The Hitch-hiker_(2)

The Hitch-hiker

It was 6pm on a very wet night as I drove to my next stop, which was 80kms away. As I left the last little town I saw a person, who I first took as a guy, standing beside the road hitching. I pulled over and told the person to throw their backpack in the rear and come up front. when the person jumped in the front I found out it was a girl, about 18 years old, with wet brown hair. She thanked me for the lift and asked how far I was going. I told her only to the next town. She was pleased with my answer and we started on our way.

We got only halfway when the road became very dangerous with water covering most of the road. I kept on going as I had to be in Melbourne on the following day. Now our journey took longer as I was driving slower, to ensure our safety. A journey that normal took one hour, now took two and as we drove into town the council workers were closing the roads. I saw a police officer and asked about the southern road. He told me that all roads were to deep to drive through safely and we could be there for two night.

I drove to the motel where I was staying and asked the girl, whose name was Amanda, Mandy for short, where she was going to stay. She said that it was alright she’d camp in the bus stop till it was right to keep on going. I didn’t like that idea and offered a bed in the room. At first she was reluctant but I told her it would be better that a cold room, with no shower or heat.

She thought for the moment and said that she didn’t have much money and she didn’t do favours. I told her that I would consider it a pleasure just to have her company and that I would also rather look after her than know she was out in a night like this with no protection whatsoever. In the end she agreed and I drove up to the office and ordered a two single bed room, which was all they had left anyway.

I drove to our room and opened it up. Inside was very comfortable, it also had a separate bathroom which had a all in one spa bath/shower. I turned on the heat and told Mandy to have her bath or shower. I rang up and ordered a meal for both of us, then I watched the local channel on TV, which gave me the weather update for the next two days.

I was swearing, about the rain, when Mandy came out dressed in only the towel. I asked her about clothing and she told me everything was wet and needed to dry. I rummaged in my suit case and brought out a clean pair of boxers and a T shirt. Then I went about hanging her wet clothing letting them dry out.

I retrieved a T shirt, pair of boxer and towel, then went in for my shower.