Highway Sightings- Doppelganger?
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This has happened to me twice now and I'm getting curious about it. I've decided it's not my imagination. This can't just be exhaustion, it's been in the same place both times. I drive a route between Houston and DFW for work once a month, and I'll usually hit the last leg of the return trip south of Dallas at twilight or right after dark. It's a big, flat, empty area after Corsicana that doesn't even have much highwaytown- just overpass after overpass for bigger roads all heading somewhere else. It might be a floodplain. The ditches on the sides of the highway are wide and deep.
The first time was a few months ago, before the time change. It had hit dark during supper. Slipping under overpasses in a solid file with the procession of taillights, I was half listening to the Mavs when some crazy woman stepped out into the road from a ditch ahead of me. I had time to slam the breaks. We were right at the abutment of the overpass and I recognized her! I've made small talk with her in line before. Short blonde hair, pale pink sweatpants and a zip up hoodie. She might be in her fifties? Always alone. For a split second, she made eye contact. She held it as she turned and hiked up the knoll toward the recess, disappearing into the dark. I had a stack of people stopped behind me, horns blaring. I decides to pull off at the next exit and catch my breath, did she need help? Eventually decided I was tired and I needed to get to the hotel.
It's been months, and I've been noticing this lady ever since. I've made the drive several times without incident, including the return leg of that trip. I see her less than I feel like I used to- I spotted her on the other side of the store one Sunday and it was like a celebrity sighting. She's never close enough to talk to without having to make a beeline. It feels like a mistake. I haven't done it.
Last night. The sun was still in the sky, but low enough to be gloaming. We were all switching our lights on one by one as we felt it was dark enough. Maybe the same overpass? Maybe a different one? They blend together. She stepped out into the road ahead of me, just enough distance that I could slam the brakes and stop. She caught my eye, like a dog does, and tried to herd me up into the hollow under the bridge supports. Traffic had to keep moving, but I got turned around and tried that exit again. Nothing. She was real, there wqs plenty of light still. I got a good look at her.
Next time I see her, I'm making up an excuse to talk.