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We are the Brandon family. My husband David is driving us to his parents for Thanksgiving. I should have said was driving us. We are broke down on US 69 just 30 miles north of Marshal Texas. Our destination is Tyler but here we are on the snowy shoulder of the road. None of us can get a signal to make a call for help but all three of us keep trying. I'm just feeling very thank full our engine is still running because its thirty degrees outside and a 21 mile an hour wind. I am Cindy, 34 year old white mom. We got married just over a year after he got me pregnant with out delightful daughter, Beth. She just turned 18 a few months ago.
"Gosh this is so frustrating! Can't you do something Daddy?"
"Patience sweetie, I put out the hazard beacons. We will get helped soon, I promise." David assures her.
I chime in. "This is a good lesson learned punkin. Look how freaked out you are. We are all becoming addicted to our phones. This is proof we must find other things to do in life, simple things that do not require a connection."
"Yeah, good luck with that mom!" She hisses back to me, as she and her daddy chuckle at my ridiculous idea.
"Oh great! Look girls, a truck has stopped for us!" My man informs us, as we join him looking behind our Tahoe. Its an 18 wheeler truck. A older black man has jumped out and is walking our way. David hops out to talk with him.
"Thanks for stopping, we are needing a tow. We cannot get a connection on our phones. I'm David by the way."
"Names Donald Rankin. Its typical around here, not getting a signal. What's wrong with it?" He points to our vehicle.
My husband explains. "Its making a heavy grinding noise and its pulling hard to the left."
"I can go get on my radio and try the mechanic up the road a ways. Give me a few minutes." He says, already running back to his truck.
"Thanks! Thanks a whole lot Donald!" David hollers as he jumps back in our warm ride.
"Things are looking up now ladies." He smiles with hope. After a good ten minutes pass, we see Donald heading towards us again, this time with his warm coat on. David lowers his window.
"Sorry folks, Leon is not answering." Donald informs, thru David's window. "He might be under a car working. I can give you a lift to his shop, its not out of my way. Just eight miles ahead."
David agrees. "Yes that will be a big help Donald, we will take you up on that."
Donald rubs and blows into his hands, then says. "I will be back there in my rig, warming up. Come on when you get ready."
"Honey, I think you and Beth should ride on up to the shop. The quicker ya'll are off this road the better."
"Are you sure? You probably need to go and show the mechanic the way back here." I say, as I enjoy the warmth of our ride, not wanting to leave.
Beth chimes in, excitedly. "Lets go mom! I want to ride in that truck!
"Go on Cindy, I will feel better getting you two out of harms way. Donald knows how to direct Leon back here. You can wait for me in the warm cafΓ© or waiting room."
"Ok, I guess we got to do this. Take your coat sweetie." I teller her, giving her daddy an assuring kiss good bye.
"This is going to be so wild mom! Hope my phone starts working so I can send a video of us!" She giggles as we almost run to Donald's truck.
"Come on up ladies. Never any fun being broke down but on days like this, its terrible." He says with a smile, as Beth and I climb in.
"I'm Beth, Donald and my mom is Cindy. We are happy you stopped for us."
"It's no big thing girls. I have been in your shoes more than once. Beth, you will have to sit on my bed or squat on the floor." He informs, as I take the passenger seat and close the door. "Buckle in Cindy and we will be off." I do as he commands and we start rolling.
Beth has settled in behind us, filming the insides, the view thru the windshield, etc.
"It's good meeting you Donald. Are you from this area?" I ask, hoping to make the situation relaxed.
"I'm from Waco but I know the whole state pretty good" He brags. Going on to tell us about his wife, his five goats and lazy hound back home. As he continues driving and talking I notice Beth has spun around, now laying on his big bed, being nosey.