A Narrow escape

A Narrow Escape

"Mom, my car is giving me trouble, I am stranded here on I-90, it is getting dark and I don't know...." Lisa was saying on the phone.

"Lisa, tell me exactly where you are, did you call for help?" Kathy asked but she could hear somebody else in the background.

"Mom, here is this driver who just stopped for me and wants to help me, so let me go..." Lisa disconnected.

Kathy got restless, she joined Ron - they were in the middle of their dinner.

"Who is this other driver?" Ron was concerned. "She didn't say, but ran." They started to worry. What if she does get into trouble? What if the other driver is not an honest person but a crook or worse? What if she gets....? They did not want to think the worst but all the news you read or hear makes you very worrisome.

"I was telling you not to let her drive alone, but you wouldn't listen!" Kathy was reminding Ron about their conversation from the day before.

"Kathy, all kids drive to college, what's so big? She will be ok!" Ron tried to be calm. Kathy couldn't eat anymore. She just cleaned the table after Ron and kept herself busy with dishes and all.

"I called on her cell phone, but she is not responding." Ron came in and said.

They couldn't concentrate on anything, every fifteen minutes Ron tried to reach Lisa, but there was no answer. Finally after an hour, Kathy tried and Lisa responded,

"Mom, I am at this Motel, ""What Motel?" Kathy cut her short. But Lisa continued," The car won't be fixed until tomorrow. This other driver is a mechanic and he is staying in this town only, so he brought me to this motel and he will work on the car."

"Are you out of your mind, Lisa?" Kathy couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"But Mom, what do you want me to do?" Lisa asked.

"You should have gone to a proper gas station and used your insurance card. I still want you to do that."

"But I am already checked in and going for dinner, now." She was not disturbed at all.

"No! You are not going with him anywhere. Eat whatever you have with you and go to your room and wait for my call. I will find out what to do. "Kathy sternly instructed and asked Ron to talk to Lisa.

"Lisa, honey, do as Mom says. Please don't do anything stupid."

"But, Dad, this is not stupid, I am okay. When the car gets fixed tomorrow I will be at school in no time at all." Lisa was arguing.

"No Lisa, the car will get fixed but not by some unknown mechanic, okay? Just stay put! We will arrange something and call you. Lock your door and get in your room." Ron was stricter than usual.

"But, what am I supposed to say to him? He has helped me so far..." Lisa was confused by her parent's reaction.

"You don't have to say anything to him. Ignore him, and please don't see him or let him in your room." Kathy was pleading.

"You are impossible; I don't even know what the big deal here is?" Lisa was very unhappy.

"Honey, believe me, it is for your own good. Please listen!" Ron disconnected the phone.

Kathy was nervous and didn't know what to do. Ron started looking into maps trying to find the place. He located the Motel that Lisa had mentioned; it was about 120 miles away.

"It looks like there are a lot of gas stations near this motel, but Lisa probably has to wait until morning to get the car fixed" Ron reasoned. Kathy didn't think she could take it untill then. "You know, what I think Ron? You should go there and get her back or stay with her. "

"It will be a two hour drive, and she will not like it. She will feel that we don't trust her." Ron said.

"That is true, but if that other driver is a bad person and something happens to her, then....?" Kathy was restless.

"He may be good too, and we may be overreacting!" Ron considered.

"That could be true too! But I like to take care of things that worry us. If everything is fine, all we lose is two hours of driving effort. Don't you think? "

"Well, instead of sitting here worrying, may be we should start right away!"

"Don't you think, I should be here, in case Lisa calls?"

"But you will be a nervous wreck here, so it is better that we go together and we will keep on calling her from the car." Ron pulled out the car keys and they both walked out of the house.

The minute Ron started the car Kathy called Lisa, no answer after 20 rings.
May be, she is in the bathroom; she tried to tell herself that.
She was thinkig, they had a great summer this year. Three of them had gone for a vacation to Hawaii. Lisa didn't find a job this summer so she was home all the time but she had her friends around and they liked to hang out together. She seemed very happy, especially when she got her first new car. Ron wanted to give it to her for her 20th Birthday; Kathy didn't approve and thought it was unnecessary on a campus. But they won, and Kathy was disappointed. She had a bad memory of a car accident her friend had in college, which was the reason she was so reluctant to allow Lisa to drive alone. Whitney Houston was singing on the car radio but neither one of them could hum to the song. The storm in their minds was relentless. There was no traffic at all, so they probably will make it there in less than two hours thought Kathy. Kathy tried Lisa, again, no answer.

Ron suggested to call the Motel, Kathy got the number through assistance and called the Motel." Have you seen a young blond girl get out of the Motel recently? She checked in there an hour ago? Her name is Lisa..." Kathy asked the front desk. "I think she just left with a young man a few minutes ago." The receptionist informed.

"Are you sure, it is Lisa?" Yes Madam, We have only 4 rooms rented today, and most of the people here are older."

Kathy was really panicky now. "What? She didn't even listen to me?" Ron was shouting with despair. They couldn't believe that their daughter was so naive that even after their suggestions, she did whatever she wanted. Why didn't she hear the warning signs in our voice, she just didn't care to pay attention to the subtle messeges they are trying to give her. They both were worried sick.

Kathy tried to call her again, Lisa answered, "Mom? Now What?"
"Lisa, where are you? And with whom?" Kathy demanded
"Mom, I am just here at this restaurant across the street from the Motel. Jack just wanted to have a bite, so I went along."
"But you were told, not to leave the room."
"It is just for a bite, I will be there in no time. I promise."
"I don't want to repeat myself, Lisa. Please listen. Go to your room right now,"
"Mom, let me finish first! Don't worry. I will call you when I get there."

Lisa disconnected the phone and Kathy lost her cool. There was still about a thirty five-minute-drive left and she simply could not think straight. Thank god she did not have to drive in this situation. Ron was trying to concentrate on driving and hoping for the best. The road seemed endless and their worries were increasing by the minute. They were praying for their daughter's safety and hoping she would see the reason for their concern and act accordingly.

Finally they saw the sign for the Motel and turned into its parking lot, which was practically empty. They hurried to the desk and inquired about Lisa.

The receptionist said, "I don't think she is back yet. But let me check the room, "she placed the call but there was no answer.
That was the last blow. Ron started running to the restaurant Lisa had mentioned. Kathy was following him.

In its parking lot, Ron found a lonely car and in there were two people trying to kiss...Ron shouted Lisa's name and immediately Lisa jumped out of the car,

"Daddy! How did you know, I wanted you here?" She went into Ron's arms. Kathy was staring at them, sobbing softly.
Just then Lisa noticed her, "Thanks Mom, for caring so much for me! I should have listened to you and stayed in my room. But...." Lisa was sobbing now.
Kathy held her close, said, "Thank god! You are safe, my poor baby!"
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written on 5/12/08
word count 1494