Trapped by the Snow

Robert pulled off I 90 at the first rest area, grabbed his cell phone, and hit speed dial 1. She answered on the third ring.

“Hi, Marge. I just got on the interstate.”

“So, what time will you be home?”

“It’s starting to snow, and the forecast is bad. It may be eight or nine.”

“So, did you finally get to meet Caroline?” It was more a snarl than a question. “Is she young and cute?”

“Well she’s young. I wouldn’t call her cute. “

“Did you two go out to dinner?” she pushed.

“No, we didn’t. She went home to her husband. Why do you always suspect me?”

He pushed the ‘end’ button.

He drove his 2004, green Plymouth minivan toward home. Big snowflakes floated down in front of his windshield, portending a wet sloppy snow; the worst kind for driving. He found the Buffalo radio station, WJYE Soft Rock. Pittsfield was 400 miles away.

Things hadn’t been good at home for a while. The romance had gone almost to zero. When she heard that he would be out of town for a week, she blew up at him. But he smiled as he thought about shooting some hoops with his son, Bobby.

A few miles east of Buffalo, he saw a car down a shallow embankment. He slowed and pulled over just beyond. He walked back and the young woman sitting at the wheel was sobbing. Robert tapped on the side window. She unlocked her door for him to open.

“Are you all right?”

She looked down, checked her hands, then leaned over to check her face in the mirror. She sniffed a few times and rubbed her sleeve across her face, drying tears and smearing eye shadow with one stroke.

“I’m OK, but God, look where I am. I’ll never get out of here.”

“Let’s get you out of the car first, and make sure you’re not hurt.”

She was young, probably in her early twenties. Her hair was all tousled, her makeup a mess, and tears speckled her cheeks. He couldn’t tell if she was pretty, except for the cute shy smile.

Seeing that the girl wasn’t hurt, he walked around to check on the car. Her rear tires were completely off the shoulder, and the car was resting on its frame.

“Man, thank you for stopping.” She said as he came around the car. “This storm is a bitch; I couldn’t steer at all. Shit, I am in so much trouble. My dad is going to kill me. He let me borrow his car for the trip.”

“There’s no real damage to the car. The good news is you’re far off the road, so if a plow comes along it won’t crush your car. What we need to do now is figure out how to get you where you’re going.”

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I’m going to Massachusetts. Pittsfield.”

“Wow, that’s crazy. I was going to see a friend in Albany.

“Your car isn’t going anywhere. Do you want to wait for the police, or do you want me to drop you somewhere? I really have to get rolling. This snow is getting worse.”

“Albany’s near Pittsfield isn’t it? Can I ride with you to Albany? You could drop me at a rest stop, and I could call my friend from there to pick me up. We can take care of the car next week.”

“Do you need to call someone?” He reached for his cell phone.

“Naw, I just dropped my parents at the airport, and I was spending the week with my friend. There’s nobody to call until tonight.”

“Well, if you’re coming with me, grab your stuff and let’s get moving. This snow isn’t quitting any time soon.”

He took the suitcase from her, she grabbed something that looked like a CD case, and they headed to his car. He had left it running, and when he let her in, it was cozy. The girl wiggled out of her coat and tossed it into the back seat. Then she pulled down the visor and started fixing her face.

Robert brushed the accumulated snow off the rear window, and got into the car. He checked his mirrors, and got back onto the highway.

“My name’s Robert. What’s yours?”

“I’m Amy. Amy Jessup.”

Robert took his eye off the road to glance over at her, in spite of the constant snow blowing across the road. She was cute, with a kind of innocent look about her. She had snuggled into the seat with her knees pointed toward him. With her coat off, he could see a lovely young body. He forced his eyes back to the more mundane thought of the road and the snow.

“Do you mind if I find another station?” she asked.

“No, that’s OK, as long as it’s not rap or hard rock.”

He had to listen to some of that, but the rule for his son was that he could keep it low or use earphones. In the car, it would be too much for him.

She found a classic rock station, looked over at him for an OK. He nodded, smiled. She snuggled back down and closed her eyes.

