Part 1
                                                   Stranded
While I was driving my truck on Christmas Eve heading for a place to spend Christmas knowing that I am not going to be home for Christmas and most likely in a truck stop or in my sleeper.

I was coming from the east coast on interstate 80. the snow was really coming down and the roads where really getting bad. I better make it to that truck stop about 10 or 15 miles from here or I am going to have my Christmas dinner in my truck on this interstate eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich I said to myself

I drove a little farther and I notice a car on the shoulder whit the hood open and when I got closer I notice someone sitting in the front seat, I couldn't make the person out but I pull my rig over to the shoulder in front of the car, its hell of a night to be stuck out here I said to myself as I was climbing down from my rig

As I got out of my truck and started walking to the car the person from the car got out and started walking at me I  notice this person wasn't a man but a women because the way she walk. Thank God you stop Sr. I been here for a little while now, a voice rang out from the wool scarf around her  mouth. What happen to your car,you sure pick a hell of a night to be stuck out in.. I said as we both walk to her car. I just don't no it was running kind of bad then a little smoke came out from under the hood I am lucky I made it to the shoulder she said to me  I turn on my flash light that I got from my truck when I got out and look under the hood of the car and it was hard for me to tell anything because the snow was coming down a little harder and the wind was blowing a little more and blowing the snow under the hood  of the car right at my face and it was blinding me to see what was wrong whit her car.I can see to much the wind is really blowing the snow, leave the car here and I take you to the next truck stop about 10 miles down the road will you can get someone to tow your car in. I am to far out to call to them on my CB.  Well I guest I can't stay her she said but I have to get a few things out of my car fistAs I walk with her to her car so I might help her carry something as she open  the side door of the car was I shook there was two little children in the back seat cover up whit blankets and they where shaking like a Leaf on a tree.These are my children she said, Hurry let get going before it get any worst out here I told the lady. I lifted the smallest  child up in my arms and cover the child to protect the child from the wind and snow and took the child and the rest of of them to my truck where they can be safe and be warm so I can take them to safety.

                       Mam why don't you get up into the seat of the my truck and I hand your children to you. The lady did what I told her to do and I handed up her two children to her arms and then I got back into my truck.Mam if you like turn on the light in my sleeper and put the kids on my bed and cover them up they look like they are really cold. Thank you Sr. but you don't have to call me mam my name is Racheal, she turn and smile at me
As i started back on the road Racheal sat back down in her seat. My name is Joe you really look like you could have a cup of hot coffee, if you like I have some coffee, just reach along the seat there a thorniest of coffee it might warm you up Racheal. I sure could use a cup of coffee.... well help your self drink it all if you like.
I glance  at Racheal as she was pouring her self a cup of coffee. It's not hot in here is it Racheal if it is I can turn down the heat in front and turn up the heat in the sleeper where the kids are No it's find really it is Joe, and thank you for stopping and picking us up. No thanks necessary I am glad I stop, for your sake and most off all for your children, Now tell me what are you doing out in this kind of weather on Christmas eve.
Racheal took a long sip of coffee and put her hands tight around the cup and slowly look at me. Joe I was at my sister house about 20 miles from here My brother inlaw call me  early this morning and told me to get right over because my sister was getting worse and it wasn't snowing like it is now. What do you mean your sister is getting worst Racheal I ask. Joe my sister has cancer her last wishes was that she didm't woun't to die in a lonely hospital room she won't to be at home when her time is near. At that time Racheal started to have tears in her eyes. Racheal maybe it is best not to say anymore you have enough on your mind now. No Joe  it is ok to talk about my sister , I was afraid what to say anything because I might say the wrong thing I though to myself. Racheal if it makes you feel any better I am a good listener.Maybe  It was nice of you doing what you are doing for my children and me.

Racheal didn't say no more about her sister she was quit for a little while and in a way I think it was for the better so I never ask her in the truck about what she was doing at her sister house and how was her sister doing. I notice the exit coming up where the truckstop is at and by then the snow was easing off a little.

Looks like this is the exit where the truck stop is I think you should get the kids ready, I will Joe and thanks again. Racheal there  not to many trucks here I hope the garage is open so you can get your car tow in.

I was looking for a place to park my rig and that won't be so hard to find here and Racheal was cathering her belonging and her children.

Racheal do you know anybody here that might help you and the kids,
I have a girl friend that works here but she only works doing the days...Ok let's go inside and let me see what I can do. As I walk inside the truck stop I told Racheal to find a table while I check on her car.
The garage was close and the tow truck driver wasn't no where to be found , I went back into the truck stop to find Racheal and the kids knowing I had some more bad news for her, poor women I said to myself.

