The breakdown

The Breakdown 

    I was finished with my errand and decided to take the long way home:  it was the scenic route.  Trees boughed over the road and speckles of light shone througth.  The road was deserted, but I had no qualms.  My car had recently been overhauled:  nothing could go wrong.
    The evening was quite pleasant.  I had the window open  to let in the fresh fall air which slapped at my face and blew back my hair.
    Sputter!  Sputter!  What was that?  Surely it was nothing mechanical.  Cheap gas?  I was at a standstill.  The starter made a grinding sound with no results.  Where was I?  The abandoned road no longer seemed so appealing.  I would need to get help, but where?
    A farm truck loaded with hay slowed down.  The driver shook his head, then sped up.  I heard him say something about women drivers, but did not catch it all.  I was probably better off.  A Volkswagon came around the bend.  The driver rolled down his window.
    "What's the matter, lady?"
    "I don't know.  My car stalled and now it won't start."
    "Ah, sounds like you've got trouble."
    He drove off.
    The sky grew darker and the wind a bit chillier.  I had visions of being stranded over night.  I lifted the hood, the locked myself in the car.
    I don't know how long I slept before a policeman knocked at my window.
    "Lady, you can't park your car here!"
    "Officerr, I...."
    "Besides, don't you know it's dangerous out here alone?"
    "Yes, but my car....":
    "What about your car?"
    "It stalled and won't start again."
    "Oh, well, let me take a look.  Pop the hood."
    "Officer, I...."
    "Pop the hood!"
    "Sir, it's already open."
    "Well, can you imagine.  A lady actually popped the hood," he said muttering to himself.  "You got a flashlight?"
    "Yes, Sir, right here."
    The offifcer worked under the hood a long time.  I hoped he knew what he was doing.  The air was much colder and the sky was threateningly black.
    Back at my window he said,  "There, try her now."
    The car started right up.
    At least that willl get you home.  You'd better take it to a garage tomorrow.  I just rigged it"
    "Thank you, Officer."
    I was almost home before I realized the officer never told me what it was he rigged together.