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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/19080656\/qnIpJJ0.jpg\")
\nA road trip with your new significant other is supposed to be romantic and fun – not turn into a complete failure. But that’s exactly what happened to 25-year-old Lex, when her boyfriend just left her at a gas station in the middle of the Arizona desert.
\n[post_page_title]The first trip[\/post_page_title]
\nEven though Lex and her boyfriend had only been dating for around three months, they had traveled several times early on in the relationship, so she was not too worried about going on a long road trip together.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114624\/Jo19HMR.jpg\")
\nThe two decided to set out on a real adventure, driving from New Mexico to Mexico to hike in nature, enjoy gorgeous views and just spend some well-needed quality time together. But things didn’t quite work out that way.
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\n[post_page_title]Napping in the back [\/post_page_title]
\nLex had been napping in the back of the Honda Element, which had been converted for living in – making it the perfect road trip car. Being able to use the car to sleep in meant Lex and her boyfriend neither had to pay for hostels, nor sleep in tents.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114626\/8R401Mc.jpg\")
\nSo Lex had been comfortably dozing off in the bed in the back, when her boyfriend decided to stop for gas in the middle of the Arizona desert.
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\n[post_page_title]Going to the bathroom[\/post_page_title]
\nWhile he was filling up the tank, Lex decided to get out and stretch for a couple of minutes, and use the bathroom. So she crawled out and headed for the gas station toilets.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114628\/fGkxUBt.jpg\")
\nShe was away for no more than a couple of minutes, but as she came back – she was surprised to see the car was not where she had left it. Surprised, but not too worried, she assumed her boyfriend had simply driven around back to park.
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\n[post_page_title]Where is he?[\/post_page_title]
\nLex started walking around the parking lot and surrounding area looking lookin for the car, jokingly thinking perhaps her boyfriend hadn’t even noticed she got out and went to the bathroom. But as the seconds passed by with no car in sight, she started realizing to her horror – this might actually be the case.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114629\/AobEi8m.jpg\")
\nHer boyfriend might have actually driven off and left her stranded in the middle of the desert. This was not how she had expected their road trip adventure to begin.
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\n[post_page_title]In a pickle[\/post_page_title]
\nAs the severity of the situation dawned on her, Lex sat down on a bench trying to figure out what to do. And she quickly thought of the brilliant idea to simply call him. That would have been a great plan, except for one problem – she had left her phone in the car.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114630\/YyuCdNI.jpg\")
\nGroggy from sleep and knowing she would only be away for a minute, grabbing her phone had been the last thing on her mind when she went to the bathroom.
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\n[post_page_title]Asking for help[\/post_page_title]
\nLex then did the second thing anyone in this situation would do. She went back inside the gas station store to ask the cashier to use their phone. But she was completely unsympathetic to Lex’s situation, and with a complete poker face said they don’t have one.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114632\/mo8cOZR.jpg\")
\nLex clearly knew the woman was lying, but didn’t feel like arguing, so instead she started awkwardly asking random people in the store. But that was naturally met with suspicion.
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\n[post_page_title]Unfriendly strangers[\/post_page_title]
\nIt seemed like every person Lex approached thought she would steal their phone and make a run for it (although where exactly did they think she could she escape to, since they were all in the middle of the desert?).
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114641\/Czh4aVz.gif\")
\nGiving up, Lex stepped outside, hoping to find more trusting strangers filling up gas. Luckily she did manage to borrow a phone eventually, but only then she realized her next problem – she didn’t actually remember her boyfriend’s phone number by heart.
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\n[post_page_title]Calling herself[\/post_page_title]
\nAll that was left for Lex to do was repeatedly call her own phone, just hoping her boyfriend would pick up. But she knew chances were slim, as it was way in the back of the car – and he was presumably in the front driving.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/19080830\/XRg17LV.jpg\")
\nAnd as the people came and went from the gas station, she had to continue approaching strangers, explain her unfortunate situation and just hope they would be willing to hand their phones over so she could keep trying.
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\n[post_page_title]Trying again[\/post_page_title]
\nLex used one kind person’s phone to log into Facebook, realizing she could find her boyfriend’s phone number that way. As brilliant as that move was, once she finally had the number and called – his phone turned out to be off.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114643\/cAhR94M.jpg\")
\nAt this point Lex was starting to get more than a little panicked, and frustrated. How had her boyfriend not noticed she was missing? Did he not find it odd her phone was ringing non-stop in the back?