I saw Racheal and sat down whit them. Was  the tow truck driver there Racheal ask. No Racheal maybe he will back later. Joe I think I will ask one of my nabores to bring my car home really it might cost a lot of money to have it tow to my house.

Racheal was a young women about in her late twenties or early therdies. She was a thin little women whit short blond hair and she had two little children one was a boy and the other was a little girl the one I carried to my truck

The waitress was comeing over and gave us a menu but when she gave Racheal hers Racheal said no thank you. I told the waitress to give us a minute please and she did. Racheal order something please. That's ok Joe we aren't hungry we will wait to we get home. I look at the children and took a look at Racheal and then I notice the clothes they where wearing they wasn't the best but they where clean and neat looking . Then I realize that she was kind of poor.

Racheal look I won't take no for a answer order something to eat for you and the kids beside I hate eating alone. Joe you help us already. Look Racheal I am getting hungry and like I said I don't like eating alone so please order I am starving

Racheal order some food for the children and for herself and while we where eating I ask her here what her children names are..Well Joe the little blond one is call sherry and she only 6 and the Josh is 10 years old. My daddy was a truck drive,  Josh said as he was eating his food. Where is your daddy now Josh on the road working. Josh put his fork down and ask if he could go to the restroom But I notice he got a little up set when I ask about his dad. Joe my husband Frank died in a truck reck on Christmas eve, he was trying to make it home for Christmas I told him to stay where he was but knowing Frank he just had to be home whit us on Christmas day. I am sorry Racheal may I ask how long ago when he died. About 3 years now Joe and it happen between where you pick me and my children up and my between my sister house see Frank is my sister husband brother and his name is Jim. I am really sorry for you and the kids. Racheal keep quit for a few moment and them she said I wonder what is keeping Josh . I go a see for you Racheal I be right back.

Josh are you in here, Josh rang out yes Sr.. Is everything all right
I ask him. Josh came out of the restroom and I could see he was crying. What is wrong Josh. I just miss my dad. I felt a lump in my throat . Come on Josh let's goback with your family and we won't tell your mom about this ok. Josh look at me and said ok Sr. Please Josh call me Joe ok. Ok Josh smile a little and we both walk back to the table.

Joe my sister Mary. look Racheal you don't have to say anything else ok I told Racheal. I just had to go out into this bad weather, my sister Marry she pass on this afternoon. And Racheal started to cry. The lump in my throat was getting hard and harder. I just had to ask her how she is getting home I know about what she going to say but I feel I should do something. Racheal could I take you guys home. Oh no Joe please no you did a lot for us please no. Do you have someone to call and pick you guys up and I will wait with all of you, I smile beside I not going anywhere.

Little Sherry look at me whit her big blue eyes and said  there is, and about that time Racheal stop her like she knew what Sherry going to say. I told Racheal I be right back and order some more coffee for us because I had to go to the restroom.

I don't no what I should  do now I said out load as I was looking into the mirror as I was washing my hands. Well Joe I said to myself you got to get Racheal and Sherry and Josh home and I have to find away how to do it but I don't even know where there home is and how far it is from here.

Racheal I said as I sat down back at the table please let me take you guys home. Ya mom Sherry and Josh rang out please Mom. Oh boy the might made it easier on me I said to myself. Please Mom they said again. Racheal look at the kids and then she look at the clock hanging  on the wall behind the cashier and she knew it was getting late for the kids to be up. Look Racheal I could drop my trailer in the back and just take the my truck it will make it easier to get you back and to get around. I really hate to ask you but it is getting late for my children I thank you again Joe. Now where is your house and how far. My house is about 5 miles from here  is that ok whit you Joe

                                                 The Ride Home

I paid the bill and told Racheal and the Kids to stay inside to I bring the truck around after I drop off my trailer. When I got to the door Racheal and the Kids where waitting there and came out and got into my truck.
Ok Racheal how do I get to your house. Racheal told me the way to go and the last 1/2mile of getting to her house I notice there wasn't to many houses around and I begaing to wounder if my truck can make it to her house through the nerrow road I am driving on, I am glad I drop my trailer back at the truck stop I said to Racheal

Racheal told me to pull in a driveway and then I saw the house. I couldn't belive it It was old looking and run down, Her husband working before he died had to make money I can't belive he lit his family live in a old house like this one there has to be a reson for this

I notice Racheal was kind of inpareasion about it . Will here you are guys home at last. Racheal and the kids got out of the truck and started to go inside and the Racheal stop and turn to me and said. Joe would you like to come in for a cup of coffee. I hasted a moment because if she was impareses about her house I didn't won't to her proplems anymore then what she alraedy has. Ok but a fast one it looks like the snow going to come back and realy I don't won't to be it whit out any wright on my fifth wheele.

