A Bad Day

This young lady was having a really bad day. She is a military wife and her husband has already been relocated to Denver. She's trying to wrap things up here to then join him there. They have been trying to sell this truck and it has been sitting at the "Lemon Lot" (used cars on base) for a while. Well she was already running late to chaperon an event in Kailua, when her truck runs out of gas on the freeway by the stadium. Fortunately for her her luck was about to change.

She had not been on the side of the road long at all. I know that because I had scanned the side a few minutes earlier and there were no cars. Shortly after, through the jumble of cars in traffic, I can see her hazard light flashing. At the same time a solo bike officer was about 2 cars back from me, also approaching the truck. We both pulled over at the same time (me in front, him behind) which I bet was a shock to both her and the police officer. (Click for Map)

When I approached they told me she needed gas. "I have gas." I said and went to work getting the can from the truck bed. The bike officer backed up a little and kinda kept the traffic away from crowding me as I gave her what I had. She also explained to me that because her truck had been sitting so long unused, the battery was weak and she had trouble starting it. "No problem" I said, excited about using my new jump starter for the first time.

Sure enough she tried to start it and it was tired sounding. I connected the jumpstarter, flipped the switch, she tried again and "VVrrooommmmmm..." it kicked over like a champ! Hurray!

I gave her a card and asked if I could take a picture for the blog. I even gave a card to the police officer and thanked him too. When I was done packing up, I jumped in my truck and immediately noticed the cop was holding traffic up so I could pull out. I quickly did and then realized my seat belt wasn't on yet! YIKES! I got it on, killed the amber flasher and continued on.

Hopefully we were able to be a little ray of sunshine on a bad day. I never did get her name.