Chapter 20: Elodie

"C'mon baby, just get me to the pump." I glared at the needle hovering below E, as if that would somehow scare the car into making it up the road to Hansen's in the event my encouragement failed. I'd never had a car. I wasn't used to keeping an eye on the gas tank. Sue me.

As my tires bumped across the dip at the parking lot to Hansen's, I could swear I heard a sort of gasping hiss, as if the car were dying of thirst. But I rolled up to a stop beside the pump. I thought about cheering, but that would draw attention. Instead, I got out, cool as a cucumber, and set the gas to pump. Then I grabbed the squeegee thing and started cleaning the windows. My car might not win any beauty contests, but she deserved to be treated well. That was a Rule in the Rose household.

"Well, well, well, look who has new wheels."