The windshield wipers are whipping across the windshield. I have the high beams on, but they are hardly making a difference in this downpour. I am still an hour from home and on the interstate, when my car starts to sputter. The power is failing; I can tell as my lights dim and die. I pull off to the side of the highway and coast to a stop.
I wait a minute in my dead car, hoping it will consider starting again. I press my suede boot against the clutch and brake as I turn the key. She turns over, but there's no power. I then look to my cell phone to see if I can call for help. No service.
Damnit.
Since I can't call anyone for help, I might as well try to help myself. I open my door and step out of the dry car, into the cool rain. I am soon drenched. My white T-shirt is transparent and stuck to my skin. I close my door behind me and walk around to the front of the car. I manage to pop the hood and brace it open. Steam rolls out when the hood opens.
What the hell did I burn this time?
Maybe, my mechanic wasn't bullshitting me about having belts ready to go and a bad alternator. "Shit!" I slam the hood shut and make my way back to the driver's side door.
Just as I go to open the door, my foot slips and I land on my ass in a mud puddle. I manage to kick my car and swear profusely as I skin my shin on the dead vehicle. All I want is to go home, have a hot shower, and crawl in my comfy bed with the cat. But, no my car gets to break down 70 miles from home in the rain.
What a lovely damned day to be me.
I stand up, trying to wipe the mud off my wet denim ass. I manage to only succeed in spreading the mud to my hands with my desperate efforts.
Just when I thought I would have to sleep in my car for the night, I notice headlights not far down the highway. It's a truck and it is nearing my broken-down car. The truck is moving slowly because of the rain. The driver probably doesn't want to hydroplane on this dead highway late at night. I wave my hands over my head, hoping this person will help me. I'm in luck, the truck, an old style F150 with a nice paint job in what looks like navy blue in the rainy night, pulls in behind my car. The driver's door opens and a tall man of medium build steps out.
The driver of the Ford stands about six feet tall. He has on faded dungarees with the knees torn. He must be a hard worker by the looks of his work boots, jeans, and Carhartt vest. As I look him over, I notice his shaggy tawny hair. He has dark eyes full of laughter. Probably, laughing at me for my predicament.
As I stand entranced by my presumed rescuer, I become aware he is taking in my state of clothes. I am suddenly very self conscious of my wet body. My breasts are perky in the cold rain and my nipples are pressing against my transparent T-shirt. I cast my eyes down, hiding my face behind my wet curly tendrils and crossing my arms, hoping the man didn't notice my hard nipples.
I hear a deep friendly chuckle and the man strides towards me. I can see his work boots near my damp suede ones. I then look up into his friendly weather beaten face. He smiles and holding out his hand, asks me if I need a ride. I nod and he tells me to grab what I need and lock my car. After locking my car, I climbed up in the blue truck, where it was warm and dry.