The car sputtered and clunked as it let out its last breath. Abby sighed and took off her glove so she could grip the key in the ignition. She put her foot on the gas and gave the cool metal a firm twist. The engine cranked, and she smiled and put it in gear. The spark of relief she experienced was snuffed when the car wouldn’t budge and died again.
She plucked her cell phone from her purse and glanced at the sleeping boy in the passenger seat. Thankful she had service, she located a tow truck service and put in the call.
She wrapped her scarf around her neck and shook her head remembering the wonder on Tyler’s face when they took the shortcut off the main highway, hoping to slash some time off their day. The road took them through a beautiful forest, with trees lining both sides of the road as far as they could see. It had been a fun diversion, but now she feared it had been a horrible idea.
It was mid-afternoon, but the dark grey sky made it seem later. The November days were getting shorter. She tucked the heavy blanket closer around her son’s neck. She looked in the rearview mirror but could see only the stack of belongings that filled the space in her small SUV and part of the wheels from their bikes strapped to the back.
She shook her leg as she kept her eye on the side mirror watching for the tow truck. She waited less than an hour when she was rewarded with the sight of a gigantic red truck behind her, its orange lights flashing a greeting.
She hopped out of the car and moved toward the driver’s window of the tall truck, taking in the festive wreath strapped to its grill. The driver turned and gave her a wave. Abby's eyes widened when she realized the driver was a woman. Abby noticed the reindeer antlers protruding from both sides of the truck windows.
The driver opened her door and hopped down to the ground. “Sorry for the wait. You’re a ways from town. I’m Debbie, by the way.”
“No problem. I appreciate you coming. My name is Hope and this is my son, Jake. We need to get to a mechanic.”
“Sure thing. I’ll have us on the road in a few minutes. Go ahead and get your things and you and your son can ride with me in the cab.”
Abby hurried back to the car and retrieved her purse and jostled Tyler awake. “Hey, buddy, come on. The car broke down, so we have to get towed to town.”
His eyes fluttered as he took in the announcement and looked outside. He gave her a tiny nod and picked up his backpack from the floor. She distracted her son by pointing out the decorations on the truck. By the time Abby got Tyler situated in the cab and buckled in, Debbie already had the car loaded and was at the door.
Debbie jumped into her seat and made a note on her pad of tickets. “Okay, we’re off. I’m assuming you don’t have a preference on a garage?”
Abby shook her head. “No clue. Can you recommend someone that does good work and won’t take advantage of me?”
“I know just the place. There are only a few shops in town, but Chet’s is the best. He and his guys are great and will treat you right.”
Abby and Tyler huddled together listening to the jabber of the dispatcher on the radio as they rumbled down the road. After passing by miles of trees and a few fields, they began to see a few houses. As they continued, the number of buildings increased, and they passed a sign welcoming them to Silver Falls.
Debbie took one of the first turns off the main highway and drove a block to Chet’s Auto Repair. “I’ll let you out here at the office and drop the car around the front,” Debbie motioned to the glass door on the side of the metal building. “Do you want to pay with a credit card?”
“Uh, no. I have cash.” Abby dug into her purse and rifled in her wallet. She handed Debbie the bills and took a copy of her receipt. “Thanks for the ride,” she said, as she helped Tyler down from the truck.”
“Best of luck to you, Hope.”
Abby nodded and gave a small wave. She hadn’t been Abby for two months. Hope was the name she used nowadays. It had belonged to her great-great-grandmother, and Abby was in a place where she could use all the hope she could muster. She trusted it wouldn’t prove to be an ironic choice.