Missed Connection

Scarlett is sitting in the driver’s seat of her blue super duty truck, on highway 1604, traffic is at a stand still as usual. She glances at the clock on her dash, five-twenty seven in the evening, still daylight out, no sun set in sight. It’s only the beginning of October. We’re supposed to meet at the park in a few minutes! Running errands throughout the day took longer than anticipated. Hmm. I wonder if he is already there.

Traffic nudges forward, as Scarlett takes the exit toward Eisenhower park. A busy parking lot, reminds Scarlett she is not alone, simply to herself amongst strangers minding their own. Just as she likes. She guides her truck into a spot, the driver door swings open after a push, her pink and tan hiking boots stomp the pavement as she lifts off the step bar. Her hydration pack firmly drapes over her back and shoulders, a waterspout makes for easy thirst quenching. Glancing around, soaking in the nature, a dirt path lined by oak trees, catches her eyes. Scarlett leans against her truck, appreciating the familiar trees, just breathing. The days busyness of tiresome errands dissipate from her mind, as she relaxes in nature, no tasks, no stress. Just oxygen, trees and trails. She snaps out of it when she realizes Oliver isn’t here. Her brows furrow, she pushes her clicker, locking her truck and setting the alarm. Her blue and green marbled eyes search for Oliver, then she calls him. It goes straight to voicemail. I wonder if he made it back from Denver yet.

Scarlett, finds her trail, her feet lightly land in soft dirt, feeling cushioned, her footsteps are mostly quiet, a faint grinding of dirt is heard as she propels through the park. Many passerby’s, hikers, runners, and families breeze by. Appreciating the unbothersome presence of others, air fills her lungs and escapes, bringing solitude to her mind. Birds chirp.  She captures a few selfies. Basking in the warm peachy sun, her eyes like blue sapphire hinted with green amber, sparkle. The warmth surrounds her, like a hug. Her phone chimes, breaking the nature focus. Oliver messages. “Sorry my flight is delayed, I’m stuck in Dallas. Can we reschedule?”

Scarlett ignores the message for a little while, scaling up rocky steps, taking her higher for a hilly view, the sky now light blue mixing with a dusky orange, hints of pink, still warm. Scarlett marches up the steps to the tower, an overlook of the hills reminds her why she loves Texas. Other than being homegrown, The hills make it more desirable. Scarlett sips some water and snacks on a protein bar. After savoring the overlook, Scarlett hikes the couple miles back down, this time a paved path, curving and winding, rising and falling, a few opens spaces, a wooden bench. Scarlett breaks into a sprint, deciding to run for awhile. She jogs along, her heart rate increasing, adding more warmth to her body, she feels free, in a way only nature, hiking and running give her. Her spirit enlightened, a smile has tugged at her mouth. A sip of water to cool her mouth. The blue has disappeared from the sky, now pink, crimson, and orange, the sun sinking lower in the sky. It’s her warning to finish her run before dark. Out into the parking lot Scarlett slows to a power walk, giving her heart time to calm down. Smiling. Satisfied. Invigorated.

She opens her truck door, then remembers Oliver’s message. She reviews the conversation and see another message. “I really enjoyed last Friday night, and would like to get to know you more.”

Scarlett takes a deep breath in, then releases it. She ponders. He’s a looker, we have common interests, but I won’t get my hopes up here.

She messages Oliver back, “Great, me too. I enjoyed a hike and run to myself. Surrounded by other random people.”

Scarlett stomach rumbles. Steak.

She hops in her truck, then drives to her favorite steak house, anticipating her meal. The white porcelain plate arrives in front of Scarlett; a medium well cooked steak, broccoli, a sweet potato and a frozen strawberry margarita. She cuts her meat, then takes a bite.  savory, juicy and lathered in A-1 steak sauce. Just as she likes.

