Brian circled the warehouse two times but couldn’t find BTK in the unlit complex.
“Who you looking for driver?�
“BTK�
“Six docks to my right�
“Appreciate it�
Brian pulled the big truck around the warehouse one more time and backed into the dock doing his best to negotiate the lanes through the blinding snow. Once he was backed in, he revved up the engine, set the cruise, took a deep breath and looked out at the heavy snow. It was 23:00 and he wasn’t to deliver until 8:00. That should make for a good nights rest. However, he was concerned with the weather.
“Hey babe, how you doing?� he said to Donna, his wife of eleven years.
“Well, ok, but I wish it was Thursday and you were home.� she said
“Oh it’ll be here before you know it. Just wanted to check in, the weather’s pretty bad here, lots of snow, maybe ten inches, I gotta get outta here I don’t have much food in the truck�
“Figures� Donna smirked.
“Well, ok, see ya Thursday�, Brian said half heartedly.
“Bye�,
He was well aware of her desire to get him off the road. A real job would make their relationship and their future plans much easier but he could not see himself in a 9 to 5 or swing shift situation. He drove this truck when he met her and she was aware of his position, but, like most women she thought she would change him after a few years.

He caught up his logbook, poured one more cup of coffee, relaxed back into his seat and looked out at the snow. Man this snow is really coming down, he thought to himself. He sat the coffee cup in the holder and drifted off to sleep.

----------------------

Cindy had bounced from one traditional job to another before she got into trucking. She could never she herself driving a big rig so she settled with expediting in a straight truck. It gave her the option of living in a space that made surviving on the road more suitable to her lifestyle. She tried from time to time driving with a co-driver, but, it never worked out. She was a free spirit and needed to do things her way. No connections to anyone. But, there were times, like tonight, when she thought a partner would be a good idea. The 12 to 15 inch snowfall was making her anxious to dump this freight and head south.
She arrived shortly after 18:00 and slept till she heard the big truck arrive.

She tried tuning the TV to anything hoping to get a current weather report he could rely on, instead of the CB reports that just got stretched beyond reality. She couldn’t get anything on the TV. The satellite radio was her next best bet, but she liked to see what they were saying. With no other choice she tuned into the Weather Channel. She never understood lake effect sow until now. This was sounding very serious. She just realized no one would be here to unload her in the morning. Interstate 90 had been shut down as well as the Peace Bridge and the QEW. She was trapped at this warehouse alone, well, except for the driver next door.
Driver got your ears on?�
“Hey Consolidated got your radio on?� she repeated
“Yeah, yeah, it’s on� Brian answered.
“Lonely?� said a female voice
“Come back?� he questioned.
“Looks like we’re here for the duration need some company?� she said.

Brian took a deep breath and thought the situation over. What kind of company did she want?
“What you got in mind?� he replied.

“Oh hell driver get your mind out of the trash, we got a damm blizzard coming, we are trapped in this lot till the snow melts or someone shows up here.� Cindy blurted. “You’re welcome to spend it with me, I have more room, come on over.�

Feeling small, Brian gathered up his Thermos, cell phone and wallet put his coat on
And trekked across the snow to Cindy’s truck.

“Hey driver, get on in here and have a seat�, Cindy hollered from the sleeper, “I’ll be right there�. She was cleaning up her dinner mess and making her home look presentable. She stuck her head around the curtain and introduced herself and invited him back to sit at the table. Brian removed his shoes but left his coat on and stepped into the sleeper.

“Hi, hey this is nice� he remarked.
“Yep, home away from home, kinda, I live here too.�
“No place to call home?� Brian asked.
“Well yes, I call St Louis home. I’m kind of a free spirit on an endless flight,
So it not important that I get home for Valentines Day. How about yourself, family?
“Yep, part time.�
“And just what is part time?�
“Ah, you know, I’m on the road part time and home part time. But I’m not a cheater; just have a wife that wishes I was home all the time. She coined that phase married part time.�
“Oh, I see.� “Well, my name’s Cindy and it looks like we just might get to know each other pretty well, that snow has to be 10 inches at least,� she said looking out the side window.
“I’m Brian, from Baltimore�, he extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you.�

Within a few short minutes Brian had drifted off to sleep. Cindy covered him with a blanket and stepped up front to get the latest details of the storm. She sat in the passenger seat with her feet on the dash thinking a another Valentines Day alone and she acted so brash to her new found friend. After listening to the forecast she tuned the radio to a classic rock station and thought about what the night would bring She hummed a song to herself, “ooh who witchy woman see how high she flies…….held me spellbound in the night she’s a witchy woman on an endless flight� she peeked around the corner at Brian, smiled to herself and went back to sleep.

