ON THE ROAD TO CINCINNATI

Day One - Captain's Log

By 11 a.m. I was ready for a carefree drive on a gloriously sunny day. Was I listening to my intuition? No. I pulled up to a red light on West 77th Street and remembered...Oops! Forgot my shampoo and special conditioner. I pondered going back for it. Around the block! Ugh. Ten minutes lost. I'll buy another one. 

My intuition kept nagging me to go back but did I listen? NO! At the last possible stop in  New Jersey to buy cheap gas, I pulled in and looked down. I was immediately filled with dread. It wasn't there. My purse. Not there. Check the backseat. Nope. Not there either. Check the trunk. Nope.

My heart started to pound, adrenaline pumping. I had done the unthinkable...the one thing women NEVER do! I'd left home without my purse. I felt naked. Call Larry. No phone. No money, no credit cards. Yipes! I checked the gas tank. Still half full. Thank GOD I didn't wait until it was almost empty.

The young attendant let me use his cell. I called Larry who had left 10 messages before he realized my phone was in my purse in the kitchen. He had to be in court in the Bronx for a client that afternoon. I jumped in the car. Only 67 miles. I can do this! I floored it.

To make matters worse, I zigged when I should have zagged and ended up in The Oranges, instead of on 80 heading East to Manhattan. Lost fifteen minutes finding my way back. I cut off one driver who made the sign for drinking, suggesting I was drunk. I held up my bottle of Cherry Coke and repressed the urge to flip him the bird. I got lost, you idiot! 

One more OMG moment when I realized that luck kicked in when I went for the EZ Pass from the car rental company. It's something I've never opted for in the past. Holy crap! If I hadn't done that, I couldn't pay the toll to get back into NYC! Hell, I'd be selling books on the highway and might still be there...

So I did 67 miles three times by 3:30, before I even reached Pennsylvania! I think that qualifies for some kind of award. Maybe Schmuck of the Year? All comments welcome.

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Published on June 05, 2013 05:54
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Stories of Love and Passion

Jean C. Joachim
I am a writer of contemporary romance series, some sweet and some spicy. I love to write and do it fulltime. I'm married, live in New York City with my husband, two sons and a rescued pug named Homer. ...more
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