johnny was getting desperate.
the traffic whizzed by without giving hm a passing glance, mostly big rigs, but an occasional pontiac or studebaker driven by a guy smoking a cigar or a blonde in a low cut red dress.
it was only a matter of minutes before he would hear the sound of the sirens of the highway patrol.
i will count to a hundred, johnny thought. if nobody stops for me by then, i will have to get off the road.
he started counting, but kept walking.
ten… nine… eight… seven… six…
he heard the sound of tires behind him hitting the gravel by the side of the road.
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hey kid, want a lift?
sure, johnny replied nonchalantly. i don’t mind if i do.
the rig stopped, and the driver looked down at him.
get in. i got some business to attend to, i will be right back.
the driver climbed down from the cab and disappeared into the scrub by the side of the highway.
johnny went around to the passenger side and climbed up into the cab. he did not look back down the highway as he did so.
the driver had left the motor running, and the key in the ignition.
johnny kept his eyes on the rear view mirror. after about four minutes, he saw a highway patrol car coming up, but with no lights or siren.
the patrol car passed by.
just as it was going past, the driver returned from attending to his business.
nice day, the driver said.
yes, it is, johnny agreed. you are a trusting person, he added with a smile.
how do you figure?
you left the motor running. just saying.
do you know how to drive one of these?
i never have,
then you don’t know how, the driver laughed.
i might have, johnny said.
but you didn’t, did you?
they got back on the road.
where you headed, the driver asked.
cincinnati popped into johnny’s head. cleveland, he said.
i am going as far as pittsburgh.
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