Sassafras, Part 50


Rick


By the time we left Tony and his friends had already gone inside, so we just went straight back to Tanner’s. I looked at the engine and tested everything I could think of that could be wrong. Joan sat in the car and turned the key for me when I waved, but it still wouldn’t start. I was getting frustrated, just about ready to tell her it wasn’t going to start when she got out and walked over next to me.

She studied the engine for a minute. “You know, it didn’t take that guy at the nursing home this long to fix it.”

For a second I didn’t realize what she said. “You mean it did this before? Why didn’t you say something?”

“I don’t know. You didn’t ask if it broke down before.”

“What did he do?”

“You’ll never believe me.”

“Try me.”

“He hit it with a hammer.”

As soon as she said that I knew what was wrong. I picked up a ratchet and told her to go back in the car and get ready to start it. After I tapped the starter a couple of times I waved at Joan and she started it right up.

“It was your solenoid. Come over here for a minute and let me show you what to do if it does this tomorrow. Don’t shut it off, just in case.” She followed me to the front of the car and I showed her the starter. “If it won’t start, just tap it like this four or five times with this ratchet.” I tapped the engine block a couple of times to show her how hard to hit it. “Don’t hit it too hard or it’ll crack. I’ll stop tomorrow after work and get you a new starter. It’ll only take a couple of minutes to put on.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“If you’re going to drive this car I do.”

“How much will this cost?”

I thought for a minute. It was probably $65 or $70, but I wasn’t going to let Joan pay for it. “Not much, maybe $20. Don’t worry about it.” Just as I thought, she pulled a twenty out of her purse and tried to give it to me. “No, you keep that. All I want is that dinner you promised.”

“You’re a brave man, Rick. What would you like?”

“Surprise me.” I shut the hood, then leaned up against the car, pulling Joan into my arms.

“You’re not brave, you’re crazy.” She smiled and kissed me. “When do you want to eat?”

“Well, I get off at 4, then I have to stop and get the starter. I should be done working on this car in plenty of time to go to Tanner’s and talk to Matt when he gets to work at 5. Why don’t we make it 6?”

“You know, we could just eat at Tanner’s again.”

“No, Joan. I know what you’re thinking. Forget about it. You’re not talking to Matt. Besides, you owe me dinner and you’re going to pay up, if I have to chain you to the stove.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“You never know, you might like it.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head, but I could see the corners of her lips curve upwards. “Come on, let’s get this car home before something else breaks down on it.”