter was born, he understood. He was patient and when his urges became too strong, he would seek relief in the shower after reading stories of unbridled fucking on the internet. Now, 3 years later,his patience was wearing thin, and although he hadn't thought of seeking pleasure outside of his marriage, he was beginning to wonder, what else, or who else, was out there.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She reached the junction. Lord knew how she got there, how she managed to keep going, but she was exhausted and dehydrated and felt dizzy in the heat. There were a few cars around, but not as many as she'd hoped. The gas station was open 'til late, but the small diner at it's side ran limited hours and had already closed by the time she got there! Hastily she made her way past the pumps and into the tiny store and stocked up on water, a couple of bars of chocolate, some sunlotion/aftersun lotion pack to treat the areas that had caught the sun and a packet of plasters for the blisters she was sure were starting on the balls of her feet and on one heel.

Try though she might not to draw attention to herself, she felt sure eyes were following her around the store. Exiting quickly and returning to where she had stashed to bulky suitcase, she moved further to the far side sitting under the shade of a tree. The position was ideal and gave her sight of the cross roads in all directions and of the gas station although only occasional vehicles drew into it, especially as they had to turn off the main road and onto that secondary road she had foolishly chosen to do so.

Drinking deeply, Shelley groaned. She felt utterly exhausted, nauseous even.
She was sure it was the effect of the sun and prayed that it was nothing else.
Sure she was missing the occasional opportunity to get a ride, but right now she needed to take just half an hour to gain her strength again.
With luck she would then be able to tidy herself up and persuade someone to take pity on her and take her on her way ...

 

[gearhead73]

Randy made his way along Mill Drive toward the exit of his neighborhood. As he looked at the houses that he had seen a mllion times he once agin took notice of their cookie cutter shape. The houses in this development had been built in the mid to late 1950's as affordable housing available to veterans of WWII. They were cheap, and cheaply built, and although through the years many had been improved upon added onto, the basic shape was still evident in many.
A turn right at the stop sign, followed by a left and another right and the entrance of the turnpike came into view. He had gone about 30 miles when a thought occured to him, "Why the fuck am I on the turnpike?" This was the route that he took to work every morning. He didn't want to think about work. He didn't want to think about home. He didn't want to think about anything. He didn't really have a destination. The distillery trip had been a fictitious destination to keep the wife from wondering why any man would want to just be free to roam. Randy had always enjoyed a good bourbon, but rarely to excess. No, he just needed some time and space to get a few things right in his head.
About an hour in, he took the exit to the right and headed south. Minutes later he was on route 30 heading east on what some would call a 'country road'. Country, most of the people here in eastern Pennsylvania had no idea what 'country' was. Their idea of rural living included only having one mall, or a movie theater that only showed 25 movies at the same time. No, Randy knew about 'country'. Born and raised in West Virginia Randy had been in the 'country' for the first half of his life. There were no malls or movie theaters or miles. you could smell fresh hay being mown in the summer, or the pungent aroma of leaves burning in the early. Nope, this area was no where near 'country', but it was different, and for now that was good.
Just outsside of Lancaster, Randy needed to answer natures call. The GPS had located a gas station about a half mile ahead, so he decided that would be as good a place as any. As he approached the station he came troubled. The run down exterior and the faded sign was starting to dash his hopes that the bathrooms would even be open, let alone clean. Deciding he wanted to stretch either way he slowed and pulledd along the cracked cement driveway along the side of the building. He got out of the truck and stretched while scanning the building and surrounding area for signs of life.
The neon sign in the window that had once proudly announced to the world that this establishment was open for business now flickered, and was off more often than it was on. All in all the placed looked deserted. Noone had come out or in, and there were no other cars parked out front. He looked around at the surrounding area, and saw nothing but corn and one little patch of grass with a solitary tree at it's far edge. Randy didn't notice her at first, but there, underneath was a girl, or young woman obviously enjoying the shade and her bottle of water.
He couldn't tell much about her from this distance, other that she was decidedly female, and donned a cowboy hat. The urge to relive himself recaptured his attention and he proceeded to move his 5'11" 300 lb from toward the door. He hit the lock button on the key fob and was rewarded with a comforting chirp of the horn as the locks on his Chevy Avalanche slid into place.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She didn’t hear him drive up, in fact it was only the sound of the keyfob that got her attention. Turning her head she realised that she had missed him pulling up and missed him getting out to look around.

”Hey…”

She called over to him.

”All shut up by now … “

She told him.

”They don’t seem to keep long hours ‘round here … “

She stood up, wincing as she felt the now developed blisters chafing between her plaster and boot.

