This I truly a fairy tale, since things like this don't happen to people like me. No, my name's not Cinderella or even Cindy, but I feel like a princess. Let me tell you why.
Almost a year ago, I lost my job, my home and everything that meant something special to me. Down on my luck, out of cash, I packed up what little clothes I had and set out for the road.
At thirty-two, it's hard to get up once you fall. And with nothing left I had few choices. This one seemed the best to me at the time.
Leaving the warmth of southern California, I stood on the side of the road with my thumb out and my bag across my back and my knapsack over my shoulder.
I thought, 'Well, if nothing else, I'll lose some weight from the walk.' Not that I really needed to lose weight at five-six and a hundred and seventeen pounds. My long auburn hair tied up in a pony tail so it wouldn't blow in my face as he cars passed me by.
A very nice woman who was on her way to Denver soon picked me up; she was happy for my company. Her name was Millie and she has a fabulous laugh. She was also very supportive of me. She even gave me fifty-dollars "For food and hopefully lodging for a night or two if you need it." She waved as she drove off and I thought I saw a tear in her eye.
I slipped into a diner and used the facilities to clean up a bit. Then spent four dollars to get a sandwich and some coffee. It warmed my belly and my soul.
The waitress was wonderful. Maybe she could see my plight in my gray eyes, for when I handed her the money, she laid it back on the table. "Use it for your next meal, I've got this one." She smiled; tears filled my eyes as she walked back to the counter.
Picking up my backpack and heading for the parking lot, a young man called to me, "Do you need a ride somewhere?"
I smiled, "If you're headed East, I do."
"Well, Ma'am, that's where I'm going," he couldn't have been more than twenty-two. He had peach fuzz on his chin. His eyes were crystal blue and the sun bounced off his white teeth.
His name was Carl. His sandy hair was disheveled and I think he was starting a go-tee thus the fuzz. He was a talkative fellow and had a bright smile. I'll bet the drove all the young girls wild.
"I'm headed for New Orleans for the Mardi Gras, want to come with me?" he chattered excitedly.
"Thanks, but I need to be in New York by next week for a job interview," I lied. I really had no place to go or a destination in mind. Where the road led me that is where I was going.
Carl was a talkative one. His endless chatter made the trip go faster and I enjoyed his humor. But he was only going as far as Louisiana, however; I was closer to my destination than when I started. Wherever that may be.
I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek before I exited his truck. "Good luck in New Orleans, I'll always remember your kindness."
Sitting on a log on the side of the country road, I held my thumb to the Trucker in the bright red cab. He stopped and opened the heavy passenger side door. "You need a lift, ma'am?"
"I'd really appreciate it," I smiled up at him as he reached for my hand and my bags.
"Where you going?" he asked for no reason.
"I don't really know, I guess where ever my soul feels at home," I smiled up at him as he pulled me into the large cab.
"Well, I'm going to Michigan and you're welcome to ride with me that far."
"Never been there before, sounds like a good next stop!" I smiled at him as he pulled me into the cab.
Jeff was in his fifties and had been married nearly thirty years to the love of his life. He bragged as he told me how they slipped out of town and married then went back home and told everyone.
"The whole town was disappointed that we eloped but we didn't want all that fuss, you know?"
"Yes, I do know. It sounds so wonderful, your life."
We rode in silence for a long while, and then he asked, "So what is it you're looking for?"
"That's a good question. I'm not really sure of the answers. I lost everything and now I guess I'm looking for a new start... somewhere." My eyes misted over I felt sad at the thought that I had nowhere to go.
When we hit Michigan, I climbed out of the cab at the truck stop and thanked him for the ride. He handed me a slip of paper. "Contact me when you get settled; I'd like to know you made it wherever you are," he said as I stepped out of the truck.
I took the address, "I promise I will," I said and thanked him for the ride. Then out went my thumb once again. Within minutes a blue, dented pick up pulled up and a nice looking man opened the door. "Need a ride?" he asked with smile on his face.
"Thank you, yes I do," I smiled.
"Where are you headed?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. Where ever the road leads me, I guess."
"That doesn't sound very positive," he smiled. Wanna tell me your story?"
"It's not a very good story", told him, as I closed my eyes to rest a bit before I had to get out once again.
