“Right on,” Alf said.
She walked to the snacks, grabbed a bouquet of Slim Jims and a bag of jerky, and turned to leave without slowing.
“Green will pay,” she said, passing back out the door.
“I got it,” Green said. “She isn’t usually like this. She really hates cars.”
“Damn,” Alf said. “I kinda like her style.”
“Hey, you think I could get a little more advice? I don’t exactly know anybody around here and my phone gets service like ten minutes a day. Do you know somebody who can fix my windshield? We’re in a hurry today, but maybe I can meet them later or drop it off?”
“In a hurry?”
“Afraid so. Valentina is kind of an expert and she has some business to do. Helping with the recent…accidents.”
“Shit, bro, yeah, I’ll help with that.”
Alf’s expression made it seem like he knew more about the real subject of the conversation, more than he was willing to speak aloud. He thought for a beat, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a key ring.
“Trade me.”
“What?”
“Give me your keys, man. My girl Casper can fix your windshield.She can probably do it here. Or we’ll work something out. You just take my truck and go do your business. Jerome can drop me home tonight. No big thing.”
Jerome shrugged an agreement.
“That’s…really kind. I guess I won’t argue. It’s important I get Valentina where she needs to go.”
Alf grinned.
“You can buy me a six-pack sometime.”
The two exchanged phone numbers and Green turned to go. He paused by the door and looked back.
“Alf and Jerome. Keeping the fires of hope burning on the edge of the wilderness. Making community a verb.”
Green felt instantly embarrassed of his words.
Alf laughed a good-natured laugh.
“You a poet, bro?”
“I think it’s just the gas station ambiance.”
“Yeah, we know how that is. Good luck. I’ll text about the car. Probably won’t go through. Stop back if you don’t hear from me by tomorrow.”
He went out and found Valentina standing at the edge of the parking lot, facing the woods and eating a piece of jerky like it had wronged her personally. She wore a heavy backpack that, apparently, she wasn’t comfortable leaving in the car.
“Teacher? You alright?”
“No, Mr. Green,” she said through the chewing. “But I’m working on it.”
She continued to do violence to her snack.
“I’ll…just wait in the truck.”
“Truck?”
