Second Chances – Part Last

Early the next morning, Ben was already getting ready for another long drive. He snatched his cell phone up and without looking, turned the volume up in an autonomous motion. He prepped his log book and fired up the rig checking the oil pressure gauge for a few moments. He would just reach Tuscaloosa, Alabama by nightfall. Satisfied at the oil pressure reading, he climbed down from his cab retrieving his high pressure tire gauge and made his round about the truck making sure the tire pressures were good and the mud flaps were still attached. He noticed one “chicken” light wasn’t lit and made a mental note to have it fixed. Inspecting the other lights around the rig he saw the dark sky was overcast and the air humid and cooler than usual which might make for some rain once he was east of Dallas. He didn’t hear his cell phone ring due to the noise of the trucks idling around him. Now done with the check, he put away his gauge and walked to the fuel building to get a large cup of coffee before heading out. Returning, he climbed back up into his cab, set the gear shifter into 2 and released the brakes pulling out of the parking slot to begin his 700-plus mile day.

Ben thought of Lora’s beautiful face just before pulling out onto the main highway that made up US-82 East and US-287 South. Just then a large SUV swerved around Ben’s rig and blew the horn. Ben was taken by surprise and all thoughts of Lora vanished as Ben hit the brakes and steered right to keep the SUV from swiping his left front fender as it came over hard and fast in the typically stupid maneuver many 4-wheeler’s make to show their hatred for trucks. Regaining control of his lane Ben headed southeast toward the Dallas/Fort Worth area leaving Wichita Falls behind.
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Lora was up before dawn and started the coffee machine with her own coffee she brought along. Afterwards she jumped in the shower for a quick cold rinse to help wake up. By the time she was dried off and dressed the coffee was ready and she partook of the hot go-juice. After half the cup was drained, she decided to try calling Ben once again before heading out herself. Again it went to voicemail but this time she left a message.

“Hello, Ben? This is Lora. I got your message about my hat and I wanted to thank you for keeping it for me. Can we meet? Just let me know where and I’ll come to you. I also want to thank you for the help yesterday. I found a tire shop and bought all new tires afterall. Thanks again for your advice but with the long trip to my parents I decided four new were probably the best choice after what happened.”, she said and paused a moment. She felt unsure and in a moment of anguish said, “ Please let me know if you’re alright.”

‘I’m going to miss you.’ She thought as she closed the phone more disappointed this time. She was sure he was ignoring her because she didn’t pick up the phone. And less sure about her last message for him to call her. She hoped she didn’t sound desperate.

Lora packed up her stuff, left the room, loaded up her car and checked out of the hotel. Before leaving town she consulted a map and decided I-44 East would get her on her way to her parents far more quickly than driving to Denton, Texas and picking up I-35 to Oklahoma City. Once she topped off the tank, she pointed the little convertible north toward the interstate and left Wichita Falls behind.

———————
Four hours had passed uneventfully and Ben pulled into a truck stop near Tyler, Texas to take a break. He went inside to take care of the coffee he’d drank and get a couple more bottles of water. After getting back in the rig he put the water bottles in the cooler and it hit him that he hadn’t checked his phone that morning. He pulled his phone out and flipped it open. The display showed two calls were missed and one voicemail received. He recognized the number as Lora’s right away and his heart beat faster. He punched up his voicemail box and listened to her message. His thoughts now focused on her message the second time he played it and realized she’d called him just about four hours ago. He felt heartbroken at not checking his phone earlier and wondered why he felt that way. Then he realized why. She wanted him to call her and tell her he was ok. He felt that she was concerned for him and that made all the difference. He hit the redial button and called her right then.

———————-
Lora had reached the small town of Big Cabin, Oklahoma for gas and some breakfast. It was still morning and this was the only place along the turnpike here that was also a truck stop. She knew truck stops served anything 24 hours a day. After filling the tank on her car she pulled into a parking space and went inside to the ladies room and finally to sit down for something to eat. She was hungry and the miles she put behind her were many and quite fast. Especially since Oklahoma’s turnpike was set at 75 mph. She managed 300 miles in four hours and was quite happy with her accomplishment.

Lora had just given her order to the waitress when her cell phone rang. She picked it up and saw the number. Her eyes grew wide and her pulse quickened. She dropped it in her haste to open it and finally got it open just as it stopped ringing. She thought she’d missed the call.

“Hello?” Lora said in a voice very unsure if anyone was there.

“Lora?” Ben asked.

“Ben!” she said exclaimed excitedly. “Where are you? Are you alright? I tried calling last night. You didn’t answer and I thought I could catch you this morning before you left and I couldn’t reach you and-” She ran out of breath and stopped to breath. Ben could hear her and it sounded like she was gasping for breath.

“Are you alright? You sound out of breath. I didn’t make you run for the phone did I?”, he asked. She frowned and composed herself.