”I got some water if that’s what you need…?”

She offered. Sure it was precious stock to her, but she figured that his need might be as great as hers had been.

”Other than that, all I have is chocolate … “

She took a few tentative steps her hand on the tree for support.

”Musta been sitting for too long,”

She offered the excuse not wanting him to think she was totally incapable as she sat out there on her own.

”I’m Shelley, by the way … “

She introduced herself extending her hand towards him.
Sure she could use a ride and maybe he’d offer and maybe he wouldn’t, but right now she was pleased just to talk to someone for a few minutes.

 

[gearhead73]

”Hey…” Randy heard from his right. Suddenly the urge to pee vanished as the young woman he had see earlier stood and called to him.
In a startled voice he replied, "Hey."
”All shut up by now … “ she said as she stood. Randy could see that she was favoring her one foot a little bit. She was using her left hand on the tree for support as she limped forward toward him.
”They don’t seem to keep long hours ‘round here … “ she informed him.
"I see that, well that sucks. Hard to tell how far it is to the next place." Randy said as he started walking closer to her. There wasn't a soul around, and it seemed rude to talk to the one person he did see from so far away.
"I got some water if that's what you need...other than that all I have is chocolate". the young woman offered.
"Well, actually..." Randy began as he could feel his cheeks start to redden. "I was hoping to use the facilities. Are you ok, you seem to have a hitch in your giddy up." he said pointing to the foot she seemed to be favoring.
"Musta been sitting for too long." she offered as an excuse. "I'm Shelley by the way." she said as she offered her hand for Randy to shake.
"Yeah, I hear ya. I hate it when my foot falls asleep. That tingling feeling gives me the willies." Randy stated as he reached out and grasp her hand in his. "My name's Randy, nice to meetcha."
For the first time he regarded her looks. She was beautiful! Scratch that, beautiful was an understatement, she was smoking hot! She had brown hair almost all the way down to her waist. It was tucked behind her left ear and held in place by the cowboy hat that she wore low in the front to slightly hide her face. She was wearing what could only be described as the remnant of a sleeveless flannel shirt that was tied in a knot just above her navel. Her stomach was flat, and tight and her navel was adorned with a rather nice broach sized setting covered in what appeared to be diamonds or the like. Her skin was tanned, and smooth with not a single blemish that he could see. She was wearing what Randy was sure was the shortest pair of cutoff shorts he had ever seen in real life. Her legs were long, and tanned. They were strong yet not overly muscled. The ensemble was topped off by what Randy could only imagine were the most uncomfortable boots ever made.
As his eyes roamed over her, he chastised himself for being such a perv and unconsciously rubbed the fingers of his left hand together so could feel his wedding ring.
As he tried to look past her he noticed the worn leather suitcase still back beside the tree she had been sitting under.
He raised his arm and pointed to her ragged bag, "You stranded here? You run out of gas or something?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I see that, well that sucks. Hard to tell how far it is to the next place."

He approached her taking her hand and telling her he was looking to use the facilities. He had spotted that she was limping slightly, but seemed to accept her explanation.

"My name's Randy, nice to meetcha."

She smiled warmly finding him friendly and kinda cute ...

"You stranded here? You run out of gas or something?"

She turned around realising she had spotted the suitcase that seemed to be cursing her.

"Yeah, you could say that ... "

She told him with a wry grin.

"I'm hitchin' my way around ... but didn't realise this road was so deserted."

She gestured back the way she'd come.

"Guess I'll have walked 5 miles or so today ... "

She estimated.

"Trouble is when you stop for a rest, it's kinda difficult to get going again ... "

She eased down to the ground again, wincing slightly as she adjusted her foot.

".. blisters ... "

She confessed.

"Anyhow's don't let me prevent your 'call of nature' ... I figure if I head down the main road East later on, there should be more signs of life around and if not ... well ... "

She shrugged.

"I won't hardly get frost bite ... "

She chuckled and picked up her water to sip again, knowing that he obviously needed privacy. As with everything it was so easy for guys ... open air 'facility use' had hazards all of its own for a girl ...

