The blizzard was getting worse but you know what it's like when you're driving and really trying to get somewhere. I57 was like the main corridor through the length of Illinois. Though I'd made this trip hundreds of times, nighttime in a snowstorm has to be one of the worst.
My husband had left me; my job just kind of dried up. A visit with my sister sounded like a great idea. And to be honest. It wasn't snowing like this when I left. Damn it! I knew I should've gotten gas in Effingham but it was always so congested with truckers, I usually avoid stopping there. Now I'm in the middle of the state where the little farm towns dotted the countryside.
Well, I don't want to run out of gas right on the interstate; I'd better pull off at the next little town and pray there's an open gas station. I guess prayers shouldn't cover up your own negligence, because I found the sleeping town, the closed gas station and the deserted shopping center next door. The gas station was totally dark. The shopping center had large parking lot lights. I pulled up under one of those with my car's last breath.
Considering I'm traveling in a snowstorm I was at least smart enough to have my good coat and a blanket. I curled up on the front seat, making sure all the doors were locked, just to doze off and wait. I guess I did doze off because the next thing I knew someone was rapping on the window over my head I was afraid to look up, but then the knocking was on the passenger door I was facing.
"Miss, do you need some help?" It was an older policeman. I sat up and opened the passenger door. "I got off the interstate to get gas but everything was closed."
"Well, yeah, and now it's early Sunday and not likely to open anytime soon. You might as well come with me and get warm."
"Yes, thank you. May I get my bag from the trunk?' "Sure."
Try as I did, and then he did too, the trunk was frozen shut. "Let's just get you warm and we can get your stuff later." Good idea.
I had my driver's license and some money in my coat pocket, so locked the car and got into his squad car. Ahhh! Heat! It felt so good; it almost hurt to thaw out. "Where are you headed, Miss?"
"It's Cathy, and I was coming from down south and headed to the Chicago area. By the way, it wasn't snowing when I left. I don't want you to think I'm a complete idiot."
"I didn't think that."
We drove to the dinky brick police station and he filled out papers while I used the bathroom and then sat in a wooden chair. He put the papers in a pile and made a phone call. "Dave, everything's quiet. You on your way? Ok, I'm going to head on home. Yeah, Ok, I'll see ya tomorrow."
Looking at me he said, "Well, I don't want to put you in a cell. There aren't any motel rooms vacant. Do you have any objects to going to my house? It's warm and quiet and no one will bother you."
"I don't want to impose." He just waved his arm at me and held the door.
We drove through the silent snowy town. It was just now 6 a.m. and still rather dark but snow seems to put out a whiteness almost like light. We turned a few corners down side streets and pulled up into a driveway before a nice house. "It's not huge or fancy, but it's home. My wife passed away a few years ago and now I just live with Missy."
Not knowing what to expect, he opened the door and I entered a clean warm kitchen. A cat was sitting in the floor waiting to inspect me as I came in. "Hey, Missy, we have a guest, so you gotta be polite!" She came to me and within a split second was curling herself around my legs.
"You can put your coat in that closet. There's the living room, there's the bathroom, there's my room, and here's the guestroom. Since you're the guest, it's yours."
