Funny feelings are no joke

All of my couch surfer hosts up to Denver were phenomenal.  Jeff and his girlfriend Lilly were genuine and fun in Little Rock, and Cody was funny and trustworthy in Wichita.  When I got to Denver, however, things were a little different.  Something was off.  I met my host at an advanced auto parts to follow them to their house.  The house ended up being a trailer, and I'm familiar with trailers so this wasn't immediately alarming.  We parked outside the trailer and went inside.  It was FILTHY. There were three women living there; one old lady, one rather large woman, and a middle aged woman with a shaved head.  I immediately began to think up a story to excuse myself from the situation.  Luckily I have amazing friends who I can rely on in situations like this.  After a quick phone call our plan was put into action.  I went back inside and waited for a "surprising" phone call.  When my phone rang I answered excitedly in front of the women.  The conversation went something like this... Friend:  HEY! Are you in Denver?!?  Me:  Yeah!  Aren't you supposed to be on a plane right now???  Friend: My trip got postponed to next week-  Want to meet me and some friends for dinner and some drinks?  Me:  Absolutely, let me tell my host the good news and I'll meet you ASAP!   I tell the host what my new plan is and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause them- they suddenly become visibly unhappy with me and repeatedly tell me how sad they are that I'm leaving.  This only added to the creepiness factor so at this point my hand is on the doorknob.  Me:  well it was nice meeting you all (sprints out the door with Porter).  From here I'm thinking "crap... there goes my place to stay in Denver".   Again, amazing friends to the rescue-  They had been looking online at hotels nearby and comparing rates for me while I made my escape.  My last attempt at a place to stay was actually an old friend who lives in Denver but was out of town for the week- I contacted them and asked if they might have a friend of a friend to ask for a couch.  I sat in an Olive Garden parking lot for a few minutes, anxiously waiting.  What happened next was beyond what I ever expected on this trip.  This friend from high school who I haven't seen in several years called me back and said " I've found you a place to stay tonight, but there are rules.... Rule #1 is no complaining.  Rule #2 is no arguing with me about it.  I've sent you an address.  It will take you to a LaQuinta near your location.  Your room has been paid for, all I ask is that you pay it forward.  I know what it's like to be in a new place with nowhere to go and have had people do this for me.  Now I get to pay it forward to you. "  Following the rules, all I said was "thank you, thank you so very much" .  I'll never forget that.  As it turned out, that one night stay was exactly what I needed.  All of this surfing has been amazing, but having a night to myself allowed me to collect my thoughts and arrange my plans for the next few days.  I'm writing this one from a hostel- the first I've ever stayed in and it's no hotel, but the people here are all unique and friendly.  So I'm signing off tonight- time to swap stories with my house-mates.