 

[gearhead73]

"Yeah, you could say that..." she said as a mischievous grin formed across her lips. "I'm hitchin' my way around ... but didn't realise this road was so deserted.", with this she lifted her arm and gestured toward the direction she had come.
His eyes glanced in the direction she had pointed and in his mind he had a hard time imagining where she had started her journey. There wasn't a town to speak of nearby and there certainly wasn't a 'destination' anyone would want to head to for miles.
"Guess I'll have walked 5 miles or so today ... " she told him as she started to ease herself back to the grass. He could see the pain flash across her face as she tried to take the pressure off of the foot she had been favoring. She evidently had caught his eyes moving toward her injured limb. "Blisters ... " she confessed, though unnecessarily. He had figured that the designer boots that she had been wearing may have been great for a night to dinner, but were no match for pounding the pavement. Couple the fancy shoes and the absence of socks as far as he could tell, and that was a recipe for agony.
"Anyhow's don't let me prevent your 'call of nature' ... I figure if I head down the main road East later on, there should be more signs of life around and if not ... well ... I won't hardly get frost bite." sarcasm oozing from every syllable punctuated by the slight shrug of her shoulders.
Randy was taken aback by her attitude, but as he pondered her words for a second, he decided, he liked this girl. She apparently had moxy, and he liked it. Here was a girl, half dressed, and in the middle of nowhere with torn up feet, and she's making sound like his needing to piss is an inconvenience...for her.
"Be right back." he told her and turned toward his truck. At the corner of the building he turned left and entered an area that as with many filling stationed housed the "spare" parts.
There were old transmissions, and stacks upon stacks of bald and discarded tires. "Perfect," he thought and he stood in between two tall stacks of radials and found the relief that had brought him here to start with.
When he finished, he walked to the back of his truck and lowered the tailgate. He slid a large gray plastic storage container out onto the flat surface of the tailgate and opened the lid with a 'snap'. Inside were jumper cables, a couple of bottles of water, road flares, gloves, and a large plastic adorned with the famous red cross. He opened the lid of the kit and pulled out a small bottle of hand sanitizer. He squeezed a good sized dollop onto his palm, closed the lid and dropped the bottle back into his kit.
Randy had been giving the situation some thought. Here he was, in bumfucked Pennsyltucky, with no one around but a sexy barely legal runaway, with the body of a pornstar and the attitude of a trucker. To top it off, she was clearly injured and although he knew she would never admit to it, there was no way she could make it any further on her own. He didn't want any trouble, and as hot as she was he had no intention of making a pass at her. On the flipside, he was sure he would regret continuing on his way without at least offering to help.
He took a deep breath, and turned back toward Shelley. As he walked toward her he whispered, "God help me and the shit I get myself into."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Be right back."

She watched him as far as the truck and then returned her gaze to the road. It wouldn't be polite to do otherwise seeing as the poor man needed a bit a privacy. But it hardly took him long. The first she knew of his return was when he want to the back of his truck and started fiddlin' around. She was curious, but only mildly so. She doubted he had engine trouble, so what he was actually doing back there ... ?

And then he started walking back towards her and for a fleeting moment it crossed her mind that if he were some kind of maniac that she had made it clear that there was no one around to help her and no one who would miss her any time soon. He wasn't the type ... no way was he the type ... she kept telling herself. All she had was to trust to her instinct and hold firm and ...

"What ya doin?"

She asked him finally hoping that she didn't sound at all perturbed or suspicious ...

 

[gearhead73]

Randy made his way back to where she was sitting. The sun was high in the sky and it was hot. The humidity was so thick that you could cut it with a knife and just that little bit of movement had started him to sweating.
"What ya doin?"she asked as he stopped just in front of where her boots were resting on the broken cement of the station's lot.
He just stared at her for a moment trying to find a way to approach her with the decision he had made when he was cleaning his hands. He knew he wanted to help her, but he wasn't sure how he should suggest to her his proposition. He decided to do what he had always done, be honest and direct.
"Look," he began, "I know you don't know me, but it seems as though you could use a little help." He twisted his torso and nodded toward the the truck he had arrived in and said," I've got a little over half a tank of fuel left and that should be good for at least 200 miles." He looked back at her and tried to put on a serious but freindly face.
"If you want, why don't you hop in the passenger seat there and we'll put a little distance between us and miserablr exuse for a convenience spot."
He stood and offered his hand, "I mean ya no harm, I was just thinkin you could use a little help. If you don't think it's a good idea, I'll understand, but some company would be nice for a while."
Randy thought about that last part as soon as he said it;'...some company would be nice...'
The whole point of this little excursion had been to get away; to be alone. He had needed time to think. He had wanted some time to decrompress, and examine the life he had built for himself. He had hoped that this road trip to nowhere would eventually lead him back home; back 4yrs ago when he was happy, and safe, and...in love.
Now he was standing here sweating, and hoping that young woman he had just met today...would say "yes."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

He didn't answer right away, which unsettled her.

"Look, I know you don't know me, but it seems as though you could use a little help."

