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I tried to call my sister again. Still nothing.
Resolutely, I cleared my windows once more then used a store perks card to scrape the interior of the windshield. My body tense and my nerves on end, I started down the snow-covered road.
I made it a mile.
And my engine stopped. Just stopped. I barely had enough momentum to get to the edge of the road and almost slide into a ditch. I narrowly avoided it and sat there breathing heavily. This couldn’t be happening. This could not be happening.
Gripping the steering wheel, I pressed my forehead to it and squeezed shut my eyes.
“Why?” I cried. All I’d ever done was try to get ahead, to dig myself out of the place where uncaring, neglectful parents and no post-high school training had left me. I had dreams. I was trying. Why this?
I tried to turn over the car engine. It chugged and chugged but wouldn’t connect. My wiper still clunked back and forth but did nothing. With no heat, I couldn’t stay here.
My hands shaking, I tried my sister again while calculating my bank balance. I could get towed. In this weather, it would likely take hours to get here, though.
Iris still didn’t answer. My low battery light came up on my phone—of course. One person came to mind.
“Hey, I didn’t think I’d hear from you, yet. You know I love your voice.”
“Rylan,” I said, unable to keep the sob out of my voice.
“Baby, what is it? I’m on my way. Tell me where you are, and I’ll come fix it.”
“My phone’s about to die. I can’t get ahold of anyone.”
“You have me. I’ve got you.” His strong, confidence was a reassurance in the mire of my despair.
“I’m on the side of the road.” Stammering, I told him where.
“Okay. I’m maybe fifteen minutes from you. I’ll be right there.”
“Okay,” I whispered. My head dropped back to the steering wheel. Just when I thought I’d have to give up Rylan, he’d become my literal oasis in the storm.
