A man I never met gave me wise advice.
I lived in the country where not a single house was in view except ours. It was peaceful and quiet. Serene. Growing up, the only men I really knew where my father and his three brothers. They were the epitome of honor, integrity, reliability, etc.
I was all of 19. I had my first car and was just thrilled to pieces. I was on my way home when I decided to take a “shortcut”. Well, it wasn’t really shorter but the scenery was lovely. Everything was running smoothly especially the car when, with no warning, the engine stopped. I don’t mean it gave me a few seconds to prepare myself. It just stopped.
Here we are back home safe and sound.
Not a house nor a car in sight. No cell phones back then. I was in a total fix. I got out of my car and turned slowly in a circle absolutely positive I’d missed something somewhere. Sadly, I hadn’t.
I had no training in what to do if all else failed so I waited for a miracle. Within 5 minutes, a miracle arrived in the form of a huge truck which stopped right beside me.
A window was rolled down and a masculine voice said, “I suspect you’re having car trouble.” I assured him I was. The car died and was not to be resurrected. He nodded and told me to hop in. He’d take me to a gas station in the first town we came to.
Being the chatty sort, that’s what I did while he nodded at seemingly appropriate places. It only took 6–7 minutes until we arrived at the gas station. I thanked him sincerely and was about to open the truck door when he cleared his throat. I turned around and this is what he said, “Never get into a car or truck with a man you don’t know.”
I was utterly dumbstruck. When I came to, I nodded, thanked him again, and got out of his truck. In my world, all men were safe. It was my first (and grateful) experience realizing that wasn’t the case.