i was in exiting the freeway, in the far right lane, slowing to about fifty mph. a small white 1997 honda was in the left lane, slightly behind me, also exiting the freeway. the big rig was still on the freeway. ... and the next minute happened all too fast.

the truck driver flew off the freeway and swopped his massive trailer into the left exit lane, right in front of the white honda. the owner of the honda honked and fish tailed for a moment before recovering. and i started honking too, when i realized that the rig was still moving to the right, into my lane.

on this particular off ramp, you are forced to go into a half-tunnel of sorts, meaning there was shrubbery, the left exit lane, the right exit lane, and a twenty-foot tall concrete wall. i was a couple of feet back from the cab of the semi when he brought more than half of his truck into my lane. there was no shoulder, i had nowhere to go. he was hauling ass. moving so so fast. i braked, i laid on the horn. he still kept coming. i quickly realized i was getting sandwiched between the truck and the wall. i was scared shitless. ... and then it happened. i braked hard, but not in enough time. he clipped my left front and sent me into a spin.

i saw the white honda go by. i saw the face of the driver in his driver side mirror. i saw the concrete wall and realized i was heading right into it and wished more than anything that i was dreaming and that chocolate was not practically in my lap holding on for dear life.

with all of the adrenaline and super human strength that comes with thinking your life is about to end, i pulled the car hard to the left while utilizing the emergency brake technique i learned from one of those cheesy ``how to drive safely`` brochures they sometimes have at gas stations.

my car no longer in a terrifying spin, i followed the lanes to the left. the truck quickly exited to the right before i could get a license plate number. the trailer was solid white with no identifying marks, and i knew that nothing would happen to the careless man that had nearly ended my life, and the life of my chocolate bear.

at the red light, the driver of the white honda rolled down his window, and gestured for me to do the same.

``are you okay?``

``i... i think so.``

``that truck driver was an asshole. are you sure you're okay? you're really lucky we were the only ones exiting, that spin could have been nasty.``

``yeah.``

``hey, you seem really shaken up. i would be too. i wish there was some place to pull over around here. i'm calling the chp right now, and the harbor police. maybe they can get the guy if someone is in the area. hey-``

the light turned green and the driver didn't move. neither did i. someone behind him honked and he gave them the finger.

``i'm alright,`` i said. ``thanks.``

``no problem. did you get my license plate number? my name is mike ____. if your insurance company or the cops need anything, i'm a witness, i'd be happy to help in whatever way i can. i-''

a different driver, another honk.

``thanks, mike. really, thank you. i'm okay. we shouldn't be stopped like this. thank you.``

and with that we drove forward. mike one way, i the other. i drove to the parking lot of robs school, parked the car, and sat there, shaking. i gave chocolate hugs. and when rob came out of class, i gave him hugs too.

and it was kind of neat that rob is training to be an emt. he checked me out, and determined i was fine. i'd bumped my head on my window, my neck was strained, and my arms were sore, but i think i came out pretty damn good, all things considered. *g*

so yeah.

that was my day.

... how was yours?

any thoughts? (0)����������������