Many times he had dreamed of this, many times he had wanted this to happen, and now he was scared to death. Rushing around to pack his bags and get everything together there was only one thing on his mind; the thought haunted him and played on his every emotion. Sure he knew her, or thought he did. They had talked so much together, spent so many nights alone with each other, why is this so different. He always knew the right thing to say, and was even funny at times, quick witted and spontaneous. So why was he so frightened now?

He had to get his bedding together, find his old CB radio and antennas; round up his tools he had not used in several years and get his papers in order. He felt like a beginner starting out on his first trip. Hustling about trying to think of everything he needed. He already had over 2 million accident free miles in a semi and had spent almost 25 years traveling to every state in the union. So why would this trip be any different than the others? He knew why, because of her.

They had often talked of wanting to meet on the computer and now he had his chance to finally meet her face to face. They knew everything about each other and had explored each other’s deepest desires. Maybe you can know too much about a person?

He had the week off from work and they had asked if he wanted to take a little trip and haul a load to Atlanta, GA for them. Without giving it much thought he agreed, secretly thinking of her. Maybe we could meet finally, he thought to himself. So the load was setup and now he was committed to it. There would be no turning back now.

He knew once a driver committed to a load it was his duty and obligation to haul it, call it professional pride or integrity, a driver was only as good as his word. You except the load, you haul it, and you deliver it on time safely. That is what makes a professional driver and distinguishes them from the rest of the truck drivers on the road.

Arriving at the terminal he went in to dispatch and drew a truck. Since he was also a dispatcher he was given a new 2000 model 379 Peterbilt. She was a beauty, large chrome Texas style bumper, dual chrome exhaust pipes up the side of the cab, twin chrome Vortex air cleaners and 10 new polished aluminum wheels and polished fuel tanks. All white with blue and green flame stripping set off this huge wonder of modern technology.

The big 550 horsepower diesel Cat engine was all computer controlled as well as most of the trucks functions. The suspension rode on 4 large airbags as well as the cab, being suspended on the frame with two airbags in the rear and a floating hinge up front to allow the cab to float up and down. Even the seats floated on air and had dual lumbar air adjustments as well as the seat cushion itself. The seat was also heated and had a built in vibrator to relax the driver during times of long hours sitting motionless in the seat.

Climbing up in the cab he adjusted the seat to his weight and height, then adjusted the telescoping and tilting steering column to fit his posture. He sat studying the dash layout, almost representative to that of a small airplane’s cockpit. 19 gauges and dials along with numerous digital computer readouts stared back at him. He smiled thinking of how much had changed since he first started driving.

Sliding the clutch to the floor and checking to make sure the transmission was in neutral he slowing turned the key to the right to the on position. Immediately, warning lights and buzzers started filling the cab. Gauge needles rose and fell, then settled back into place. Audible clicking noises could be heard as relays switched on and off while the computer ran a diagnostic check of all electrical systems. Once he was sure everything was okay he turned the key to the right to the start position.

Explosively the 550 horsepower Cat erupted to life, shaking the truck with its enormous torque and power. He could still feel the vibration through his seat and loved the sound of that big engine when it roared to life. No matter how many times he fired one up there was always that little boy thrill than ran through him. Again a check of all the gauges assured him that everything was ready to go.

Stepping from the seat he stood up and walked to the back. He made his bed and put everything away and secured anything that could move about or become a projectile in an accident. This particular truck had two beds, but he only made up one since he was alone on this trip. He folded the other up into the back wall and then checked the refrigerator to see that the door was secure. Folding up the hideaway table into the compartment and closing all compartment doors he headed back up to the front.

Slowly depressing the clutch to the floor, he slid the 18-speed transmission into fourth gear and gently depressed the tractor parking brake to release the air brakes. Easing slowly out on the clutch the big truck started to move forward. The hood stuck out so far that he could not see anything on the ground within about eighteen feet of the front bumper. The wheel responded to his every move as the power steering pump hummed beneath the hood.

Slowly driving around back he located his trailer and positioned the big truck in front of it. Backup warning alarms sounded from outside as he rolled down both electric windows and started to back up to the trailer. Easing slowly backwards, he watch in his mirrors, being careful to stay inline with the fifty-three foot long trailer and watching as the drive tires started under it. With years of experience he knew just when the trailer should contact the fifth wheel and start to rise up onto the tractor. Feeling the slight bump, he watched as the truck sank slowly under the oncoming weight and watched for the trailer to move sideways as the kingpin aligned entered the fifth wheel locking mechanism.

