Started out today with a flat tire. It couldn’t have been any better, though, if I was going to have a flat. It was flat in the yard. I could tell something was wrong but I wasn’t sure until I got off the dirt onto the street. Being in the street was good, because I had a flat surface, and also got some help, which I needed.
The thing is, the rim wouldn’t come off. My neighbor stopped and tried to help, but he had to get back to work after lunch and didn’t need to get dirty. To make a long story short, a truck pulling a trailer eased by and the lady in the passenger seat asked if I needed help. “Well, I can’t get this tire off”, I said. So they pulled over and the driver, a guy, got out. He never said two words to me, but after kicking the tire a few times, he went back to his truck and got a big old hammer. Getting up underneath the car, he gave the rim a few whacks and got it loose. I thanked him and told him I was glad someone with some sense stopped by. He still never said anything, but he learned me a thing or two.
The thing is, I seem to lack common sense sometimes. But all in all, I felt good about it. And I did get the spare on okay.
During the heat of battle, I called the mechanic who lives around the corner, an older gentleman. He wasn’t home, and I spoked to his wife for the first time ever. I told her I’d call her back if I needed him, but as I was driving away (after a second shower and a change of clothes), he pulled up. I apologized, but he said it was okay, he needed to test-drive that car anyway, so I thanked him very much. Away I drove to work, late as hell, but my boss is understanding. Having reflected on the whole situation I realize a few things: two of my neighbors stopped to check on me (the second one showed just as I was finishing up); two perfect strangers helped me, and my neighborhood mechanic showed up for me, too. Plus my boss is cool. To top it off, I got a small, much-needed lesson in common sense. What’s the lesson here? Not just that other people are necessary; it’s that they’re there. The needed stuff is there.
There’s a famous line from a play I’ve never seen, so I probably shouldn’t quote it, but the line is “hell is other people.” That may be true, but you know what? Maybe heaven is, too.
Anyway, if I’m going to have a flat, the front yard is the best place to do it–except maybe for the tire store.
