Squirrely Driver At Brake Of Day

STORYTELLING | by SHERRY STRIPLING

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A BLEAK GRAY MORNING WHEN TWO SQUIRRELS, hot on each other’s little heels, dashed across the road right in front of my car.

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I slammed on my brakes but only one squirrel emerged alive, beating my driver’s side wheel by inches.

Discouraged thoughts went through my head as I sat for a long, desolate moment slumped forward against my steering wheel.

It was bad enough that I was going to work. Did I have to start off the day killing something? Were the squirrels rivals, buddies, sweethearts?

Just then I looked up to see a city utility worker standing by her truck 10 feet from the passenger side of my front window. Her expression was intense but inscrutable.

With her eyes locked on mine, she pulled my view up to a knoll on her side of the street. There sat Squirrel No. 2, twitching his tail, impatiently waiting for me to move on so he could catch up with Squirrel No. 1, who was safely on my side of the road.

Zoom! I returned my eyes to the worker in record time. She met my huge grin with a slight nod and softening smile.

I suppose the sun didn’t really break out. I wasn’t really greeted with flowers and a raise at work. But I felt buoyed by gifts all day:

The squirrels were alive. And I’d touched hearts with a human being without exchanging a word.