Delia was still two hours from her sister’s and more or less in the middle of nowhere when the GPS on her six year old phone conked out. Having known her phone was failing a week ago, she’d ordered a new phone for herself, but it hadn’t arrived in time. She’d thought she knew the way, but sure enough, twenty minutes later she was lost. No phone. No maps. No idea where she was. She turned down a road, only realizing at the last second that the sign said, “Dead End.”

No, not exactly “Dead End” but “Dead End” in reverse, whatever that meant. She decided to backtrack, maybe get directions at the little town she’d gone through half an hour ago. She’d almost reached the town when she heard a “fump-fump, fump-fump, fump-fump.” Luckily there appeared to be a service station just up ahead. She pulled in.

The door was locked. But the lights were on, and someone was inside. She knocked on the door. A guy came to the door. He opened it. “Um, we’ve closed early today for the holiday,” he said. “I’ve sent everyone home.”

Delia tried not to frown. “I think I might have a flat tire or something. It’s making that kind of noise but it doesn’t look flat. Maybe right rear?”

The guy gave her car a glance.

Delia said, “Could you maybe just—you know? Change it or something?” She gave the guy what she hoped was a beseeching look. “I’d call AAA but my phone’s broke.”

He seemed to think about it for a long second or two. “Okay, let’s see what we have. The snack shop across the road is still open. Give me the keys and you could go over there for a coffee or Coke or something while I see what’s up. Maybe twenty minutes.”

Delia walked across the road. She didn’t really want a Coke or a coffee. She bought a Butterfinger and used the restroom. Then she walked back to the service station. The big door was up. The guy was kneeling by her car.

“Hey,” he said, noticing her. “All done. Here’s the culprit.” He showed her the nail. “Maybe you want it as a souvenir.”

“Was it the right rear? Did you put on a new tire?”

“Just added some air. The puncture seals itself. No worries. Actually it was the right front.” He placed the nail in her palm and she drew back as if shocked, as if an electric current had shot from nipple to clit and back. Without thinking about it she yanked the bodice of her dress from her breast.