As I went into Racheal home I notice it had a little skinny Christmas tree in the corner whit home made decoration on it and nothing under it from Santa
I have instand coffee will that be alright whit you Joe, That's great I notice she had older furiture like the kind in a use store has, but hose was very clean and neat that's tell alot about a person. Well I have to go now and I wish you all a very Marry Christmas. As I started out the door the two little one look kind of sad to see me leave and just wave there hands to say good bye and as I was starting to walk out of the house Racheal gave me a kiss on the cheak and wisper into my ears , Thank you from my heart and let the God be your coe polit and keep you safe and then I left.

               
I couldn't get Racheal and her kids out of my mind. I made it back to the truck stop and went inside for something to drink. This time I sat at the counter along side of a older man. The man started to talk to me about the weather and I listing but the same time they wore on my mind, wondering what kind of Christmas they going to have.
Some how I was talking to the older man about Racheal and her children. The old man said his name was Harry and he was a retired truck drive.

Racheal ,Harry said I think I know her and you said the kids where Sherry and Josh. Ya I did and her husband was a truck driver that died 3 years ago I told him. I remember know Frank was a good man and he gave up his live for some children. What do you mean he gave his live up I ask him. Frank eas coming home on Christmas eve and there was a car on the shoulder and the roads where real bad . So what happen Harry I ask. Well somehow there was 3 kids watching there farther change a flat tier on the left side of his car. That was really stupid of the man letting his kids stand and watch him along side of the road they should been in the car where they belong I said to Harry. Ya, you know it and I know it but it seems the farther didn't know it. But how did Frank lose his live. Frank was coming down a hill  and it was snowing almost like it was tonight and the kids didn't know where the line was to the highway because the road was cover whit snow. As the farther was putting away the flat tier in the truck of the car the kids where throwing snow ball at each other and like I said they didn't know how far they where in the road. What about the farther didn't the dummy tell his kids to get of the road. No Joe he was loading the stuff back into the trunk that he took out to get his spare tier out  and when Frank come of the hill it was to late for him to stop when he notice the kids and took his rig and himself over the side of the hill and killing him . My God that's bad what about Racheal. Racheal had a nice house a few dollars in the bank and they where doing great but Frank own his own rig and they had some bills to pay.

I just listen to Harry telling all what happen but I didn't understand where did everything go she had. Harry I said what happen to her house. Well there was a action the county came in and sold her house for back taxes and they had a lot of bill plus paying for Frank truck.
Didn't frank have inceranec on the truck ... Ya but  some how he didn't have enoth coverage, So Racheal and the kids had to live like there living now. How do they pay the bill and food I ask. Racheal works in a store just a few miles from her house and when the bus pick up the kids for school and after school the kids go by where she works for about a hour and then  all them go home together

I told Harry thank and started to walk to the cashier when I turn and went back by Harry. Say Harry is there a big store that might be open
yet. Ya way Harry said there one open till midnight it is about 8 miles from here why you ask Joe. I have to do something about this but I don't won't to take my truck it is getting sleepy out there for me to bobtail. Come on Joe Itake you if going to do this for Racheal and the kids count me in

Harry took me to the store and I went crazy on buying some toys and Christmas wrapping paper and a lot of food and something for Racheal a Card whit enough money to get her car fix. It was getting late and I hope Racheal  was still up. Harry took me to Racheal house and I notice a small light on. Great Harry she up give me a hand carrying all this to the house. I knock on the door and Racheal open it. Joe what are you doing back here and is that Harry whit you. Marry Christmas Rackeal Harry said. What is all this . Joe got it for you and your kids. Racheal had tears in her eyes and Harry and help her wrap the presets and put them under the tree. Racheal open up a cartoon of eggnog and we wish each other a Marry Christmas. Racheal found the card I had for her and she open it and saw the money I put in it for her car. She gave me a big hug and a sweet kiss.
Just as we where leaving Sherry and Josh came out of there bedroom and saw all the presents under the tree and all the other items there. Kids Joe and Harry are leaving say Marry Christmas to them. The kids ran to me and gave me a large hug. How can I ever pay you back Joe. I look at the kids shaking there gifts and laughing and then I look at Racheal and said you already did Racheal you already did. Then frank took me back to the truck stop and the hole time driving there I was so happy for them.
          End