"I Think my mom's right,"Noah added quietly. "There are certain principles of gravity and momentum to consider here. A body in motion will stay in motion and all that."
I glanced at the boy, clearly bafiled, but just as pressed. "I'm just concerned about this body Staying out of the emergency room. I studied him for a moment, then added, "Maybe you ought to let me drive."
"Why Becase youe a man?Don't be ridiculous." she said huffily
The truck hit a major pothole, and she hold on the wheel with all her might. We were all holding our breaths, waiting to see if we'd make it to the other side. The water splashed up the sides of the truck For a moment I felt as we were floating. Then finally ww were on solid ground again. She let out a breath.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all," I muttered as we passed her house and turned onto the main road. "Maybe we ought to tum back and wait for it to clear."
"It's a fine time to start having second thoughts," Olivia growled back."You were whining all morning about leaving, weren't you?" You had some unbelievable nerve, backtracking a this point in the game. What did you think I was your personal chauffeur?"
"I'm just thinking of our safety," I argued back "Everyone's safety. I didn't quite realize how bad it is out here." Then wait for a moment before I began "There's Noah here to think of. What will you do on the way back home If the rain doesn't let up? You might get stuck alone out here."
"Fine, you want to go back, here we go.. ....."With one hard pull on the wheel, she steered the truck into a huge U-turn
"Good," I said tersely as the car turned. "I'm relieved to see you're doing the sensible thing. Take it a little slower, will you? We can skid and tip over."
"We' re not going to flip over," Olivia replied through gritted teeth. I know She'd lived in the country most of her life and driven on rural roads in far worse Weather than this. Obviously, my idea of hard driving was heavy cross-town traffic on the way to the symphony.
But just as the truck straightened out and we were salely pointed toward her home, I heard the engine sputter alarmingly.
"What was that?" I asked
Olivia couldn't answer She hit the accelorator hard, but nothing happened.
"Blast," she sighed, and hit the steering wheel with her hand
"What's going on? Dd you run out of gass?" I asked
"Worse. I think the wires got wet. Must have been that last puddle we forged."She sighed "Imight be able to fiddle around with them though. Let me get out and take a look."
She unfastened her seat belt and opened her door.
"Let me help you," I offered. I jumped out my side and quickly took over as she struggled to raise the hood.
"How do you know so much about engines?" I asked curiously. Staring into the engine, my face was very close to her own. She was momentarily distracted by the sight of me.
"Oh, you just need to Know these things when you live out here," she said as she pulled her gaze away from. I don't know why am so attractive to her, unlike other women, I would like to know more about her. I had this feeling right from the first day I met her, she's different. And I think we have met some where, something.
"Okay, that's all we can do here." Close the hood and I'll try it."
I quickly did as she d asked and headed toward the passenger side door. She turned and stepped to the driver's side. But just as she grabbed hold of the door handle, her booted foot flew out from under her The next thing I knew, she was flat on her back in the mud.
I was at her side in a split second, and Noah quickly followed. "Olivia.....are you all right?" I slipped my arm beneath her shoulders and lifted her Up
She felt dazed and embarrassed. The fall hadb shaken her up, and she leaned back against me for support.
"Guess I slipped in the mud. I twisted my ankle a little," she added
"Easy now ," I soothed her, I touched her shoulder lighty "Don't make any fast moves."
"No problem,"She replied dryly.
Noah stepped carefully around her and crouched do near her legs.
"Mom- are you okay? Cant you get up?"
"I'm okay, honey, Olivia promised Noah " I don't think it's broken. Besides, I always wanted to try a mud bath. They say it's very beautifying she noted, trying to get a smile out of her son.
"I'm going to straighten your leg out now," I said. I took her left boot in my hand. I "Il try to be as gentle as I can."
I was gentle. But I know it still hurt lightly, Olivia was leaning back on her elbows. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes until it was over. when she opened her eyes again, I was very close to her own. I looked so worried about having possibly hurt .
"Are you okay? Maybe we should try to get you to a hospital. Maybe you need an X ray."
"That wasn't so bad, she assured me. "I don't think it s broken. I can even wiggle my toes now That's a good sign, don't you think?"
"Let's get you back in the truck, I said, taking charge Then we'll figure out if anything's broken. Noah, I'll need you to help. Open the door on this side, then get in and help your mom slide across the sat while I push from this end."
"Sounds like you're haulinga sack of potatoes." Olivia groused, as she sat upright in the mud "Let's get this over with," she sighed
"No problem. Hang on tight now," I replied and squatted down beside her, gripped her around the waist and lifted her up off the ground as if she weighed no more than a feather. She had no choice but to wrap her arm around mu waist and lean against me, her head tucked against his broad shoulder.
"Okay now, into the truck," I said once we stood balanced together. With my support, she hobbled over to the truck. Olivia turned to face me, about to speak, but I quickly put my hands around her waist and lifted her up onto the seat.
"Are you okay?" I asked
"Just grand. Thanks for the lift."
"A sack of sweet potatoes, I'd say," I teased her "Does that make you feel any better?"
"Immensely," she replied and I laughed.
With my help pushing on one side and Noah tugging the other, she was soon sitting in the middle place with Noah on her right and I was on the driver's seat.
"Cross your fingers, everyone I said as I reached down to turn the key in the ignition
The engine gave a clicking sound, and I cursed under his breath "Come on, roll over, baby, I sweetly coaxed the truck as I tried again. Second letter the engine started and I heard her saying
"Good job," she complimented me
"Let's hope we make it back without stalling again," I replied. I'll try not to hit too many bumps," I promised, glancing down at her ankle.
"I'm okay, honestly, she assured me. It was so dumb of me to slip and fall like that I should have been more careful."
"Nonsense. It was just an accident. If anyone's to blame, it's me. I should never have let you go out this weather."