“Are you okay?” The man asked again with a tone that was softer and more high-pitched than his exterior would suggest.

I took a deep breath. Looked the guy up and down.

“I’m okay. Are you?” I asked through the still-closed window.

“Yeah,” the man agreed with a nod which quickly turned to a shake. “Messed up though. You aren’t going to call the cops are you?”

I shook my head. The man didn’t appear drunk, but judging by the accident he caused, I assumed he was drunk.

I had no plans on calling the cops. I was borderline drunk myself. All I wanted to do was drive the fuck out of there. Get home, and sleep off the booze.

“Good,” the man garnished his agreement with a glazed look and a lazy thumbs up.

With that, the man walked over to the other side of the road where his rusted Ford pickup truck rested halfway off of the road. I watched him until he disappeared around the other side of the truck.

I fired up the engine of my Camry as soon as he was out of sight. Sighed when the thing roared to life. Time to get back on the road.

I put the car in gear and heard the worst grating sound I have ever heard come from the front of my car.

“Shiiiiiiiiit,” I let out a deflated curse.