Page 34 of Worst in Show

I’m on the verge of tears when there’s a knock on the passenger window. Leo gestures for me to open it.

“Is this part of your marketing strategy?” he asks. “Forcing customers to stop in front of the store? Because I don’t think it’s working.”

As if wanting to emphasize the truth in his words, the car behind me honks again. “One sec!” Leo hollers to them. Then to me, “What’s going on?”

The impulse to unbuckle and run away is overwhelming. How he must enjoy this. “I’m having some issues with the car,” I say, not looking at him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him glance down at the center console and up to where I’m still holding on to the wheel for dear life.

“Is the issue that you don’t know how to drive stick?” he asks.

“Maybe.”

He taps both hands on the open window frame. “Okay, move over.” He comes around to my side and opens my door.

“Why?”

“So we can get the car out of the street.” The honking behind us intensifies. “Seems kind of like a priority, no?”

I’d protest, but he’s not wrong. I crawl over to the passenger seat, and two minutes later, he’s completed the lap around the block and parked us safely back in Harvey’s spot.

Leo turns off the engine, and for a long moment, neither of us speaks.

“I think ‘thank you’ are the words you’re looking for.” He unbuckles his seat belt but doesn’t get out.

Somehow, he’s now come to my aid twice this week. It unnerves me, but at least he doesn’t seem to be gloating about it.

“Thank you. I would have figured it out.” It might have taken a while, but still…

“Of course you would. How’s Harvey by the way?”

His eyes soften as he says Pop’s name. Or maybe that’s just in my imagination.

“He’s moved from the hospital to the nursing home. He’s fine. Just logistics, you know. Getting settled.”

“Good.” He smiles and reaches for the door handle. “I’ve got to get back to the store. Deliveries.” Halfway out the door, he looks back at me. “You’re not going to take off into traffic again as soon as I leave, are you?”

“Duh.”

“Just making sure. Got to crawl before you walk.”

Okay, wiseass. Problem is, I need to know how now. Harvey needs me tonight. The dog training starts tomorrow. There’s no time for crawling.

Leo closes the door behind him, and the air around me quiets and stills as he walks away. The morning light illuminates a few stray specks of dust on the dash that I wipe off while I try to conjure a next step. As I move, the seat creaks beneath me, and the key chain swings gently from the ignition.

I reach over to grab it, and at that moment, the most terrible idea of the century strikes. My only explanation is that desperation tops pride.

I jump out of the car as Leo is approaching the corner and call his name.

He turns. “Yeah?”

“Any chance you could show me how to do it?”

He looks from me to the car. “You want me to… No, I don’t think so. I’ve got a business to run as you know. Trying to stay competitive.”

Okay, I deserve that. My mind scrambles for something to bargain with. Lord knows I have no money. “I’ll mention your opening on our social media.”

He starts walking again, but backward this time. “You’re not on social media. Bye, Cora.”

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