jake (truck driver)

Jake was a truck driver in his late twenties, driving across the United States and delivering loads from one state to another. That night, he had been driving for hours when he spotted a gas station with a small restaurant beside it. He pulled his truck into the parking lot, got out, and stretched his back. He needed coffee and something to eat before continuing his trip.

As he walked toward the restaurant, he noticed a girl standing outside near the side of the building. She was wearing the restaurant's uniform and was clearly on her break. She stood alone, smoking and looking out at the highway.

Jake needed a lighter, so he walked over.

"Excuse me, do you have a lighter?"

She looked at him and nodded. "Yeah."

She pulled a lighter from her pocket and handed it to him. He used it, then gave it back.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Jake glanced at the restaurant. "You work here?"

"Unfortunately," she replied with a small laugh.

He smiled. "Bad job?"

"Night shifts are annoying. People come in at the weirdest hours and order the strangest things."

"Like what?"

"Once, someone ordered pancakes at three in the morning and asked me not to put syrup on them because he was allergic. Then he asked me to put the syrup in a cup on the side."

Jake laughed. "That's ridiculous."

"I know."

He sat on the bench nearby. "How long until your shift ends?"

She checked her watch. "About an hour and a half."

"I've still got five hours of driving."

She looked toward his truck. "You're a truck driver?"

"Yeah. Most of the time, I'm alone."

"I don't think I could do that."

"You get used to it.".