Not A Good Reason

by McCarthy, G. L.

  “That would be nice. Well the traffic’s starting to pick up Darlin’. I need to go so I can pay attention to the road. I’ll call you when I get to Indiana. I love you.” Sam wasn’t thrilled with the semis flying by and needed to concentrate on the road.

  “I love you too, Sam. Leave me a message if I don’t pick up. I may not be on the ground by then. But I definitely want you to check in.” Alex didn’t want to be a nag, but needed to hear her voice that she was all right.

  “Oh gosh, thanks for reminding me. I thought about it before I called you and then it totally slipped my mind you’re flying home today. I will definitely leave a message. Have a safe flight and tell Jason, our favorite house sitter, hello for me.” Sam felt that once Alex touched down and was back home she’d be counting the minutes until she called her from Beau’s barn.

  As Sam hit her hands free ear piece she placed it on the seat next to her. No more phone calls until Terra Haute. Now to find a decent radio station.

  Sam settled on KXUS a classic rock station and figured she’d stick with it until she drove out of their service area. Then it would be another search or back to “Absolute Torch & Twang.”

  The drive was uneventful and the scenery changed often. The choice of radio stations was getting better the closer she got to Terra Haute and she found a nice oldies station WPRS on the AM band. Sam had spotted a billboard advertising the Pilot Travel Center on I-70 making it her destination to take a nap and give Smokey a break to walk around. As Sam pulled in the Arby’s sign caught her eye and she knew what she wanted for lunch. The French toast and remaining leftovers had disappeared two hours prior and her stomach, although not empty, wouldn’t last until tonight. This trip was sure to add a few pounds that she’d need to get off as soon as she got back to work. But for the time being it was a decadent way to pass the time.

  Sam found a nice quiet place behind a row of rigs that would block Smokey’s view of the traffic passing by. Once again he backed out like a trooper and let out another whinny, but received no whinny in return. A nice long walk would have been great, but Smokey spied some tall grass and lunged for it. Sam decided to let him graze and pulled out her cell to make her check-in call to Alex. No answer let her know that Alex hadn’t landed yet, but would get her message as soon as she was allowed to check.

  “Hey Darlin’, I hope you had a nice smooth flight. Smokey and I are just outside Terra Haute and about to have lunch. Correction Smokey is eating now and I will be soon. Have a safe drive home. I’ll call you when I get to Akron. Love you, bye.” Sam was sad Alex hadn’t picked up, but glad in a way as it was tough not being able to talk for as long as she wanted.

  Sam adjusted Smokey’s blanket and petted him as he yanked the tall grass out by the roots. She gave him a good twenty minutes and then reached down and pulled out a large handful of the green grass to coax Smokey back to the trailer when the time came. She tied him up so she could clean his side of the trailer and wished she could ride him through the drive thru. But Smokey wasn’t that accustomed to cars or big rigs to handle that trick. Sam let him graze for another ten minutes before she walked him around just so he could stretch his legs. He was more interested in eating this new found delicacy so Sam decided it was time for him to get back in the trailer. Lucky for her, he really liked that tall grass and followed her in just to get the handful she’d pulled up. Sam closed the ramp and storm doors and then drove around to the pumps and filled up with gas and water. As she pulled away she headed for a parking spot close to the restaurant so she could at least see it while she went in to get her order to go. Being grateful she got twenty five miles per gallon on the highway while towing Smokey meant she wouldn’t have to stop as often to get gas.

  Upon opening the door to the little restaurant, the line to order told her it was going to be a bit of a wait. That wasn’t going to work as long as she had an impatient traveler to think about. Sam decided to just get something to eat from the mini mart, but not before she used their restroom. The selection of sandwiches wasn’t great but all right. Pre-made sandwiches and burritos filled one section of the refrigerator while beer and soda took up most of the others. Grabbing two large waters, two roast beef sandwiches, as well as a large bag of barbeque potato chips, Sam was set for the next leg of her journey. As she walked back to her truck she could see off in the distance the signs of the storm everyone had been talking about and she hoped she could get through before it hit hard and forced her to stop. Sam had purchased a road map just in case she needed a detour as well as picking up a free Pilot brochure listing all their locations. She would need to stop in Burbank, since they didn’t have one in Akron, which was fine with her as it was a little closer by about thirty miles. Maybe a delay from that storm wasn’t such a bad idea. She would just need to find a horse hotel for Smokey.

