..." and opened the door. I turned the key as she stepped out. I was rewarded by a low groan and a death rattle from somewhere under the hood. Turning the key again only got me a faint clicking sound. I hit the wheel with the palm of my hand. "Shit!" "What's the matter?" Jenny asked, leaning in the still open door. "Fucking battery died again!" I groaned. "The alternator belt's broken. I was gonna fix it tomorrow." "Oh." She said. "Well, I can go up and get the keys from Dianne and give you a jump with my car. Hang on..." She disappeared into the darkness. Several minutes later she returned with a disgusted look on her face. "I don't fucking believe it. She's not there! She left a note on the 'fridge saying she left with some guy for the coast and won't be back 'til tomorrow afternoon. In my car, damn her! I coulda been stuck at work all night!" Actually, I had the idea Jenny was more pissed because her roomie had a date tonight and she didn't. Which I didn't feel particularly sympathetic for at the moment, considering my predicament. "Well, I could thumb it home and have a buddy bring me back early tomorrow and jump me. That way I can get the car out of here before it starts lowering property values." I got out and shut the door and locked it. I started to walk down the street and I noticed Jenny keeping step with me, obviously wanting to say something but not knowing quite how. She said haltingly, "Um, well, since it's kinda my fault that you're stuck here, I, uh, could put you up for the night." Oh really? I was tired, but not so tired I didn't pick up on the possible implications of that statement right away. And even if it didn't mean what I hoped, it still sounded better than standing out in the cold for maybe hours trying to get a ride from some soft-hearted motorist. It wouldn't be the first time I had done that and I wasn't looking forward to doing it again. "Sure." I said, hoping I didn't sound too eager, "It's been a long day already. |