A Dim Reflection in the Rear View Mirror

This day was different, I could feel it when I woke up this morning and climbed into my beat-up Ford truck at three AM. The cold black upholstery chilled me to my core as my back relaxed in the familiar arches of the driver’s seat. When my high beams caught a figure on the side of the road I knew why. Today I was picking up a hitchhiker.

She was a pretty dame. Nothing special though. I was doing my regular morning highway route to the oil rig and slowed down when I saw her. I cranked the passenger window down. Just because she’s an all-right-looking chick doesn’t mean I’d let her into my car without knowing her name.

What’s a girl like you doing in freezing Alberta weather on the side of the highway at three AM looking to be picked up?

Does it matter why? I’m freezing, I need a ride.

Well, I can’t let just anyone in my car. What’s your name?

Love Watt.

What?

No, Watt. Like light bulb watts? Love is my first name.

You some kind of stripper?

She sighed and said, Do I look like one to you?

I looked her up and down. She was wearing a big pink parka with her knees exposed to the elements and cowboy boots that were not fit for the weather. All she had…