Page 10 of Debts and Desires
My attention was drawn to flashing lights from behind, and the vehicle’s headlights became increasingly blinding as it pulled behind me. At first I thought it was a cop, so I turned my dome light off, but I realized police car lights were blue and red, not orange and white. I still stashed my pencil and notebook, straightening myself in my seat just as a knuckle rapped on my window.
4. KNIGHT IN SHINING COVERALLS
August 27
My heart pounded as I turned the key and put my window down a crack. The man leaned in some, using his muscled forearm to hold him up above the window.
“You need help?” he asked. His voice was deep, thick with a sweet southern accent.
“No,” I lied. He raised a brow. The headlights from behind lit his brown eyes, creating little half moons that looked like rings of whiskey while half of his face was still shadowed.
His blue and white trucker-style cap kept the rain out of his face, but the rest of him was being soaked. The cap read, “L.C. Black’s Garage and Towing” and had a blue tow truck graphic on it to match the rest of it. The “Black’s” portion of it was in black, which I thought was clever.
Little droplets formed on the brim before cascading down on my window, splashing me some. His white shirt with black smudges was now clinging to his body like second skin. And the blue jumpsuit that was tied at his waist was turning dark.
“You sure?” He seemed grumpy, standoffish. Which I guess anyone would be if they were out in that weather.
“Yeah,” I smiled. “I, uh, have friends coming to get me.” Heseemed pleased with that answer, but still made no motion to move.
After a nod he said, “I’ll stay with ya ‘til they get here.” My cheeks heated.
“Oh, that’s, um… that’s okay.” He didn’t move, eyeing me as if I were crazy.
“It ain’t a good idea to be sittin’ in your car on the side of the road at night durin’ a rainstorm. Lucky you ain’t got hit yet.” Before I could answer, he headed back to his truck. The blinding light went away, but the orange was still flashing.
“Fuck,” I whispered to myself, sinking in my seat. I had no idea how I was going to get out of this one. I had a feeling this man was serious and wasn’t going to leave until someone came to get me.
I turned my overhead light back on and distracted myself from the impending implosion of my lie, trying to write more.
About thirty minutespassed before there was another knock on my window. I jumped out of my skin, my notebook and pencil flying to Lord knows where. Probably the same place my heart had gone when it dropped out of my ass from Mr. Grumpy scaring the shit out of me. I rolled my window down again, seeing that the rain had finally stopped.
“What were you doin’?” Tow truck man asked.
“What?”
“Heard you caterwaulin’ as soon as I stepped outta my truck. Then you stopped and wrote and…” he cleared his throat. “When are your friends comin’?”
I swallowed hard, realizing I’d just wasted this man’s last half hour. Looking at him, he probably had somewhere to be, like with a wife and family, and I instantly felt guilty. He hadn’t killed me yet and he could’ve. That was enough for me. I let out a sharp exhale, putting the window down further.
“About that… I lied.” He said nothing. “No one’s coming. I just… wasn’t sure if you were some depraved maniac coming to take me away and do horrible things to me.” He narrowed his eyes.
“In a tow truck?” He looked over his shoulder to his rig, then back to me. “You’re kiddin’, right?” His tone was clearly very offended. Again, before I could apologize, he walked away, got into his truck, and started driving.
Way to go, Emmy. How are you going to get un-stranded now?
To my surprise, the truck pulled in front of me and started backing up. I sighed with relief, thankful he didn’t ditch me. He hopped out like it was nothing and headed back to me.
“I’m givin’ you a ride into town. Someone can pick you up from there,” he said.
“You don’t have to do that. I?—”
“Get in the fuckin’ truck,” he interrupted, his voice low and annoyed. It did something to me. “I can’t hook your car up ‘til you’re outta it and I ain’t about to let you sit here stranded.” He was infuriating. But at least he was helping. Though he could’ve been nicer about it.
“You could say please,” I scoffed. He looked at me like I had three heads before he sighed, looking away.
“Please.”
“O-okay. Let me just grab my stuff and I’ll be out.” He nodded and stepped back as I put the window back up.
