A tall man got out of the car, dressed in a crisp blue suit; he seemed harmless enough. He flashed a big grin as he came closer; apparently he thought this was funny.
“That tire is really taking a beating. What did it do to you?” he joked.
Angela was mildly annoyed. “Well, isn’t it obvious?” she said, looking at the busted tire. “I’m stranded now.” She took a step back and clutched her purse. She looked into the distance, wishing another car would drive by on the semi deserted road; hoping a nice elderly woman and her mechanic husband would come to her rescue.
“You’restranded?”
“Well, I don’t know how else I should put it.”
“Don’t you have a spare tire?” he asked.
She looked up from her purse. He was standing in front of her, still smiling, still amused. She figured he was probably too clean cut to be of any use to her at that moment. Suits like him knew nothing about cars. She guessed he probably knew as little as she did.
“It’s ok. I’ve got a number for AAA in here. I can just call and they’ll be here in a jiff.”
“I can just help you right now if you want,” he offered. “I’ve got a jack in my car and if you’ve got a spare tire--”
“I’m really fine. Don’t trouble yourself--”
“Well, if you’re good, I’ll get going. I just thought I’d ask,” he told her as he slowly backed away, still holding her gaze until he turned towards his car. She started to panic; unsure. It would be fantastic if this could just be settled right then, she thought. She was running late for her meeting.
“Umm...wait,” she yelled as he almost reached his car.
He turned around, still grinning. “What was that?” he asked.
“Well, maybe if it’s not too much trouble...,” she said, hesitating, feeling the nice spring breeze blow in her hair.
“Well, I don’t know. I was on my way to some very important business,” he told her matter-of-factly.
Now she was officially completely annoyed.
“You’re kidding right?”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be all right on your own,” he told her, still grinning.
“You’re joking,” she insisted.
He walked up to her and held out his hand. “Of course I’m kidding,” he said as he introduced himself. “I’m Michael.”
A firm handshake followed. And she noticed he had a very kind face and a nice smile.
“I’m Angela Jenkins.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Angela.”
“Same here,” she offered a shy smile. Suddenly she was feeling ill at ease, but in an entirely different way than before.
“Let’s go check out that tire.”
He crouched down to inspect the tire. “Yep, it’s done for. Do you have a spare?”
“Um... I don’t think so,” she said, biting her lip, thinking about it. “I don’t have anything in the trunk.”
“Get in and put on the emergency brake and pop the trunk for me.” He was giving her orders now; she quickly obliged.
He reached into her trunk and lifted the floor mat. He rolled his eyes and smiled. He had barely spoken… but yet had already managed to make her feel like a complete idiot.
Yes, there it was; the spare tire, ready to save the day.
