Engine Failure

Bree sped along watching green and golden fields with the occasional tractor fly past as she belted out, “The Wheels on the Bus,” for probably the hundredth time, a desperate attempt to keep Orlee, her daughter, happily entertained. A flashing green light on the dashboard caught her attention, squeezing the steering wheel and fighting the urge to shake it, she muttered, “No, No!”

Orlee screeched, “Wheels mommy!”

Looking around wondering if she should pull over or hope to make it to the next town, Orlee screamed even louder, “Wheels, wheels!”

“Hold on, this light..”

“I you light mom, I you light,” Orlee implored.

Bree sighed, “I know sweetheart, you are my light. It’s just a light on the car says it’s not happy.”

“Why not happy,” Orlee questioned.

“I don’t know, but I sure hope it’s nothing.”

As she said that the engine suddenly stopped. Bree begged, “Ugh, no, please don’t do this to me,” as she pulled to the side of the road and came to a stop.

“Out,” Orlee demanded, squirming in her car seat and pushing at the buckles.

Bree rested her head on the steering wheel pleading with the car to start and wishing Orlee was asleep right now as her demands to be released from her car seat prison grew louder.

Bree took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “We can’t get out yet, honey,” she said and turned the keys, willing the car to function. “Yes!” She hummed when the car started up and she pulled onto the road. Ten feet later she was cursing the car as she pulled over, the engine having stopped again. She gave it three more tries, with the same result each time before throwing her hands up in total frustration.

Orlee had started to bawl by this point and all Bree wanted to do was join her.

“Stuck mom.”

“Yes Orlee, we are stuck,” Bree conceded.

“I stuck,” Orlee whined.

Bree looked back to find Orlee had somehow managed to get one arm pushed through the straps and it was pinned against her chest. “Oh goodness,” she cried as she reached back and unbuckled her daughter.

Orlee smiled and pushed herself out of the carseat, happy to finally be freed, only to move on to her next concern. “Hungry,” she said, her big brown eyes pouting up at her mother’s as she climbed into the passenger seat.

“Of course you are,” growled Bree as she reached for a bag of snacks. Handing the cute little monster next to her several items, she hoped it would keep her occupied long enough to figure out a plan.

“Well,” she announced more to herself than Orlee, “I guess the first step is to see if I can tell what is wrong.” Looking at Orlee she playfully pinched her little nose, “You stay right here while I go see if I can figure out why the car is not happy.”

Checks filled with fishy crackers and trying to shove more in, Orlee nodded her head in consent.

“That’s my girl,” Bree chimed, then climbed out of the car.

She had some knowledge of cars, her dad taught her how to do basic maintenance, change a tire, fill fluids, check oil and change it, but that was the extent of it. “Ok,” she harrumphed to herself lifting the hood, “let’s see if I can spot what's wrong.”

Looking around, all the fluid containers she could see were filled to the correct amount and nothing seemed out of place as far as she could tell. “Great,” she moaned, closing the hood and giving it an extra push in her frustration. Looking at the long stretch of road she tried to remember how far back the last town was or what the last city mileage sign she passed had on it, then a wonderful thought popped into her mind and she gave a little hoot. She had bought a warranty for this car and it had a free tow!

Just then a truck coming up the road slowed down and stopped next to her, an older gal rolled down the window and asked if everything was ok. “Yup,” Bree grinned, “someone is on the way to help.” She knew that wasn’t true, yet, but it was going to be, she cheered in her mind. The woman waved goodbye and headed off.

Bree called the warranty company giving them her approximate location and assuring them she had a mask for her and her daughter to wear in the tow truck. She sat back pleased that they seemed on top of it as they promised to call back in 10 min with information on who would come to pick her up.

Three hours later, four good samaritans waved off, two more calls to the warranty company (who claimed they were trying, but with COVID drivers were in short supply), every snack in her bag gone, one hyper girl bouncing between the front and back seat, and one extremely exhausted mom, Bree jumped when someone knocked on the window.

“Cowboy,” sang Orlee as she jumped on Bree pushing her face against the window.

Bree looked up to see a handsome man in a cowboy hat staring at her. “Oh, I am sure I look a fine sight,” she thought, plastering on the I’m just fine smile while rolling down the window.

His vibrant blue eyes held nothing but pity, “Ma’am, just wanted to see if I could help with anything.”

“No,” began Bree, her I have help coming line was getting a little old and she wasn’t so sure she believed it, “a tow truck is supposed to be coming for us.”

“Ok,” the man said and started to turn for his truck then stopped. “Um, just how long have you been waiting on this tow truck?”

“Ever!” Orlee pipped, “I hungry.”

“Is that so,” the man smiled looking at Bree for confirmation.

Wearily, she droned, “3 hours, 6 minutes, and,” looking at her watch, “42 seconds.”

“Seriously,” he barked, “and how long until they are supposed to get here?”

Attempting to stay strong she answered, “I honestly have no idea, as far as I know they are still trying to track down someone to come.”

