By Frances Bryce, September 3, 2020 — I’m writing about a trip that my husband and I took to Jamaica some years ago because he’s been deceased for a while.
The night we arrived at our hotel we had planned to get an early start the next day. This was a beautiful island in Jamaica and we were staying in Montego Bay.
The first day we awoke early. There was no time to waste. We wanted to get away and see the island. The sun was brightly shining, as we got on our way for our first day on the beautiful tropical island. Vegetation surrounded the hotel: bougainvillea, agave, and many other things. My husband and I started on an adventure. He was one of the men who do not ask for directions. Our little car had the steering wheel on the right side when we picked it up. At the rental, the attendants gave us a map and reminded us to keep to the left side when driving. My husband got in on the drivers’ side, I sat next to him ready for a fun day ahead.
We pulled out of the parking and immediately made the wrong move. We were on the side of the road which we should not have been and a car with a fast rate of speed was coming in the same direction as we were driving. My husband corrected his driving flaw and he got us out of harm’s way. I closed my eyes, prepared for the worst. A disaster was avoided. I took a breath and we continued on our way. I noticed as we drove the gas stations ahead were very far apart and the last time I had seen one was at least 5-2 0 miles in the past.
At this time I said, “When do you stop and get some gas?”
And he said in a very sharp manner, I thought, “When we run out.” I accepted it as a charge to say, “I’m taking care of this and I don’t want any help.”
“I see,” was my reply, and immediately started admiring the beautiful flowers and the rest of the island. It was a perfect day, with moderate temperature, colorful nature, a few animals grazing, and cars that zipped by at a fast rate of speed. I never saw a speed sign, probably missed them while looking and admiring the beautiful scenery that nature had provided. Soon, the car gave us sputtering sounds as if to say “I don’t have long to keep this up.” My husband looked at me and he looked at the gage. In a sheepish voice, he said, “I think we may be out of gas.”
I made no verbal reply. My facial expression however said, “I guess it’s time to get some gas since you have now run out.” He managed to pull the car to the side. A man was walking by and my husband asked him, “How far down is the next gas station?” and the man said, “Oh just down the road, man.” I rolled up the window and made myself comfortable as my husband disappeared into the distance walking.
I drifted off apparently and when I awoke my husband was jumping off the back of a truck with a gas can in his hand. He emptied the contents in the tank and we got underway. About five or ten miles later we arrived at the gas station that was just down the road. He returned the gas can and filled the tank.
I guess we had had enough excitement that day, especially on the first day. Maybe next time I see a gas station I will stop so we can keep the tank full because just down the road is quite a distance.