The Trip

I know. I know.  I said I would be sharing poetry and songs, but can't I also write stories (some of which just may be true)?  Why do I feel the need to ask, since no one is listening anyway, right? Right. So, here goes....      
                                                                The Trip

     I tried to reassure myself that it would only take four hours there and back.  I was still irritated.  Why couldn't her roommate bring her home as originally planned?
     Lennon looked sadly up at me as I quickly grabbed my coat and gloves from the hall closet.
 "Come on Lennon," I said.  "You can come, too."  His bushy tail wagged with delight when he saw me pull out his blue leash from the closet.
     He hopped his stubby body right into the yellow Beetle and immediately took his place in the passenger's seat.  He shook himself off, and tiny blonde and white hairs flew everywhere.  I sighed, knowing that the black cloth upholstery would look like the lint trap in my dryer by the the time I got back.  But he was company.
     I didn't look forward to the trip.  Driving through Pittsburgh always made me nervous with its rat mazes of one-way streets.  With my cell phone charged and ready to go and a tank full of gas, we hit the interstate, headed east.
     The sun set early in the middle of December, which was not unusual.  What was unusual was the continuous rain.  Andrea had wanted a white Christmas during her break from college, but I was beginning to wonder if that was ever going to happen.
     About halfway there, Lennon started to become restless.  His big brown eyes gave me the cue that he needed to be walked.  Luckily, the rain had subsided to a drizzle, so I pulled off at the next exit.  I felt like I was the one being walked as he tugged me along, marking every bush in sight with his personal Lennon-was-here signature.  After circling the service station twice, I finally said, "All right Lennon, you've done enough.  Time to get back on the road."  He leapt back into the car without hesitation as soon as I opened the door.
"Only another hour to go Lennon," I said, as I turned the radio on and made my way back onto the crowded highway.
     The rain started up again.  My night vision wasn't all that great anyway, but the rain just made it worse, adding to the tension I was already feeling.  The droplets falling on the glass magnified the streaming glare of headlights from the other side of the highway, along with the cars that were following way too closely.
     Occasionally there would be a sign informing me of how much farther I had to go.  "Pittsburgh--20 miles" was reassuring to see.  "Not much longer Lennon," I said.  His ears perked up, and he looked at me as if to nod, and then laid his head back down onto the security of his paws.
     As I started to get into three lanes of traffic, I noticed the sign, "Bridgeport--One mile."  That was only ten minutes away from Pittsburgh.  All of a sudden there was a tremendous downpour.  I usually never put my winshield wipers on high speed, but this time I had to.  Even then it was hard to see the lines on the road ahead of me.  It seemed as if no one wanted to slow down either.  There were cars ahead of me, behind me, and on both sides of me anxious to get to their destinations. Then, suddenly it happened.  The windshield wipers of my "new" Volkswagen stopped.  They just stopped!  The radio that had been turned up to hear over the wipers, was now blaring with Mick Jagger singing, "I CAN'T GET NO SA-TIS-FAC-TION..."  I panicked!  Instinctively, I pressed the lever for the windshield wipers to make them work, but that only made matters worse.  I had hit the windshield washer button instead.  Blue-green spray, mixed with the pounding splats of rain, blanketed my windshield and left me feeling blind.
     "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God," I chanted as Mick chimed in with, "HEY, HEY, HEY, LISTEN T' WHAT I SAY..."
     I could see the blur of the red taillights ahead of me.  I just needed to stay straight and follow them.  My rearview mirror was clear to see the blotchy headlights of the car behind me.  I could see the dark shapes of cars beside me with my side mirrors.  There was only one other problem.  I needed to get off at the fast approaching exit, but I was in the MIDDLE lane.  I immediately put on my right turn signal in the hopes that someone would be kind enough to let me over, or else I was screwed.  A couple of stubborn people just drove on by, and then, at the very last second , I saw there was a chance for me to make my move.  Just as I did, there was the exit sign, and I kept merging right onto the ramp.  I pushed my emergency flashers on to let the drivers behind me know there was a problem.  I had a partial sense of relief that I had made it off the highway safely.  "Thank you God," I thought to myself as if he had heard my earlier pleas.  Surely there would be at least one gas station at this exit.  I was wrong.  There was a sign pointing to the right for Bridgeport on Rt.50 East, and one pointing to the left for Rt. 50 West.  Other than the street light and all of the angry drivers passing me, there was only surrounding blackness.  And rain.
