Spark Plugs

Beep beep, beep beep, beep be— 

I slammed my hand down on my phone, looking up as I turn it to myself. I blink my blurry vision away, steadily locking eyes with a text from my ma. Her constant worry over me makes me set the phone back down as I roll-over. 

A groan bubbles from my scratchy throat. Slowly but surely, I rise from my slumber like some undead creature, grabbing my phone. My limbs ache but I manage to carry myself out of bed and down the ladder. My stomach growled in anguish and it finally snapped in my thick skull that you kind of need food to survive. First off I'll try to buy a car so I can transport the food. Alongside the fact so I don't have to walk everywhere anymore. Conveniently, that's what cars were made for— transportation.

With a huff, I stumble over to the island counter and lean my arms against it. My thoughts drift to my plans for the day. Somewhere in this small town, there has to be a dealership. Pulling my phone back out Google maps seems to be my only key as I look for some nearby. Luckily the closest is under 3 miles— a lengthy but not all that bad walking distance for a war vet. 

Soon enough my morning is filled with getting ready. A nice warm shower was the most anticipated. Alongside the comfortable loose clothes, my wallet, and phone, I'm ready to go. Stepping outside my feet escort me off to the location of the dealership with the risky navigation of the maps app. 

The wind ruffled my hair, throwing the small curls around. My shoes touched the pavement of the parking lot. Intimidating thoughts invaded my mind, what if I don't get a car and the dealer is a huge dick? I huffed pushing the glass doors of the large building open. Carrying myself to an older kind-faced woman at the front desk, I pull out my handy notepad and pencil. She looks at me in confusion as I quickly scribble on the paper to inform her of what my wants are. 

“Hi, my name is Noah, I’m unfortunately mute and looking for a car I can get a military discount on? I don’t have much money to work with.” She smiles and nods quickly, “Hello, it’s nice to meet you, Noah, my name is Darlene.” She reached her hand out to shake mine, to which I returned shyly. Darlene stood up from the cushioned wheely chair, brushing off her yellow sundress. “Due to short staff, I can gladly take you around to figure out what car you want. We have a select amount of cars with a military bonus, I’ll show you those first. Alongside that, do you have all the right paperwork to walk out with a new car?” I frowned, quickly realizing I probably have not a single one of the requirements. I shook my head and she nodded trailing off as she circled around the desk. “It’s alright hon, come back with the requirements once you can.” 

Slowly but surely we start on our tour of the vehicles, what has military bonuses and what doesn’t. She continued to ramble off about the cars the whole time but I wasn’t complaining. Nothing, in particular, caught my eye until I spotted a brand-new GMC Yukon. The burgundy alongside the brand-new shine was amazing. I grinned softly, approaching it, “Did you find the car you’re looking for?” Darlene glanced over at me, noticing my happy expression and the Yukon. 

The woman chuckled, “I’ll be nice and keep it on hold for you if you want it. Though that vehicle isn’t cheap–” I perked up, “About sixty-one thousand dollars here. Depending on the dealer you’re most likely to have a higher price at other places. The best way to save is to go with this one.” Although I knew she doing the typical savings tactics I didn’t fall for it. I knew this vehicle was expensive, they were probably selling it at a 50/50 on the market. “I’ll buy it, I just need the papers to actually do so.” She nods, “I’m glad I could find you a vehicle, I’ll be here when you plan to buy it.” With another nod, I gently wave bye and leave the building without a car. Has it been that long since buying a car that I completely forgot how to buy one? 

Scratching my arm I walk back down the roads, my muscles spasming, straining, screaming. The heat beating down on the back of my neck, the sun higher in the sky. The temperature rose tenfold by the time I was out earlier. 

I take a deep breath and continue on, finally making my way into the town. My stomach began to grumble, I want some sloppy joe's. The one's Mama would make on days like these. Kicking my feet in the dirt with him by my side— Kailo. His dirty blond hair, fair skin, and brown warm eyes. Have a popsicle afterward then go play in the woods after hearing Mom's reprimanded warnings of dangers. 

Our tennis shoes crunch under the fallen leaves and twigs. The old fort now crumpled and torn away from our small hands. Nothing more but memories remain in my mind. He's gone now, the bomb.. I remember it going off… Trying to protect him, taking the brunt of the explosion, trying to protect him.

My lungs constrict, making my way home at a snail's pace. Glaring down at the ground as I walk, I catch sight of my bandaged hands. My fists clench in undeniable anger. This is fucking bulllshit, all of it. Looking up from my hands, I notice the car broken down in front of my house. The trunk lifted and a man fiddling with something confined in the space. 

Walking up to him with a puzzled expression I tap on his vehicle, drawing the man's attention. I take in a deep breath, his sharp eyes almost burning through my skull. Dragging out my notepad I quickly jot down my question. “Are you alright, what happened to your car?” The man’s glare didn’t even soften after reading my questions as he stood to his full height, which happened to be a bit shorter than me. 

I backed away slightly, the tanned man running his fingers through his hair. “My fuckin’ car broke down, and I don’t know why.” He admits, sounding defeated– his voice carrying a distant Italian accent. I bob my head in a nod and gesture to approach the car, “Go ahead.” He grants me permission, stepping back as I slip the notepad back into my pocket. Ducking down I search under the hood for any possible issues. The battery is fine, the oil is half-full, and the alternator looks perfectly alright too… My bushy eyebrows furrow and just before I can back away with nothing my eyes catch the spark plugs. 

With a grimace, I check them. Of course, the spark plugs are the issue. Pulling away I pull out my notepad once again and speak of the issues. “Your spark plugs need to be replaced, they’re extremely worn down. It almost looks like they were even tampered with at some point.” He scowls, a dark brown curl of hair falling on his forehead. 

He mutters out a couple words of thanks and pulls out his phone I’m assuming to make a call. In the meanwhile, I wander over to the gate of the fence cracking it open and slipping through. My body sags as I hear Italian words angrily muttered into a phone behind me. Walking up the steps onto the porch the boards creak under my weight. I groan softly and reach for the doorknob, twisting it and pushing myself inside. 

Taking a deep breath I shut the door behind myself, my stomach growling in agony. I still have no food, no job, and no transportation. Leaning against the door I sink down to the ground, dragging my knees to my chest. The gurgling never fades as I hug my aching legs. 

Mama, I’m hungry and my money is running out, my thoughts beckon– lost. I take a deep breath forcing myself up off the floor and over to the ladder. Nothing will take my mind off my stomach in pain. I’ll just go to sleep instead. Grasping at the ladder I haul myself upwards and to my room. With each step I take my stomach lets out a growl, cramping up. Pushing my bedroom door open I walk in and lie down on the comfortable bed. 

My fingers graze the blanket, clutching the fabric in my hands as I wrap it around myself. I’ll just take a shower in the morning and get food as well. Hopefully, that café has a food menu as well– my stomach is so empty.