His words reassured her slightly and she followed his gaze as he looked back towards his truck.

" I've got a little over half a tank of fuel left and that should be good for at least 200 miles."

Her gaze went back to his as he continued.

"If you want, why don't you hop in the passenger seat there and we'll put a little distance between us and miserablr exuse for a convenience spot."

He was offering her a ride. She hadn't even had to ask him and definitely hadn't tried to coerce him with the 'injured' ploy. He seemed to take her hesitation as possible refusal.

"I mean ya no harm, I was just thinkin you could use a little help. If you don't think it's a good idea, I'll understand, but some company would be nice for a while... some company would be nice..."

She smiled and took his hand, then drew herself to her feet.

"I'd be lyin' if I said I wouldn't welcome a ride."

She told him honestly.

"Even just on to some kinda civilisation..."

She added.

"If you're talkin' of heading for 200 miles or more then I'm guessin' you have your own lil trip planned and I wouldn't want to spoil that for ya..."

She smiled, but turned to haul up the ancient suitcase.

"I can take care of myself you know ... "

She told him, ignoring the fact that moments ago she had thought she was in real trouble.

"I'm tougher than I look ... "

She told him firmly, then spoiled the effect by giggling at his reaction.

 

[gearhead73]

His offer had only hung in the air between them for a moment whe Randy got his reply. Shelley smiled and began shifting her position so she could rise to stand. She reached for and grasp his extended hand and with a slight tug she was upright.
Randy noted her height. She wasn't that much shorter than his 5'11" frame, he guess that she was probably about 5'7" give or take. He couldn't be sure because of the cowboy hat she was wearing, but she was pretty much the same height as his wife, so it seemed logical.
"I'd be lyin' if I said I wouldn't welcome a ride." Shelley told him as if clarifying that it was the truth.
"Even just on to some kinda civilisation..." she added in order to, as far as Randy could surmise, set a limit as to how much help she needed. "If you're talkin' of heading for 200 miles or more then I'm guessin' you have your own lil trip planned and I wouldn't want to spoil that for ya...I can take care of myself you know." she continued as she turned to grasp the ragged travel bag at her feet.
"I'm tougher than I look..."she said at the very end with a furrow in her brow that Randy took to mean for him to watch himself; but then her face softened and she confimed the joke with a giggle.
Randy was struck by this exchange for two reasons. First, she'd said 'yes'. This was a relief. He hadn't expected it to be, but it was. Right after he had extended the offer he had regretted it. It wasn't that he didn't want to help her out, he didn't want to face the rejection of her saying 'no thanks'.
Sure, she was alone, and stranded, but this wasn't the desert. Sooner or later someone would have passed by, even if it was a local on their way to get ice cream. Under different circumstances, he was sure men would line up to offer her a ride.
The second thing he had noticed was the way she seemed to portray that she would take his help, but she didn't really need it. "I can take care of myself you know", and "I'm tougher than I look"; to him these seemed more like a facade, than fact. To him, it seemed more a way to mask the vulnerability that may be lying below the tough exterior.
Either way, it didn't matter, she had agreed to be his companion, for a little while at least and that made him return her smile.
"Can I help you with that?", Randy offered pointing to her bag.
"I can throw it in the bed of the truck with mine if you want. It will be safe and out of the weather..." he said moving his head so as to look at the sky;"...but I don't think we will have to worry about that."
As an after thought Randy added,"...and don't worry about spoiling my trip...", and then he thought about how the truth might sound.
Instead he only partialy lied," I'm just happy I could help."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Can I help you with that?"

She saw him pointing to the battered old case.

"I can throw it in the bed of the truck with mine if you want. It will be safe and out of the weather.....but I don't think we will have to worry about that."

She chuckled and handed the case over to him.

”Sure, but no throwing now, “

She requested.

”This ole thing is barely holding together as it is. I jus’ need it to last until I can buy me something easier to haul around, but it keeps threatenin’ to fall apart on me …”

The case safely stowed, she kept her bag with her and made her way to the truck.

"...and don't worry about spoiling my trip...I'm just happy I could help."

She beamed at him.

”Then you’re nicer than most folk…”

She told him as she took the passenger seat, fastening the buckle then reaching up to take off the hat, allowing the cascade of honey brown hair to fall free, casting the hat aside into the footwell, she ran her fingers through the long tresses and shook them down her back.

”Mmmmmm.. feels better … sun ruins your hair, and burns ya scalp if you’re not too careful …”

She told him conversationally.

