Page 8 of Worst Wingman Ever

The back tire was flat.

I blew out a long breath.

I put the truck in Park and looked at the dog in the passenger seat. “Well, looks like today I’m going to show you how to use a compressor.”

Holly

CHAPTER 5

When I came out at 8:15 p.m., there was another note on my windshield. It was written on the back of a brown paper bag from a pet supply store. I took it and sat in the car to read it.

Hey, it’s me again, worst wingman guy.

I noticed your back right tire was a little low the other day. I figured you’d get the sensor alert and put air in it, but it was lower yesterday. I told myself if it was still low today, I’d leave you a note, but then when I got to the parking garage, it was flat. I felt bad for not saying something sooner, so I went and got my compressor and put air in your tire. I think you might have run over a nail. You should be able to get to a tire store now, but it’ll keep leaking if you don’t get it fixed. Also, I’m realizing how completely unhinged this long note on this bag looks, but this was the only paper I had in my truck. I’m done touching your car now without your permission lol. Have a nice day. P.S. Seriously, please get it fixed, it’s giving me anxiety.

I laughed. Then I lolled my head back on the seat.

I knew the tire was low. The repair shops weren’t open by the time I went home, and it wasn’t like I was getting days off to run errands.

I shuddered to think about the absolute breakdown I would have had if I’d come out to a flat tire after the day I had today.

Grandma was starting to fade.

She wasn’t eating or drinking anymore. She was getting weaker. The swelling in her ankles meant her kidneys and heart were failing. Nobody else noticed these little things, but I knew what these changes meant. She didn’t have much time left.

I looked down at the paper bag in my lap.

This was really kind, what this person did.

I wiped under my eyes and googled a tire shop and got their hours. Then I called the agency and asked if they had someone who could cover me until 10:00 a.m. so I could go get it fixed. I let Mom know I’d be late tomorrow and to tell Grandma when she got there in the morning.

I picked up the bag and looked at it again. Then I navigated to the store it came from. I had just enough time to get there before they closed.

John

CHAPTER 6

There was an envelope on top of her back right tire.

It was two o’clock, the day after I’d filled it. It looked good. She must have gotten it fixed.

I picked up the card. It was addressed to me.

To the Worst Wingman Ever,

You, kind sir, have restored my faith in humanity.

I did see the sensor alert. I stopped and put air in it before I parked it the first time you saw it. I was hoping it was just a slow leak and I could put off going to a tire store until my schedule opens up a bit, but I guess the plan failed.

I’m a hospice nurse. I’m caring for someone in the building, and it’s been very time consuming and mentally and emotionally draining. I think coming out and seeing a flat tire would have done me in. I can’t thank you enough for helping me.

Here’s a small token of my appreciation. I trust your anxiety over the air in my tire will ensure you find this before a thief does. If it doesn’t and a thief is reading this instead of you, have the day you deserve, jerk. —H.

There was a twenty-five-dollar gift card to the pet store the bag was from.

I smiled and tucked the gift card in my pocket and looked down at my dog. “She got you a present.”

He wagged his tail.