It was dark as I pedaled into this small town. One store is open. The cashier said they close in 10 minutes. I used their payphone, but my collect phone calls to Jean went to our answering machine instead. Humm, Jean will worry... I don't know when I can phone her back.
I asked for help. The guy ahead of me offered me a ride to Elroy. He tossed my loaded bicycle into his Ford pickup. I climbed in the cab with his son and him. They ate ice cream while we exchanged stories. He owns the "Tunnel Campground", and he occasionally finds bicyclists in need. It turns out there were NO hotels open in Elroy, so early in the season. I accept his pickup ride back to Kendall. He recommends that we stop at a small place in Kendall.
The owners of "Country Livin" motel just opened for the season. It is a B&B, but no breakfast will be available. "Okay, I'll take it". I thank the kind guy, and he declined accepting any payment. We unload my bike. In the dark, I didn't see my helmet, so I ran back to retrieve it out of his pickup bed. I thanked him again for his help.
The B&B manager comes back, and said, "There is no heat connected in that room." "That's okay", I said. She said "You're easy to please." Inside my head, I felt grateful, and no longer desparate. I'll get a warm shower, and a roof over my head.
They offered me a phone, and I phoned Jean to reassure her, "All is fine."
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