  Chapter 3

  Swearing to never do this again Sam wondered just how those truck drivers kept from going insane from driving back and forth across the country all the time. Maybe if you could go really fast it wouldn’t be so bad, but this was so boring. She was sick of listening to the radio and her second CD “Ingénue” which was another one by kd lang, was getting as old as “AT&T.” So it came down to talking out loud to herself, which she was grateful for her Bluetooth. This way the people driving by would only think she was on the phone instead of having a discussion with no one in particular. Talking out loud always seemed normal to Sam instead of just conversing in her mind. The road signs listing the distance to Akron were one way to keep her mind on track. The drive from Missouri through Illinois and Indiana was interesting as Sam’s mind wondered about the early settlers and how they had the determination to go west. Maybe not having a girlfriend and a nice soft bed waiting for them kept them from wanting to be beamed home now. The road sign stating Burbank was thirty miles away was all the encouragement Sam needed to hang in there and not scream at the top of her lungs. When the Pilot sign could be seen from the interstate, Sam was ready to stop. The sky wasn’t showing any signs of clear weather ahead and she just may have to spend some time in Ohio.

  Pulling in, she stopped and bought gas while there was room for her to pull right in and not block anyone with the trailer. Checking the clock on the dash, it was seven thirty and Alex would definitely be home by now. Looking at the vast parking lot she spotted a corner that was clear and would be perfect to park for the night. As Sam pulled on the parking brake Smokey let out a huge whinny that let her know he was just as glad as she was to be stopping for the night. As Sam lowered the ramp Smokey started to anticipate and moved back until he hit the butt bar.

  “Wow! Just wait a minute. I’m just as happy as you are to be done for the day.”

  The open field that bordered the large parking lot had a variety of healthy weeds growing along the edge and was where Smokey wanted to go now.

  “Damn it! Smokey come on you’re not staving. Look, I can still see hay hanging. You junk food junky.” Smokey was grabbing mouthfuls as he jerked his head forward.

  Luckily Sam had parked close enough that she could tie up Smokey and not give him too much rope to get himself hung up. Now to get his room in shape. Sam was always glad she had lights in the trailer as there were only a few lights around the parking lot. As she removed the divider once again she felt it was getting heavier every time she lifted it. Taking her last bag of shavings out of the back of the truck she yelled to Smokey that he better make it last until they arrived home. If only she could leave him out for an hour or so, but she didn’t want to risk him getting loose. Sam decided to call Alex and let dinner wait. She grabbed a tissue out of the truck so she could relieve herself in the field then she would finish off the potato chip crumbs at the bottom of the bag and make the call.

  “Sam, are you all right? It’s so late.” Alex had been a little nauseous from worrying.

  “We’re fine. I just couldn’t drive as fast as I would have liked. It’s a little busier up this way. But we’re in Burbank and Smokey is piggi
ng out on his favorite junk food. He gets the length of this phone call and then it’s a walk and back in his room so I can eat. Not to mention I don’t want to be cleaning up diarrhea tomorrow.” Sam knew the effects of too much junk food on the boy.

  “So you’re still on track to arrive late Saturday evening? I really miss you so much and the house feels so empty.” Alex had dinner with Cyn, TJ and Jason and had brought them up to speed on their adventure with Robert Monroe.

  “I really miss you too. This drive is not something I want to do again. I mean not with Smokey in tow. I would love to have you with me and take time to do some exploring. How was your flight?” Sam could hear the worry in Alex’s voice.

  “Fine. The plane arrived on time and Jason was waiting right where he said he would be. I got home and Cyn and TJ were waiting with take out. I told them about Robert and they told me about their Christmas with Cyn’s family. Jason had the place spotless and I think he had fun being alone, but missed his parents being around. I think he may appreciate them more now and all that they do for him.” Alex knew Jason’s parents were going to miss him if he went away to college next year.