He was approaching Syracuse, and realized he had only covered 250 miles of his 400-mile trip. There as no sign of the sun, but he could tell evening was approaching. He looked at the clock in the dash, and it was 4:20. He had been driving eight hours, and it was six hours since he picked the girl up. The snow was not as intense as before, and he thought I can still be home by eight.

Just before the Van Buren exit, a Highway Patrol car sat beside the road, with lights flashing. An officer was motioning him to slow down. He asked the girl to roll down her window, as he slowed to a rolling stop.

“What’s the problem, officer?” he asked.

“You’ll have to get off here. We’re closing the road in both directions for the night”

“When do you think I’ll be able to get through?”

“Not tonight.” The officer said. “ We have multiple tractor trailers and a few cars all tangled up. We don’t even know how many yet.”

“So, what’s the best way around this?”

The officer shook his head, as he looked across at the girl.

“There is no good way. All the main roads are closed. Why don’t you and your daughter just find a hotel, and settle in. Things should be OK by noon tomorrow.”

Robert was about to correct the officer about the “daughter” issue, but then decided against it. At 41 years old, he had just a few gray hairs showing through the dark reddish brown hair. He wondered if he looked older, or she looked younger than he thought.

Within a few blocks of the exit, he saw a Hilton hotel sign. Normally he would go for something less expensive, but at this point, he just wanted to be somewhere; anywhere. He pulled in under the awning, and got out. Amy got out on her side and as Robert started into the hotel, she just stood beside the car. As the sliding doors opened, he turned to her.

“Come on.”

“I can’t afford a place like this,” She stammered.

“Well, we have to stay somewhere. All the roads are closed, and won’t be open til tomorrow. You heard what the cop said.”

He walked back close to her.

“Look, You’re my daughter, OK. I’ll get two double beds. I promise you’ll be safe. I’m a happily married man. Is that alright?”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked away.

“I know I can trust you. I’ve trusted you this far. I just didn’t want to go stomping in like I expected you to take care of me.”

“Come inside and wait while I register us. It will be fine.”

They went in and Robert went to the desk. Amy stood, turning her head this way and that, looking at the dark red carpet, the chandeliers, the hardwood trim and paintings on the wall. She also noticed the entrance to a steakhouse in the corner of the lobby.

They each picked up their single suitcase, and headed for the elevator. Inside, she looked in the full-length mirror, and fussed at her hair, then smoothed the wrinkles in her blouse. Robert was able to watch her in the mirror without being too obvious. Her mousy brown short hair and fitted black jeans gave her slightly tomboy look, but her body was all woman.

He saw her eyes switch to the menu in the elevator. He let her read for a moment.

“Let’s go freshen up and rest for a few minutes. Then we’ll go see what they have for dinner downstairs.”

“I don’t have any really nice clothes. If I put a skirt on, do you think that will be OK?”

He smiled at her in the mirror. “I’m sure that will be fine. On a night like tonight they will be glad to have us.”

They got to the room, and when he opened the door, she bolted through.

“Sorry, I’ve been holding it for 100 miles.”

She pulled the bathroom door halfway shut behind her.

When she came out, she had her jeans in her hand. Seeing her standing in her panties caused Robert’s heart and other parts to become more alert. He turned his head away slightly. She flopped onto the nearest bed, and let out a big sigh.

“This place is beautiful. I’ve never been in a fancy hotel. We’ve always stayed at Motel 6, or some little place beside the road. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this.”

Robert considered making a suggestion. It had been a long time, and he wasn’t sure things would be any better with his wife after a week away. He tried to push the thought away. He wasn’t about to take advantage of a young woman just because he was helping her. He checked that his pants weren’t going to tell on him, and then headed for the bathroom himself.

After a brief rest, they both got dressed and went downstairs. There were several people in the restaurant, and it seemed total strangers were chatting about the storm, where they were headed, and how long it might be before they got back on the road. A woman at the next table spoke.

“So where are you two headed? Oh, I’m Alice, and this is Tom.”, Nodding toward the man with her.

Robert decided to avoid confusion and raised eyebrows. Even among strangers, he was a modest man.

“I’m Robert, and this is my daughter, Amy. We’re headed home to Pittsfield.”

