“Mom, I’m not referring to the rubber. The wheel is the metal barrel that receives the tire.” Duh much!

“Oh!” Her face twisted. She acted as if I’d spoken a foreign language. “You can walk. I have a ride.” She waved her hand in the air, dismissing the problem like every other hiccup we’d ever encountered. “I met someone today.” She paused, perhaps having a moment of remorse. “Oh all right! If you must, take the car to the gas station up at the corner just past the hotel. See if they can patch up the tires.” With that said, Sara disappeared into the bathroom closing the door behind her. A minute later, I heard the shower.

I turned my back to the bathroom door, fuming. I wondered where she expected me to get the coins. The tires were so badly damaged a patch here, and there wasn’t going to fix it. We needed new tires!

Moving past the car troubles, I suspected Sara had a date tonight. The tight dress laid out flat on her bed with the killer heels gave it away. I had to give her credit. We hadn’t been here twenty-four hours, and she’d already snagged a man. That had to be an all-time record even for Sara. Of course, she never had a problem in that department. Finding a boyfriend was like plucking an apple from a tree.

I tried not to get too involved in Sara’s affairs. Her reputation preceded her. Taking into account all her short-lived romances, any person of the male persuasion should take out a life insurance policy before hooking up with her. Boyfriends of Sara’s either disappeared or turned up dead. Chills slid down my spine. Sorta creepy when I thought about it.

 

 

***

The next morning started as a typical blistering day in the Deep South. West Texas was hot, but this place had Texas beat by a long shot.

Then the insects, folks talked about Texas mosquitoes being large and hungry, well, they ain’t been to Louisiana. These suckers here were gang bangers. 

Sara left early for work. The missing uniform that once hung over the chair gave it away. I didn’t hear the car’s engine roaring over the hum of bugsville this morning.