Road Tripping

The trip began with me comfortably seated with my feet up in my brand-new recliner. Just as I had predicted, Mr. BoJangles found a perch on the console between the chairs. Toni Louise and Eddie were sprawled in the other recliner.

This was much better than my make-shift seat on the bed made by lowering the booth table and shifting the cushions flat. My butt would become numb after about an hour on the road. Piles of bed pillows were put to use to make a back cushion and Bo liked to sit upon a couple of pillows to look out the window.

I was lulled into contentment by the sound and motion of the ride and after a couple of stops to get coffee and gas up, I dozed off. Toni Louise had ventured into my lap and a jealous Eddie had pushed aside Bo and taken his place on the console to rest his silky haired head on my shoulder. He was protecting his mom from the affections of Toni Louise. He is not shy about letting everyone know that I am his person.

Suddenly awakened by my forward motion, the chair tipped forward and propelled us out! I was headed to the stairwell of two steps down to the exit door. For a split second I imagined hitting the door with great force from the momentum and the door giving way to let me fly out and onto the highway!

Since I am sitting here writing about the incident, that clearly did not happen. Instead, I tried to break my fall as Toni jumped from my lap to the side and Eddie scrambled over my back to safety. I hit both elbows and knees before landing hard on my bum shoulder.

The deaf man driving remained oblivious to the peril of possibly losing his wife on the highway until I called out to him. He glanced back and saw me sprawled on the floor and wanted to know if he should pull over. I didn't bother to answer, thinking it should be obvious and wondering if he would have known if I had flown out the door onto the side of the road. He says I think too much. He could be right.

He stopped to help me up and I pondered aloud that I thought he said he had bolted the chair in. He didn't say one way or the other. I think we can all agree that he may have thought about it but did not follow through.

Remember the Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason? He would lament constantly "one of these days Alice, one of these days". I know how he felt! The chair continued to tip me up after the maiden voyage to the floor. I found that I could leave my right leg down on the floor with the other leg resting on the pull out and brace myself if a sharp curve or turn was imminent. I could see out the front window now and could anticipate events.

We stopped for the night, and the driver studied the chair and then began digging around in the various compartments and drawers. I retired to the comfort of the bed, boy dogs in tow. Toni Louise stayed to help her master mutter over the calamity of the chair.

Was this an omen of this trip? Stay tuned .....