A little grin slipped along Amy’s lips. She gave him a soft kick under the table. He frowned but said nothing.

Dinner came, and since they were both tired, conversation was limited. They soon headed back to the room.

Robert called his wife, and explained the snow problem. He decided that telling her he had picked up a young woman would not be wise. That discussion could wait until they were face to face. Or so it seemed at the moment. He got his pajamas out of the suitcase, went into the bathroom and put them on. He then got into bed and slid under the sheet. He lay looking at the ceiling, considering the day.

Amy went into the bathroom. Robert could hear the shower running. In a few minutes, she came out, wearing nothing but panties, with her hair wet and sticking in all directions. Droplets of water decorated her shoulders and belly. She leaned over him, and her firm breasts rubbed against his chest as she kissed him on the lips. Then she lifted the sheet, slid into the bed, and snuggled against him.

He pushed the sheet aside so he could see her lovely body. As they caressed, his hands remembered where and how to give a woman pleasure. Soon she pulled him onto her, and their passion exploded.

A thin slice of sunlight sneaked in from between the drapes. His brain floated somewhere between half asleep and half awake. The dream played back in his mind; the storm, the girl, the hotel. The smell on the pillow was not his wife, and he realized he was not at home. He rolled over and saw her suitcase in the middle of the bed, where she dumped it when they first got in. She was not a dream. The wonderful lovemaking was real.

He realized he was alone in the bed, and could see that her bed had not been touched. He looked toward the bathroom, and saw the door open. Then he noticed that her shirt and jeans were gone. Down to breakfast already? Maybe she takes early morning walks. After all, he didn’t know her habits.

He got out of bed and started his morning ritual; a few stretches to loosen up, shave, then shower. As he was shaving, he took a close look at his face. I’m only about sixteen years older than her, he thought. I’m in good shape. I never should have said I was her father; it makes me feel like a letch. But it was good.

Robert headed down to breakfast, thinking he would find Amy on the way. He looked around the lobby, then stepped out the front door and looked around. The sun was brilliant on fresh snow. The street had been plowed; just one lane, but that was encouraging. Out here in the Snow Belt, they knew how to handle snow. They would be able to get back on the Thruway later this morning, he was sure. Since he didn’t see her, he got a table near the entrance, where she could find him when she came in. He ordered coffee and an English muffin, and relaxed. He thought about his wife, the little lie when he phoned her, and the much bigger lie that happened later. It was just this one night. I don’t have to let it change anything. I’ll put it out of my mind for good.

She still hadn’t arrived as he was emptying his second cup. He reached in his pocket to get his wallet. He’d charge the meal to his room. The company should pick up the expense. He liked to leave the tip in cash. He took out a dollar, but something was wrong. He looked closer, and there was only one more dollar. He had over sixty dollars left of his travel money. His license and bank card were still there, but his Visa credit card was gone. Robert got a sick feeling in his stomach. He felt his pants pocket to be sure his keys were still there. Good. He started walking toward the elevator, and decided to look at his keys. They were all there except his ignition key. He turned and ran out the front door. The bare spot of ground, and the tire tracks told him what he feared.

Robert stood there in the freezing cold, feeling violated and stupid. How could this girl decide to rob him after all this? How could he possibly explain this to his wife without telling the whole story? Would his marriage of 16 years survive this one stupid mistake?

He would have to figure this out, but first he had to call the police. Local police would have to start it, and they would call the highway patrol.

The westbound lanes of the Thruway opened early. The snowplow pulled up beside the car, clearing snow as close a possible. A police cruiser followed. They were going down the interstate looking for people trapped in their cars by the snowfall. They came to a green Plymouth minivan. The plow crew got out, grabbed shovels, and cleared a space by the driver’s door. They swept snow off the side window, and could see it was empty.

A police officer went to the back to record the license plate. He looked at the tracks.

“This car didn’t skid into the bank. It drove in, and recently. Look at these fresh tracks.” he said to his partner.

He noted the plate number, went back to the cruiser and entered it into the computer.

“Hey, we’ve got a hot one. This car was just reported stolen.”

Amy had her next victim.