---------------------------------------------

“Hey Brian, wake up, are you hungry? Looks like we’ve been stood up, its 11:00 and no one showed for work today, we’re snowbound!�

Brian opened one eye and looked around the sleeper. Where the hell am I, and who is yelling at me? He sat up in the seat feeling his bones crack. “Oh sorry, it took me a minute to get my wits about me. I guess I was pretty tired and fell asleep, so what’s going on?�

“What’s going on, hmmm, well let’s see, how about nothing?� she said in a Groucho moment. Brian laughed but was at a loss of how to reply to her. “I don’t know too many movie stars to imitate, I don’t even know that guys name, the guy you’re talking like but you’re funny.� he said.
“Well Brian grins and giggles is all that’s going on, if we can’t laugh about this we’re gonna be miserable. Coffee’s on and I can nuke some bacon and scrambled eggs, you game?�
“Sure, I could eat a bite, can I help with something?� he offered.
“Nope, not enough room for help, just sit and wait.�
“Ah, well I need to get out a minute.�
“Oh, you gotta pee?�
“Yeah, gotta pee�

Brian climbed his way through the sleeper to the front and got an unexpected slap on the rear. Not knowing how to respond he just got out of the truck. Whoa! He assessed the situation with a tongue in his cheek, shook his head, took a deep breath and finished his business. “Hey, Cindy, need anything from your toolboxes? Looks like I’d better get it out now before we get covered?� he hollered.
“Yep, get me some paper towels and bring in anything that looks like it might freeze if it already hasn’t� she tossed him the keys and waited by the door. Brian handed up some soda, water and a sack of groceries, “looks like this might come in handy, how about any additives?
“Additives?� she questioned.
“Yeah, you know, for the engine�
“Oh, I think everything is freeze proof in that regard, better get back in�
“Hey smells god in here, I’m starving�

The two sat down to eat not saying much. For Brian this was awkward. Donna was a pristine sort that always used proper language and had rules for everything. She was from upstate New York, an old money family in the glass industry. Life with Donna could never exist on a full time basis. He cared about her and took care of her but was always glad to return the road to get a break. But as he looked across the table at Cindy he was beginning to think this was the break he really needed.

“Cindy, when I came in last nigh but didn’t pay much attention o my surroundings. Do you remember if there is any civilization close to this place?� he asked.
“Such as?�
“Well a restaurant, motel, grocery, anything.�
“What are you thinking?�
“I’m thinking about how much fuel you have to keep that generator running.�
“That gen will run for days on a quarter tank.�
“Well, maybe if it quits snowing we can wonder out to see what we can get to on foot?
“I’m always game for an adventure� she said with a wink and a smile.

BY two o’clock they were bundled up and on the move through the snow. It had to be a foot and a half deep and navigation was a problem. Both were fairly fit but walking a mile or more in snow was hard work. There had been no traffic on the road they traveled or thought they were traveling. They were only able to follow the road signs but did not know if they were on or off the road. However, they were able to know they were walking downhill and the snow was deeper.

“Hey, Brian look at this! Cindy was leaning forward while the snow held her up. “It’s like one of those crooked houses at an amusement park that you stand slanted in, try it, it’s fun!� He looked at her and couldn’t imagine Donna in this situation. This was exciting, she was exciting! He stood next to her and leaned the other way. They both laughed, but he was laughing harder. She looked so childish and innocent. Then he realized he couldn’t move, one way or the other the snow was too deep.
“I can’t move!� he shouted
“Oh come on, just pick up your legs. Look like this.�
Cindy lifted her right leg and promptly fell backwards right into Brian. He attempted to catch her but instead lost her balance and fell in the deep snow with her. It was a soft fall, like falling into a feather bed. She was on top of him face up laughing so hard she couldn’t talk. When he realized she was okay he joined her in an uncontrollable laughter that echoed across the empty highway.
“Now, how do you suppose we are going to get up/� he asked.
“Well, I think I need to turn over first and get on my knees. Oh, this isn’t so easy and it’s cold too!
Finally she rolled over but decided on the way to make no attempt to get up. She laid close to him and put her head on his chest. He put his arms around her. The next minute seemed like an eternity. Neither said a word, they just held one another.

“As good as this feels, we can’t stay here forever, we’ll freeze� Brian finally spoke.
“You’re right, let’s go� she replied
“Where to?�
“Back to the truck, I have enough supplies to last us.�
“Why didn’t you say that in the first place?�
“And miss all this excitement?�
“How exciting is it to freeze to death?� Brian aid laughing

Getting back up the hill took twice as long and the sky was darkening, but time was not an issue now. Back ion the truck the sensible thing to do was get warm, neither was thinking coffee. Cindy pulled the bed down from the wall and piled it full of blankets and pillows. They got in and held each other close.

