For those of you that don't know me extremely well, you are now expecting a ranting obituary on our failing economy and dreaded talk of recession. For those of you that DO know me are afraid of what could possibly be this mornings blurb on life through MY eyes, especially this particular discussion.
I sat still, very still. It was a quiet, calm Sunday morning and my husband still in bed allowed me the priviledge to conqueor everything on my famous "to do" list with a vengance! I was in the truck, parked at my favorite Devon hot spot where everyone knew my name, the old Fas Gas. Okay so maybe they didn't exactly know my name per se but they knew exactly how much gas I took and how much to charge me and we have had an ongoing relationship for over a year know, secretly seeing each other once and sometimes twice a week. All my friends here at the gas station speak half Devon and half Newfie but that doesn't cause any problems despite my half English, quarter German, quarter Spanish. No one needed to say a word, one look and one debit card spoke louder than any language I have ever known.
As my truck sucked up the gas I stayed relaxed and warm tucked inside my truck, reviewing my lists and preparing my entering the outside world of -30. I was completely at peace by the time the gas was near done and I preparedly grabbed my wallet and keys to finish up the job and join my "friends" inside the store. I waited to hear the famous "click" to warn me it was finished but instead of the usual noise I heard the light rushing of water like you would a waterfall. It was so peacelike that I paused and listened for a moment. Funny that I would hear that beautiful gurgling sound out here in the middle of Devon and I casually glanced around me to see if I could see where it was coming from, maybe the ice melting or water truck near by perhaps. In my final glance looking towards the store I saw my "friends" waving, so I waved back. How nice, they never waved before, that's awfully sweet. Then on second glance I saw some customers beside them, arms against the glass front of the store and all of them waving. I continued waving a while longer and then decided maybe I should hurry up the gas pump so I could get on my merry way.
It didn't take very long to assess the situation and find out the delimma of where the waterfall was flowing, it was flowing right out my gas tank and upwards to the sky much like a volcano. It was really pretty so I watched for a moment and then realized I was definetly in a bit of trouble. The pool of gas had gone so far as to completely cover the entire area underneath the truck and had spouted so high in the air, it now began filling the box of the truck. I leaped from the side door to a dry spot several feet away and leaning in I attempted to stop the mess. It didn't take much longer for me to grab the hose and yank it out of the tank but as I found out fairly quickly that does NOT stop the gas from flowing. It flowed for a little while longer until I could angle myself in it's direction and jump on it coninuously until it finally stopped. It was only messy for a little while as it rained gas all over my hair, my clothes and mittens but it was messy for a long while as I slipped several times on the now wet ice. I clung to the box of the truck to hold my balance and looked at the hose on the ground with glee. The damage was minimal, gas under the truck, in the truck and covering most parts of my body. The gas hose looked dead and layed on the ground in a small defeated pile. Done.
I jumped to dry safe landing and marched my way in to the gas station store. Two older men smiled at me and held their noses, moving way off to the side to let me by. The two ladies at the front counter smiled brightly. I pretended all was well and paid the usual but slightly larger bill. Then with the car starter in hand I hid behind the magazine rack and hit the majic button. Noting my truck was still sound and hearing no explosion as I'd seen on many movies. I gingerly came out from hiding, smiled my goodbyes to the staff and sauntered out to leave.
My personal belief is no matter what life presents itself to never let it get the best of you and in this case I'd be damned if I'd let gas be the first! That's why no matter what I smelt like I insisted on continuing my errands before going home....and those errands where the best I ever had....has anyone ever smelt gas for 2 hours straight? I believe I may be feeling warm and floaty and seeing purple bunnies for a very long time!