Astonished, he replied, “That is ridiculous! Well, listen, I have a tow strap, but let me see if I can get you running on your own first. What is going on with it?”

“The check engine light came on and shortly after that it just died and would not keep going.”

“Pop the hood for me please.”

Bree did and he lifted it taking a second to check everything out before hollering, “turn it on would you.”

She did and it started up as it had every other time.

Concern in his voice he yelled, “shut it down!”

“Great,” she mused, “that doesn’t sound promising.”

“Not really,” he injected as he came back to her window, “there’s a knock in your engine, which is never a good sign.”

Bree rubbed her forehead, this was not the news she wanted.

“Hungry,” Orlee announced, making sure she was not forgotten.

“Well, I’d love to help with that. Let me get my tow strap and get everything set up.”

Bree was about to protest, but she was done sitting on the side of the road and she knew if they didn’t get out of there soon Orlee was going to blow up. “Ok, what do you need me to do?”

“Well, how about you start by telling me your name, then just sit tight while I get the strap connected. My name is Pax,” he said.

“I am Bree and this is..”

“I Olee,” Orlee blurted, poking her head out the window, “Go truck?”

Pax and Bree laughed, he said, “No, you need to get in your car seat so you’ll be nice and safe while I pull you down the road to a restaurant with yummy burgers.”

Her eyes opened wide and she bounced back to her seat, her small fingers fumbling with the buckles. “They have nugs,” she asked.

Bree mouthed “Thank you,” to Pax and turned to help Orlee saying, “I am sure they will have some chicken nuggets there.”

Pax moved his truck in front of the car and got the strap hooked up to both before coming back.

“Alright, put your car in neutral, turn on your hazard lights, then just brake when I brake and turn when I turn. It will jerk you hard at first, but should be pretty smooth after that. The town is about 5 miles and the shop is just off the main road, so it won't be too hard.” Looking back at Orlee he continued, “We have to take the car to get fixed first then I’ll take you over to the restaurant ok.”

Orlee grinned, her chubby cheeks puffing out more, “K.”

“Thank you so much,” Bree said.

“Happy to help,” he nodded his head and walked to his truck.

Bree’s knuckles were white and she almost had to pry them off the steering wheel when they arrived at the shop. It really wasn’t that bad being pulled, but she was so nervous and the stress of the day had already worn her down.

Pax got the straps off, Bree holding Orlee, thanked him again and asked, “Is this shop any good?”

A twinkle in his eye Pax remarked, “Well, I can’t say much about the shop owner, but his mechanic is pretty darn good!”

“That is nice to hear,” Bree breathed and started to head for the door.

Pax called, “No use going over, shop is closed on Sunday.”

Bree hung her head, “Ugh, I forgot it was Sunday today. What time do they open tomorrow?”

“7:30, but don’t worry about coming over. I’ll be here and can get everything set up.”

Confused, Bree started to ask when Pax, grinning huge, proclaimed, “I’m the mechanic.”

Bree chuckled along with Pax.

Pax noticed Orlee’s lips start to pout, and he exclaimed, “Now, I promised a certain girl some food,” before the pout became audible. “Grab your stuff and I’ll drop you at a little hotel after you get some dinner.”

“We can just get an Uber Pax, you have done more than enough helping us get here.”

Pax started to laugh, looking up and down the street, “Do you really think you’ll find an Uber around here?”

Bree looked around now for the first time, there were a few little mom and pop stores and a little gas station in her line of sight, but mostly there were homes around them. “Eh, yeah, I guess there is probably not much need around here.”

“I don’t mind taking you, I could use a burger myself.”

On the drive over Pax whispered to Bree, “What do you think of eating at a park where she can run off some energy.”

“That is actually a fantastic idea, she’s been stuck in that car all day and I’m sure she’ll be running circles in the restaurant.”

Speaking louder Pax announced, “How about I drop you guys at a park while I run get those chicken nuggets!”

Orlee beamed and clapped her hands together, “yeaahhhh!”

Bree pulled out her wallet when they got to the park but before she could even get it open Pax was shaking his head, “No, I got this I’m not taking your money!”

Annoyed, Bree said, “I am getting the food, yours too! It’s the least I can do for all the help you have given us.”

She handed him a fifty and he shoved it right back at her, “Really, it’s ok I got it.”

She groaned, got out and after unbuckling Orlee tossed the money in his lap.

“Hey,” he yelled as the two ran off towards the swings.

Knowing he had lost, for now, he went and picked up the food then returned being greeted with shouts of joy from little Orlee. Watching the cute girl shove chicken nuggets into her mouth he enjoyed getting to know Bree better. He especially found the knowledge that she was a single mother encouraging.

Bree was enjoying the company more than meal and as she sat eating and talking the thought crossed her mind that perhaps this engine failure was not such a bad thing after all.

If you enjoyed this check out this other story where bad moments turn out to be great in the end.