”I always wear a hat in the sun … “

She looked across at her companion with renewed curiosity. Of course she had spotted the wedding ring, but nothing in the truck suggested female presence or that of children. ‘sides this was a man’s vehicle and he definitely looked at ease in it. She was curious about him, but if she started asking questions, then it would give him the opportunity to do the same …


”So … where are we headed?”

She asked not caring what the destination was now that she knew she was travelling in the right direction and that direction was ‘away’, away from all that had happened in the last week or so and away from all the trouble she knew would lie ahead if she’d stayed to sort things out.

”Reckon we both picked good weather for our lil' trips … “

She commented, noting that even though it was heading for early evening, the sun was still giving off considerable heat. And independent as she claimed to be, Shelley could not help feeling relieved that she had managed to get a ride once more, which would help her to recover from the day’s walking; a mistake in road selection she would be sure not to repeat again!

 

[gearhead73]

As he was explaining the benefits of putting her suitcase in the back of the truck she was handing it to him.
”Sure, but no throwing now, “ she playfully warned ”this ole thing is barely holding together as it is. I jus’ need it to last until I can buy me something easier to haul around, but it keeps threatenin’ to fall apart on me …”
As they climbed into the cab of the truck, she told him that he was, 'nicer than most folk.' He inwardly chuckled at this. Her southern drawl reminded him of the friends and family he had left behind in West Virginia.
She put her seatbelt on and removed her hat, throwing on the floor of the truck.
”Mmmmmm.. feels better … sun ruins your hair, and burns yer scalp if you’re not too careful …”
said as if talking to a girlfriend. It sounded like something his wife would say and expect him, a man, to understand. ”I always wear a hat in the sun."
Randy was doing his best not to stare. She was beautiful. Her long brown hair was falling around her shoulders. Her eyes were big and brown and lain underneath perfectly shaped eyebrows. Her face was tanned but not overly so, and there were a few light freckles on her cheeks.
His admiration of her looks was interrupted ash she asked, ”So … where are we headed?”
Randy thought for a moment then put the truck in gear.
"Well I thought since I have a half a tank, we would find a gas station..." he told her as he headed into the road in the direction he had been traveling in. "...two hundred miles from here." he said with a smile.
They had been driving about a half hour in silence. Randy was enjoying the company, but now his curiosity was getting the better of him. He couldn't help but wonder who she was, or where she was from. Had she been running too or from something? Did she have parents, or siblings, a husband, a boyfriend, a girlfriend or anyone that was missing her. Was she on the run from the law?
Shelley was a mystery, and he had so many questions. He pondered it for just a moment longer and then his curiosity finally got the better of him.
"So...uhm...where ya from Shelley?" he asked, trying to get the ball rolling.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Shelley relaxed back, unable to bite back a sigh as she watched the road speeding past. He intended to find a gas station and then … well he had stated 200 miles from there. Of course she couldn’t impose on him for the entire trip, but the feeling of having those miles speeding past definitely made her more and more relaxed. So much so that when he finally queried,

"So...uhm...where ya from Shelley?"

She almost gave him her home town. Stopping herself, she calculated her response.

”As of oh, three days ago, from nowhere … free as a bird … “

She laughed, but her merriment was forced this time; she knew it and what’s more she was sure he did and after his kindness she didn’t want to insult his intelligence.

”It doesn’t really matter where I’m from, does it?”

She asked seriously now.

”I’ve not broken the law and there’s no way you could get into trouble for helping me ... “

She assured him and then conceded.

”There’s no one back home that will give a damn where I’ve got to, believe me .. “

She told him sadly.

” … consider me ‘persona non-grata’, but without illegality thrown in and you pretty much of have me … “

Despite her determined happy outlook, it was clear that whatever had happened back home still cut deep.

”But like I said … I can take care of myself… I don’t need anybody … “

Rather than sound assertive, this time her words sounded more like the hurt teenager she obviously was.

”And how about you?”

She asked changing the subject quickly.

”Left the wife back home? Or are you divorced and still wear the ring to protect you from predatory hitch-hikers?”

She joked neatly deflecting the attention back to him once more.

