Oneshots

Truckers Best Friend

           You always hear stories of truck drivers and their glories, but if you can give me a minute of your time I would love to tell you mine. I'm a big old Peterbilt strongest of my time. I've had a long and interesting 10 years on earth mixed with many emotions and loads. Now I know you're already thinking well how interesting can a truck's life be interesting? You'll just have to trust me I guess. Now my story starts in Oakland California I was fresh off the lot and boy was I a looker. My metallic black paint contrasted my blindingly polished chrome perfectly. I made all the other trucks on the lot look like the base model from many years ago. I was sold almost instantly to a big Italian man who always wore green shirts that were old and stained, perfectly fitting his rugged personality.

          I used to take this man all over for our jobs. He loved to sing and was always so bright and upbeat. one time we got to work and were assigned a long haul. My driver and I being used to these kinds of hauls accepted happily. We reversed up to the very large crate. Then my driver hopped out like he always does. He gave me a few cords and attach a few chains to me, And then with one final clang the trailer was on. Two wide turns and one large straight later we were on the road. All was going well up until we were 1-week into our 2-week long journey when we started to be followed by a couple of trucks and bikes.

          The bikes pulled up beside us and gave us a look I had never seen before it was of pure hatred. My driver being more experienced than I knew this look that we were getting and that we had to go quick. I heard him say "you aren't getting this load on my watch" Then I realized what was happening we were getting robbed! Suddenly my driver pushed the gas pedal to the floor. A loud roar grew from deep inside me. I knew this feeling well my RPM was rising rapidly And momentarily after we started to pull away from the vehicles with ease. I began to chuckle I knew they were no match for my monstrous C-11 turbodiesel. Then we sped into the night. After this new encounter, the trip went on like it normally does.

          The week goes by quickly and we finally reach the drop point after a very eventful trip. After I thought the crazy events were over with my driver's phone rang. It was his wife and she sounded excited. "I'm Pregnant!" I heard her sing. My driver practically jumped into me and then got on the gas hard. I could tell he planned to get home in less than 2-weeks that's for sure. I had never heard the man sing so happily before. We had stopped down just off of route 66 to get me a drink and him a sandwich. After we got back on the road we passed some cool scenery, I love all the cool sights I see while doing my job. No matter how much I loved it, in the end, we always have to move on.

          We were almost home, about 2 days out when my driver's great singing came to a halt due to the sound of yelling and gunshots close behind us. I tried to ignore it until I saw a familiar sight. It was the same face of hatred again. I thought he must've been upset that we didn't let him get the load from us and wanted revenge. My driver and I must've been thinking the same thing because he slammed the gas to the floor again in hopes to escape. This was working and my driver was looking backward to see them fade behind us. He began to laugh until he turned around to notice the school bus full of elementary kids that we were charging towards. My driver then made one of the most courageous decisions of his life. He swerved out of the way of the bus knowing that it would send us screaming into the ditch.

          All could hear was my screeching tires and the high pitch squeal of the brakes. Almost completely useless. Then it happened. We hit the ditch going 113mp/h. I can still hear the smash of my front grille against the rock-filled dirt. For the next following minutes, all I heard was silence, my driver wasn't moving. I thought that was it until I heard a cough, Rough and painfilled, it barley escaped his body. I didn't care though because it was a sign of life. I knew I had to do something otherwise he would really be gone but what was I to do when I couldn't even start. Even if I could I had never driven my self my driver always has. After panicking for a bit I noticed a hospital down the road. I tried for a few minutes to move but nothing worked I was wedged, It was over. I felt washer fluid trickle down my shattered windshield. As I sunk into a state of darkness I heard a noise, it sounded like little kids. It came closer to the point I heard the airbrakes initiate. It was the bus they were coming to help. After I heard the man's voice I began to hear sirens. The police were coming to help. I heard some chatter then they cut my door off. I was fine because I was a tough truck. They carried him away and then the silence sank in again this time fully surrounding me. It was over. After nothing but darkness for what felt like an eternity.

~

          I began to hear a noise it was fuzzy and muffled but still noticeable. I recognized the voice. It was my driver! I heard someone tell him " yep he's as good as new." My vision at this point was beginning to come back and I saw my driver alive in front of me. Was I dreaming? Did we both pass? Then he said to me "welcome back big guy". I realized he survived and then saved me. He got back into my driver's seat and we drove back to our house. He then said "I've got someone who wants to see you" he then walked inside. When he came out he had a child in his hands "Say hi to Pete" he told me. I realized he named his son after me. I was honored. Now I want to thank you for listening to my story and remember there wouldn't be any truck drivers if they didn't have us trucks.