The Pictures

I used to love taking pictures. Used to is they key thing. See a few months ago I went on a silly vacation to Florida.  See I had no reason to take a vacation except for the fact I was bored.  Well, I thought the trip was going pretty well until I started checking the pictures on my camera.

I put the television on and started looking at the pictures on my camera.  The first picture I found was that of Charles and I.  Charles was a man I met when I went to a old fishing hole my Grandpa and I went to. We ended up fishing for two days together.  Charles was an amazing man and I hope that we would have a chance to see each other again. I was looking through the pictures and pulled over my laptop to look at the pictures on a larger screen.

As I was looking at the pictures on the screen I saw something that seemed odd. It looked like a man standing behind the tree staring at us. Every other couple of pictures around the lake I saw the same guy in the picture regardless if it was just us or if we were alone. As I looked at the pictures my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw Charles's name and picture pop up on the caller ID.

Smiling I answered, "Hey handsome I was just thinking about you."

"Hey beautiful I was wondering did you happen to look at the pictures that you took yet?" He asked.

"OMG i was going to call you, Yes I did and it seems like there is a creepy man in most of the pictures." I said, "Did you know who this guy is?"

"No but this guy was in all my pictures as well." He said, "How do you feel about a visit to me again?"

Smiling I said, "You can't wait to see me again huh. Seriously though you and your family doesn't know who the guy is?"

"What do you say Sadie do you want to come back to Florida and investigate with me?" He ask.

Pulling up my computer I said, "I will have to work from Florida, Do you have Wifi at your place?"

"Sure do, You want me to book you a flight?" He asked.

"Nope I will be driving back to Florida," I said. "Flights are expensive plus my jeep needs to have some fun in Florida."

His laugh was contagious as he said, "Please be careful and call me when you stop to rest. How soon till you come back?"

"Well I would say give me three days," I said. "I may be able to get there sooner but I like to stop and stretch."

"Sounds like a plan," He said. "Would you like to stay at my house?"

"Would I be putting you out. I will have to work while I am there will that be an issue?" I asked.

"Not at all I normally work 4am till 5pm or sooner if you can handle being in my house alone," He said.

"Oh no I will be alone to work on my books," I joked. "Charles I will be fine and I can even plan and cook dinner if you want."

"Well Amy i do love to cook," he said. "But if you want to make sides to go with dinner I will be glad for that."

"Sure thing and because if I get caught up writing and posting you will find me staring at my screen and I will lose track of time," I said. "Well I will start down to you in the morning. I will text you when I leave."

"Okay be safe and I will see you soon," He said.

I went to the kitchen and looked for food. When I didn't find anything worth while I went with my old standby. A ramen from the local Asian shop. Grabbing some take out I went home and packed my bags. The following morning I loaded my jeep and texted Charles, "I am on my way to you. I just loaded my Jeep and am heading for coffee."

He texted me back, "Remember to eat."

I responded to him, "I am waiting for chick fila to open to get breakfast. I want mini's and their sweet tea. I should be at the border by the time they open."

He replied, "You do love those mini's. The Carolinas is supposed to be getting a lot of rain. Do not push it."

"I promise I will be very careful," I replied.

I pulled ahead on I 95 and headed south. Laughing as I hit the border I found a Chick Fila that was opening. I took a picture of the drive through and sent it to Charles. What I didn't realize was the dark storm clouds in the distance. I grabbed a few breakfast and lunch items and added them to my cooler I had on the passenger seat. After stopping next door at Dunkin for some iced coffees I was on my way again eating some Chicken Mini's and drinking my coffee. I made it about halfway through South Carolina when it started to rain. At first is it was a light rain and then the sky opened up and you could not see in front of you.

Seeing the signs for the next rest stop I pulled in and decided to wait the storm out. I sent a message to Charles and gave him a weather update and sent a picture. Looking at my clock it was just before noon. I took out a sandwich and a drink and put up some of my window covers and decided while it was pouring I would sleep setting my alarm every two hours until the storm passes. I am very thankful I set up my bed in the back seat of the jeep and had it ready to go. Thankfully I feel asleep with the sound of the rain. When I woke up from my alarm I sat up and grabbed my phone. I saw a text from Charles which said, "On a break at work what's going on?"

I laid back and took a picture of myself and sent that with a message, "Went to sleep while it was raining. It looks like its clearing up so I will be heading out after I use the bathroom."

As I put my shoes on and got out of the jeep locking it behind me I heard a ding which said, "So are you going to drive through the night?"

"No," I said. "I will probably stop around eight and find a spot to stay. Since I will be going into Georgia I know I can sleep at any truck stop, cracker barrel or walmart. I will let you know where I stop. The plan is park, eat and sleep."

"Call me when you get settled?" He asked.

"Of course," I said. "I will let you know if I stop again due to the rain."

"I can't wait to talk," He sent and then I was off again. By the time it was time for me to pull over I found a truck stop that had a police station attached. It allowed overnight parking for a donation. I gladly donated a few dollars and went inside and got some food and drinks. They had a fabulous buffet which allowed three containers for $12.00 plus they gave you a bag a bread. I took advantage of that and went to the jeep climbing in and called Charles.

He picked up and said, "Hey you stopped for the night?"

"Yes," I said. "I am about thirty minutes over the Georgia border. I found a truck stop with a police station and they allow you to stay for a donation. I also went in and the had a buffet for $12 and you can do a take out with three containers plus they give you a bag of bread for $12.00. So I have food I am going to watch a movie and eat after we are done talking and sleep till I wake up."

"Smart," He said. "Is your jeep secured?"

"Yes," I said. "I also have my gun with me and its right next to where I am laying."

"So when do you think that you will be on the road?" He asked.

"I am not sure," I said. "I was talking to some of the truckers when we were making plates to get back to our cars and they said that the storm is gonna be a bad one. Most of them are going to be here their whole reset time. I want to be on the road but this is very weird weather and better safe than sorry."

"I agree," He said. "If I have to let you in when you get down here I will drive from the work site and meet you. That way you can sleep and rest."

"I do not want you to miss work," I said. "If its not hot I can sleep in my car until you get home."

"What kind of man would I be if I let you sleep in my car," He said. "I am working near my house so if you get here call me I do not want you to sleep in the car."

"I don't want you to get in trouble," I said.

He laughed and said, "Amy I am the foreman I can leave for a few minutes. You can see the jobsite from my house so its no big deal."

"Twist my arm then," I said. "A bed would be nice to sleep in or even a couch."

"Well then get some sleep and we will see each other soon," He said. "I am going to crash and sleep as it was a long day."

"Have a good night," I said. We hung up and I fell asleep while watching some shows on YouTube. I woke up around two in the morning freezing and listed to the storm outside my jeep. Grabbing a extra blanket and a sweat shirt I bundled up and laid back down. I fell back to sleep quickly and slept till I heard a heavy knock at the door to my jeep.

Sitting up I asked, "Who is there?"

The voice said, "Sorry to bother you Miss my name is Mike I work here at the station and I have officer Meghany with me."

Opening the window that they knocked on I said, "Hi what can I help you with?"

The officer smiled and said, "We are coming through and letting all the people park know there are a lot of cars on the side of the road so I would try to delay leaving. The next twenty miles is a hot mess."

Nodding I said, "Well I guess I can get some extra sleep. Mike do we need to come in and pay for additional time?"

Mike said, "No I have a tag for you now we would rather have you safe instead of in a ditch."

I took the tag and placed it next to my pay tag. Laying back down I pulled out my phone and sent Charles a text. A few minutes later I got a reply back that I need to stay put he had been watching the weather as he was getting ready for work. 

Amy- main

Charles