BREAKDOWN
Why did I take this back road as a shortcut? It's winding and in poor condition, and no faster than the normal highway. I guess I thought it would be more scenic, but it isn't. I'm desperate to pee, and there's nothing here.
There's a straight stretch with enough shoulder to pull over, so I stop the car and get out. I walk through some bushes, pull down my pants and knickers and relieve my distress. I get back in the car and damn it, it won't start. I try several times, but it doesn't turn over, it just clicks when I turn the key.
I get my phone out of my handbag and call my road service, but there's no signal. Fuck! I glance at the clock and see that it's 6:04. At this time of year, it will be dark soon, and I haven't seen any traffic at all since I turned down this road. I try starting the car a few more times before I shut it off and start to sniffle.
I wonder what to do. If I get out and walk, where will I walk to? I haven't seen any house for ages. Just then, a ute passes me, then backs up and pulls in front of me. I start getting worried. Will a guy take advantage of my situation and attack me?
Instead, I see a young woman approach me, dressed in overalls and a thick cotton shirt. Her build is slight but her arms look strong. She comes to my window and I slide it down a bit.
"Do you need help, Miss?" she asks in a friendly manner. I relax a bit, feeling that I'm safe with her.
I frantically reply, "Yes, my car won't start, and I can't get any mobile signal."
"Nah, you won't. Middle of fuck-all here. What are you doing on this road? Nobody uses it unless they live on it, and that's hardly anyone."
"I was going to my aunt's place a couple of hours away, and I thought this would be a good shortcut."
"Not a wise choice, as you've found out, but you're lucky I was driving by on my way home. I know a thing or two about cars. Want me to try?"
"Sure," I say. I step out and let her get in. She tries a few times, hears the clicks and says, "Let me check the battery." She pops the bonnet, has a quick look and gets a device from her ute. "Get in and turn the key when I say to."
I follow her instructions since she seems to know what she's doing. "Okay, now." I turn the key and it clicks like before." She closes the bonnet and comes to my window.
"The battery seems fine. It's probably a dead starter motor." She looks around and says, "Storms are coming. We need to get you off the road. I have chains. I can tow you."
"I don't want to be any trouble," I plead.
"Nonsense, my pretty damsel in distress. It's no trouble, and I want to help."
"Well, thank you."
She turns back to her ute and opens a compartment, hauling out a set of chains. She goes to work under my car and then stretches the chains to her ute. When she has them hooked up, she comes back and tells me how to drive to follow her.
"I live just a few Ks down the road. I'll tow you there. Put on your flashers, not that there will be anyone coming along."
"Okay."
She gently pulls forward, taking the slack out of the chain, and we slowly move down the road. After several minutes, she pulls us into her driveway. She hops out and undoes the chain, stowing it in her ute.
I get out, shaking a little from the ordeal and still feeling a little wary at my helplessness. She walks back and says, "Hi, I'm Shawna."
"Hi, I'm Mary."
"Are you okay, Mary?"
"Yeah, I was a bit nervous. I've never been towed like that before. I'm glad it worked."
"You did fine. Well, it's nice to meet you, Mary." Distant thunder rumbles softly. She looks in that direction and says, "Come in and make yourself at home. You're not going anywhere soon in that car, so you can spend the night here. I have plenty of room."
"Oh, are you sure? I don't want to be a bother."
She gives me a beamy smile and says, "Yes, I'd love the company. I've been alone for a while. And where else are you going?"
"Well, okay then, thanks. Let me get my bag from the boot."
GOING IN
I retrieve my suitcase with things I was going to wear for a week at my aunt's place. I follow Shawna into her house. She leads me to the guest room, where I set my bag on the dresser. Thunder rumbles closer, and I get nervous again.
Shawna is standing near me, smiling at me. I look back at her and give a small smile in return. Her face is soft and delicately feminine, an interesting contrast to the strength apparent in her body.
"You look like you need to calm down. Would a hot shower help?"
"Oh, that would be nice."
"The bathroom is just around the corner."
Lightning flashes brightly through the window, followed immediately by a tremendous clap of thunder. I shriek and jump onto Shawna, who wraps her arms around me as I whimper.
She holds me tightly, asking, "Are you okay, love?"
"Thunder makes me jumpy, Shawna, sorry."
She strokes my hair while holding me close. "There, there, I have you."
Torrents of rain pelt down as lightning and thunder rage all around. I start sobbing.
"Come lie down with me, Mary, I'll hold you close until this passes."
She gets on the guest bed and I follow her. I lie beside her as she wraps an arm around me, pulling me over to her. My head rests on her petite boob, and I find that comforting.
My sobbing subsides as I feel her comforting me. The thunder continues for a few minutes and then gradually moves farther away.
My panic eases and it's replaced with a soothing feeling. Her arms slowly and tenderly caress my back as I press my body onto hers. A warmth flows through me.
She pulls her head back and gazes at me, smiling again. "Are you okay, now, Mary? You seemed so frightened."
"Yes, Shawna, I've always been terrified of thunder, and this was so close and loud."
"It's going away now, and you're safe in my arms."
I smile and say, "Oh, Shawna, thank you. I'm ashamed to be such a coward."
"Nonsense, my sweet Mary. I understand."
The look on her face becomes alluring. I get the idea that she wants to kiss me. Then I see her lips moving closer and I hold still. She kisses me very softly and pulls back.
I gasp a little.
Shawna whispers, "Was that okay?"
"Oh, I wasn't expecting that. I, uh, I've never kissed a girl."
"Did you like it?"
"It was nice, I think."
"Would you like another kiss?"