Disclaimers and what-not:
This story came about after a huge snow storm blew across the area in the last couple of weeks. A co-worker of mine shared her unpleasant adventure of driving home in the storm, and well that just got me thinking. It wasn't long before the ideas were flying and my fingers were typing the words you will soon read. It's just a short story --- a little tease. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you to my beta reader for your faith and input.
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The snow fell heavily. Large wet flakes covered the ground quickly in a blanket of white. It continued to fall without mercy, as if there would be no end to it. The Transportation Department had already declared the roads to be dangerous to drive. Announcements were made to stay indoors and not risk travel of any kind. Temperatures had dropped, and the already accumulated six inches were going to freeze overnight making the roads worse with ice.
Harper just wanted to get home. She was ecstatic to receive the email encouraging employees to go home due to the snowstorm. Not one for hesitating, she shut down her computer, gathered her belongings, and wished her fellow co-workers a safe journey. She was grateful for her little black four-wheel drive Chevy Tracker as she dodged three Fedex trucks that slid or were in the process of sliding into the ditch. "Damn it, what is wrong with these people? Do they not see the weather condition? Just because you're driving a big truck, doesn't mean you can go your usual ludicrous speed across the snow. Idiots!"
The roads were atrocious, and with the amount of traffic, people driving in a panic, sliding around or getting stuck, it was going to take her a lot longer to get home. She finally made it to the intersection of Broadway and Higgins after an hour in traffic. "Shit, at this rate, it's going to take me three hours to get home on a normally twenty minute commute." Making a left turn at the traffic light, she was grateful she had hesitated when a pickup truck slid through the intersection. "Jesus, why doesn't anyone know how to drive?! And why the hell does this backwards town not believe in plowing the streets as soon as the ground is covered?!" Heart racing, she reluctantly pulled into the near empty parking lot of the small local diner she frequented often, regretting that she didn't use the restroom before leaving the office.
Harper was surprised and grateful the place was open as her bladder began to scream at her. She raced inside, noticing there were only a small handful of folks dining. Upon exiting the ladies room, she overheard a couple of older men at one table comment how better it would be if people waited until the snow tapered off in order to make visibility and driving more feasible. Curious, she turned around and asked, "Has it been announced what time it may stop snowing?"
The gentleman with the wool cap, and gray beard smiled kindly as he answered. "Oh it will clear up in about two hours. It makes for better driving, ya know."
"Thank you," she answered with a nod, agreeing with his assessment. Harper sighed, and figured she might as well take a seat. She hadn't had lunch yet, and she was definitely hungry.
Maybe then all this craziness with these idiotic drivers would be mostly over. Why the hell did I move to this town? Oh yeah, job transfer and better pay.
She sighed again.
Better make the best of it then.
She sat down at a booth near the huge front windows and grabbed the menu wedged behind the condiment bottles against the wall.
"Hi there hon, whatcha having today?" the older waitress asked as she set down a tall glass of Coke.
Harper smiled because a sip of her favorite drink is just what she needed right now. She was pleased that she had become one of the diner "regulars" in the few months coming here. It was humorous how the few waitresses were already very familiar with her eating habits. "I'll have the Reuben today, Sheryl."
"Extra cheese, dressing on the side with fries and a half order of onion rings?" the waitress inquired, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, thanks." Harper grinned as the waitress walked away. Reaching for her coat to pull out her phone, she decided to look at the radar map while she waited. She searched one pocket, and then the other.
Oh it's probably in my purse.
She looked on the bench seat, thinking she brought her purse in.
Okay, apparently I left it in the car.
Shrugging her coat back on, she quickly said to Sheryl passing by, "I'm just getting my purse from the car."
"Oh sure thing, hon," the redhead casually answered back.
Harper automatically shoved her hand in the coat pocket again for the keys, and then realized that the keys were never there when she was looking for the phone.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
Taking a deep breath, she reflexively tried to open the door, praying to any and every god that she would have left it unlocked. When the door didn't budge, she let out the breath she had been holding, and still tried to remain calm. She brushed the heavy wet snow from off the driver's side window, and spied the keys sitting directly on top of her purse which was sitting on the center console. "Fuck!!" She wanted to cry, but couldn't, knowing it was no use. "How could this happen? These things never happen to me!" Aggravated beyond any patience that once existed, Harper went to kick the back tire only to find that it was completely flat. "Are you fucking kidding me?!?!" She exclaimed in wide-eyed disbelief.
I must be in the Twilight Zone. That's got to be the answer for all this shit happening.
Feeling defeated, and very cold now from the blistering winds, she trudged back inside the diner.
As soon as she resumed her seat, the waitress came by with her hot food. The redhead felt something was amiss since her customer just stared down at the table. "Are you alright hon?"
Not being able to look up at her, Harper embarrassedly said, "I've accidentally locked my keys, purse, and phone in the car."
"Oh hon that's awful." Sheryl felt terrible, and wasn't sure what to do, so without another word, she walked off into the kitchen.
Now what the hell am I going to do? They're probably going to throw me out.
Harper quickly wiped at the tear that threatened to spill. She had to think of a solution.
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