Breakdown

         The engine coughed, sputtered and died as Charlie pulled off the pavement.

         “What‘s wrong? What did you do?” Daisy asked.

         “I didn‘t do anything. It just stopped.”

         And here we are in the middle of nowhere! What are me going to do now? I told you, this was a bad idea. I told you we shouldn’t have come out here tonight.”

         “Well we’re here; if you don’t have anything constructive to say then shut up.”

         “I said wait till morning, didn’t I say that? I said get a good night’s sleep and start out in the morning. That would have made sense. But no ~~ “

         “You know you aren’t helping matters.” He switched the lights off.

         “Why did you turn the lights off?”

         “To save the battery. Duh.”

         “But then if anyone does come along they wouldn’t see us.”

         “I’m not that sure I’d want to be seen by somebody who would be out here at this time of night.”

         “So we sit here until morning?”

         “Unless you have a better idea.”

         “A better idea would have been not to come here at all.”

         “So you said already.”

         “I’m cold. And I have to go to the bathroom.”

         “Look around you, Daisy. We’re in the woods. Nature’s bathroom.”

         “I’m not going in the woods.”

         “Suit yourself.”

         “At least give me your coat.” Hw shrugged then took it off and tossed it to her.

         “It will be daylight in a little while and then maybe I can fix something.”

         “That would be a novelty.”

         “I think it’s a fan belt.”

         “Do you know how to fix a fan belt?”

         “No,” he admitted.

         “I’m cold. What time is it?”

         “What difference does that make?”

         “Try to start it again.”

         “I already tried.”

         “I know, but it’s cooled off by now. It might start.”

         “What do you know about cars?” he challenged.

         “What do you?”

         He turned the key and the starter churned uselessly. “See? It doesn’t start. This is just draining the battery.”

         “I’m tired and cold and I am never going anywhere with you again.”

         “Good. I’d like that in writing.” He laughed.

         “What’s funny?”

         “I was just thinking, there was a time when we wouldn’t mind being alone in a car on a back road. Come on sit closer and we can keep each other warm. Isn’t that better?”

         “A little.”

         “Seems like old times?”

         “Not exactly. “

         “We used to like to come out here and park.”

         “When we planned to,” she pointed out

         “Well we didn’t plan this but here we are.”

         “Yeah, here we are.”

         “This is nice.” he said and pulled her close.

         “In a strange sort of way, it is.”

         “I love you.”

         “I love you back.”


453 words