New Starts Require Heat

Days later, Sally got a text from Jen.

You should have seen how cute Aiden was trying to get me to drive in the snow Jen messaged.

I bet. Did you flirt back with him Sally responded.

Stop it. I was nice. But friendly only. I just need you to help me once more with the Impala Jen changed topics.

There is no way that car will navigate any but the cleanest streets… do you have to move it? Sally responded with a small knot in her stomach.

The weight of the ice damaged the house. Everyone is fine. But grandpa wants his car moved, as there is no heat to preserve it. Can you have Troy keep it? Jen added a few emojis to emphasize the plea’s power.

Sally didn’t reply. She knew Troy would do her any number of favors. Watching him save their town while help was on the way proved he was open to saving anyone.

What exactly do you want me to do and ask? Sally wanted clarification.

You know how to get this thing cranked and moving. I just need it in a heated place until the house is fixed Jen replied quickly.

Why didn’t you just ask Troy directly? Sally wondered.

No reply came.

An excuse to check in on Troy was nice. Maybe a call, as no one had seen Troy’s truck ripping around town.

“Hi Sally, how are you doing?” Troy asked with evident happiness.

“Sorry to bother you, but Jen needed a favor” replied Sally.

“OK, how can I help?” Troy sounded serious all of a sudden.

“She needs a place to store her Impala, can you suggest something?” Sally tried to sound professional.

“Yeah. Not far from her is Aiden’s uncle’s house with a heated garage. Eight minutes drive in this weather” Troy explained.

“The house where that ugly van came from?” Sally tried to recall.

“That’s the one” Troy sounded impressed.

“Thanks. I’ll ask Aiden to look at the motor. It has trouble staying on. Sounds like it keeps starving for gas at the worse possible moments” Sally informed.

“Great. That was easy” Troy replied.

Sally couldn’t place why she felt that Troy sounded disappointed. She wanted to tease that out, but she was afraid to hear that Troy wanted to be there to watch her drive the Impala in the snow.

The main roads were clear. The side roads were mostly clear. The back roads probably had enough snow to challenge the Impala on level ground. It was on top of a hill and the heated garage was on top of the adjacent hill. The odds that the connecting road was cleaned was slim.

After doing a little leg work, Sally was happy that Aiden was eager to help Jen move the Impala. The car would be safely moved and Sally wouldn’t have to head out and do anything in the cold.

Aiden will help you move the car and house it at his uncle’s Sally texted Jen.

That’s nice. Thanks. But. Never mind. Appreciate the update Jen replied.

Sally puzzled. This was not a typical response. Something was off.

A knock on the door snapped Sally away from her phone. There would be time to explore this a little later.