 

[gearhead73]

”As of oh, three days ago, from nowhere … free as a bird … “ she said with an uneasy laugh.
Randy picked up on her hesitation, but tried not to show it.
As if trying further deflect his question she added, ”It doesn’t really matter where I’m from, does it? I’ve not broken the law and there’s no way you could get into trouble for helping me ... “
Her face was growing serious now and the carefree demeanor she had carried moments ago disappeared.
Randy was struck by her words. It had been a simple question. After all, he didn't ask for her social security number or anything, it had simply been a way to start a conversation.
”There’s no one back home that will give a damn where I’ve got to, believe me; consider me ‘persona non-grata’, but without illegality thrown in and you pretty much of have me.'
The sadness in her voice told him that was lot more to her story, but that as much as she needed to talk about it, today was not going to be the day.
He couldn't blame her though, she didn't know him from Adam and had not real reason to trust him.
”But like I said … I can take care of myself… I don’t need anybody … “ she added.
This reminded Randy of his daughter. As she had grown and reached one milestone after another, like crawling and then walking, she began trying to assert her independence as a 'big girl'. She would say 'I can do it Daddy' as he would try to help.
This is how he was beginning to see Shelley; a young woman hiding her vulnerability beneath false bravado. He was guessing that she figured if she never let anyone get close, they could never hurt her.
”And how about you?” she said obviously wanting to change the subject.
”Left the wife back home? Or are you divorced and still wear the ring to protect you from predatory hitch-hikers?” She asked.
Randy thought about this trying how best to answer. He figured why not be honest? It wasn't like she would repeat anything that he said to his wife, the two would never meet. Taking the opportunity to unload some of the thoughts that had been weighing on his mind before he met Shelley, and breaking the silence that had stifled the cab of the truck seemed appealing.
"Me and the Mrs. are taking separate vacations this year. She and her sister are taking my daughter to Disney, and I decided to take a little drive." He said the last part with a contented smile.
Over the next hour Randy recounted the last 10 yrs of his life. He told her that he had met his wife online and that after a while they had decided to meet in Niagara Falls. They had spent the weekend getting to know one another and then after 2 yrs of weekends, phone calls, and e-mails he had asked her to marry him. He told her how they had chosen Philly to live because it was about halfway between his home town and hers. Fours years later they had bought a house and 2yrs after they had their first and probably only child.
"And now, here I am crossing the state line with a young woman I have never met in the passenger seat of my truck." he finished with a smile.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Me and the Mrs. are taking separate vacations this year. She and her sister are taking my daughter to Disney, and I decided to take a little drive."

He seemed more pleased than upset at being on vacation on his own, which Shelly found weird. But who was she to make judgements? That first bit of information exchanged it seemed that he was eager to talk and she was more than happy to listen. She had thought his marriage to be on the rocks, but the way he talked about meeting his wife and the development of their relationship actually sounded romantic. She learned that he had a daughter and it was obvious that he adored her. She sensed that perhaps he wanted more children, but didn’t like to enquire more closely about that as she knew that it could be a potentially sensitive topic.

"And now, here I am crossing the state line with a young woman I have never met in the passenger seat of my truck."

She chuckled.

”I hardly think I’m significant enough to feature in your resume,”

She told him.

”Being such a family man, I guess it’s surprising that you’re here and missing out on time with your daughter … “

She commented carefully.

”My dad was pretty much absent when I was little, though he seemed to remember I existed when I hit my teens … “

She told him cryptically, hesitating momentarily before ploughing on;

”just don’t make a habit of it … you miss the early days, when she grows up and you try to keep her on the straight and narrow, she won’t pay a blind bit of attention to you, believe me … “

She leaned back in the seat and murmured softly.

”Been there, done that … “

With a sigh she stretched and flexed her body. She was weary and all this talk of family was unsettling her.

”So, you usually sleep in your truck or sleep out under the stars … “

She smiled.

”Or are you a more conventional motel kinda guy?

 

[hornyrajni]

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[gearhead73]

”I hardly think I’m significant enough to feature in your resume,” she said with a laugh.”Being such a family man, I guess it’s surprising that you’re here and missing out on time with your daughter … “ her smiled faded and her words took on a edge that started to fill Randy with guilt.
"My dad was pretty much absent when I was little, though he seemed to remember I existed when I hit my teens …just don’t make a habit of it … you miss the early days, when she grows up and you try to keep her on the straight and narrow, she won’t pay a blind bit of attention to you, believe me … “ Her voice was softening and her pretty face was starting to show some fatigue. ”Been there, done that … “
Randy thought about what she said. It was obvious she was speaking from experience. He felt for her and whatever family situation she had, but at the same time he was annoyed. She didn't know him, or anything about his life. She didn't know that sacrifices, and compromises he had made for the good of his family. He knew he didn't owe her an explanation, but at the same time he wanted the record straight, even if it was to a stranger.
"I'll always be there for my daughter." he said as he looked at her. "She will never need me and not be able to find me. But sometimes, daddies have needs too. Sometimes daddies need a little time to get their head right so that when they get back they can be the father and husband they wanna be." He was getting agitated now and his hands started to grip the steering wheel a little tighter.
He looked at her. She was so young but yet spoke like she was way beyond her years. He didn't know what the story was with her family, but he knew she wasn't the problem with his.
"I will always be there for my family...no matter what." he said softly. "No matter what..." the rest he left unsaid, and turned back toward the road.
They drove for a while longer in silence until Shelley stretched and said, ”So, you usually sleep in your truck or sleep out under the stars; or are you a more conventional motel kinda guy?"
He looked at her tired but smiling face, "Well, when I am by myself, I usually just sleep in the truck. If your tired, you can lean the seat back or even stretch out in the back seat for a while."
"I will need to take on some fuel soon, so you can get back there when we stop. I kinda...well, I just feel like driving for a bit if it's ok."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She didn’t think he’d take her words as an insult, but it was obvious she’d upset him.

