He’d done everything he could to run these loads and had been set up just like Gary had said to fail both times. This was not the company for him!

He finally hung up on Holly. It was over.

Next, he called the truck dealership and spoke with the manager.

“Why are you leaving Mr. Healey?” The gentleman asked.

So, as Tristan explained everything to him, the man listened quietly.

When Tristan had finished, the man was obviously upset about what had happened to Tristan.

“Okay, I’m documenting all of this. You were treated very shabbily and forced to run illegally both times…”

“Yes, sir.” Tristan replied.

“Okay, Mr. Healey. I’d appreciate it if you return my truck to Louisville.”

“Yes, sir, I plan to return it. I don’t have any way to get home, I’ll have to walk but I will return your truck.”

“Oh no, you won’t walk home, where do you live?” The man asked.

“I live in Flint, Michigan, sir.”

“Okay, I’ll buy you a bus ticket and give you money for cab fare back to the bus station in Louisville, you will not walk home, sir!”

Tristan was touched. This man truly cared and felt bad about how Tristan had been treated.

Tristan told him that the truck was dirty when he’d gotten into it and that the jake brake didn’t work.

“It’s probably just a fuse.” Tristan added.

“Yeah, probably is.” The man agreed.

“Also, Mr. Healey, if you need anything until you get back to Louisville, you have my extension number, just give me a call. If there’s anything I can do to help you out…”

Tristan thanked him and said that he would be leaving shortly to head for Louisville. Maura helped Tristan unload his things from the truck. Everything came out except what he would need until he returned home two days later.

Tristan headed for Louisville. He knew that his driving career was almost over.

It had run its course. It wasn’t the same industry that he’d fallen in love with 24 years earlier.

But then he wasn’t the same rough and tough kid either…

Once arriving back at the Louisville terminal he explained to everyone what had happened. Everyone apologized and said that it was the company’s loss that he was leaving. He was also told that he wasn’t the first driver that Holly had treated this way and forced out but that he just might be the last one she did it to!

Several people phoned their head terminal out of state and talked to executives about this dispatcher.

“Trust me, Tristan, this is not over!” He’d been told.

He was even asked to call two executives with the company and tell them what had happened. So, he did. They were both very nice and both asked him to stay and give them another chance but the damage was done. Tristan just couldn’t find it in him to stay and trust them again. He’d been hurt too badly.

“All I ask is that you prevent this from happening to anyone else.” Tristan had asked.

“I have power with this company, Tristan, just tell me what you want and it’s yours!” The man stated.

“Just don’t let Holly treat another driver the way she treated me…that’s all I ask.”

“We’re losing a good driver…this is our loss…” The man said sadly.

Tristan headed outside to the waiting taxicab. He was ready to go home.

He had learned a lot. He no longer wanted to own his own truck.

He no longer wanted to drive a truck period. That chapter of his life was ending.

He just wanted to be home everyday with Maura, their pups and cats.

The restless spirit deep inside of him was now ready to go home to stay.

But it wouldn’t end just yet and he knew it…