Page 38 of Fight

“Car trouble?” He slams his door shut.

“I’ve got a flat.”

“That sucks. I’ll help you change it.”

I cringe. “I don’t have a spare.”

He scratches the scruff on his chin as he meets me near the trunk of my car. “That’s gonna be a problem.”

“Yeah.” I wince.

“Where do you live?”

“I’m in town, an apartment building off Main.”

He trudges around my car, as if to inspect it. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m gonna call Carl, he owes me a favor and can get it towed to the tireshop?—”

Alarm bells. I can’t afford a tow. I wave my arms. “No, I can’t?—”

He gestures with an open palm for me to stop talking. “He owes me a favor, free of charge. You're new in town, and I’m guessing those paychecks are all going to getting settled. Am I right?”

I nod, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment.Does everybody here know I’m broke?

“I’ll replace your tire and throw in a donut, in case you find yourself in this predicament sometime down the road, no pun intended.”

I’m not in a position to argue. “I’ll pay you back, I promise!”

“I know you will, I’m not worried,” he says, peering down at his phone and tapping the screen. He holds it to his ear. “Hey Carl… Yeah, I wanna cash in that favor. I’ve got a car on County Road 2 that needs a tow to Bill’s shop.” He gives Carl the make and model, then chuckles at whatever the man says. “Keys will be in the visor…. Yup…. Thanks.”

He wraps up the conversation, tucking his phone into his back pocket.

“Dave, I don’t know how to thank you for all this. I was going out of my mind for a minute. Again, I’ll pay you back, I swear. Thank you!” I beam at him. Dave just showed up and took care of these problems like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“Okay, get your stuff, I’ll drive you home.”

I hustle back to my car and place the keys in the visor like Dave said and reach over to collect my purse. Then I make sure the car is unlocked and shut the door. It’s not like anyone is gonna steal it. Even if it didn’t have a flat tire, the thieves would take one look at this heap and leave me a few bucks out of pity.

Dave’s already behind the wheel when I climb in. He starts his truck and pulls out onto the road. We make small talk until we get closer to my apartment.

“It’s that one on the left.” I point to the small building with aged yellow bricks and paint peeling from the window trim.

“That one?” he asks. His words aren’t judgmental, and I appreciate him allowing me to hold onto my dignity. The place looks decrepit. I know it does. Dave knows it does. The blind, stray dog walking past it on the sidewalk knows it does. However, it’s mine, and I’ve really tidied up the studio. She may not be the prettiest belle of the ball, but she is the cleanest. Beggars and choosers.

He parks his truck, and I unbuckle my seat belt.

“I should get your number so I can bring you to the shop once they get the tire swapped out.”

“Oh, of course!” We exchange information, and I grasp the door handle.

“I’ve always wondered what these apartments are like inside.”

“The inside matches the outside,” I reply with a chuckle.

“Do you mind if I take a peek?”

My gaze jumps between the building and Dave. “Umm…” I shrug. “Sure? I’m still getting settled, so I don’t have much furniture yet.”And money is tighter than my landlord’s wallet.

He gets out of the truck. We amble to the building, and he holds the door open for me and follows me up the stairs. I get my keys out and unlock the door, and he walks in behind me.

---