“I’ll always be there for my daughter. She will never need me and not be able to find me.“

She wanted to apologise to him, to explain that she was talking of her own situation and not his, but he continued, his words silencing her.

”But sometimes, daddies have needs too. Sometimes daddies need a little time to get their head right so that when they get back they can be the father and husband they wanna be.”

His words hit her like a physical slap. ... daddies have needs ... ... she supposed he never considered that ‘mummies’ had needs that they couldn’t get away from, especially when the daddies were running around taking time to get their heads straight. But she bit her lip and stared out of the passenger window, her thoughts in turmoil.

“I will always be there for my family...no matter what. No matter what...”

She was sure he meant it and she didn’t know his circumstances, but she made no comment and they drove on in silence aside from him telling her that he usually slept in the truck.

”If your tired, you can lean the seat back or even stretch out in the back seat for a while. I will need to take on some fuel soon, so you can get back there when we stop. I kinda...well, I just feel like driving for a bit if it’s ok.”

In other words, shut up Shelley and keep out of my business, she interpreted, but answered smoothly;

”Sure, your truck, your trip.”

She would get some sleep and then once it was light and once they hit civilisation she would head off on her own again. Things were just less complicated when you didn’t get involved in what didn’t concern you.

The gas stop seemed to take an age to reach. Shelley had retreated into silence and Randy didn’t seem much disposed to talk. She gave an audible sigh of relief as he finally swung the truck into the stop and picking up her hat to gather her hair and stick it firmly upon her head, angled so as to cover her face, she quickly opened the door and grabbed her bag as she slid from the truck and made her way to the somewhat functional restrooms located there. Had they been more salubrious she would have remained there longer, taking the opportunity to be out of sight and to let the confident, up-beat facade slip for just a moment.

”Fuck you Mark ... “

She muttered as tears threatened.
She wasn’t going to cry over him. She had vowed that and so far kept to her intention.
Splashing her face, she stared at herself in the mottled mirror and wondered not for the first time what the hell she thought she was doing.

”It’ll all look better in the morning ... “

She told herself echoing the words her gran had always told her, bringing that knife twist of grief to cut her afresh. It had been close to 18 months, but one thing was certain, if gran had been alive, Shelley wouldn’t be on her own in the middle of nowhere with a cranky married trucker.
But she was ... and she had to deal with it ...

And so with effort, she headed back towards the truck, keeping her hat in situ and avoiding his eyes.

”I’ll go lay in the back,”

She confirmed her intention.

”Just wake me when you wanna stop and rest and I’ll make myself scarce.”

She told him.

”Soon as we reach a town tomorrow, I’ll be on my way ... “

 

[gearhead73]