A distinctive metallic latching sound told him the dogs had locked and the trailer was securely attached. Slowly he pulled forward against the trailer and felt the truck twist to the right as it tried to drag the 40,000 pound load with the trailer brakes locked. This was a safety check to make sure the trailer was attached and locked properly and would not come apart from the tractor.

Setting the tractor brakes he got out and hooked up first his service air line from the tractor to the trailer. This line would allow air to pass from the tractor to the trailer when the brake pedal was pushed and cause the trailer’s brakes to be applied at the same time. Next he hooked up the emergency line to the trailer; this would supply air to the system that will release the trailer's brakes to allow it to roll. Then he connected the electrical line, supplying the needed electricity to power the lights and Anti-Lock Brake System, along with the computer operated inflation system that kept the trailer’s tire aired up to the correct pressure, even if punctured by a nail.

Then it was time to roll up the landing gear or legs that the trailer stands on when not connected to a tractor. The two-speed gearbox made quick work of this and it was time to climb back into the cab. Moving forward a couple of feet after releasing the trailer’s brakes he popped the emergency valve on the dash to check and make sure the coupling was secure and that the emergency brakes were working properly.

Turning on his lights and 4-way flashers he got out to do his walk around inspection. Out of habit he still kicked the tires to make sure they all were inflated, looked over the trailer sides and underneath for any out of the ordinary problems or damage. Opening the back doors and checking the load he satisfied himself that it was properly loaded and secure. He used an old shop rag to wipe off all the lights as he completed his circle around the truck and satisfied, he stored his gloves and rag in the side box and was ready to get in for the final time.

Reaching up into the overhead storage bin he removed his logbook and filled it out up to the time he was ready to depart. Since the trailer was already loaded he was ready to roll.

He had made the trip so many times that he did not look at a map book, but already knew in his mind where he would stop to fuel, eat and rest on the trip. I was only 816 miles over to Atlanta from Tulsa and he knew every truckstop, scale and highway between.

Seatbelt fastened and adjusted, he began to release the brakes and started moving. This time he used second gear to start off in because of the heavy load he now had attached. The 200 gallons of diesel would be enough to get to Atlanta without having to stop and fuel along the way. So checking traffic he eased out on the clutch and started pulling out onto the highway.

Listening to the engine as it progressed in rpm’s and then at the right moment he would release his pressure on the accelerator and slide the transmission into the next gear progressively through the pattern until he was in eighteenth gear. Never touching the clutch pedal while shifting. Old timers call it floating the gears. Rolling smoothly along at seventy miles per hour he listened to the big tires sing on the pavement as air was pressed from between the grooves in the tires as they flexed against the concrete surface. What was better than this he though?

Then He thought of her! He hadn’t even gotten up the nerve to call her and tell her he would be in town. Better this way he thought, then he can back out if he wants to and she would not be offended. Maybe he would call her from Little Rock he thought. They had talked a few times and he had kept her number hid in his wallet from his wife’s prying eyes. Maybe she will already have plans he thought as he rolled down the Muskogee Turnpike toward interstate 40.

Yea, he thought, maybe she might already have plans and can’t meet him. Maybe she won’t even be home when he calls. So silly he though, at his age he was acting like some high school boy afraid to ask the Prom Queen out on a date.

Then the real fear sat in on him. What if she doesn’t like me he thought, maybe she will think I am to fat, or to old when she sees me. They had exchanged pictures several times and he knew what she looked like and she knew what he looked like, but pictures can be deceiving sometimes. He knew he tried to hide his spare tire as much as possible when his pictures are taken. We all have something we don’t want the camera to see. And those pictures she sent him? Was that really she in those pictures? Was she trying to hide something from him? She really waited a long time before ever showing him a picture. I wonder if she has been pulling my leg about how she really looks?

We all worry about the first impression we create on people and on a blind date, we really start worrying.

He checked both mirrors and signaled as he merged the big truck out onto interstate 40. Signs for Fort Smith started sliding by as the miles on the odometer increased.

What if I say or do something to offend her? We all have our computer personalities, but we all know that is not the real us either. We hide our faults well through a keyboard. What was it he had done once to upset her? When she dropped him offline like a hot potato and didn’t speak to him for a couple of weeks? What if I do that again? He just knew he was going to make an ass out of himself. Maybe he should not call her?

Scales open ahead, the sign says. Well maybe there will not be any DOT officers there today to hassle him he hoped. He had stopped in Tulsa at a truckstop and ran across the scales and his weights and bridge was okay. But the DOT boys have a way off hassling you about everything. Oh well! He thought and slid into the deceleration lane and idled up onto the scale pad. He no sooner got stopped and the green light came on to give him the go ahead. Relief washed through him as he started grabbing gears to get back onto the highway.