“No. I mean yes. I mean I’m ok, no I’m not out of breath. Are you ok? Where are you?” she repeated her questions in an undisguised voice of concern or agitation. He couldn’t be certain.

“I’m fine, really.” He said imploringly. He couldn’t mask his excitement at hearing her voice so he didn’t try. “I’m near Tyler, Texas. Where are you? Are you alright? Really?” his voice softened and sounded concerned.

‘There it is.’ She thought, feeling relieved. She heard the concern in his voice for her and it sounded genuine and sincere. Lora paused. She had to remember where she was. “I’m in Big Cabin, Oklahoma. I’m ok, now.” She said and sighed. There was a long pause.

Finally Ben spoke. “Lora?”, Ben asked.

“Yes?” she answered in a softer, almost breathless tone.

“I would very much like to see you again if that’s possible.” He said. He didn’t feel as awkward saying it. He felt the need to say it. He felt like he would bust if he didn’t tell her.

She felt strangely calm now. “I would like that very much Ben.” She said in a soft sultry tone. “Where are you headed?” she asked.

Ben’s pulse went up a few notches and had to clear his throat. She smiled even more at hearing this. She felt he was taken with her and that made her feel more confident. “I’m heading to Florence, South Carolina to deliver the morning after tomorrow.”

“Know the best route to Florence from here?” she asked upbeat, now emboldened by his answer.

He paused for a moment contemplating how to respond. He dare not sound too eager to see her again. But then…’What the hell!’ he thought to himself.

“Hold on a sec.” he said. Ben pulled out his laptop and opened up his trip routing software to figure it out. As Lora wrote down the directions of the route he gave, the waitress brought Lora’s order to the table. Lora was too engrossed in writing down the directions to notice. By the time they had finished working out the route, her breakfast was cold. She started to eat it anyway not really noticing.

“Drive safe please.” Ben said now calmed somewhat.

“I will. Where are you going to stop for the night?”

“I’ll probably make Tuscaloosa.” He replied. “Where do you think you’ll stop?”

“Don’t know yet Honey but I’ll get a map and figure it out.”, Lora said.

“You’ve got double what I’ve got left to go. Don’t push it. Why don’t you stop in Little Rock?” Ben suggested.

“I think I can make Memphis. If not I’ll stop somewhere. Don’t’ worry about me. I’m a big girl now. I’ll be fine.” She regretted mocking him immediately.

“I’ll worry about you if I want to. Don’t you be takin’ any chances. Ya’hear? I want you in one piece, ok?” his tone turned serious. He meant to say ‘want to see you’ but instead it came out the way he meant it. She picked up on what he’d just said. She wanted him too.

“I’ll stop in Little Rock if I have to. You drive safe too Ben.” She said, then added, “Can’t wait to see you either.” With that she hung up.

Ben heard the line go dead. He looked at his phone and it showed the call ended. He frowned but knew he probably got a little too excited about her driving that much and pushing herself. Just then, he realized she’d called him Honey. She was right. He couldn’t wait to see her.

Lora didn’t finish her meal. She paid for it and left in a hurry. She walked quickly to her car and after getting in, fired up the engine, put it in reverse and backed out quickly just missing another car pulling through the parking lot. She heard the horn but paid no notice but did get the attention of an off-duty police officer having a late breakfast. He watched as she tore out of the parking lot heading south on US69.
Lora floored the gas pedal and the little car lurched forward as soon as she’d hit pavement. She picked up speed rapidly as she came up through the gears. In no time at all she was cruising near 85 mph. Thoughts of Ben made her want the miles to simply evaporate. After a couple of minutes of this foolishness she slowed to 70.
Ben on the other hand stalled his rig twice and ground the gears just trying to get out of the parking lot in Tyler. After he’d ground the gears a fourth time he couldn’t help but start laughing at himself.

“Just like a pretty woman to turn you into a rookie driver again Ben. If ya can’t find ‘em, grind ‘em!”, he said aloud to himself. He chuckled at how easily he flustered over Lora.

Lora now blew through the little town of Pryor at near 60. The speed limit was 35 and when she realized it, she was already past it. She kept looking for cops in her mirrors to turn in behind her to chase her down.

In another 30 minutes Lora reached the Muskogee Turnpike after blowing through two more towns at fairly high speed. Once on the turnpike, she opened it up to 80 and set the cruise until reaching the Interstate.

Ben was cruising quite fast himself. His truck had no speed governor on it and more than once found himself running near 80. Finally reaching Louisiana he had to cut his speed back to 70 which was fine with him. His truck wouldn’t take the beating of I-20 through that state plus Mississippi and hold together for long. Still he had to cut his speed back and finally turned on the cruise control to keep from over speeding too badly.

About four hours after getting back on the road, Ben’s cell phone rang. He turned down his music and saw the phone display LORA. He had already put her at the top of his fast dialing list.

He put on his headset and picked up the call. “Hello beautiful.”

Without missing a beat, Lora answered back.