----------------------------------------------------

Both were awakened by the growling snow plow scraping its blade against the rocky surface of the lot. The driver piled the snow up against the fence at the opposite end of the lot. Within the hour the workers began showing up to unload the trucks. Cindy was unloaded first, she caught up her logbook and looked over to Brian. She grabbed the CB,
“Nice to have met you Brian from Baltimore�. Brian looked over just in time to see Cindy wave and pull away. As the truck disappeared his dock light turned green and Brian followed. His big truck took longer to pull the hill and he lost sight of Cindy. “Damn! so close and so far away.� he said to himself. His cell phone rang.
“Yeah� he said carelessly
“Hello, Brian? Where are you, it’s Thursday� Donna demanded.
“In the Twilight Zone Donna, it’s like déjà vu, I’m chasing an endless spirit.� he said mysteriously.
“Brian, are you on drugs, are you coming home, I have plans made for today and you knew it and now, once again…….�
Brian hit the End key on the cell and tossed it in the sleeper. He approached the toll booth, took his ticket, contemplated one last time and pulled onto the West bound ramp of I-90.
“Hey Consolidated got your ears on?� Brian looked in his mirror and saw the straight truck.
“Yeah 6 wheeler, go ahead�
“Who you looking for?�


By coco

A few weeks ago I was asked if I wouldn't mind writing an article for my "EW" family. "You must be joking" was my first thought. I'm certainly no writer and what could I possibly write about that would be of interest. Mmmm, maybe I could write about some of my adventures of the past 30 years of being a Truck Driver. No, I thought, no one would believe that stuff and would say I was just making it all up.

Well, a couple of weeks past and for some reason I couldn't seem to forget about this request. After talking with my best consultants, "Munchkin" and "Trucker Doc", I was inspired to at least give it a try. So, boys and girls, here it is like it or not.

I promise to keep this as short and to the point as I possibly can and hope that you might find something here that will lead you to a brighter spirit, relieve some stress, improve your outlook of the future, and maybe open a door to a truly "Happy New Year."

As many of you may not know I believe that I have a strong faith in God and even though I almost never feel worthy of his grace and countless blessings that he has bestowed upon me I do feel that I have a close relationship with our Lord Jesus.

Before you say, oh no, another bible thumper that wants to use every opportunity to preach the word, just let me say that I am not a preacher and I'm not here to preach. I am a sinner just like everyone else. However, recognizing the fact that it's a blessing in itself that I have this opportunity to share with all of you the peace, patience, joy, happiness, and understanding that my faith gives me, I'm sure you all will understand and hopefully appreciate why I would want to write about this topic.

As a matter of fact, witnessing, or talking to others about your faith is one of the most important things you can do on a quest to find real peace and true happiness. It reaffirms and strengthens your faith, it makes you feel good, it keeps you thinking and feeling positive instead of negative, and most importantly it's very pleasing to God and you will be rewarded for it.

As we all know almost all things are easier said than done. This article may sound like an over simplification of what I think is one path leading to the road to peace and happiness but be assured I'm not saying that it's simple or easy. Just like learning to play a musical instrument or learning to speak another language, things that are worth learning and all things that are lasting take study and practice! You have to learn and then practice many times a day, everyday.

Obviously if we want to learn something we do it by reading, watching, and listening. Then if we want to become proficient at what we are learning we practice it as often as possible.
The concept is simple but the rest is a conscious and dedicated effort. I am attesting to the fact that the return is more than well worth the time and effort spent.

There are an infinite number of books, teachers, preachers, and speakers that you can use to renew your spirit and strengthen your faith. Find those that you enjoy reading or listening to their message. Whether it be in church or in the library, on television or radio, seek out the ones that are speaking to you and watch and listen. Make and take the time to read and listen. Then put it into practice in your daily life.

I'm not saying that all books and all speakers are enjoyable or that you will find yourself agreeing with everything you read or hear. God knows that's impossible. However, I am sure that there are many out there that you will be able to relate to and with. There are many out there that can and will move your spirit, motivate you to action, and show you the way to find that real peace and true happiness that eludes so many.

I'm also not saying that real peace and true happiness means that you will no longer face and have to deal with many serious problems in your life.
What it does mean is that you will have the strength and patience to deal with and change the things you can, accept the things you cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.

So boys and girls what I am saying here is that you only need to make the decision that you do want to find real peace and true happiness. Then read, watch, and listen to those that have it and can show you how to find it, and then practice what you have learned religiously!! Maybe just a little pun intended there.

Last but certainly not least don't forget to ask for patience, understanding, strength, wisdom, joy, peace, and happiness in your prayers after you've given thanks for all that God has done and all that he will do for you in the future.

After all, who wouldn't want or couldn't use more peace and happiness in their lives.