  “Was it takeout from the Tea House?” Sam was sure it was.

  “Yes. I didn’t want to say. I know how much you love it too.” Alex wished she could have it waiting when Sam arrived, but she would be home very late and it always tasted better fresh from the kitchen.

  “You lucky little girl. Oh how I wish I could have some orange chicken right now. As well as a glass of plum wine. Yum, yum. My dinner will be from the Wendy’s here at the truck stop. Although I do like their baked potatoes, it’s not even close to what you all had.” The grumbling in Sam’s stomach told her the potato chip crumbs didn’t really do much to make it happy.

  “Well you need to eat and get some sleep. So I’ll let you go and say good night and I love and miss you very much.” Alex wasn’t tired but then she was still on ranch time.

  “I love and miss you very much too. Try to get some sleep yourself and I’ll call you in the morning. Bye Darlin’.” Sam closed her phone and felt a tear roll down her cheek. She missed being with Alex so much. “All right Smoke. Snack time is over; your real dinner is all set.”

  Practically having to drag Smokey away from the weeds, Sam needed a hand full to get him to move so she could take him for a walk. After their tenth lap of the length of the huge lot it was back to the trailer, where he stopped and stretched his neck as far as he could to reach another handful of weeds.

  “You have to get in to get them. Come on Smokey. I’m sorry, but I’ll get you some sweet feed tomorrow, I promise. NOW GET IN!” Smokey knew that tone and walked in begrudgingly. “Thank you. Now some food for me. Yippee.”

  As Sam leaned against a short divider she couldn’t make up her mind on what to have. It all looked so good and she was really hungry – one of each sounded about right. But trying to stay on a healthy diet and after eating a whole big bag of potato chips she needed to focus.

  “Welcome to Wendy’s. What can I get for you?

  “May I have a Caesar salad, Bacon and Cheese Potato, a side of Chili and two cups of Mandarin Oranges, please? Also, a large water. Thanks.” Sam thought the oranges may be a nice treat for Smokey.

  Sam left the oranges on her hood as they would stay fresher in the ambient temperature. They were a treat to bribe Smokey back in the trailer after his morning walk. As Sam climbed back into the cab of her truck she pulled everything out of the bag. First she consumed the salad in record time. Then poured the chili over the potato and reclined in her seat to savor this heavenly concoction. As Sam thought about the next day’s drive she wondered if Alex wasn’t waiting for her, she too might balk at getting back on the road herself. Sam needed to brush her teeth, but it could wait until the morning as her eyes slowly closed for the evening.

  Chapter 4

  As the truck jumped, so did Sam as she knew Smokey was up. The clock on the dash showed 6:28 and Sam couldn’t believe she’d slept for ten hours, since the last time she looked at the clock it was 8:40 last night.

  Grabbing all the trash and stuffing it in the empty Wendy’s bag, she needed to stretch big time. Sliding out of her truck she was hit by a blast of cold air that sent a chill through her.

  “Damn it’s cold out here. Burr! I’m comin’ Smokeman.” Smokey wanted out as he was shifting his weight causing the trailer to rock.

  Sam knew he was going to head for the weeds and prepared herself for his enthusiasm by putting on her work gloves. They weren’t as warm as her mittens but would give her a better hold of the lead rope. As she lowered the ramp she started talking to Smokey to make him pay attention to who was the boss.

  “Smokey knock it off. You’re going to need some serious work when we get home. You’ve been on your own way for too long, and yes that’s my fault. But right now I need you to knock it off. Now HO!” Smokey turned to look at Sam as he knew he could get a swat on his hind quarter if he didn’t pay attention. “Good boy. Now easy does it.”

  The mustang backed out slowly but every muscle was tensed from the anticipation of being free from his metal crate. Sam made him stand perfectly still for just a minute to reinforce that she was in charge. Then she led him the few feet to the remaining weeds he’d left last night.

  “If anyone was watching us they’d think you were so abused, you big baby.” Sam tied Smokey to the trailer with just enough rope to reach his snack.