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\n[post_page_title]People taking pity[\/post_page_title]
\nEventually two hours had passed, and despite all her efforts Lex was starting to give up hope. And while trying to explain her situation to the strangers she came across at the gas station, she got very mixed responses.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114645\/Aw89N2V.jpg\")
\nSome didn’t believe her, some felt bad for her and one kind man even offered to pay for a hotel room for Lex – clearly thinking the boyfriend ditched her on purpose and she was simply too embarrassed to admit it.
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\n[post_page_title]Suspicious store clerks[\/post_page_title]
\nDuring all her efforts, the store clerks had been less than helpful. Not only refusing to borrow her the phone they obviously had, they had also been staring at her very suspiciously as she hung around the gas station asking strangers for help.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114648\/WLQN721.gif\")
\nAfter the two hours Lex was frustrated, hot and could no longer hold back her tears. So she just sat down on a bench and started bawling, thinking things couldn’t get worse. But that’s exactly when a cop pulled up.
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\n[post_page_title]Mean move[\/post_page_title]
\nYes, the store clerks had actually called the cops on Lex, clearly thinking a woman alone and crying in the middle of the desert was a suspiciously criminal behavior.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114649\/oIZFazz.jpg\")
\nThe officer calmly but firmly explained to Lex the store clerks had called them complaining about a woman “loitering and haggling people for phones”. Although that was one way to describe Lex’s behavior, she quickly gave the officer the full story and the real reason why she was stranded there.
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\n[post_page_title]A nice cop..[\/post_page_title]
\nThe female officer found the situation just as confusing as Lex did, but luckily believed her story (for the most part) and immediately took pity on her. But despite sympathizing, she explained Lex couldn’t stay there.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114651\/29EzRmu.jpg\")
\nHer choices were either getting a ride to a truck rest stop in the town nearby, or come back with her to the police station…Since Lex didn’t exactly feel like a criminal, she decided to go with option one.
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\n[post_page_title]..but pessimistic[\/post_page_title]
\nThe police woman reluctantly agreed to drive Lex to the truck stop, but it was clear she also suspected her boyfriend had left her there on purpose and thought Lex was a little naive to keep hoping he would come back for her.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114652\/IUjq1OV.jpg\")
\nBut as they were driving down the highway, suddenly another cop on the radio said he was at the very same gas station they had just left – with a distressed man looking for his girlfriend.
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\n[post_page_title]Sigh of relief[\/post_page_title]
\nLex couldn’t help but crack up as soon as she heard what the police on the radio said, and so did the female officer driving her. They immediately turned around and headed back towards the gas station.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114653\/8Kx3ywW.gif\")
\nAs soon as they arrived, Lex saw her poor boyfriend, standing outside their car, banging on the windows and on the verge of tears. He couldn’t believe he had actually left Lex in the desert, and had been just as distressed as her as soon as he had realized.
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\n[post_page_title]Realizing his mistake[\/post_page_title]
\nAs the two were finally reunited, he explained he had realized his mistake as he passed by some beautiful scenery quite far into the drive from the gas station, and decided to wake Lex up so she could enjoy it too.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114655\/8t6JW1b.gif\")
\nThat’s when he to his horror realized she wasn’t actually in the car. He immediately turned the car around, and raced back towards the gas station – driving faster than he ever had in his life.
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\n[post_page_title]Relationship ruined?[\/post_page_title]
\nHe admitted he had thought it was strange so many people seemed to be calling her phone, but he didn’t feel comfortable answering it for her. After all, they had only been together for three months, and were not yet at that stage when you feel completely at ease with those sorts of things.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114655\/qfGFMqF.jpg\")
\nDuring his race back he thought the relationship was for sure ruined because of his mistake, and that this was the end of their road trip.
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\n[post_page_title]An awesome trip[\/post_page_title]
\nLuckily for this guy, Lex is a pretty chill girl and could quickly laugh at the whole thing as soon as they were reunited. The pair thanked the police officers and happily went on with their trip – and ended up having the most amazing time.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114657\/Odh16vb.jpg\")
\nThey enjoyed beautiful scenery along the highway, explored beaches around the Baja Peninsula, went diving and hiking, and even met some cool locals. All in all it unexpectedly turned out to be a perfect trip, despite the dramatic first part.
