Page 8 of Dare You to Run

I hear him blow out a heavy breath, and my fingers find their way into my mouth and I begin chewing on my nails.

“How bad is it?” he finally asks.

I turn around and stare at the point where the right back end is crunched against the pole.

“Well, the back end has a pretty good dent in it. And the passenger side back tire is sitting pretty weird.” I move on from chewing on my nails and start chewing on the inside of my cheek.

“Cars can be fixed. The most important thing is you’re okay. I’ll call the insurance and see what it’s going to cost to tow the car home and then I’ll find the closest airport and get you a flight back home. You may have to stay a night in…where are you?” Dad wonders, and I wonder the same.

“I’m not sure. Hold on a sec,” I tell him and pull up my map to find my exact location. “Cattywump Bay? What the hell kind of name is that?”

“Cattywump Bay? Are you making that up?” Mom asks me.

“According to the map, that's exactly where I am. I’m close to Diamond Head but still on the South side of I-10.”

“I don’t want you sitting there alone, so is there any way you can–”

“Hey there. Are you okay, darlin’?” A sweet voice with a thick southern twang cuts into Dad’s words.

I turn around and see a woman staring out the window of her faded blue pick-up truck.

“Give me a minute, Dad.” I pull the phone from my ear but don’t hang up, and walk closer to her. “Hey. Yeah. I need to find a tow. Would you know of a place?”

“Seems you got into a little bit of a disagreement with that light pole. Unfortunately darlin’, I think you lost,” she tells me and I let out a small laugh and a shrug. “There’s only one place in this little town that can tow ya otherwise, you’ll have to call thebig city and have one of them big wrecker places get ya. And they charge more than Carter’s got little pills.”

What in the high heavens did that girl say?

“Dad. Someone has stopped to help, and she says she knows who to call for a tow. I’m going to talk with her then call you once I know where I’m going.”

“No, I’ll just stay on the phone. Who knows what that woman may do.” Concern laces his voice.

“Dad. This woman looks to be about the size of Aunt Viv, and as harmless as Mom. I’ll be fine,” I assure him.

“You keep your location on and I want to know the name, number and address of the place once you get there. Understand?”

I roll my eyes and smile. “I understand. I promise to use my hunting skills if I feel like this five foot nothing woman is going to harm me.”

“Smart ass. Love you, baby bird.”

“I learned from the best…Uncle Hayes. Love you too, Daddy-o.” I hang up and turn around to face the friendly face once more.

“I’m five-four, thank you very much,” she says.

“Huh?”

“You said I was five foot nothin’, but I’m five foot and four inches. Don’t rob me of them four inches. Every little bit is needed.”

I laugh and she turns off her truck and hops out. Or rather down.

“How in the heck do you drive that giant thing?” I ask her as she rounds her big blue beast.

She comes to stand in front of me, and looks over her shoulder as if only realizing how big her truck is. “I learned how to drive on ole blue. It’s just normal for me.”

“I’m Dagen,” I say and hold out my hand to shake.

She takes it and says, “I’m McKinsley, but you can call me Kinsley. Or Kins. The Mc is not necessary. Makes me sound like a shake or somethin’ at McDonalds.” I laugh and then have to agree.

“Yeah. I could see myself ordering a Big Mac and a large McKinsley.”