@glossandglory
By the time Chad's Uber pulled into the mechanic's lot, the sky had turned a deep shade of orange and purple, the last bits of daylight clinging to the horizon. Most of the parking spaces sat empty now, and only a few lights still glowed inside the garage. After thanking the driver, Chad climbed out and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, taking a moment to glance around for his beloved red pickup. He couldn't spot it from where he stood, which did absolutely nothing to calm the tiny knot of anxiety in his stomach. That truck had been with him through just about everything, and being without it for a whole day had felt very strange.
The young man made his way toward the front office, his shoes thudding softly against the pavement. The garage itself had gone quiet, the sounds of tools and engines long since faded for the evening. Pushing open the door, he stepped inside and found the front desk empty. A small silver bell sat on the counter, and after a brief glance around, Chad reached out and gave it a ring. The soft chime echoed through the shop as he rested his forearms on the counter, waiting patiently for someone to come greet him.
