20 of 31

Write now Article Tools

He sits over his plate of nachos and stares at me from across the Taco Bell. When I look up at him, meeting his eyes for only a brief moment, he sees this as an invitation.

"Pardon me, but where are you from?" he asks.

"Prairieville," I answer.

"And that's in Louisiana?"

"Yes."

"Where am I?" he asks, looking confused. All I can think is "Is he serious?".

"Hammond," I say.

"And that's in Louisiana?"

"Yes."

He then gets up to come and sit beside me, placing the Ziploc bag holding the two decks of cards next to his tray. These may possibly be his only possessions.

It is then that I learn he is David. He is a hitchhiker a very geographically and directionally challenged hitchhiker. We discuss I.Q. (his was 130, he wondered if that was good), philosophy, religion, and tattoos, while my friend looks on nervously, afraid he may suddenly become dangerous. But I know he isn't.

"Where are you headed?" I ask.

"California, or New Mexico," he says with big blue eyes staring at nothing.

We wish him a good journey and leave, once again reminded that loneliness is the human condition and sometimes all a stranger needs is a little conversation.

Learn more about this author, Amy Daughdrill.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is it OK to engage a conversation with strangers??
We want to hear your view. Write now!