IHOP and Rachael

Entry from Sunday January 13, 2008

It’s about 3am early Sunday morning.

Phil, Caitlin, and I are at the IHOP by Pembroke Mall.

It’s lovely when the right combination of people get together for food and conversation.

The three of us balanced each other out.

We shared stories, stories of our families, and our childhood upbringings.

We shared ideas and philosophies for the future.

We critiqued each other’s mannerisms and behaviors.

We vented our frustrations.

We analyzed the music business and talked about our aspirations.

We argued.

We played Uno.

We didn’t leave until about 630am.

After having nights like that with people,

I always leave feeling more connected to them.

I create a special love for them.

Later on that day I was driving down Dam Neck Road heading towards Uncle Bob’s Storage to practice.

I had just taken a right on London Bridge Road when I saw a lady with the hitch hiking thumb out.

I decided to pick her up.

She was wearing a thick blue flannel jacket and had on worn-out faded blue jeans.

She looked like she was in her 40’s.

She seemed really frustrated.

She told me she had walked in the wrong direction.

She was really thankful I picked her up.

It was very cold out.

She works for a guy dealing with firewood.

She likes to listen to Staind.

I put on The Shins “Wincing The Night Away”.

I asked her how long she had been in Virginia Beach.

She didn’t answer.

Then she started crying.

I didn’t know what to say.

She apologized.

I said it was ok.

Then she told me she had just broken up with her boyfriend.

I asked her how long she had been with him.

She said not long.

I dropped her off at the house she wanted and that was it.