Once leaving the restaurant, Scarlett’s lights turn on, minus one. A headlight is out. Scarlett scrunches her face, then lets it go. It is too late for her to stop by the auto parts store to have them change the lightbulb. I guess if she had any in the car for emergencies she could replace them. However, the people at the auto parts store will always do that.  So why do that work herself when someone else can do that.

The sky is darkened over, her one headlight beams down highway sixteen towards Pipe Creek. The hills and brush are dark, barely visible. Red and blue flashing lights in Scarlett’s rear view mirror, whilst a siren wails. She pulls over and the officer approaches her vehicle.

  "Can I see your license and insurance please ma'am. " Asks the officer.

"Yes sir, I have my insurance on my phone and here is my ID. " Scarlett replies and looks through her phone for her insurance. She shows the officer and he says he can also check it himself. After a few minutes he comes back to her car and gives her ID back.

"Ma'am do you know why I pulled you over? Your headlight is out. " Says the officer.

Scarlett looks at the officer and says, "Yes, sir I just noticed it myself and I do not have any spare bulbs in the car with me. I will have to wait until tomorrow to get it resolved. "

"Alright ma'am, I will give you a warning tonight, “he hands her a ticket that says warning on it. Be safe and get that fixed tomorrow. " Said the officer.

"Ok, absolutely sir, thank you, " said Scarlett as she sighed in relief. That could hinder her plans having to appear for a ticket.

    “Mom, I’m going to spend time in the Northeast. I’m longing for a real autumn and winter, will leave for NYC tomorrow. And I will be taking my RV, they have some year around RV parks in Connecticut.”

    “Ok, honey, You enjoy! Do you need help packing? You be safe up there. I love you!” Margaret replies.

      “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best. I’ve got it though, only a few boxes to pack, and I will tie down the cupboards and drawers with bungee cords, so they stay in place while I drive. I love you too!”

“Keep us posted on whereabouts.” Margaret sends another message.

“Absolutely, Mom!” Scarlett sends another message to her mom.    

   Scarlett sends Oliver a text, "Hey Oliver, I am going to the Northeast for awhile. I am leaving tomorrow morning. "

 Scarlett resumes her packing and is thinking of all the places she can take pictures, where she will want to eat, the cooler air, fall foliage, places she can hike or walk with beautiful sceneries. She is immersed in a beautiful daydream.

 Oliver has not yet responded to her text, she thinks maybe he is still on a plane or went to sleep already.

  Scarlett is all packed and decides to go to sleep. She has her water bottle at bedside and put her eye mask on.

Morning presents itself sooner than Scarlett is ready for, the sun is peering through her windows. Looking around, stretching, she turns morning meditation music on. Scarlett gets dressed, styles her hair and eat breakfast. Scarlett is enjoying her usual, scrambled egg whites wheat toast, a cup of fruit, water and a "skinny" latte.  She hears a neighbor's dog barking outside. She steps outside to put some boxes away in the bed of her truck. The hills are so pleasant to look at in the hill country. Especially the more bare ones that just have trees and bushes versus the ones covered with homes. The RV park is nestled away from the main roads, down a side road so there is less traffic and makes it feel more secluded and less busy.  Scarlett continues to grab the boxes from her RV and her phone chimes. She checks her phone once she is done loading up.

Oliver has responded to her text. It says, " Well I hope you have a wonderful time! Maybe, I can visit where you will be. Can you be more specific of where you are going?"

    "I will be spending time in NYC," says Scarlett.

Oliver says," Ok, I can visit you there soon. Let me know when you get settled in. "

"Ok I will," says Scarlett "maybe next weekend we can get together. I'll talk to you soon. "

Oliver responds, "Ok I look forward to it!"

A handsome fella with the right appearance, who is respectful, likes the outdoors, likes to travel, likes country dancing and is from near my hometown. This is great, he may be who I am looking for. 

Scarlett messages her friends and family to let them know she is heading to the northeast until spring. They all too can visit if they want.