JULY 1998 ORLANDO, FLORIDA
“Damn!” Brianna cursed. It was getting dark, clouding over again, and her mother was going to kill her. “I cannot believe this is happening.” Every summer Brianna and her mother spent a few weeks camping at the beach. This summer was no different, except for the fact that Brianna was now 16. Today had been a rainy, overcast day and Brianna’s mom had allowed her daughter to drive into Orlando to do some shopping. It was Brianna’s first test of driving freedom and a flat tire was going to make her late. She doubted that her mother would actually believe there really was a flat.
Trying once again Brianna gave up hope. The lug nuts were just on too tight. Popping her hood as a signal that something was wrong, she hoped someone would stop and help her out, maybe someone with a cell phone. A few minutes passed when the skies opened up. She was just sitting on the bumper waiting, but was still soaked by the time she made it to the safety of the front seat. “This is just wonderful!” Frustrated and angry Brianna leaned her head on the steering wheel only to jump again when she unknowingly hit the horn. Instead, she opted to lean back and covered her eyes with her arm.
“Mom!”
“What? What’s the matter?”
“Back there. Someone had their flashers on and the hood up.”
“So?”
“So, maybe we should go help. It’s getting late and raining.”
“You want me to turn around?”
“It won’t take that long. Just check and see if everything’s okay, if we can call someone.”
The older lady sighed. “Fine, Nick.” A little ways up they found a place to turn around and headed back in the direction of the broken-down vehicle. “Well?” Mrs. Carter looked at her son expectantly.
Nick hesitated for a second thinking about how wet he was going to get. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Well, here goes, he thought.
Looking in the window he saw a young girl leaning back in the seat with her eyes closed. At first he thought she was sleeping and started to laugh, then he caught a tear rolling down her cheek. Gently he tapped on the window and the girl jumped. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” He said as she rolled down the window. “You need help with something?”
Looking behind her she saw a large SUV with a women sitting in the front. Inwardly, Brianna sighed sending silent thanks that someone had stopped and they appeared harmless enough. “Actually, yes. I have a flat and the lug nuts are on too tight. I’m not strong enough to get them off. Do you mind helping?”
Nick agreed but was running through his mind what to do. He didn’t mind the rain that wasn’t the problem. Hell, he was already soaked. He had just never changed a tire before. Looking back at his mom he gave a short wave then held up one finger to single he’d be back in just a minute.
Brianna handed Nick the tire iron and noted that he seemed a bit confused as what to do with it. “Here,” she said taking the iron back and showing him how to place in on the lug nut. Getting the idea Nick tried to turn it first one way then the other. When that didn’t work he tried stepping on it and using the weight of his body as leverage. Still nothing happened.
Meanwhile, back in the car Mrs. Carter was laughing so hard she had tears coming out of her eyes. “Where is my camera when I need it? This is so comical.” Then she realized Nick was walking back over to the car with the young lady behind him and quickly tried to regain composure. “What’s up Nicky?” She barely said without laughing while Nick opened the passenger door.
“She has a flat and we can’t get it off to put the spare on. She’s late getting back and I told her we’d let her call her mom.” Nick reached for the phone, then realized if he handed it to the girl the phone would get wet and probably ruined. “Come sit in here while you call.” He said signaling for Brianna to sit.
“But, I’ll get your car all wet.”
“It’s gonna get wet when Nick sits down in here anyway. Its okay, call your mom,” Mrs. Carter reassured the girl.
“Thanks.” Brianna uneasily climbed into the front seat and started dialing her Mom’s cell phone. After a few rings she heard her mother answer. “Hi, Mom? It’s me. No, no, I’m okay. Look, the car has a flat and I can’t get the lug nuts off. Some guy stopped to help and even he couldn’t get them off, so he let me use his phone to call you.” She listened for a minute. “I know. I know mom. But what was supposed to do? Sit there all night? Walk all the way back to the beach in the dark and in the rain?” Again, she listened and gave the older lady a weak smile. “Where am I? Somewhere between Orlando and there. No, I’m not trying to be smart. I just don’t know exactly where I am. Somewhere close to A1A I think. What? Hold on a second mom.” Brianna looked at the older lady who was now talking.
“Tell your mom that we’ll sit here with you until she can get here. That way you’ll be safe.”
“Umm.” Brianna wasn’t sure what to say. “Well, see. The thing is we’re camping at the beach, near Flagler. Dad only comes down on the weekend, he has the other car.” Things were complicated all right.
“Can I speak with your mother?” Mrs. Carter asked. Brianna just handed her the phone. Before she spoke Mrs. Carter asked in a whisper what her and her mother’s names were. “Hello, Mrs. Kinadle? I’m Jane Carter. My son and I stopped to help out Brianna here when we saw her on the side of the road.” Nick just rolled his eyes. He had been the one who saw and who had insisted they turn around. “If you don’t mind we’ll call a tow truck to come pick up the car. Maybe in the morning when it is light out and not raining it’ll be easier to fix things. But, I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting such a young girl ride alone with some guy in a tow truck. I’d feel much better if you let us bring her home.”
A few minutes of discussion and things were set. Mrs. Carter called a tow truck while Nick helped Brianna get her things out of the car. It was only a few more minutes before the truck pulled up and everyone was on their way to Flagler Beach.
Chapter 2 ~>
In the End
Karina 2003