Alone on a dark and moonless night, driving, no destination in mind. Just felt the urge to get out of the house...away from the constant jangling of the telephone, the monotonous drone of artificial life that spews from the television. Be on my own...no one to answer to, no responsibilities, for one night anyway.
The feel of the wind as it moves my hair...squirming on my seat...letting my mind wander, seeing the glint on the road but not realizing until its too late....nails and lots of them. Realization dawning at the same moment as I hear the all too familiar thump flap, thump flap of the tire. Sighing, I pull to the side of the road, and turn the engine off...mentally running through how to change a flat...and grimacing slightly as I look at my clothes.
I had slipped out of warm jammies to hastily pull on a skirt and tank top....sandals....that's it....oh dear. Deciding that changing the tire myself is probably not an option....turning on the dome light to get my cell from my purse....an image of my purse on the kitchen counter..."Damn it"...muttering a string of curse words to myself....
Sitting in the dark, and noticing just how dark it really is, slight breeze, no stars or moon and as my eyes adjust, I can just barely make out the tree line. Guess it's time to bite the proverbial bullet and change the tire myself. Popping the trunk, turning on my hazards and grabbing the flashlight. Climbing out and noticing the chill in the air...stupid woman...you had flannel jammies on at home and come out dressed like an exotic dancer on her way to work. Nope...dancer would have at least been wearing a thong, someplace to have men stash their $5 bills.
Smiling to myself, have to laugh or I'll cry and it is a problem of my own making. I close the door, walk to the rear of the car and lift the trunk open, flip the switch on the flashlight and nothing...give it a few good bangs against the palm of my hand to see a faint glimmer, before it quickly fades to dark.
Biting my bottom lip to keep from crying, tossing the flashlight as far into the woods as possible, a childish act, but one that gives me a slight feeling of control. I rummage in the trunk in the dim glow of the recessed light to find the handle and lift it up. Leaning far into the trunk, one foot completely clear of the ground I finally find the tire iron. Brandishing it like a weapon I approach the flat tire....road side of course and remove the hubcap.
After half an hour I finally have all the lug nuts freed, leaving two in place I grab the jack and put it under the car...scraping my knees in the process, I can feel the blood trickling down my legs. Standing up, stretching and reaching for the spare...changing the flat for the spare takes less time then removing lug nuts....smiling as the last nut twists on.
A slight but steady rain starts to fall just as I lower the car and put everything haphazardly into the trunk. Looking down at myself and laughing out loud. What a sight I am, hair must be a mess, plastered to my head by the rain, both knees bloodied, skirt rumpled, spotted with road dirt and hands...never mind...too much to contemplate. But feeling a sense of accomplishment as well.
Wiping a hand across my brow to stop the water falling into my eyes, I walk around to the passenger side of the car...and to my dismay find that the passenger side front tire is also flat. Tears start falling from my eyes, frustration biting inside of me, gnawing and a feeling of utter despair. Leaning on the trunk of my car...I let loose with big wracking sobs, pounding the cold wet metal until my fists are battered and bruised.
Sobbing til I can barely catch my breath, weak and worn out, I see lights...saved...car lights...on this road at this time of night, nothing short of miraculous. Quickly running my fingers through my hair...wiping both hands on my tear streaked face...I stand shivering, waiting for the car to arrive. Putting on a smile...probably looking more like a grimace, I wave to the car....they will stop...they have to!
I watch in dismay as it drives on past, not even slowing. Feeling the tears welling in my eyes again, I drop my head. Staring incredulously at the quickly disappearing tail lights. What kind of a monster would pass a woman alone on a dark rainy night, obviously in need?
Only a monster would pass up such a pitiable sight as me.....images of crazed maniacs fleetingly run through my tired mind...and then oh Yes!.....brake lights....just as the car pulls out of sight, around the curve in the road.
