Chapter 1: Inspection
I'd been divorced for several years and had a young son; between taking care of him and living in a small town, I had no social life.
Since Joe was the only mechanic in town, he was the one who took care of my car. Any time I needed something done I couldn't do myself, I took the car to Joe. He was ex-military and kept himself trim, his hair cropped Marine-short, slightly grizzled. He had black hair that was starting to show a touch of grey, sparkling hazel eyes, and a quick wit. I discovered he was one of the few people in town who I could talk to.
Most people there had never lived anywhere else; he and I could share stories about life elsewhere. He'd tell me about places he'd been with the military; as an ex-military wife, I had stories of my own. I'd lived all over the US and even had one tour overseas under my belt. I could look at him in his work clothes and imagine him in BDUs - and I'd always had a thing for a man in uniform.
Problem was, he was married. VERY married. He'd married his high school sweetheart right after graduation, and at 45 seemed to be happy that way.
Our local paper always listed the new suits filed in the courthouse for the previous week. I was shocked to see his name there one day. I pointed it out to my mother.
"Oh," she replied. "Apparently he's been having an affair. The girl he's been cheating with couldn't keep her mouth shut about it. I'm not surprised his wife left him."
Suddenly it was ok to think about Joe - and boy, did I start thinking.
I'd find myself fantasizing about him after a trip to the garage; I'd play with my nipples and imagine it was Joe nuzzling at them, I'd finger myself and dream of him bending me over the fender of a car in the garage. One of my favorite fantasies was of giving him head in the garage, hearing him moaning as I deep-throated him.
One day I asked him about the divorce, and told him people were saying it was because he cheated.
"Is it true?" I asked him.
"Mayyyybe," he answered, giving me a look from under his lashes. I felt a flash of desire run through me. If he was going to be on the market, did that mean I stood a chance?
The next time I was in the garage, I stood beside him while he looked up a part on the computer. I casually let my breast brush his arm. He didn't seem to notice. I didn't want to be too obvious because his helper, who was working in the next bay, might notice. When I moved away Joe looked at me and smiled. I knew then he had noticed.
When I picked up my car the next day I decided to take a chance.
"Hey," I said nervously. "Um.. look. If you ever feel like getting some dinner sometime, I'd like to go with you," I stammered. Jesus! What was I, sixteen?
I felt so stupid, especially when he answered, "I'll have to keep that in mind."
I groaned as I drove away. How stupid can you be? One chance to make an impression, and I probably seemed like an idiot.
I stayed away for three months. The car was acting fine, so I really had no reason to go in anyway. Lucky me, I live in a state that requires yearly inspections. Mine was due in August. One day I steeled myself to face Joe again and headed to the garage.
I stopped at the quick-mart to get a Pepsi, and a friend pointed out that I had until the first of September to get the inspection, and why pay for another twelve months when I had a month left?
Missed that bullet! I could put it off for another month.
One morning mom reminded me to get my car inspected. I decided to do it before I had a chance to get nervous about it. I dressed carefully - casual, yet cute - grabbed my keys and headed to the garage.
Joe smiled as I pulled up.
"Need your inspection?"