The Road Ahead by Michael Rubin
Let me begin by admitting that I am not, and I have never been, a “roadie.” I like to travel, and I have ridden in both family and rented cars at those times; but the view from the window and the prospective activities when we arrived keyed me up. But, at the time this trip occurred, I was growing rather bored and restless, and I felt that a change of scene would prove to be very helpful. So I contacted an auto rental agent and rented a small car to travel in.
At the start of my journey, I found that my petrol was low and I headed for the nearest petrol station to refill the tank. At almost the same time, another car had arrived and queued in the lane. Whilst waiting, I got out from my car and approached to chat with him or her.
“Hello! Planning a holiday?”
“Yes. And you?”
“Yes. This is my first holiday, since my school days.”
“That long?”
“I’ve been bogged down with work and all.”
“Yeah, I know how that is.”
We refueled and headed out from the filling station more rt less simultaneously, and we looked at one another through our windows throughout the first few miles of the journey. The other car owner was a charming young lady of 24 years, dressed in a smart suit for traveling and her hair was cropped behind her. Her window was slightly open for ventilation, as there was a breeze blowing by, and I took the opportunity to speak with her along the way. I searched my radio library for the proper tunes to share with her on the way. While playing one tune, I introduced myself casually.
“Oh, my name is Brent.”
“I am Selena, but not Selena Gomez, by the way.”
“Yes, I know. You’re very pretty, but no resemblance to Selena Gomez. Is this your first trip on the road?”
No. I’ve taken trips like this one before. And you?”
“Yes, it is my first road trip since I was in school and my first one alone for that matter.”
“So, where are we heading off to?”
Accustomed to reading maps, I searched my glove compartment for the map and spread it open on my lap while driving. I scanned it for a good destination. Then, I turned to my window and smiled.
“Follow me. I have our destination.”
“Great! Let’s go!”
Whatsoever lies ahead on a road, especially, one seldom traveled, has become the issue of the day or the year. We continued straight along the road we were on, chatting gaily about sundry topics of our mutual interest, and, at the moment, watching the road and scenery for signs and possible landmarks to show the way. Then, my companion took the lead and asked for the map, which I handed to her through my window.
“Oh, it looks good,” she exclaimed, smiling broadly.
She held the map on her lap while driving and I followed her all along the way, She explained that she found some interesting points or spots on the route and she was guiding us there. We drove straight along the road for about fifteen minutes and she guided us off route about fifteen degrees towards a spot. She turned and told me to stop there, and that she would explain then.
We drove ahead a few more kilometers and we found a very rustic setting with two wooden cabins that seemed to be vacant, and my companion, who identified herself then as Charlotte, called an agent to ask for rental data and agreement for one of the cabins. He told her (and she informed me after closing hercall) that she could rent the cabin for $200 per day. She felt thatit was a fair rate and agreed to rent the cabin for two days. Then, we went inside to look around the premises.
We found it furnished in teakwood, simply, with one bedroom and hall. Charlotte searched for the kitchen, but I told her that groceries and fresh foods may be a little remote. She agreed. The bedroom had a bed with mattress, sixed five feet.
“Ahhh, surely, we can fit into that!”
“Yes,” I replied, smiling, “I am sure that we can.”
Charlotte felt that she made the right choice to rent it and wanted to search for food and beverages for out stay. She telephoned the agent to ask for the information. The agent referred her to themap I gave her and he mentioned the byroad along our route and a small grocery shop like 711. She asked me to join her, and I did. We boarded her car and set off straightaway.
Just as before, I browsed Charlotte’s car radio library for songs to listen to and I selected a few which I felt would bring the bestmood. She seemed to enjoy them as much as I did, occasionally moving behind her steering wheel, while watching the road. I really believed that she was a roadie.
“Charlotte, dear, where have you been to before we met?”
“Oh, lots of places! But I only passed through a few of them.”
Charlotte was proving to be exceptional in this way-a very outgoing and adventurous woman for her age and accustomed totraveling and moving around. We found the groceries and bought those that we agreed to be best for the occasion. Then we returned to her car, and set off to return to the cabin.
The first night in the cabin proved to be more than what I anticipated. Charlotte prepared our dinner and served it in a charming and candid manner, which made me smile. Then, we shared a well-known German brand of beer.
After dinner, I asked Charlotte to introduce herself and I learnedthat that she traveled more often than most women her age, to gain experience, knowledge and form new relationships.
Charlotte proved that night to be much more than I had expected of her. She began a relationship that was more than a candid meeting and I realized that she had chosen the cabin for that purpose. But I dare to say that i enjoyed both nights. Slowly, Charlotte developed a very platonic and human touch and feeling for me, which I responded accordingly to. Charlotte treated me like a little brother.
The next day, we planned the rest of the trip together and we agreed on where to go next. We headed into the nearest town for breakfast and, after breakfast, we set off for our destination.
Along the way, there was some interesting scenery that I had scarcely noticed before. I was keenly interested and I saw that Charlotte slowed our pace to help me see it. The trees and shrubs were very different from most native shrubbery. Further along the route, I noticed creepers and vines in the trees. We continued along the route at that pace for the remainder of the journey. I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the trip.
Charlotte made me wonder what more she would do; but I began to experience and enjoy a new mobile lifestyle, and I anticipated an imagined the places and sights we would see together.
About the author : Michael Rubin- Graduate in 1980. BA in English Language and Literature from accredited university in US. Taught ESL overseas SEAsia from 1981.