The Hitchhiker

1

Funny how a song can take you back. Just lift you right out of your front seat and sit you down square in the center of 1974. This one did. In the length of one screaming guitar riff I was back waitressing at Red’s. It was winter, and dark. One of those long Texas days that went from a sultry 70 (unusual for winter) to 32 and windy. My shift was  done, and thank goodness I had my rain coat, because the drizzle had just started.. 2

When I pulled out of the back parking lot of Red’s, I saw him. He was kind of hunkered down in an army jacket that didn’t seem to be useful for warding off the wet..or the cold.3

He was under the bus stop sign. The bus that wouldn’t be there till morning. I hesitated. He wasn’t exactly a stranger, as he’d had supper at Red’s, he'd read the newspaper paid his ticket and left. I couldn’t just let him stand there. He and his duffle bag seemed pretty soaked. I could at least let him know about the bus, point him in the direction of a motel..or the bus stop. 4

I did a quick u-turn, pulled up beside him. I leaned over, rolled the window down. 5

He did a kind of duck and weave, shading his eyes from the streetlight trying to see in the car. Hell, he was as uncertain as I was. Skittish, I think is a better term. 6

"Hey" I said.. "that bus won’t run till morning...7:00 A. M. " 7

He pointed to the sign...8

"I know..it’s wrong. City should have changed it." 9

He still hadn’t spoken, just kind of looked around, as if trying to decide what to do. 10

"There’s a motel down a couple of blocks. It’s cheap but clean. ...or the bus depot. It’s just around the corner."11

"Thanks," he said, hoisting the duffel bag to his shoulder. Even in the dim street light I could tell it was soaked ..and he was shivering. I saw it in his hands. 12

"Hey" I said.. "I could give you a lift" he looked a bit hesitant. I could sense he was on the edge of declining. So I shouted.. "The radio works...the heater is warm...or will be just about the time we get to where you’re going." He smiled at that. 13

"Sounds about like my old car."..he said, as he opened the passenger door.14

"You sure about this?" he asked before getting in. "You don’t know me from Adam."..15

"Well, actually," I said, "you’re the one should worry."16

"Why’s that?" He asked. 17

"Cause I’m the one behind the wheel and the window’s fogging up.. Get in" I said.."the rain will ruin my beautiful upholstery." 18

He laughed at that. The upholstery obviously older than dirt, it’s original color obscured by years of use. But it removed his misgivings and he tossed the duffel bag into the back seat and got in. The car door caught on the curb so that he had to get out, pull it nearly to then get in and close it. 19

"Lord," I said. "this car survived 3 previous owners but it may not survive this one good deed." He laughed at that..a deep laugh that was pleasant.20

"I’ll be more careful" he said as he dripped onto the carpet. He ran his hands through his long hair. 21

"There may be a towel in the back seat. It’s safe if there is. I only use it to clean the windshield. I mean..I didn’t use it to polish the car or anything."22

"So I see" he said. 23

My turn to laugh. "Be greatful." I said, "after all, how long has it been since you rode in a Nash with original upholstery. 24

"Never" he said..25

"Well, it doesn’t look like much, but it will get us there and the heater will be warm right about the time we get there" I said, " just like I promised" 26

To be continued27