Devil Inside

[tracker7]

It's Tuesday, right?  Here's how things have shaken out.

Sunday started off fairly normally.  Early wakeup, some puttering around, and a D&D game.  Home, quick nap, and then off to Louisville to pick up Spykeetom upon her return from Europe.

Midway between Frankfort and Louisville, the phone call comes.  Spykeetom is in tears.  Air Canada (see previous posting) kept up its sterling performance, and she missed her flight to Louisville.  She's on standby for a 7 a.m. flight and guaranteed a seat on a 9 p.m. flight.  This ... is unacceptable.  She asks how far Chicago is from here and if I will come to O'Hare International and get her.  She sounds terrible.

I think to myself, "What would Iron Man do?"  The immediate answer:  Tony Stark would buy a controlling interest in Air Canada, fire everybody responsible, and charter her a Lear for the ride home.  I can't do that, but I can get her home.  As I'm without my atlas, I call Dad for directions.  His are, of course, flawless.

Through Louisville.  Refuelling between Louisville and Indy (had a $25 Shell gift card for just such an emergency).  On through Indianapolis, which seemed strangely deserted, at least in I-65.  Top off the tank again, to make sure I've got fuel enough to get at least back into Indiana.  I-65 ends, I merge onto I-90.  Dear friends, Gary, Indiana, smells terrible.  The hell of construction on the Dan Ryan.  Onto I-190, right into O-Hare's parking complex.  Into the terminal.  Up escalators.  And there she is.

We head for home, stopping at an IHOP for pancakes.  Home to Lexington, at last.  The truck got a little better than 22 mpg on this haul - very surprising.

Surprised, and pleasantly so, that I can make a haul like this.  Nursed Mountain Dews for much of the drive, and that kept the caffiene level just right.  I slept for 15 hours after getting home.

I called my supervisor from northern Indiana;  she called back when we were passing through Indy.  Got an extension for my vacation (all week, now!), and she said that I have the best stories.

Y'all be good.  See some of you on Thursday.

Comments

[tegyrius]

That is damned good mileage for a vehicle of that size and vintage.

It's good that you got her to an IHOP, considering that ours ain't finished yet.

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

It was a pleasant surprise. The ol' Explorer always manages to come through. I would have killed for CDs, though.

As for IHOP ... *sigh* The foundation for ours isn't even poured yet.

[tegyrius]

Patience, Grasshopper. All things serve the Beam.

[kinepela.livejournal.com]

such a good guy =)

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

Aw, shucks.

I'd joked, since seeing her itinerary, that I could almost pick her up in Chicago and be in Louisville before her connecting flight landed there.

I don't often mind proving myself right, but this time was pushing it.

[tegyrius]

You just had to go and get mouthy. With all of us as witnesses, no less.

[rosepurr.livejournal.com]

You definitely get the good boyfriend award. :)

Did her luggage make it to Louisville?

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

No word on the suitcase yet.

[cathymg2.livejournal.com]

Aw... that's something straight from a romantic movie! Glad it all worked out in the end (i.e., she's home, safe and sound with you).

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

*grins* A few times on the drive, the surreality of this whole thing started creeping up on me.

[maxsilver.livejournal.com]

Gary IN has to be one of the most surreal, post-apocalyptic places to drive by. I can't imagine doing it by night. :)

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

It was very very strange. From the industrial mess of Gary right into the construction on the Dan Ryan.

[spoe.livejournal.com]

Not to mention how, if you're not paying attention and miss your turn-off, you reach the stoplight on I-65.