Page 47 of Fight for Me

“Good night, sweetheart,” I mimic in a deep voice, as I drive away, then snap my eyes to the rearview mirror to see if Henry is still asleep. “I’m losing my goddamn mind, kiddo. Mommy’s got a screw loose somewhere in there.” I tap my head, knowing that I’m basically talking to myself.

I shake my head and turn at the intersection, only to groan when my car starts slowing down, before completely shutting down. “Come on, you piece of motherfucking shit,” I growl, and try to start it up again.

This whole month this old clunker was giving me a hard time, but at least he coughed and spewed before coming to life when I turned the ignition. Now it’s dead silence as the car stands immobilized in the middle of a goddamn road.

“Come on, come on,” I say and try again, but nothing happens and I bang on the steering wheel in exasperation.

I look around when I see lights approaching, and make out Brody’s car pulling up ahead of us, before he exits the vehicle and runs to us.

“Having car troubles?” he asks when I lower the window.

“Yeah, obviously,” I snap like a total bitch, and wince before adding in a softer tone, “Sorry, but the last thing I need right now is a broken car.”

“Well, let’s take a look then,” he states calmly, and motions for me to switch places with him.

“Anyway, what are you doing here?” I ask as I stand in the rain, and watch Brody switching the key in the ignition with a frown. His big body looks ridiculous in the small vehicle.

“I was driving home. Didn’t know it wasn’t allowed,” he mutters and exits. “I’m not a mechanic, but since nothing seems to be working, I would say it’s either the battery or the alternator.”

“What does that mean?” I question worriedly, ignoring the increasing rain falling on my head.

Brody glances at a car that skirts around us, and then back at me. “Call your insurance company because that car isn’t going anywhere today.” Then he motions for me to get behind the wheel. “Come on, you can’t leave it here like that. Put it in neutral, and I’ll push you to the side.”

I do as he says, cursing profusely the whole time.

“Do you have the number to the insurance company?” Brody asks, as he bends to look at me through the window again, completely oblivious to the raindrops beating on his head.

“I don’t have an insurance,” I grumble, looking to the side.

“What?” he asks and moves his head closer to hear me better.

I take a deep breath, and say louder, “I said, I don’t have an insurance.” I turn my head back and say bitterly, “I’m riding this rusty junkyard on wheels. Do you think I can afford such a thing?”

Brody’s eyebrows lift, but he doesn’t say anything as he straightens from the window.

I think he’s about to leave my rude and whiny ass, so I start lamenting as I bang my head on the steering wheel. “Jesus Christ, what will I do now? I need this fucking car. I live on the other side of the motherfucking town. And even if I get there with Henry today in one piece, how the fuck will I get to work without a car tomorrow? I need this motherfucker up and running, god-damn it!”

I’m on the verge of tears when I hear Brody ask, “Do you have a blanket in there?”

I snap my head up at the question. “A blanket?”

He nods his head and points at the back seat. “Yeah, a blanket to cover the little guy, when I carry him to my car. I don’t want him to get wet and catch a cold.”

“I have a blanket,” I say, and blink stupidly, but don’t make a move to retrieve it.

“Well, where is it?” Brody asks slowly, as if I’m mentally impaired.

I snap to action and reach over to the side to get the small blanket and throw it over the car seat. Brody retreats the covered sleeping baby, and puts him in his car, so I close up my car and follow after him. I’m getting completely soaked with the now heavily pounding rain before I can even take two steps.

My body shivers when I place myself in the passenger seat of Brody’s car and the heating starts blowing on my wet clothes. Brody puts the car in gear and soon turns in the opposite direction from where we live.

“Um, Brody? That’s the wrong way, I live in the north part of the city...”

“I know,” he grunts. “I’m taking you to my place. I think I have some cables in the garage. If it’s really just the battery, then maybe we’ll be able to get your car running. At least for some time. But if it’s the alternator, then I won’t be able to do much. I do have a friend who’s a mechanic, but that would have to wait until tomorrow.”

“I have work in the morning,” I say glumly and sigh. “Maybe I should just call Gary, that I won’t make it.”

Brody hums in his throat but doesn’t answer as he concentrates on the road. The storm is now in full swing, and I gulp when there’s a lightning bolt flashing through the sky ahead of us.

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