Beyond Broken(2)

He jerked a thumb back outside. "There's a pay phone out front, lady."

Maddie flushed as she recalled her embarrassing predicament. "Well, you see … I actually don't have any money on me. I'm having quite a night, let me tell ya. I left my wallet at a restaurant and I was heading back to go get it, but then I got lost because my phone died. And of course, my tank was low. Luckily I had an emergency twenty dollars tucked in my glove compartment so I filled up and was on my way again when … " she trailed off, realizing that she was rambling and that this poor man didn't want to hear her troubles. Her brother affectionately told her that she had the annoying tendency to ramble on when she was nervous. Ever since then, she'd always been uncomfortably aware of the quirk.

The man must've taken pity on her. Or he just wanted to get rid of her because he sighed and craned his neck out the window, his gaze turned down the street. "Well, you're in luck, lady. See that building a little ways down with the lights on?" He pointed in the general direction and Maddie thought she knew which building he was referring to. She nodded. "That's an auto shop and it looks like someone is still around. They're nice guys. They'll be able to help you out."



       
         
       
        

Affection for this stranger blossomed in her chest and she smiled so widely that her cheeks hurt. "Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

"Yeah, yeah," he said, shaking his head. But, as Maddie headed out of the gas station and started towards the building, she thought she'd coaxed at least a little smile out of him.

With delight, Maddie saw that he was right. Montgomery Restoration & Repair was what the sign said out front and the lights in the garage were still on. Filled with renewed hope, she walked up, her heels clicking loudly on the pavement. She heard male voices, laughter, and the sound of tools clinking on cement. Some guy was doing an impression of his mother-in-law and Maddie couldn't help but smile at his shrill voice. A few more steps and she rounded the corner of the L-shaped building and into the fluorescent lit garage.

An older man was hunched over the engine of a car and his long grey hair, pulled back with an elastic band, was peeking out from under the hood. "And then she tells me that she wishes her daughter had married one of those hot shot, suit-wearin', white collar fellas instead of a dirty mechanic who always has grease stains on his hands and smells like sweat and oil. You'd think after thirty years, she'd lighten up. Jesus, that old bat … really fuckin' hates me."

The other man was actually a teenager she noticed. He looked like he could still be in high school, with a pair of cute dimples and acne scars. He was busy wiping his hands on a rag, his head thrown back in laughter. But when he righted himself, his gaze landed on Maddie and a startled look came over his features.

"Hi there," she greeted softly with a small smile, stepping into the garage gingerly, as though she might be thrown out any second. She found it a little intimidating to say the least and it smelled like fuel and cement.

"What the-" With a loud curse, the startled older man came up so fast that he banged his head on the hood of the car. Maddie gasped and started apologizing profusely as he turned to face her. "No harm done, sweetie," he said with a grimace, rubbing the back of his head. "I never learn. Do you know how many times I've hit my head like that over the years? No wonder my wife thinks I'm dumb as rocks." He started wiping his hands on a dirty rag, looking her over with curiosity. "What can we do for ya, sweetie?"

"I, uh … " she glanced at the teen and noticed that he looked a little pink in the cheeks. "My car broke down a mile or so away. The man at the gas station said you guys might be able to help?"

"Of course. Although, we have to charge more for a tow since it's after hours."

She flushed again, hating that her own stupidity was causing her more than enough problems for tonight. "I understand. It's just that I left my wallet at a restaurant and I'm not sure I can get it back tonight." The older man's eyebrows raised a fraction and Maddie quickly hurried on, not wanting him to think she was trying to scam them. "But I can pay tomorrow, I swear! I can leave my name and address. Any personal details you need so you could track me down. Not that you'll need to," she hastened to reassure them. "And obviously you'll have my car as collateral. I just-" 

The older man started chuckling and the sound made Maddie relax. She decided she liked him. He had a warm friendliness that reminded her of her father.