After many hours of driving, racing ahead and through rain storms, I reached Redding. Check into my room at Motel 6, then hit Denny's for dinner. Three waitresses are seated at the counter in a mostly empty restaurant. They look at me as I enter and one remarks, "Let's fight over him." I throw my arms wide and answer, "A dream come true." They laugh and suddenly the place fills up behind me with three family groups with kids and old people, but no dogs. I stop in a Shell station convenience store for the next day's road snacks. The woman behind the counter notices I'm carrying a book. In under three minutes I learn:
She had just finished a book by Dean Koontz.
Used to live in Newport Beach, CA - the same town Koontz lives in - and greeted the author as he was driving around town with his golden Labradors.
Has ADD and hasn't seen a movie in years because she can't settle down long enough to focus.
Used to work in Alaska running a tour group.
Has a sister who is super smart and encourages people to read.
Finally I got away after saying I suffer from 24-hour leprosy.
And the night is still young here at the feet of the Cascades.
3 comments:
Haha, this Shell station woman sounds like my grandmother. Well.. there's got to be one in every family I'm sure.
It came out in a burst, as if she were going to be shot after ringing up my transaction.
I don't believe she was.
Apparently she was terrified of you and she wanted to envoke some sort of sympathy before you were able to draw your weapon.
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