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\n[post_page_title]Online reactions[\/post_page_title]
\nLex shared the whole story online, and ended on a happy note emphasizing nothing like this has ever happened with her boyfriend again – and the two are still happily together. And people were relieved at the happy ending ,especially since many admitted to this being their worst nightmare.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114658\/uXhnTHG.jpg\")
\nBeing left behind at a gas station or rest stop as the car or bus you’re supposed to be on just drives off, is one of those worst case scenarios that usually only happen in movies.
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\n[post_page_title]Critiquing the store clerks[\/post_page_title]
\nMany people reacting to the story were harshly criticizing the clerks working at the gas station, feeling they had been completely out of line by refusing to give poor Lex access to the phone. And as one commenter ironically pointed out, they did somehow manage to call 911 without having a phone.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114659\/1Fd9kXR.jpg\")
\nBut others said this is common for small businesses, who are worried about getting tricked and robbed. Since police stations are few and far in between int these types of remote areas, perhaps their caution is not so surprising.
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\n[post_page_title]Similar stories[\/post_page_title]
\nOthers yet shared similar stories, proving what happened to Lex isn’t as unusal as you might think. One poor user even had this happen to him as a 10-year-old child. And he was less understanding of the mistake, saying he doesn’t understand how anyone can forget their child.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114701\/L7fhO17.jpg\")
\nBut others were more forgiving, saying these things simply happen. And if anything Lex’s story proves there is rarely ill intent behind accidentally leaving a loved one behind.
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\n[post_page_title]A real keeper[\/post_page_title]
\nBut the main take-away from the story for most was how great Lex’s boyfriend turned out to be. Yes he left her behind, but it was an honest mistake and he was more than remorseful.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/28114702\/zEp1G55.jpg\")
\nConsidering they had only been dating for three months at the time of this trip, it could very well have been the end of the road for these two. But luckily they were both more than willing to keep going on their shared journey, and that clearly paid off.
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\n[post_page_title]A different outcome[\/post_page_title]
\nHad Lex and her boyfriend been a different type of couple, perhaps the gas station disaster would have been the end of the relationship. Many people are very insecure early on in a new partnership, and because they don’t know each other so well yet, misunderstandings easily happen.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/29110536\/VP1A6Hr.jpg\")
\nSome tend to read ill intent also into the most innocent exchanges or situations. And not everyone has the maturity needed to actually apologize for their mistakes, the way Lex’s boyfriend made sure to do.
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\n[post_page_title]No blaming[\/post_page_title]
\nHe could have easily blamed Lex for what happened. After all, she was the one who crawled out of the car and quietly went off to the bathroom. He was busy filling up the tank, how was he to know she was no longer sleeping in the back? Surely she could have told him where she was going?
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/29110538\/iwo9SnS.jpg\")
\nBut he didn’t do that, just like she didn’t yell at him when he finally came back to the gas station to look for her.
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\n[post_page_title]Cutting each other some slack[\/post_page_title]
\nInstead of playing the blame game, which is a trap couples often fall into, they instead realized both of them had made a series of small but completely innocent mistakes that together led to Lex being left at the gas station.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/29110539\/UDfc3QE.jpg\")
\nJust like she could have told him she was going to the bathroom, he could have taken a glance in the rearview mirror as he got behind the wheels, to check she was actually still in the car.
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\n[post_page_title]Forgive and forget[\/post_page_title]
\nLex and her boyfriend wasted no time holding on to anger over what each of them had or hadn’t done. Instead they were relieved the ordeal was over, happy to see each other, quickly able to laugh at the whole thing – and then just moved on.
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![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/29110543\/FqiRziW.gif\")
\nThey didn’t let the mishap ruin their road trip or plant seeds of doubts in their minds about whether or not they care about each other. And that is most likely why they are still happily together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A road trip with your new significant other is supposed to be romantic and fun – not turn into a complete failure. But that’s exactly what happened to 25-year-old Lex, when her boyfriend just left her at a gas station in the middle of the Arizona desert. [post_page_title]The first trip[\/post_page_title] Even though Lex and her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":84405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n