The Pickering Husky was the third stop on my tour.
My book signings always seem to start in a similar way. Here is the scene as it happened in Pickering:
1. The excruciating first half hour
Every woman is an island when she arrives at a truck stop with a pile of books.
Alex, the manager, gives me a weary look and points me over to a table, across from the canteen, to the right of the arcade and to the left of the toilets. I get my books set up. I sit. A few guys are eating, each at their own table. One turns his head slightly, just enough to clock me.
Nothing.
2. The ice breaker
One of the guys takes pity and pulls up a chair. He's from New Brunswick and drives all week, getting home for the weekends. This is considered an easier schedule, one that lets you spend some time with your kids. He owns his truck, but owes a lot. His eye contact is intense and I find myself picking non-existent lint off my jeans, just to break the stare.
3. The doctor is 'in'
The first guy leaves the chair in front of my table. This seems to leave a cue for the others. Another guy comes over about 5 minutes later and has a seat. He moved to Canada for a woman and broke up with her shortly after. The weather makes his bones ache, but his kids are here. He talks me through the audio system in his cab. He doesn't think about much when he drives.
Tally:
- Books sold = 3
- Cups of coffee = 1.5 (stomach lining thinner)
- Broken marriages discussed = 3
- Good conversations = 6
The Pickering Husky was a very trucky-truck stop, but they also have a softer side. The third picture down shows the decorative touch in the women's washroom. It smelled good too.
Thank you to Alex (pictured above) and the crew at the Pickering Husky. I think they weren't too sure of me at first, but really warmed up after a while.
