The two tales start the same, but have different conclusions. I hope you enjoy them.
Holly finished packing up from the weekend stay at the cabin. Summer was nearly over and her girlfriend had already left to head home. The campus would open its doors soon and time spent relaxing on the river would be a pleasant memory.
She loaded up the remaining items into the trunk and threw her red ponytail over her back before closing the lid. She thought about the boys she had left behind in high school and wondered about the young men she would meet at college as she looked into the rear mirror before starting the car. She smiled as she looked at the beauty mark above her mouth. Maybe next year she would have a boyfriend to bring here instead of Joy. The car kicked up a small cloud of dust as she rolled out of the driveway and onto the primitive road.
Regardless of how often her mother warned Holly, she preferred taking the back scenic roads rather than the safety of the highway. The highway was a busy place full of commercialization and hectic traffic that made the long trip arduous. The quiet rural roads were more tranquil and serene. And even though there weren't a lot of places or people, those that she did find were very friendly. That's why she wasn't overly concerned when the engine began to sputter and then rolled to a stop on the side of the road. It was still early afternoon and she was confident that someone would be by before the sun went down. She set the seat back a little, and turned up the radio, deciding to let the engine cool before opening the hood. She recalled someone had once told her to do that, but couldn't recall why.
She awoke to the sound of car horn and sit up quickly to see a van pulling over in front of her. She smiled and got out of the car. Her skin ached a little bit on her arms and bared stomach. Although in shorts, she still wore her bathing top to stay cool since she didn't have air conditioning. A slightly elderly man got out of the van, a large black man with graying in the temples. She surmised him to be in his late forties or fifties, but wasn't for sure. He smiled as he tugged at his co-op cap and wiped his hands on his overalls. He wore work boots and a slightly dirty t-shirt.
"You aright?" he asked as he stuck out his hand.
Holly took his hand and replied. "Yes, I don't know what is wrong yet, I haven't opened the hood." Without a further word, he reached in her car and found the hood release and popped the lid open. After securing the hood, he peered inside. Holly didn't need to hear the answer; it was evident from the frayed belts sticking out from the fan. He reached in tugged at the belts, pulling them free and tossing them to the ground.
He continued looking under the hood and replied. "Well, that ain't good, either." He was squeezing on a hose coming from the radiator and it was dripping just slightly. "When's the last time you had this tuned up, missy?" he scowled.
"I don't know. Daddy's the one who does that, but I have been gone most of the summer."
The man pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his forehead. "Look here. My cousin owns a tire and auto shop up the road a piece. It shouldn't be much trouble to find what we need to get this fixed and you on your way. How's about you come along and get out of this heat for a bit?" Holly thought about this for a brief second but did recall a roadside shop not far from here. Before she could reply, he said. "My name's Henry by the way. I'd offer my hand again, but I am a little dirty now."
Holly started to follow him to the van and introduced herself as she climbed in. The van started to roll forward and amble back off the shoulder when a voice spoke from the back. "Pa, you want to introduce us to our guest?" Holly twisted and turned to see two more men in the back, maybe slightly older than herself. They were dressed much better wearing clothes typical of young males who thought they were gangsters or rapper wannabes.
Henry smiled looking up in the rear view mirror. "Holly, these are my boys, Hank and Aaron." The young men didn't hide their wandering eyes as they looked her up and down in appraisal, nodding in approval.
"S'up, Holly girl?" said the young men. Holly smiled and offered a timid hello and then looked back at Henry who was intently steering towards the destination.
As he promised, the shop wasn't too far ahead and alone except for a small post office across the street. One street light was shared for both buildings. The garage had a sign that said "Desmond's Auto Sales and Parts" and although there wasn't anyone she could see, there were plenty of cars there for repair or sales. Only Desmond seemed to know for sure.
(At this point, the story can go in two directions: Situation 1 and 2. Read number one, then you might reread the introduction and read situation two)
(Situation 1, the grateful slut)
Henry got out of the van and went inside to meet with Desmond and acquire what he hoped were the correct parts for her car. Holly sat on her hands, conscious of the two men behind her. "You got a boyfriend there, Holly?" asked Hank, the older son.
"No, no boyfriend. Maybe I will get one when I get to school." she replied.
"Oh, yeah? What school is that?" Aaron, the younger one asked.
"Northwestern Michigan College" she stated, feeling a little more comfortable.
"That's cool" he said, then nudging his older brother. "Maybe one of us could be your boyfriend, huh."
Holly visibly blushed and giggled a bit. "I don't know, I heard you black guys like a girl with experience and that's not me." The men cackled at this retort and stomped their legs and slapped their legs.
"Oh hell, baby. That ain't half as important as long as you is willing to learn." Aaron said.
About that time, Henry opened the back door and threw the parts inside, then came around to the front door and climbed in. "I bought some coolant, a hose and belts. That ought to get you on your way, " he stated proudly as he started to back the van up.
