The truck may be new, but it was a lemon in the gas mileage department.
The shit burned through gas faster than anything that I’d ever driven.
I often wondered if there was something wrong with it despite being told that it was ‘perfectly good’ according to the technicians at the dealership.
I glanced one more time at the cookies, then pulled off at the next stop that there was gas at.
I made it half a mile away from the huge yellow Cefco sign when my truck started to splutter.
“Fuck,” I said as I moved. “Come on. Coast me there, baby. Come on.”
Except, coasting wasn’t conducive with Dallas traffic.
People pulled out. People pulled off. Some people cut me off.
I had no choice but to pull over before I got stuck in the lane like last time.
When I pulled off to the side of the road, I stared in dismay at the sign that was taunting me.
“You son of a bitch truck,” I growled at the brand-new Chevy. “I fucking hate you.”
The truck didn’t reply, but I just knew it was laughing at me.
I checked the mirror and got out, taking my keys and purse with me.
“Fucking fuck,” I grumbled as I bleeped the locks and started to walk.
Five
If a t-rex can survive millions of years with those tiny little arms, you can make it through this.
—Jasper to Calliope
JASPER
“What’s your plan, Stan?”
I looked over at Webber and asked, “Tonight? Or this week?”
“Tonight,” Webber answered. “Are you going to the club Christmas party?”
“Hadn’t planned on it,” I admitted absently as I worked on loosening a nut from a bolt.
Because my sister was supposed to come down, I didn’t respond to the invite that went out several weeks ago about who was coming, what they were bringing, and who their ‘gift person’ would be.
My club family liked to call it the “misfit Christmas” because it was the week before Christmas, and we got together with anyone that hadn’t gone to visit family yet, and exchanged gifts. I hadn’t responded to go this year, nor bought any presents, because I hadn’t planned on being available. Now that I was, I couldn’t just invite myself.
“Why not?” he asked. “Your sister didn’t come down.”
I paused. “She didn’t, no. But I didn’t respond as going, and you know how the old ladies get when you just show up and don’t bring anything. Which, I might add, I have nothing to bring. I’m not going to be one of the club brothers they consider rude.”
I already had enough to worry about with the club brothers thinking that I was still a rat.
I wouldn’t add to that.
“I think it’ll be f…” his cell rang, and he picked it up. “Yeah?” He paused. “Where? Okay. I can have Jasper come. He’s gonna run the tow truck for me tonight.”
Webber had one tow truck. He only used it for people that were current clients that needed a ride. He did this as a courtesy to his people, and I was guessing that one of his people was broken down and needed help.
