We were on our way to Florida for spring break. Not to some wild party scene, just taking a break from school and the chilly weather. However, as we passed through Georgia the car started overheating.
"Just great, this is really just what I needed," I moaned. Our tiny budget couldn't stand too take much of a hit, it might mean skipping Florida and heading home.
We got off the highway at this small town and found a garage that looked reputable and we were greeted by a middle- aged mechanic as we parked outside of one of his bays. I started to explain the problem when he just smiled at me.
"I think I know what's wrong," as he nodded to the steam coming from under the hood. Popping the hood, he said he was pretty sure it was the thermostat. I had heard of that but truthfully could not have told you where it was on the engine of my aging car.
My girl friend Angie got out of the car and I could see him discretely check her out. I couldn't blame him, she was worth checking out. Even her modest white top could hide her nice full breasts and her short denim skirt showed off her long tan legs quite nicely. He may have even glimpsed a shot of her panties as she got out of the car.
She looked at me, "How bad is it John?" Her dejected look told the fear she had of this being the end of our little adventure.
The mechanic answered for me. "It shouldn't take me more than an hour," he said. "I have the part in stock and it is only about $15."
We were both relieved by that bit of news. He said he really didn't have a waiting room and pointed to a store down the street. "They have a bit of everything in there, including a soda machine and air conditioning. Tell the owner your car is here, I am sure he won't mind you hanging out."
We walked down the road to the store that was housed in an old building and as we entered the bell above the door announced our arrival. He had been right, they had a bit of everything here. The owner appeared in a few seconds from out of the back room and introduced himself as Dan. We explained our situation and he was fine at us hanging out. He motioned to a corner of the store that had an old but comfortable looking couch along with a table and a couple of chairs. Obviously, locals stopped in here to shoot the shit with the owner.
"Make yourself at home," Dan said. "I need to finish up some work in the office. Just holler if you need anything," and with that he headed back to his office.
We each got a drink out of the machine and wandered around the store. I was looking at a rack of men's shirts while Angie was looking at the jewelry counter. I didn't see Dan come back in, so I was a bit startled when he said, "That was not too smart."
I didn't know what he was talking about, but I could see he was headed in Angie's direction. He looked pissed off too. I could see Angie turning red.
"What, you think because we're some small hick town we don't have cameras?" He was now right in front of Angie.
"What's going on," I stammered as I walked towards them.
"Your girl friend here just tried to steal some jewelry."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She had always been as honest as anyone I'd known. The fact her eyes were downcast, and she wouldn't look at either of us told me Dan was right.
She tried to apologize, "I'm sorry, really. I never did anything like this before. I will pay you for it."
"We'll pay you twice the sales price," I pleaded, trying to avoid any legal hassles.
Dan smirked, then said, "I've already called the police. They are on the way here."
I saw Angie tremble and then her eyes swelled with tears. She was in pre-law, a conviction, even a misdemeanor could derail her career before it even got started.
I tried to think of something else to say when a police cruiser pulled up in front of the store. My heart sank, one or both of us was going to the police station. We might even have to spend the night in jail.
I blurted out, "We will do anything you want, please don't press charges."
He just stared at me, "You stole from me, after I was generous enough to let you hang out while your car got repaired. I hate stealing. Look around, do you think I make much money from this store. I am just trying to scrape by to support my family. You two need to be punished."
I was shocked when Angie responded, "I know we deserve to be punished. You could do it."
That caught Dan's attention. Then he replied, "I don't think so."
I could see he was looking at how sexy Angie was, she really had a killer bod.
"Besides, I would put you through much worse than they would," he motioned toward the cop who was out of his car and heading for the door.
"That's fine, I'll do whatever it takes," she looked at me for agreement, but I was dumbfounded.
"It's not just you, missy. It would be both of you. I would enjoy teaching you how I feel about thieves." He looked at me. "Are you in, too? I would teach you a lesson you wouldn't soon forget."
Angie pleaded with me to accept the choice.
"I guess," I replied. The bell on the front door jingled.
"You guess?" he hissed. "You have two seconds to decide. And believe me, if you pick me, it's going to be a long afternoon."
"I'll do it. I'm in." Angie mouthed a thank you as Dan went to talk to the deputy. They walked back out and talked by his patrol car for a few minutes. The cop drove off and Dan came back in.
He then turned and locked the door and hung a sign he had that said he would be back in 15 minutes. He closed the two blinds on the front of the store, so no one could see in. He took each of us by an elbow and led us to the area where the couch and table were set beside the soda machine. So, even though no one could see us, it still felt like we were in a very exposed area right there in the large open sales room.
