Page 4 of Good Directions

Closing the gap between us, I drink her in, watching as she tugs her hair from her messy bun, trying to corral it. That works for all of six seconds before the elastic breaks, flying wildly into the air. Muttering a curse, she looks around for it, then turns back to me, twisting her hair in an attempt to get it off her neck.

She’s having a hell of a day, that much is clear, and is in desperate need of someone to help take her mind off all of this. As the saying goes, I volunteer as tribute.

“Who?”

“Ken Noble, best mechanic in Knox County, if not the whole of middle Georgia.”

Crossing her arms, she pushes up her boobs, and I have to fight the urge to look, made a little easier by the fact that Bama’s nonsensical mantra is scribbled across the fabric.

“And where do I find this Ken Noble?”

“Just up the way in Hickory Hills. Follow this road for a ways, and just past the caution light, there’s what looks like a little country store with an old-fashioned Coke sign. That’s actually a diner, Dolly’s. Pretty sure Miss Belle is there today, so you should stop in there and ask her for some of her sweet tea. Mama’ll get you all hooked up.”

“How about that mechanic?”

“A Noble Mechanic is another block up. Can’t miss it.”

“Thanks.”

She turns to go, not giving me or the stand a second look. My stomach plummets, all my thoughts about a fun evening out with this girl flying out the window. Maybe there’s still time. One last line.

“And then, once you’re all fixed up, a left will get you back on route to the interstate. But, if you take a right, that’ll bring you right back here to me.”

That stops her in her tracks. Spinning on her heel, she locks eyes with me again, and this time, her look is determined and full of incredulity. Like she can’t believe that I just handed her that line.

I feel her gaze drag up and down my body, so I shift, squaring my shoulders so she can get a better look. Only, it doesn’t last long. A second later, she’s moved on to the fruit stand, giving it much the same once-over. Looking very unimpressed.

“That won’t be happening. Hickory Hills is where I’m headed.”