SALVATION

The ancient piece of shit I called my car was giving me the finger again. It wasn’t a very reputable neighborhood to have your car break down in. The spreading darkness and the distant barks of strays were enough to rob me of my courage. And the sorry excuse of self-defense otherwise known as a pepper spray didn’t exactly make me feel like Hercules and I terribly missed the brass knucks I used to always have on me when I lived in the south.

Having to grow up with an addict of a mother and her multiple equally addict boyfriends can make you suspicious of your own shadow. Even though I left her to go live with my paternal aunt in Texas when I was eight; some scars are left for a life time. And no amount of passing time can fade them away. I was now a person who had multiple locks on her doors, iron bars on windows and would throw a punch before answering someone’s hello. I’d learned jiu-jitsu, karate, krav maga and kick-boxing. And still I was a nervous wreck whenever I was in a situation like I was in now.

A dog barked again, followed by others. It seemed like a fight had broken out amongst them. I tightened my grip on the pepper spray as I dared to turn my back towards the street and lifted the hood of my car. The illumination from the street light wasn’t enough to see anything inside and I wasn’t feeling brave enough to replace the pepper spray in favor of my phone so I could turn on the flash light.

“It’s not a good place to have your car break down at this time of night mam”. A deep male sounded behind me and my heart leapt from my chest and lodged itself in my throat. It was instinct to whirl around and spray the shit out of my weapon, a.k.a pepper spray, at his face.

“Shit” he yelled, “Fuck. Shit” he started wiping at his face harshly while scrunching his eyes shut tight. Water started trickling out of his eyes and he started blinking them like crazy.

“What the fuck? I was here to help you”. He declared gruffly.

“Yeah right” my snort couldn’t be stopped.

“I recognized your car. I have seen it at the garage and when I saw you standing here I figured you must have broken down.” He explained in a pained voice while continuously trying to not rub his eyes. His clenching and unclenching dirty hands repeatedly trying to reach his face seemed to take a lot of his effort.

“What garage?” I asked suspiciously. I didn’t believe him one bit. And his greasy outfit and hands didn’t really mark him as an upstanding citizen either.

“I used to work for Richard at his garage. And I have worked on your car with him a few years back. I have a very good memory with cars and clients.” He explained. “Do you have some water? Please. My eyes are burning and I don’t want to go blind.” He sounded pleading and I felt bad for the guy. Besides, his story seemed legit. I did take my car to Richard the last time I visited here.

“Yeah, let me grab it.” I opened my back door and grabbed a water bottle from the 6-pack for him. “Here.” I uncapped the bottle and poured some water in his cupped hands. He splashed his face once, twice and at the third he sighed. Then he proceeded to take the bottle from my hands and upended it over his upturned face.

“Oh thank God”, he mumbled, “Do you have another?” he asked hopefully and I saw his reddened eyes.

“Yeah I do. Wait a second.” I felt a sudden wave of relief that I always kept at least a 6-pack of water whenever I travelled. I handed him another bottle and he continued to splash water in his eyes. When the bottle was empty he surprised me by not throwing them in the street like the norm was for this neighborhood; but actually going a few steps to throw both bottles in the bin.

"I’m sorry I startled you like that. I should’ve been more thoughtful.” He looked down sheepishly and I found it really cute that he was actually feeling embarrassed after getting attacked by the crazy girl for trying to help her.

“Yeah you scared me. I’m sorry for the spray too.”

“Should I have a look at it?” he pointed to the car, “I’m Max by the way.” He introduced himself; extending a hand for me to shake. His grease stained hands made a whole lot of sense now. He must have just left the garage.

“Raven” I shook his hand. “And yes please. It’d be really helpful if you could take a look.”

“No problem. Can you show me a little light?” he said; bending over the car to have a look around.

“Yeah sure”, I grabbed my phone from the back pocket of my jean shorts and turned on the flash light. The air was unusually hot and humid and my shirt was soaked through. Having to stand outside in the street was the last thing I wanted at this hour of night. After my drive I just wanted to crash in a bed already but my stupid car hated me too much. Max stood back upright; wiping his hands on a rag he’d produced from somewhere, and told me that my car needed some loving at the garage.

“Great”, I rolled my eyes to high heavens.

“Don’t worry, I’d arrange for it to be towed to the garage. Where do you live? Let me walk you home.”