At the encouragement of his buddy, more like following him, Troy figured they’d turn around a few blocks later and resume their trip to the body shop.
The hill had been a great test of the work Troy had put in. The new drive-line held up to the rigors of the steep climb. The motor was amply strong. The return would demonstrate just how fabulous the brakes were.
Before making it to his turn around point, Troy saw the driveway that Sally and Jen were attempting to make.
Best estimate, it was a little steeper than 35 degrees. It was insanely steep. Definitely not up to code. Whoever made it just pieced together a few concrete slabs and called it a driveway. It looked good and professional, but the angle was way too steep to have been poured in.
Judging by the extensive black rubber markings, many people had attempted and failed to make the climb… but a few seemed to have. Most likely the regulars who either had the power or ride height to make the climb with a running start.
The car was being cranked again as Troy slowed a little to see. Jen looked nervous, so Troy drove past, while his buddy slowed even more to see and admire the view.
The car fired up. The roar of the motor was melodic music to his ears. Big block V8 Chevy motor just singing it’s tune.
There was a note of famine to the exhaust as the incline increased. The fuel was not coming up to the carburetor evenly. The motor was leaning out.
No wonder it kept stalling, Troy thought to himself.
Sally couldn’t understand why the motor kept stalling out mid climb. No matter how much gas she fed, the car would launch as if it was a racing machine and then fade quickly before making it to the garage.
In desperation, as Sally was keenly aware that she had a spectator sitting in his car drooling at them, she placed her left foot on the brake to load up the transmission.
She wanted to launch like a dragster and make the climb and be done with this ordeal quickly.
The motor wasn’t steady. Feathering the gas, the power surged unevenly up. Eventually, the rear tires started to spin and smoke up. Plunging her gas pedal as hard as she could, she held the car in place a second longer with her left foot.
Jen was cringing and worried as she had never experienced a brake-stand before.
Before she could voice her concern, Sally released the brake and the car slammed into the incline and shot up towards the open garage.
The motor hesitated and coughed right as the front tires crossed the entrance to the garage. Sally quickly feathered the pedal as rapidly as she could.
The surge of fuel reinvigorated the big blog and the tired rear tires blistered into intense smoke as the car struggled to finish the climb.
Once in the garage, the motor fell flat. Sally let off the gas and stomped the brakes to stop her forward progress just in time. The big car rocked back and forth as the motor knocked about before stalling.
“I couldn’t have done what you’ve done” Jen sighed with great relief.
“Really?” Sally puzzled.
“Yeah. My grandpa, when he’s around, seems to be the only one who can manage to get any vehicle into the garage” Jen continued.
“Really?!?” Sally exclaimed.
“Yeah… now only my dad with his SUV can make it up. No one else” Jen finished.
“But, how does your grandma do it then?” inquired Sally.
“Well, she does spin the tires a lot and makes it about halfway up, but she usually gives up out of fear of tire failure” Jen said as she rolled her eyes.
“No one else tries?” Sally asked cautiously, as to not push too much into this topic.
“My mom gives it all she got in her truck but only spins her tires and gives up half way up too” Jen said in resignation. “You’re the first to really conquer this hill”.
“Interesting” Sally sighed.
It was a very challenging hill indeed. The company who built this was not thinking practically or usefully at all.
As the gals exited the car, they looked back at the slowly moving car. They couldn’t quite see the driver from that high up, but he leaned forward to see more and that’s when they recognized the face.
Jen spoke up first. “Isn’t he the guy who tried to help you get your car out of the mud one time?”
“Yeah. He tried, by pushing my car with his truck to get me stuck and pretend to rescue me” Sally recalled.
“Wait… what?” Jen inquired.
“You should have seen how Troy ripped this guy a new one for pulling such a prank” Sally beamed in recollection.
“You’ve gone soft on Troy” teased Jen.
Had Sally not spoken about Troy, Jen would have been more than happy to be Troy’s sex pet. He was smoldering hot. He was smart. He was a gentleman. And the cars he drove were amazing. But, Sally had gotten to Troy’s radar first.
“I’ve not gone soft on anyone” retorted Sally.
Before Jen could continue, the beat-up van was coming back down the road towards them.
“Isn’t that Troy in the van?” wondered Jen.
“Uh… yeah… it is… I didn’t… um…” Sally wasn’t sure how to finish her sentence.
“You have it bad!!” Jen teased as she jabbed Sally’s rib.
“Let’s go in, it’s way too cold to just stand there” Sally said as she hit the button to close the garage door.
“But don’t you want to speak to Troy?” laughed Jen as the two made their way inside.
Troy shot his buddy a warning look. He got the message. Making a swift u-turn to follow Troy, the two headed back on their way to the body shop.
Now, into his own thoughts, Troy had a lot of figuring to do about his buddy. They weren’t the closest of friends, but the revelations of today changed everything and made life far more complicated.
To be continued
RPM
For the other chapters in this story… and more like it… see below for a growing list…
- Sally’s College Parking - Chapter - 1 Sally thought she found a solution to the college parking challenges Then, a 'boy' in a Civic shows up... Car troubles ensues... blushes follows... Dive in to read more
- The Boy in the Civic - Chapter - 2 Sally was glad that the boy in the Civic had not been a distraction.... she had been humiliated enough that one time. Fate had other plans however. Little did Sally know that she would meet him again. Memories of past stuck scenes... made the boy in the civic more eager to get to know this woman he had seen stuck on campus.... Dive in to read more
- The Great Escape - Chapter - 3 Nothing like a bit of stern lip from a lady to make a fella wish he wasn't being a helpful gentleman Troy was trying to do the right thing. Sally was trying to get to her car and get free early. Now, facing each other, flutters and butterflies were flipping tummies Worse... Troy feared he appeared like a stalker. Sally wondered what was wrong with the boy in the Civic. They meet again... and this time... it's more than rubber that gets heated No good deed goes unpunished... it seems.... Dive in to read more... of this tale
- Formal Introductions - Chapter - 4 Sally is confronted by a rude Mustang driving fella who is determined to prove that women can't drive. Little did Sally know that Troy would be spoiling factor But first, lots of revs, tire burning, drag racing action Sally must face Troy, the boy in the Civic that she's not been formally introduced to... and understand why her blood runs hot whenever he's around Dive in to read more
- Capricious Starts - Chapter 5 -The adventures of Sally and Troy take a very cold twist of fate as a motor gets revved hard. Will Troy come to the rescue, or will Sally figure it out on her own? Jen, worried sick, finds out that there's chemistry between Sally and Troy Will the high revs and tire spinning bring a new chapter of romance or leave them out in the called... stalled
- The Ice Storm - Chapter 6 unfolds in the Troy and Sally saga A snow storm comes over campus. Sally and Jen find the ice to be more than they can address and handle. Feelings grow hot. Troy makes an effort to be a hero. The night heats up a lot of emotions as tires search for traction. Two ladies uncover a dark secret too hot to handle as well.
- The Buddy System - Chapter 7 - Troy has his hands full. He's trying to be a gentleman and come to the rescue of Jen and Sally. However, the snow storm not only is serious, he meets a new lady who is very happy to be rescued by Troy Will this woman draw Troy's attention so much that Sally is left in the cold? Sometimes, you need a buddy to help you stay on the path when ice is all over the road
- New Starts Require Heat - Chapter 8 - A brutal snow storm paralyzes the town. Troy, a new local hero, turns his attention to Sally. However, Jen and Aiden need his help. This time, it's his turn to be the damsel in distress... or is it? His long held secret threatens to be revealed... Troy now must think super fast and free himself from ice.
Shallows of the Deep 