Adra Writes

Day 2 – The inevitable happened

My day started before the sun woke up. I knew that it was best to drive in the cooler and early hours so little Evie wouldn’t be overheated by the abnormally hot afternoons that summer.

I felt so refreshed for the long driving day ahead. I was cruising down the road and the sun was finally up. My thoughts wondered why anyone in their right mind would live in Kansas since it was so homogenous and flat. Not to mention tornadoes trashing houses every year. But there was a beauty to acknowledge in the openness of a sunrise view.

Then it happened. The dreaded moment when Evie made an unusual noise, then all power slowly escaped her engine. My system went on alert for the next exit ramp so I wouldn’t be stranded on the side of the interstate. I was able to get to the end of a ramp with nothing in sight but some cows. Lucky me, there was a tree for shade, at least. I sat there for a moment and decided to investigate what was wrong. I checked the engine, and there was nothing obvious. I thought maybe she was too hot, so we would sit and try again after a while. After over an hour, I decided I was basically screwed and realized that it was a Sunday and I was extra screwed as no mechanic would be open.

So, there I was sitting by my car thinking about what to do. I noticed a truck drive by, but the man was on his phone. After about 15 minutes though, the truck came back and stopped. I young guy got out and approached me with caution. He asked about my situation, and I explained.

He asked me if I was totally crazy for attempting a trip in such an old car. Of course, my answer had to be yes. We chatted back and forth before he offered to lend his more knowledgeable eye to my engine. He seemed to be a friendly and genuine guy. He offered me a ride to a truck stop where there should be a truck mechanic shop open on a Sunday, but we would have to wait before they opened.

My gut told me it was okay and that he was okay. So, I jumped in his truck and drove 15 minutes back to the mechanic shop. It opened late on Sunday, and we had time to kill. We passed the time talking about his photography and his finance. I told him about my crazy trip and life aspirations. We drove around the back dirt roads through Kansas cornfields discussing the tragedy of American politics at the time.

He would for the rest of the day be my guardian angel, staying with me, moving my car (for free!), and making sure it was parked at a mechanic shop for the next morning once we realized the issue wouldn’t be solved. He took me to a hotel within walking distance and even used his veterans discount for my room when I went to pay. I have never forgotten his time, patience, and kindness he showed me that day. I cannot understand why the universe made our paths cross, but I am so thankful that he came back that morning to see if I needed help. Sometimes I think I would still be sitting under that tree in Kansas had he not showed up.

The next morning, I was at the mechanic shop to explain myself and beg him to look at my car right away. I arrived to find yet another nice and understanding man who immediately told me that I needed a new part and it would be at least a day before it arrived. So, there I was in the middle of nowhere for another day feeling defeated and full of regret. I spent the next day and a half walking around the little town, trying to make the best of the situation. There was a little park to explore before going back to my hotel for the last night in Junction City.

The next day, the part arrived, and it was the solution! I was ecstatic to be on the road again and thankful for all the strangers who helped me in Junction City, K.S. Ironically, the two and a half days in this town are still some of the most memorable moments from the trip. I really am in shock that people were so willing to lend a hand to a total stranger.

If anyone can take something away from this, it’s that we can all offer to help someone when they are in need. We get busy with our lives and even become self-absorbed with what we are doing on a day-to-day basis. Our problems are the biggest in the world, and we tune out everyone and everything else. We need to find that feeling of sonder – the realization that everyone, including strangers passing by on the street or in the grocery store, has a life as complex as our own. Maybe they are even struggling and need some help from a fellow human.

This experience taught me that, and I hope we all have an awareness of our fellow humans in the car beside us or in the line behind us. If you see someone who may need some help, offer. Take the time out of your reality, and do something good for a stranger.

Check out Part 1 of this story and stay tuned for more!!