The party tries to warm up
Troy did not attempt to climb the icy driveway. Aiden’s truck was at a good angle at the foot of the very steep incline.
Sally cautiously jumped out before Troy could get around to offer a hand. There was a quiet exchange of looks as the two made their way to Aiden’s truck. Jen nervously stepped out and slid down instantly.
“You OK?!?” called out Aiden from inside the cabin of the truck.
“It’s a little slick and steep” Jen called back as Troy helped her get up.
“I don’t think the car will start in this cold” Sally offered after making sure her friend was OK.
Troy, after examining the driveway, picked a line and bravely made his way up in a zig zag pattern. Once in the garage, he popped the hood open an soon reappeared with a beaming smile.
“You think you’ve fixed it?” Aiden called up.
“The engine block is too cold to start, especially with a weak fuel pump” Troy replied triumphantly. “Once the block warms up, I’m sure it will start capriciously”.
Jen looked at Sally and nodded her head. “That’s your cue girlfriend”.
Aiden’s eyes grew wide. Maybe Troy’s arrival was not all that bad. Sally did know how to put on a cranking show.
The reverie was cut short as a jab in his ribs quickly drew Aiden back to reality.
“What was that all about?” inquired Aiden.
“Eyes on me only” warned Jen playfully.
“Yes, eyes only on Jen” Sally sternly but playfully echoed.
Aiden feigned hurt. He clasped his hands on his heart and doubled over and howled in fake pain. The trio started to laugh as Troy slowly drifted back into the garage, the group unaware of his firm observant eyes.
Sally turned her attention to the garage. Troy was very quiet up there. Picking a similar line, Sally made her way cautiously up the driveway while ignoring pleas from Jen to be careful and wait.
“Need a hand?” Sally asked with a bit of concern in her voice.
“I can always use your hand” Troy replied while intently looking inside the engine bay.
Sally flipped back a strand of hair and tucked it in her knit hat. She straightened her posture while trying not to feel foolish next to Troy.
“What do you need me to do?” Sally made a point of not sounding too eager. Her feelings towards Troy were falling off the charts in the most intense of ways.
“Can you crank it up while I put some starter fluid in?” Troy asked.
Jen and Aiden stood closer to each other. They had tried everything to get the car started. If Troy couldn’t do it, then grandpa would be disappointed.
Sally patted the steering wheel and pleaded with the car as she started to massage the gas pedal. Troy, watching this, smirked and cleared his throat. Sally was looking too cute.
The massaging turned to full throttle pumps that increased in fever and speed. As Sally turned the crank, she was starting to bounce in her seat as she rapid fired the pedal deep into the carpet.
The motor protested, coughed, then sputtered slowly to life. Sally furiously stomped the pedal to coax it alive. The blue smoke from the exhaust started to turn dark black as the motor gasped for life.
Troy grabbed the throttle body to prevent Sally from flooding the motor and it sprang to life and roared mightily before Troy let go. The motor was running smooth and energetically.
Jen and Aiden cheered and clapped as Sally emerged from the driver’s seat with a blush.
“I’m not sure what happened… the pedal went limp and the motor came to life…” Sally half questioned Troy.
“Sorry. I didn’t want to motor to flood, so I helped you out. You did great by the way” blushed Troy.
“You like what I did?” Sally timidly ventured.
Shallows of the Deep 