I think the last time I picked up a hitchhiker was back in 2005 or 2006. I had flown into Minot, North Dakota, and I rented a car to drive to the northwest corner of the state where one of my bird dogs was running in a field trial.

Barely out of town, I spotted a couple with their thumbs out, a boy and a girl. I slowed to ask if they were okay, and they said they were just hitching a ride to the nearest border crossing to Canada where their families lived in a small town just across the line.

I picked them up, and it turned out they were first-year college students, boyfriend and girlfriend who had known each other all their lives.

We had a lovely conversation, and they turned out to be charming and delightful.

When I told the story to people back home, several of them acted like I had put myself in grave danger.

I dunno. I guess. Sometimes people are too scared.

I'll tell you this, though, I totally understand why you didn't pick up that kid. When I picked up that young couple, I was younger, and vigorous, and strong. In fact, I was about to be on horseback from sunup to sundown for the next week, and I didn't think anything of it. (Those were the days!)

So I get your position very much. The other thing that occurred to me when I started reading is that picking up a kid who is clearly under age, in this day and age, might do more than raise eyebrows with some people, especially when you're a gay man.

Disturbing times we live in.