Do You Remember When

A boulder the size of a Fiat crashed down the hillside on Route 42 in Lexington, New York. The time of this rather spectacular asteroid landing was approximately midnight. Following a wonderful meal out at Peekamoose Restaurant with a client, hubbie and I were driving home and thankfully we saw it in time to skirt around it through the debris and rock litter that it had left as a trail on the left side of the road. It was quite a shock.

As we headed slowly forward we came across a newer SUV with hazard lights flashing, parked on the partial shoulder. We slowed down to chat with the two S.U.N.Y. Oneonta college students through the window and asked if they were O.K.. They had not been as lucky as us, their car had suffered a flat back tire and they were baffled as to what to do.

We pulled in and took a look.

" Well the good news is it is only flat on the bottom, " said hubbie, trying to diffuse their obvious distress with a bit of humor.

The anxious young man explained that he had no cell service and could not call 911. Not having cell service was something completely alien to the young man and I suppose being stranded on top of a mountain in a car you don't own, in the middle of the night with no way to reach anyone would be a bit daunting. Two or three of his friends had been picked up by a passer-by in a BMW and taken down the other side of the mountain toward Lexington to try and find some cell service.

Another car pulled up and paused to ask if he could help.

" Do you have a spare?" he asked.
" Yes, the young man answered. It's not my car, but I'm sure there is a spare."
" I gotcha," said the young bearded man in the older sedan.

He promptly pulled in and set to work. Hubbie and I said we'd double back down to the Shandaken Police Dept. and see if we could raise anyone. The boulder was certainly dangerous, and I suggested to the student that he should get a case report from the police so the tire or any other damage could be claimed on insurance.

We turned our car and headed back down the mountain. I was nervous crossing the debris and we passed a tractor trailer with a flatbed zooming up from the other direction. We flashed our lights but he zoomed by. We crossed our fingers and prayed that he wouldn't hit the boulder.

The police station was brightly lit inside, but there was no sign of anyone around but we did now have cell service. So after pushing the emergency button to no result, we phoned 911 and explained the situation to the calm sounding voice that answered. Despatch said someone was on their way.

We clambered back into the car. Cold from the chilly night and drove back to scene. I was nervous to cross all the debris and did not want a puncture too - but we were safely past and thankfully there was no sign of the tractor trailer.

The young bearded man had already changed the tire when we arrived back. Record time for sure, he knew what he was doing.

The young college student hugged the young man, hugged me and was very relieved to have his vehicle back in working order. I explained the police were on their way.  We congratulated the young bearded man on his kindness in helping out and he asked where we were headed.

" Home to Stamford, just 20 miles North," I said.
" Stamford? My girlfriend and I just moved to Harpersfield, so I guess we're neighbors," he said.
" Yes, we have a horse farm there," I explained.
" Horses?" his eyes brightened. " We love horses. We've never owned one but would like to ~ do you give riding lessons."
Horse chat naturally followed even though we were all cold and tired.

I tried to remember back to not knowing anything about horses but wanting one all the same. I think I was about three, riding on a cardboard box in which the large kitchen radio had arrived. I tied a piece of string to the flap and rode it around the garden. One day I left it out in a rain shower and when I went to ride it again it flopped to the floor, the cardboard sodden. The loss of my first horse. I cried and cried.

I explained we did not offer lessons and racked my brain for where to send him and his girlfriend for a good start with horses. I started fishing about in my handbag for a business card for the Catskill Horse Magazine.

For a moment he thought I was searching for my wallet to pay him.
" Oh no payment, please. I am just happy to help."
" No, I wasn't going to pay you, I am searching for a business card," and I explained about the magazine and how it was a great resource for everything equine in the area and beyond.
" Drop me an email," I said and let's keep in touch. " What is your name?"
" Mohammed," he said, almost shyly.
" Well Mohammed, I'll help you find a place to start riding. Good job tonight!" I smiled.
Just then the BMW returned with a bunch more anxious students shouting they couldn't find any cell service so had come back.
The college kids by the SUV looked relieved to see them.

The college kid hugged hubbie, I and Mohammed again and thanked us. Hugs all around ensued.
Mohammed disappeared to his car and off down the mountain toward Lexington and we were not far behind. Just as we pulled back onto the road we saw a small SUV flying up from the North side. We flashed our lights at him. And he flashed his lights back. His lights were a bit brighter than ours. It was a police car and his light bar was a welcoming sight.

All was well and I hoped that this serendipitous meeting with Mohammed would lead to he and his girlfriend fulfilling their passion for horses. Two days later I received an email.

Humbly it started, " I don't know if you remember me..."
Yes, I remembered him, and was very happy to be able to set him along on his journey with horses.