Angel in a Pickup Truck

Daily writing prompt

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

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I was 29, drove a yellow Ford Pinto station wagon, lived in San Jose, CA and was on my way to pick up my two year old son at daycare. Because of my commute, I was often running late and had received a couple of warnings. The daycare closed at 5:30 p.m. sharp, which made it difficult to be on time since I worked until 5:00.

The year was 1987, and cell phones were rare and cost thousands of dollars. So, when I was exiting Highway 101 and on the ramp to Highway 680, I had no way to call for help when my car suddenly died. I had positioned my car just out of the way enough that cars could drive around it before it took its last breath, but that didn’t stop cars from honking at me or people from yelling at me. I got out of my car, but the situation was hopeless. The ramp onto 680 went UP, so there was no way I could push my car by myself. I was miles away from the daycare and on a major freeway. I stood next to my car, hoping someone that wasn’t a murderer would have pity on me and stop to help. But the cars just zoomed by, honking and sending a blast of hot air to assault me. After standing there for what seemed an eternity, and watching the minutes tick by on my wrist watch, I decided I would have to walk. It would be nightfall by the time I got to the daycare, but there was nothing I could do. Of course, I was in my work clothes, so I had on heels that wanted to slip on the upward slope of the ramp.

I got about twenty feet away from my car when a rather loud pickup truck pulled mostly out of traffic and the guy reached over and rolled down his passenger window so he could talk to me. He was about my age, had sandy hair and a stern face. “Do you want a ride?” he yelled over the noise.

I hesitated. “But my car,” I stammered. “I can’t just leave it there. Can you help me?”

“Look,” he said, getting very impatient since he was being honked at and yelled at now, “I can give you a ride. Your car isn’t going anywhere.”

I approached his truck, but stopped. Frankly, I was afraid to get into a vehicle with a stranger.

He looked at me and softened slightly, “I’m not gonna hurt you,” he said.

I was sure that is what all murderers/rapists/kidnappers said to their victims. I smiled and got in the truck, which was in even worse shape than my pinto.

“Thank you.” I said. He asked me where I lived and I explained I needed to go to daycare. We talked a little as I gave him directions. Finally, we pulled up to the daycare. I thanked him again. I was very grateful for his kindness. I got out of the truck and started to thank him again when he said, “You know, you’re going to be just fine.” He said it like it was some kind of prophecy.

I had to knock on the door since the daycare was closed and locked. One of the caregivers came to the door. “Where did you come from?” she asked.

“I just got dropped off. A guy in a pickup. My car broke down.”

“That’s weird,” she said, “I’ve been sitting here looking out the window, watching for you to come. I didn’t see any truck.”

“You didn’t?” I felt confused. “But…”

“How are you getting home?” she asked and I asked her to page my husband. He called back from the phone at his job, saying he would be there soon. She locked up and left, leaving me and my son sitting on the curb outside.

I have puzzled over that day. How did the caregiver not see me pull up in that truck? Was that guy some kind of angel? Do angels drive old pickups?

I came to the conclusion that all I know is that some kind stranger helped me that day. Could have literally saved me. And for that, I am grateful.