a small shrug. ‘My daughter would ask me why I left someone’s mom alone by the road. I would not have a good answer.’
The woman’s face softened.
‘I am Eleanor,’ she said.
‘Daniel.’
He found the jack under the cargo mat and the spare secured beneath a panel. The tools were still wrapped like they had never been touched. He dragged everything onto the gravel, knelt beside the ruined tire, and immediately felt dampness soak through his pants.
Traffic roared by.
Eleanor stood several feet away, one hand on her belly, watching him with a mixture of gratitude and guilt.
‘I am sorry,’ she said.
‘You did not blow the tire on purpose.’
‘No, but you were clearly going somewhere.’
Daniel loosened the first lug nut with a hard pull. ‘Most people are.’
That answer made her quiet.
The second lug nut fought him. He braced his foot and leaned his weight into the wrench. His hands were already black with grease. A cold breeze slipped under his jacket, but sweat gathered at the back of his neck because he could feel the minutes disappearing.
Eleanor’s phone rang.
She answered it sharply. ‘I said I am delayed, not unavailable. No, Richard does not have authorization to open the vote. Tell them I will be there.’
Daniel looked up.
There was nothing helpless in her voice now. She sounded like someone used to being obeyed.
‘No,’ Eleanor continued. ‘If anyone signs before I arrive, the agreement is void, and Richard can explain to legal why he ignored my direct instruction.’
She ended the call and exhaled, pressing her fingers to her forehead.
‘Sorry,’ she said again.
Daniel returned to the tire. ‘Sounds like some meeting.’
‘It is.’
‘Hope it goes better than your morning.’
For the first time, she smiled.
While he worked, she asked about him. It was not the kind of polite question people asked just to fill silence. She listened to the answers.
He told her he had a daughter named Ava. He told her Ava was nine. He did not mean to say much more, but something about Eleanor’s stillness pulled honesty out of him.
‘It is just us,’ Daniel said while lifting the damaged tire free. ‘Her mom left. I work days, pick up shifts when I can, and try not to drop any of the pieces.’
Eleanor’s expression changed.
‘You are raising her alone?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you stopped anyway.’
Daniel slid the spare into place. ‘You make that sound complicated.’
‘It is complicated.’
He tightened the first lug nut by hand. ‘Maybe. But you needed help.’
Eleanor looked away toward the road. A car passed, buffeting the shoulder with wind.
‘Are you going to be late because of this?’ she asked.
Daniel hesitated for one beat too long.
That was answer enough.
Her face filled with remorse. ‘Daniel.’
‘It is fine.’
‘It does not look fine.’
He gave the wrench another hard turn. ‘I was warned last week. One more late punch and I am out.’
Eleanor stepped closer, alarmed. ‘Then stop. I will wait for roadside assistance.’
He shook his head. ‘The tire is almost on. And you are standing on the side of a busy road while pregnant. I am not leaving now.’
‘You could lose your job.’
Daniel looked up at