     I decided to turn right towards the town of Bridgeport and quickly pulled off to the side of the road.  I was shaking.  I had to get my bearings.  I switched off the discomforting static that was now eminating from the radio and lit up a cigarette.
     Lennon sympathetically looked up at me as if he knew there was something wrong.  "It's gonna be okay Lennon," I responded.  I spoke to him as if reassuring a child, which remided me.....Andrea would need to know what was holding me up.  Still jittery, I pulled out my cell phone from the side pocket of my purse and pressed her stored number on the keyboard.
     "Hey," she nochalantly answered, seeing it was me on her caller ID.  "Andrea, it's me!" I exclaimed. "You'll never believe what just happened!"  I proceeded to tell her of my ordeal, and that I would need to call AAA when I got off of the phone with her.
     She just laughed and said, "I figured you were lost again, Mom."
     I angrily replied, "I'm not lost!  I was on my way.  I can't help what happened, but I'm not lost!" I wished my words could have convinced myself.  I could just picture her rolling her eyes as she spoke.  "Okay, Mom," she replied, "give me a call after you get help so I know when yer finally gonna get here."
     I agreed, and as soon as I hung up the phone, I jumped out of the car and into the rain.  Before I called AAA I wanted to make one last ditch effort to see if I could get the stupid wipers to work.  Mechanical skills have never been my forte.  They continued to be stubborn and wouldn't budge, so I got back into the car, pushing nosey Lennon out of my seat.  I was drenched from head to toe from the chilling rain, which made the heat inside the car feel extraordinarily good.  I could only hope that the heater wouldn't stop working, too.
     I anxiously began to rummage through my purse in pursuit of my AAA card.  Their emergency number would be on the back.  I knew that they would ask me for an address of my location, and yet I wasn't at all sure what town I was actually in.  That's when I decided to continue farther on down the road before calling them.  I wanted some sort of address or landmark to give them, I thought.  A well-lit parking lot would be nice, too.
     "Okay Lennon, we'll go on down the road and see what we can find," I answered, as if approving HIS idea.  His ears perked up at hearing his name, but he stayed put in his seat this time.
     As I drove back onto the road, I got the notion to roll down my window in order to see the white dividing line.  The car inched slowly down the dark and winding road, with my head out of the window in order to see. Hell, I figured I was wet anyway, what did it matter?  But I couldn't see much better with the blowing rain stinging my eyes.  As soon as headlights appeared from either direction, I pulled off to the side of the road again until they passed.  Still no place in sight.  I passed houses scattered here and there for about five miles until there were bright lights ahead on my right.  It was a small country fire station with what looked like the name OLIEN inscribed in large letters above the two front garage doors.  In between the two garage doors was a regular entrance.  There were lights on inside which was a good sign.
     "Just stay here Lennon," I said, as if he had a choice.
     Without hesitation, I jumped out with optimism that someone must be inside.  When I looked through the window though, my hopes rapidly began to dwindle.  I knocked loudly in case someone was just out of my view, but no one came.  As quickly as I had gotten out of the car, I found myself back in it.
     Looking over at lennon, all I could say was, "Shit!  What now?"  I still couldn't call AAA for help because I still didn't know exactly where I was.  Just as I was driving away, I saw someone pull up in front of the station.  I backed up in front of the building once again and watched a man run up and unlock the door.  I was so happy to find there was still life on the planet after all.  I was beginning to feel as if I was in the twilight zone.  He then ran back to his car.  Afraid that he was going to leave again, I jumped out and yelled over to him, "Sir! Sir, wait!"  He looked over in my direction with a puzzled look on his face.  I proceedeed to tell him of my dilemma and asked, "Can you please tell me where I am so I can get AAA out here to help me?"
     "Yer on the outskirts of Bridgeport in Olien Township ma'am," he answered with a grin.  He then hurriedly walked back to the door with a box in his hands, trying to escape from the rain.  As he reached for the doorknob, he asked, "Ya wanna come in and use the phone?  Yer welcome to."
     "No, that's okay," I told him, "I have a cell phone.  Thanks anyway."  I smiled at him and reached for my car door. 
     Lennon was acting restless.  He must've been wondering what the heck was going on.  Then I realized he just needed walked again.  "Just wait a minute, Lennon.  I've gotta make a call first."  He wouldn't lie back down.  Instead, he eagerly looked outside while jumping back and forth between the front and back seats.  I didn't care at that moment.  I was finally going to make that call.
