The Dates

Finally, our weary group of travelers was ready to put Cleveland in the rear view mirror.  I made a few mirror adjustments, started the vehicle, and put it in drive.  The van idled forward as I continued to familiarize myself with all the van’s functions and where they were.  I found the wipers and figured out their operation.  I continued to alternate my attention from where we were going to trying to figure out the heater and defroster which I figured we would surely need once we got out into the foggy night air.  I located the controls and was in the process of adjusting the fan speed, temperature, and direction when I heard Logan shout, “Look out!”

I quickly changed my focus from the air controls to the windshield to see that we were heading directly toward a shadowy figure that was standing right in our path.  I wasn’t going fast, but, as I slammed on the brakes, the brakes squealed and the van skidded on the wet garage pavement.  We stopped before hitting the figure.  It was good that we did because the person made no attempt at all to try to get out of the way.  There was a collective sigh from the group.  The figure just stood illuminated in the headlights--motionless, expressionless.  The headlights created a very eerie sight.  It was similar to what you would see when, as kids, you would shine a flashlight under your chin to create some grotesque facial features.

I rolled down the window quickly.  “Buddy, are you okay?”  There wasn’t any response.  A second time, with a little more emphasis, I repeated, “Are you okay?”  Once again there was no response, no motion from the mysterious person.  I really wasn’t sure what to do.  He was blocking our way and made no indication that he was going to step to the side and let us pass.  There also wasn’t any room to get around him.  We were at a standoff!

Things were getting rather creepy when suddenly Logan bolted from his rear seat, opened the side door and was face to face with the stranger, like quick.  I was amazed at how Logan negotiated getting past the van’s seats, unlatched the door and charged around to the front of the vehicle so fast.  The stranger was a bit taller than Logan, but there Logan was--chest in the stranger’s chest, face in the stranger’s face, fists clenched.  “The question was are you okay?” Logan spoke in a very challenging and demanding tone.  For a moment, I thought that things were going to get out of hand.  I wasn’t quite sure what I could do about it.  Logan had this determined, menacing look on his face.  With all his combat training, I certainly didn’t want to get in his way.  It was also apparent that he had a quick fuse and a determined, if not unique, method for handling conflict resolution.

The stranger made his first move since the encounter.  He changed his gaze which, to this point, was in the general direction of the van and looked Logan in the eyes.