  Sifting the shavings, and then putting the divider back was the last chore, before placing another flake of hay in his hay net. Looking at her phone Sam knew Alex would be up, but exactly what time was it? New Mexico was on Mountain and now was she still on Central or Eastern Time? Her phone wasn’t that fancy that it changed as she traveled, but the position of the sun looked like it was later than 6:40. Sam knew Alex wouldn’t care if she woke her up, she’d just be glad to hear her voice.

  “Hmmm. Good morning, Lover. Where are you now?” Alex was still in bed. Adjusting to the time, but hadn’t been in a sound sleep.

  “Good morning, Darlin”. I’m still in Burbank. But as soon as I get the Smokeman back in the trailer, I’ll be grabbing some breakfast and heading out on my final leg back to you. What time is it?” Sam could hardly wait to get home but she could see that the weather ahead may have something to say about that.

  “It is now 7:45 and yes I’m still in bed. But I’m getting up slowly. I don’t have anyone here to bring me my coffee until tomorrow. So I’m suffering in silence.” Alex knew Sam would see the humor in this.

  “You stay there as long as you want. I keep forgetting to change my clock as I cross time zones. Darlin’ I may not be home until tomorrow afternoon or evening. I’m not sure Mother Nature is going to co-operate. I’ve been hearing about a storm that is pounding the part of Pennsylvania I need to drive through. So I may have to hang out for a day until the weather clears.” Sam hoped she was wrong and could arrive on time.

  “I know. I’ve been watching the weather since you left. I had a dream last night that you had to stop and spend the night in some old barn. But I’d rather have you there, than sleeping out in the elements.” Alex didn’t understand the majority of the dream, but would tell Sam about it when she got home.

  “Nice. I would love sleeping in an old barn. I can say that sleeping in my truck is only recommended for an occasional short nap. Otherwise not a good idea.” Sam knew that if Alex had a dream about her sleeping in a barn it must have been Anna trying to keep Alex from worrying too much. “So if I do run into weather, please don’t worry if I don’t call. You know how weather affects cell phones.”

  “I know. You have Ramon with you and I know you’ll be safe.” At least that was what Alex was praying was the case.

  “He’s probably the one I need to thank for giving me clear sailing so far. I’ll call you when I stop and let you know where I am. I love you and can hardly wait until I’m lying next to you again. Bye, Darlin’.” Sam’s stomach was growling a
nd Smokey was on the verge of snapping his lead rope shank.

  “Same here and be safe, Sam. I’d be lost without you. Bye.” Alex closed her phone as the tears ran down her cheek. “Ramon, my friend please watch over her and keep her safe. Thank you.”

  Now to take Smokey on a little walk and then back in the trailer. Sam hoped a combination of weeds and oranges would work. The oranges had frozen from sitting out all night, but were slowly thawing from the warmth of what little sunlight there was. Sam looked along the edge of the parking lot and saw a large clump of Reeds that would surely motivate the mustang to get in the trailer until Sam could find a feed store – a promise was a promise. After having to give Smokey both bowls of oranges and waving the Reeds in front of his nose he finally walked in, munching contently. Sam raised the ramp and could finally have her own breakfast.

  As Sam stared at the menu it was obvious that even though this Wendy’s was open 24 hours they didn’t have a breakfast menu. Burgers were hard to eat and drive, so it was going to be finger food.

  “Good morning. May I have a large coffee, the 10 pc Chicken Nuggets, two bowls of oranges and small fries to go, please? Thank you.” Not having a breakfast menu didn’t keep the truck drivers away.

  As Sam leaned against the wall waiting for her number to be called she saw a newspaper that had been left by the last occupant of the small booth. The headlines were weather related so she read the short informative report. Sam must have made a face that told the occupant at the adjoining table that she wasn’t thrilled about what she was reading.

  “Heading east?” The burly driver asked. “Well maybe if Mother Nature lets up a bit until I get through.” Sam looked up to a smiling face.

  “Well I just came from there and you’d better have your chains ready. Hopefully they’ll let you through, but no promises. The old girl is really showing them whose boss, if you know what I mean. Good luck to you.” The driver stood and put his Peterbilt cap back on, as he was ready to get back to work.