Twists and Turns

This morning, driving back from an English class, I took an involuntary detour, as is my wont. It didn't bother me as I enjoy discovering new places, and this one led me along a road through some lovely fields, bordered by forest. I made a mental note to return at some point and investigate the scenic walks which were signposted.

As I drove, I came over all philosophical, which is another wont of mine. I thought how I had sometimes wondered how my life would have been (or still be) had I followed a clear straight path with no diversions and distractions. 

I quickly came to the conclusion that it would have been bloody boring. I would have missed out on all sorts of opportunities and all  encounters with all sorts of people - not all of them happy but still, I learned from those and moved on.

At some point I turned back the way I had come, as I was getting out of my depth, but still managed to take a slightly different route out of the village than the one I had taken on the way in.

I noticed a woman, standing at the side of the road, talking to another woman who was sitting in her car, motor running. I took a double-take and realised that I knew the woman who was standing on the pavement. I stopped and reversed the car, while both women observed me curiously. Then I saw my friend's face light up as she recognised me. (Luckily she WAS pleased to see me!)

I got out of the car, and we hugged.

"What are you doing in this neck of the woods?", she asked.

"Don't ask!", I replied.

Then, as if it weren't enough to have the pleasure of this unexpected reunion, she asked me if I am still teaching English. Her son badly needs lessons. 

I gave her my business card and another hug before moving on to the next adventure, which I will relate another time. I have work to do and, fascinating as all these twists and turns are, I do occasionally need to stay on the straight and narrow.