She was frightened. Tracy was most definitely very scared of her present situation. Not that she felt that she didn't have the ability to handle this. She just never done this before. The driving she can do. The shifting of gears is second nature to her now. It should be. She been a trucker for almost 5 years. She had been well train in the arts of over the road, long hauling. She was not however well versed in driving an 18 wheeler through the Rocky Mountains while a major blizzard was going on.
This was the turmoil she found herself in. Every curve she made, no matter how slow she was going, and yes she was going very slow, she thought she was about to slide off of the non barricaded road. She was concerned for the safety of the drivers behind her. Especially, since she couldn't see them. She gave grace for the vehicle in front of her, using it as kind of a guide. She just wished that they were at least another car length further then she was. Air brakes are good, they are just not made to stop on a dime. Especially not with nearly 20 tons of weight pushing the cab over icy, curvy roads. She gave a mild thought to just turning the truck around and going back down. But she realized if she's having problems getting up the mountain, how much more trouble will she have going back down those same steep roads?
Why on earth was she so hog tied on taking this route? Why didn't she listen to her dispatcher when he warned her about the storm..."I don't want to give you this route during the Winter, because it really is a dangerous drive for someone who is not use to it. when Spring or Summer comes along, and you want to take it--I will try to give it to you then."
"Well Bob," she replied, "I know that you are concerned about my safety, and I appreciate it. But the only way I am going to gain experience with things, is by actually experiencing doing things."
"Good point Trace. Ok, you can take the route. But for some reason I have a feeling that you are not wanting to do this drive because you want the adventure of the whole thing. I have a feeling you are actually trying to run away from something. Is there a problem at home?"
Tracy held back a sudden wanting to cry. "No. I am not having any problems. At least none that I can't handle."
She lied of course. And because of that lie, here she was, exactly where she didn't want to be. Away from a man she loved with every fiber of her innermost being. Up until about three days ago, she thought he had the same exact sentiment of her. She thought he loved her. Only her. She thought he only had the desire to make love to no other woman but her. Only her. How? Why?? What made him make such an ungodly, unethical request of her?
"Tracy," Dino began, "...you are just one hot fantastic lover for me to have all to myself! Would you be interested in possibly, maybe having some other folks join us in...our bed?"
"Uhhhhhh, Honey? WHAT exactly are you talking about here?"
UUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
"Damn Tracy!!!" She yelled at herself. "Stop thinking--and keep your stupid eyes on the road!!!" That was as close as she possibly came to ever having an accident. She needs to get off of the road. Now. The next exit is only a mile away. She will take it. She will find a hotel. and she will quit for the evening. It is only 2 pm in the afternoon. Her delivery will be late. Fuck it! She is not risking her life, or anyone else's life for that matter.
She started to feel a little less tension as she approached the exit. The driver of the van in front of her appeared to have given up the fight too. Or maybe the driver was just going to make sure she was ok. She was suddenly attacked with the idea that she very nearly killed all of those passenger because of her distractions. No. He kept driving. driving right to the same place she was driving. The hotel off of the ramp. A very small hotel, with a very full looking parking lot. The sudden fear of this hotel being the only one in this area, and being very full, even at this early afternoon time was now her anguish. She can't get back on the highway, and she knows it. She have to get a room.
The van pulled up in front of the door. That was a luxury she could not do. That stupid overhead was too short for what she had as an over head. This hotel will be full. She knows it will. She always had the "room" behind her seat, and she was settled on using that. All she needed to do was ask the desk clerk if she can borrow some extra blankets. She was willing to pay for the renting of them. She knew there was a need. A need she was about to fight the gushing 70 mph winds to fulfill.
"Honey...", she suddenly listened to the pleading voice of Dino, the man who insisted he loves her. "...I didn't make that request because I don't love you anymore, or because I don't need you anymore. I just... I don't know, I guess I just wanted to see if we can possibly enhance our sex life by trying a new avenue?"
Tracy screamed. But before she fell completely flat down on her face, she felt a hand grab her, and then another. She followed with her eyes to the wrist that connects those hands, then the arms, the neck, the face. She was staring into the eyes of a man with a rather kind face. A most concerned face.
"Be careful little lady", the man spoke. "The sidewalks are just as slippery as the roads you just drove that truck on."
Again, Tracy realized her thoughts have distracted her. Again she could have been hurt because her thoughts of something she doesn't even want to think about, or deal with, distracted her. "Th.. thank...you", she shivered a response. The man both firmly and gently helped her back to her feet. He checked to make sure she was ok. She found herself smiling at the fact that he was DEFINITELY ok. Very much ok.
"I have seen the way you have looked at other men! I know you have a real lusting for other men!!!"
"Shut the hell up, Dino!!!", she exasperated.
"Excuse me?!!" The man shockingly inquired.
"Oh my gosh!!! I am so sorry!!!! That was not aimed at you. I am sorry. My mind is elsewhere."
He laughed a very sly, confused, soft laugh. "Don't fret it, Hon! I know my name isn't Dino!!"
She couldn't help but muttered a chuckle. As she continue to fight to get her balance, a very disgruntled man came bursting out of the hotel. "Damn it!!!" he yelled. "If you people are planning to stay here, you can forget about it. there are no more vacancies!!!" The man whimpered another cuss word or two as he fought his way back to his vehicle.