Monday. 5:55 a.m. I-95 S in morning drive to work. I was moving too fast to snap a shot so you’re stuck with that photo of I-95, but it’s North-bound, mid-afternoon, in bumper to bumper traffic several weeks earlier.
Back to Monday morning, and this commuter’s meditation. The hum of tire rotation on pavement. A/C chilling the cabin. Instrumental music from Iceland’s greatest export, Ólafur Arnalds.
12 minutes from the office.
Pre-rush hour traffic flowing smoothly. 75 mph, and ~4 car lengths behind the car in front. I shift in seat, unable to find sweet spot to ease the lower back pain. It could be worse. Tune ends, playlist skips to next Arnalds’ track. Rob Roberge: “Words can intrude when the body wants to take over. Lyrics make you think—music helps you just feel.”
Then…tail lights from car in front flicker once. Then twice. Then solid red. Slowing in speed lane on I-95? Amygdala on high alert. I tap the brakes, eyes scan the roadway. And there she comes: Bambi. No. No. No. She’s looking to cross 6 lanes of highway, 3 lanes separated by 5-foot concrete divider.
I lift my right hand the from gear stick, ready to shield myself as she comes through the windshield. My left clenches the steering wheel. And then super-slo-mo.
She dodges the car in front.
There’s a soft thump on my passenger side rear fender.
I see her clear the divider with a foot to spare…and can’t bear to watch any longer to see if she cleared oncoming traffic heading North.
Yanko Flores (The Morning Show): “There is nothing you can do to stop the wind from blowing. So what can you do…? You just keep on moving. And you brace yourself for the shitstorm.”
I turn my attention back to I-95. I find both hands clutching the steering wheel, and can’t seem to release.
I keep on moving…
Live & Learn 