“Assuming you don’t have some kind of roadside assistance service that’ll cover the tow?” I ask, just to clarify.
She laughs like I told the most hilarious joke, then buries her face in her hands, and then I’m not sure if she’s still laughing or if she’s sobbing. It could honestly go either way.
After a moment, she seems to collect herself, lifting her head and wiping her eyes. So, yeah, definitely tears involved, though she’s still half-laughing and half-sobbing.
“So that’s a no on the roadside assistance, I take it,” I say softly.
Another choked laugh, and she shakes her head. “No. I can’t afford something that fancy.”
I roll my lips between my teeth for a second because I’m not sure I’ve ever considered roadside assistance fancy. It’s included with my car insurance at this point. It’s not like it’s something outside of the reach of normal people. My parents have had it for as long as I can remember too.
So, yeah, the ends aren’t meeting all that well, it seems. I’m definitely going to have to be more involved here if I’m going to keep my promise to Hunter.
I could kick myself for just assuming she’d know I’d help her out if she ever needed it. That thinking a few texts a year were enough. Dammit, I’m an idiot.
Pulling out my phone, I search for tow truck places. Not having any idea of who’s who, I just pick the top result, which has a bunch of reviews and a four-and-a-half-star rating, hit their number, and press the phone to my ear.
Hailey gives me a suspicious look. “What are you doing?”
Confused, I furrow my brow. “Calling the tow truck. I told you I’d take care of it. We’ll need to decide where to have them take your car, too. Do you have a shop you prefer?”
Another laugh like I said something ridiculous. Gonna take that as a no.
I have a brief conversation with the dispatcher, give them the address, and hang up. “They said it’ll be about half an hour, so you have plenty of time to finish your wings.” Standing, I take my plate to the trash can, dump the bones, then rinse it before turning to put away the leftovers. But I stop just before closing the first container. “You gonna want more?”
Hailey’s been watching my every move, and she shakes her head. “No,” she says in a small voice. “This is plenty.”
I’m not entirely sure I believe her. If she’s struggling to make rent, is she eating normally? Or is she skipping meals to save money?
Well, I’ll get her address and order delivery for her later or something. Would she end up getting the order for herself? That would be kinda funny. Of course, it’d have to be after she has her car working again for that to happen.
In the meantime, I’ll definitely order food for her while she’s unable to do what she needs for extra money. What I really need is a way to sneak her extra cash too …
“You really didn’t need to do that,” she says, and I blink, wondering if she’s read my mind.
“Sorry?”
She waves a hand, and I notice she’s eaten more of her wings. Good. “The tow truck. You really didn’t need to pay for it.”
I shrug, putting away the last box of wings. “I don’t mind. I can easily afford it.”More easily than you can, I want to add, but don’t. She doesn’t need me rubbing her nose in the fact that she’s broke.
I remember what it was like when I was still with the Juniors and trying to scramble for extra cash. I know it’s not the same. I always had what I needed. My parents could afford to pay for all my hockey gear, the travel teams, and the extra coaching that allowed me to get where I am. My dad’s an architect, and by the time I was in high school, his firm had landed some major commercial contracts in the Madison area. My mom handles all the real estate contracts for him, and together, they’re a powerhouse. We were more lower-middle class when I was younger, and I know the hockey stuff was a bit of a stretch for a while—though I didn’t fully realize it at the time—but eventually it wasn’t such a struggle.
I’ve never been where Hailey is, and I’ve always had a safety net to fall back on if I needed it—not that I do now. At leastnot financially. My parents are great, though, and I love coming home to visit them when I can. They usually come watch my games whenever I’m in Chicago or St. Paul, even though it takes a few hours to get to either of those places from their house.
It makes me sad to know that Hailey doesn’t have that same level of support, and now that I know that, I’m more determined than ever to provide that for her.
It’s what Hunter would’ve wanted.
“Okay, so after they tow your car,” I say, refilling my water and sitting at the table again, “I’ll give you a ride back to your place. Unless you want to stay in the guest room here?”
That makes her chuckle again. “No, that’s fine. I’ll take a ride home, though.”
“Great. Now, let’s pick a shop to get your car towed to.” I scoot my chair around so we can both see my phone screen and search for auto repair shops here. “Any you prefer?”
She lifts both her hands in an exaggerated shrug. “I don’t know anything about car repairs. I’ve done my best to avoid them if I can, just going to standard oil change places for that and doing my best to keep up with general maintenance.” She sighs. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without a car,” she whispers.
“Well, for now, I can give you a ride anywhere you need to go.”