The truck stop took forever to reach. It was one of those huge complexes that usually dot the edges of highways between major cities. They offer everything; fuel, food, showers, parts for a CB radio, and various novelties for the travelers they serviced.Randy pulled onto their access road and parked next to a pump in there fuel island.
Shelley picked up her had, placed it low on her head an exited, without a word.
Randy slid his card into the reader, entered his pin and then waited for the telltale clicks and buzzes that signaled it was ready to pump.
As the fuel rushed into the tank he leaned with his back against the bedside and closed his eyes. He had been a little harsh in his response to Shelley. He thought about the venom of his tone and admonished himself for being such an asshole. His situation wasn't her fault, she had just been there for him to project his frustration onto.
She definitely didn't seem interested in conversation, but had been polite enough to listen as he had blathered on and on.
'Jesus' he thought to himself, 'she's not a fucking therapist.'
He heard Shelley approach the truck.
"I'll go lay in the back..." she said without looking at him, "...just wake me when you wanna stop and rest and I’ll make myself scarce. Soon as we reach a town tomorrow, I’ll be on my way." She got in the truck and shut the door.
The pump clicked off when the tank was full. He replaced the nozzle into its holder and took the receipt after it printed. He went inside, used the facilities and grabbed a Mountain Dew, bottle of water, and a bag of Doritos.
He had planned on apologizing when he got back in the truck, but when he looked in the back seat, she appeared to be asleep.
He headed back out onto the road and just went. Mile by mile hour by hour, he lost himself in the hum of the tires on pavement and rhythmic passing telephone poles by the window.
An hour before the sun was supposed to up, Randy was pulling into another truck stop for fuel. He had put another 500 miles in is rearview and Knoxville was only about another hour away.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Shelley had slid into the back seat and laid down with a soft sigh. She hadn't realised just how exhausted she was. She was active and fit and usually had more stamina. She could only hope that she would maintain her level of activity for the duration of this trip. She closed her eyes, intending only to rest them until Randy came back and when she did she had to clear the air with him. It wasn't good for either of them to have that tension between them. Only she never heard him return to the cab ... no more was she aware of the miles and the hours passing. In fact it wasn't until the truck pulled off the road once more than she even began to stir and by the time she had become aware of where she was and sat up slowly he had once again left the truck leaving her disorientated and unaware of the miles and time that had passed.

Taking the opportunity of the relative privacy of the truck, Shelley dove into her bag and pulled out a tshirt. Pulling it over her head, she released the skimpy top that she had worn the previous days and folded that garment into her back. Likewise, she slipped out of the skimpy shorts and switched them with a pair of jeans that were cut off just above the knee. The worn clothes again found their way into her bag. She looked down at the boots she had discarded before sleeping and wished that she had something more suitable to walk in. The only other footwear was light sandals, which again were stashed in that bag, but of course she couldn't wear those for walking in.

The opening of the truck door drew her attention.

"Hey... "

She greeted him uncertainly. Glancing out for the first time, the ruby hues in the sky suggested that it was before dawn.

"You should get some sleep ... sorry I hogged the back seat... "

She told him blushing.

"I can head out for a walk, or we can switch places...?"

She offered, then hesitated before climbing into the front seat and facing him.

"I don't want to get in your way, Randy, 'specially seeing as how I've upset ya ... "

Her expression was full of regret.

"What I said ... before...? I was talkin' more about me ... didn't mean any offence ... "

She told him haltingly.

"You've been so kind to me and... I sure am sorry ... "

 

[gearhead73]

The truck fueled and ready to go, Randy grabbed his toiletry bag quietly from the back of the truck and went inside the convenience store to freshen up.
He brushed his teeth, splashed some water on his face. Looking in the mirror, his tired eyes reminded him that his body did not agree with all night driving like it had when he was younger. He combed his hair, then fit the ball cap he had brought with him tightly on his head.
He grabbed a coffee, sugar packets, creamer cup and another Mountain Dew then headed back to the truck.
When he got back to the truck Shelley was awake and had changed clothes. She was dressed more modestly and Randy thought that it agreed with her. She was still stunningly beautiful, even this early in the morning; but now she had a 'girl next door' vulnerability about her that he had always liked.
She greeted him as he entered the truck.
"Hey... " she said tentatively.
"Mornin'." he replied.
"You should get some sleep ... sorry I hogged the back seat...I can head out for a walk, or we can switch places...?" she told him. He was just about to respond when she continued.
"I don't want to get in your way, Randy, 'specially seeing as how I've upset ya ...what I said ... before...? I was talkin' more about me ... didn't mean any offence ... " her tone carried a hint of regret.
"You've been so kind to me and... I sure am sorry ... "
"Shelley," Randy interrupted.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for. In fact I wanted to say I was sorry for the attitude I gave you yesterday. You were right..." Randy said looking at her.
"...truth is, I came out here to get away. Things aren't....it doesn't matter." He wanted to finish, but thought better of it.
"You drink coffee? I got you one just in case. I can't stand the shit myself, but it's all yours if you want it. I have cream and sugar for it too." he said offering her the cup.
"I don't know about you but I'm starving. If you are up to it, I'd like to take you to breakfast, my treat." he said as a smile crept across his lips.
Randy had thought about things all night as the miles had ticked by. He had rolled the things that she had said over and over in his mind. He realized that he was being selfish, that this trip was just and excuse to run from rather than stay and work on the problems he had at home.
There wasn't anything he could do about it now. His wife and daughter were going to be in Florida for the next two weeks. They wouldn't be there if he did head back. Then, there was Shelley. She was young, beautiful, and as far as he knew running from something. His curiosity pushed him to find out what.