CHAPTER TWO

New Friend

The rain was still falling at a steady pace as he headed down the street. There were very few people in town that morning due to the foul weather and he mentally prepared himself to continue walking in the rain. If there weren't any cars on the road he certainly wouldn't get a lift! He was passing a grocery store when a woman came out carrying a bag in each arm. As he watched her she stumbled and the groceries scattered out onto the muddy ground. Shifting his pack he stooped down to help her pick them up. "Why thank you!" she said a bit startled. "You're welcome, "I he returned. They collected the packages and put them in the trunk of her car. "Have a good day," he called as he continued walking. "Wait a minute," she shouted. "Are you walking in this weather?" He stopped and turned to face her. "Yes, I am. I can't seem to get a ride lately," he answered her question. "I can't understand that. You seem nice to me. I'm going that way and you're welcome to join me if you want," she offered. Where should I put my pack?" he asked as he ran back to her car. "You can put it in here with the groceries, "she replied as she opened the trunk. He dropped his gear in and slammed it shut. in response to his getting a ride the rain suddenly came down harder with a crash of thunder. announcing its arrival. Both of them jumped into the car and quickly closed the doors. "This is quite a storm we're having," she opened the conversation as she backed the car out of the space and carefully drove down the street. Even with the windshield wipers on the fastest speed there were moments when she couldn't see the road. The lightning flashed brightly around them as the thunder continued its call. in this," he said thankfully. is your name?" she asked. yours?" "I'm Susan Borden.

-6-

"Thanks!

As if

"I'm glad I'm not out

"By the way, what "Terry Garret, what's Nice to meet you,

"1

"Thanks again for the ride, Mrs. Borden, Terry. he spoke humbly. "Don't be so formal. Please call me Susan. And tell me, what were you doing hitch-hiking on a day like this?" He proceeded to tell her of his dream to work his way across the country. Having had no one to talk with at length for several weeks he suddenly found himself telling her all the trials and tribulations of his trip. He explained how he had lost his cooking gear and how that resulted in his present financial situation and ended by explaining his theory on why he hadn't been able to find work. "I don't find long hair on men offensive,' 11 she said. "But you may catch a cold if you don't dry yours pretty soon!" He ran his hand through his hair to brush the dampness away from his forehead. "I do think that many of the people around here don't care for the newer hair-styles on men," she continued. "You are probably right in your thinking about not getting any jobs. But I think that someone who helps a lady who'd dropped some packages can't be all bad and from listening to you I get the impression that you're a good worker." While they had been talking the rain had let up and she had managed to cover the distance to her home. "I guess this is where I get off," he said. "Terry, I have a proposition to make. Why don't you work for me for a couple of days? When this rain clears up I'll have plenty for you to do." "If you're sure that you need me," he responded. "I wouldn't want you to do this because you feel sorry for me. 11 "I wouldn't make the offer if I didn't mean it, replied seriously. "I'll give you a place to stay and whatever you think is a fair wage for the work I need done. Is it a deal?" "You better believe it," he said enthusiastically. "Good. Let's get

11 she

the car unloaded so that you can get dried out."

It's hard doing it "You mean you're not

The house was a ranch style design and well maintained. There seemed to be nothing out of place. He commented on how nice the place was and she responded. "Thank you. all myself but I manage. married," he inquired. "I was married but my husband and I got a divorce several years ago.""This is a big house. Did you have any children?" he

-7-