     The card was still lying on the dash.  I grabbed it and immediately started pounding the numbers into the phone.  After two rings, I heard, "Thank you for calling AAA.  Your call is very important to us.  Please wait on the line and the next available representative..."  I wanted to throw up.  And what did they mean by have my account number ready?  It's on the membership card, too.  Did they think I just had their phone number memorized?!
     There must have been a lot of people needing assistance because I waited five more minutes before receiving the same message again.  Finally, a real live person came on the line and started right in with the questioning.  I told the operator the township and the firehall I was at, but he couldn't seem to find it on the map.  I started to feel like I was in the twilight zone once again.  He reassured me that a tow truck would be sent out to the exit in the direction I had gone. "Give us up to an hour to get there," he said.  "If no one shows up, call us back."  What other choice did I have but to agree?
     Lennon reminded me that he was going to leave me another dilemma in the car if I didn't let him out soon.  I was already wet, so at that point getting out one more time wasn't going to hurt anything.  Once back inside, I looked at the overhead digital clock.  It was 8:05 PM/ Temperature: 36.  I had planned on having Andrea picked up by now and back home by 10:00 PM.  I knew those plans were thrown to the wind.
     Just then, a knock came at my window.  The friendly man from the fire station was now at my window, with his hands shading his eyes from the blowing rain.  I rolled the window down a little and inquired, "Yes?" wondering what he wanted.  He spoke loudly enoungh for me to hear over the rain beating rhythmically on the glass.  "Ma'am, I hate to do this to ya, but yer gonna have to move this vehicle over to the side lot cuz there's gonna be a lotta cars coming in here soon.  Y'see we're havin' a Christmas party here tonight."
     Up until that point I was out under a light in clear view for the tow truck.  Moving to the side lot, I was worried I wouldn't be visible.  I told myself that there couldn't be that many fire halls out here, and a bright yellow VW Beetle would be hard to miss, too. 
     Sure enough, cars began swarming into the lot one by one and parking behind the building.  The guys all proceeded into the side door with happy faces and slapping each other on the backs on their way in as if in some sort of ritual greeting.  Soon the back lot was full of cars.  The front lot was left vacant, probably in case of an emergency call.
     Forty-five minutes and three cigarettes later, I was still staring out at the road making sure the tow truck didn't pass me by when another rap at my window startled me.  I turned to see a big balding man's face grinning in at me.  When I rolled my window down slightly, it didn't take long for the smell of alcohol to penetrate the air.  I heard Lennon give out a low growl.  He hadn't growled before, so it made me wonder if he sensed my edginess or just smelled trouble.  The man pulled a hood over his head and, still grinning, asked, "Ya need some help, Miss?"
     "Yes," I smiled back, "but I've already called for help, and they're on their way."  I was trying to act as if I was in control.  Was it working?
     "Okay," he replied, "but if you decide you need my help, you feel free to come inside and get me now sweetheart."  I smiled, nodded, and quickly rolled the window up again, checking to make sure the door was locked, too.  Great!  They must have already been getting into the holiday spirit before they even got there.  After a few moments, the rain let up to a sprinkle, and two more guys came out of the side door, talking and laughing as they approached my car.  I rolled the window down again.  Again there was the unmistakable scent of alcohol.  One of the guys was all dressed up for the occasion and acted as if he was in charge, saying, "Hey, listen I heard you're in a bit of trouble out here.  Sure we can't help you till the truck gets here?"  He spoke to me, but turned with a smirk to his buddy next to him, as if there was some kind of inside joke.  With a flirty wink, he said, "You're more than welcome to come in and have a drink with us while you're waiting."
     "No, I'd rather stay out here and make sure I don't miss them, " I responded.  "They should be here anytime now."
     He looked surprised at my answer and, as if by nervous habit, pulled out a cigarette from inside of his jacket, but then realizing what he was doing, he immediately put it back again. 
     "I'm afraid I can't take no for an answer.  You NEED to come inside, " he insisted.  I know you've been out here almost an hour now and probably no help is comin'.  Know why?"
     "Why?" I asked just to humor him.
     "Cuz I already called them back and told them you were helped, and that they didn't need to come now," he answered with a glossy evil gleam in his eyes.  His buddy giggled like a school boy beside him.
     "Might as well unlock that door and come inside now,"  he continued more aggressively.
