I sat in my stalled car, engrossed by the rain and pissed that my cell phone couldn't pick up a signal so I could call for help. I had no idea where I was, where to go, or even how long my car had sat on the shoulder of what appeared to be a deserted road. I locked my doors and vowed that would be the last time I met anyone for a last-minute appointment.
I was startled when someone knocked on the window. A man who lived in a nearby farmhouse smiled down at me through the downpour.
"Need some help, miss?" he asked.
I was both grateful and nervous to see someone. While he appeared to be middle aged and had a friendly face, there was no guarantee the guy wasn't a deranged rapist.
I carefully cracked my window and told him what had happened.
"My wife and I were on our way home when we saw you," he replied.. "Little wet out here. Why don't we drive you to our home and you can find help from there?"
"Yes, thank you."
I hopped into a worn-looking pickup truck with the farmer and his wife. She was as friendly as her husband and expressed concern as to why I was out so late. I told her I'd been on my way back to town when I'd apparently taken a wrong turn and then my car engine expired.
"It's very dangerous for a woman alone at night," she said. "Lord knows what could've happened if Al and I hadn't come along."
"I'm very grateful. My phone must've gone dead too."
"Those fancy phones don't work well out here," the farmer said. "Just as well. Too many of those towers bring down property values."
By the time we reached the farm where my rescuers lived, the rain had slowed a little. The house was cozy and welcoming, and the farmer showed me where their phone was located.
"Eileen," he said to his wife. "How about making some coffee for our guest?"
She nodded and disappeared into the kitchen while I tried to find a garage that was still open and could send a tow truck.
I made a second mental note: join an auto club in case I got into another situation like my present one.
After I made some calls and discovered no one would be available until morning, my hosts invited me to stay for the night. "We have some spare rooms and I'm sure Eileen can loan you something to sleep in," the farmer said.