Page 2 of Old Habits

He laughs for a moment before turning serious. “Are you traveling alone?”

“Yeah, but I’m safe.”

“Good. Hang tight, ma’am. We’ll send someone out to get you.”

“Thank you.”

I hang up and slide the phone back over. “Thanks again,” I tell the kid.

He nods at me and watches as I turn around to walk back out into the cold.

I rush down the highway, counting the moments until I can get back in my car again. I could have stayed inside but I’d rather risk getting slammed by a speeding truck than stay in that gas station. No offense to the kid, of course. I just have a few memories there I’d rather not relive if I don’t have to.

I climb into my car and lay my head against the steering wheel to rest my eyes. Every few minutes, I peek up to check for incoming cars but the street is vacant and black, save my own headlights illuminating the few feet in front of me.

Finally, a tow truck rolls up beside me and comes to a stop in front of my car. The logo on the side reads Marv’s Auto Repair. The best Clover can offer. I could never tell whether or not that was sarcasm.

I step outside and roll my hands into fists in my pockets, preparing myself just in case this guy is any kind of creep.

The door opens and the driver pops out onto the ground. He looks up at me like I’m a side-dish but the smug smirk instantly falls as he recognizes me.

“Jovie?”

I squint at him in the dark, making out my cousin’s familiar face. “Tucker?”

“Oh, my God! Jovie!” I flinch as he throws his arms around me and squeezes, nearly lifting me several inches off the ground. “What is this? Where the hell have you been? Are you okay?”

I laugh softly and pat his back. I guess it was only a matter of time before the awkward reunions started. I’d hoped to put it off for longer than this, but shit happens, I suppose.

“I’m all right,” I answer the last question.

He leans back and sets me down but keeps a solid grip on my shoulders. “It’s been a long time.”

I nod. “I know.”

“Are you back in town like... back back?

“Uh...” I glance around. “Not sure yet. Just kind of back for now, I guess.”

“Does anyone else know you’re here?”

“No. I haven’t told anybody. I was just going to surprise my dad when my stupid car broke down.”

“So, nobody knows you’re here?”

I shake my head. “Nobody knows.”

“Like...” he steps back, “nobody?”

“Nobody,” I confirm. “And I would really appreciate it if nobody found out yet.”

He throws up his hands in surrender. “Hey, I read you loud and clear, ‘cuz. Nobody knows and nobody shall know. It’s our little secret.”

I wonder how long that’ll last. “Thank you, Tucker.”

He gestures to the car behind me and knocks twice on the open hood. “So, what happens to be the problem here, little lady?”

“No idea,” I say, stepping to the side. “Just kind of went ka-bloom.”

---