     He leaned onto the door and curled his big fingers around the inside of the glass, trying to ease his hand in to unlock the lock.  That was a mistake.  Lennon was no longer growling, he was snarling and showing his teeth.  I actually had to hold him back.  The guy that thought he was God's gift to women suddenly backed away.  He retaliated with, "I was gonna say you could bring yer dog in, too, but forget that!"  Just then, his buddy, trying to bring him back to his senses, jumped in to shout, "Hey man, let's go back on inside!  She don't wanna come in.  You heard her."
     The rain started to change to sleet, and a continuous slapping of wet flakes on his cheeks must've been enough to make him agree.  He turned to leave, but not without waving and yelling back, "It's your loss!"
     I felt my heart beating fast and didn't know if it was out of fear, or because of Lennon's startlingly uncharacteristic  behavior.  All I know is that I was glad he was there to protect me.  I was shaken at what could have transpired if he hadn't been.  That thought quickly disappeared when I began wondering if what the man said was true.  Gaining control of my senses, and trying to keep from crying, I picked up my cell phone.  I knew I needed to call AAA back to see if my call really had been cancelled.
     The recorded message came on again just as the tow truck pulled in.  The man looked over and pointed questioningly at me.  I smiled and nodded yes, wiping the tears from my eyes.  Just as I was ready to jump out and greet the man (maybe even hug him for finally making it) my cell phone rang.  I thought maybe AAA wondered why I hung up and was calling back, but instead, it was Andrea.
     "Hey Mom.  You okay?"
     "Yes, the tow truck just got here.  I don't know if they can fix the problem yet," I said, "or if I'll have to be towed somewhere.  I'll call you back and let you know though.  I'm really sorry about this, honey."
     "Never mind, Mom," she calmly replied, "I just called to tell you that I ran into someone else here at school who has family in Ohio.  They said they'd give me a lift.  So, now you don't have to worry about it.  They're waitin' on me now; so, love ya; gotta go.".................................................................................

     The tow truck driver was friendly.  He asked to see my AAA Plus card.  Then, sitting in silence, I had him tow me the two hours back home.    

I'm a Newbie

What can I say other than that I am bored out of my mind right now and feel like trying this sort of venting...can't hurt, right? 
First of all, I got the idea for the title of my blog from the Bee Gees' song, "Words" (love that song!) where he sings, "Speak in everlasting words and dedicate them all to me.....Don't ever let me find you down cuz that would bring a tear to me" and ... "Words are all I have to take your heart away."
Anyway, this blog will be used for favorite poems and verses to songs as well as my own personal insights in relation to them. I would be happy to hear of other's favorites, too.
I found a compilation of poetry that I had done in highschool while going through stuff in my closet.  I had kept it all these years because I received a perfect A+ on it! (I was so proud)  The assignment involved finding poems we liked, a picture to go with each, a table of contents, and a personal take on each poem chosen.  I am dating myself, but this was back when things had to be typed on a typewriter and so, if mistakes were made, one had to start over...unless one was fortunate to have correcting tape, which I UNfortunately did not. Anyway, I decided to see what poems I had chosen and my insights on them.  Wow!!!  I have to say, for a ninth or tenth grader, I impressed myself all these years later!  I have had to read stuff from ninth or tenth graders nowadays and am, first-of-all, overwhelmed with the grammar and spelling errors, even though they have spell and grammar checks on their "word processors," and then it's as if no one cares to do a good job at school work anymore.  Typically, I can tell when a student writes only as much as he/she has to just to "get by."  There is no pride...it has been replaced with laziness...and encouraged by parents and teachers alike who are not willing to expect more from them! Did you know that even in college, essays are being accepted by professors that are in text abbreviations?! Give me a break....I seriously worry about our future if these are our future leaders! Students today are hooked up to things in their ears while texting away on their cell phones...oblivious to the whole wide world surrounding them...clueless, as if having the most songs stored on their ipods and having the longest cell phone bill is going to make them somebody.  What's bad is this whole technology thing has spread to the adult generation, too.  That commercial out there with everyone walking around like zombies, just staring down at their cell phones is so true.  No one is able to communicate one-on-one anymore! And when they do...it's interrupted with a cell call or a text that HAS to be gotten.
Well, I guess I'm guilty of falling into the technology pit to some degree myself, since here I am plugging away on my computer instead of cleaning house or doing something else productive.  Hey! At least now I can "word process" what I think instead of typing away at a typewriter!