Yesterday evening, after Mary, John and I finished another round of painting at the apartments, John and I went out for a drive. He got the courage to drive on the Expressway, so I got my cup o’ noodles and my lemonade raspa and we left. He drove around the neighborhood first, then went down the back road and was going to come down the main road in Peñitas, then down the Expressway back home.
The car died on us in Peñitas.
Right when we reached the expressway and John saw that it was clear to pass to the crossover, the gas pedal stopped working and then smoke blew out from under the hood. It was overheating big time. I was so scared that if he did try to get the car to “go”, we’d get stuck in the damn traffic and get hit. We turned on the emergency lights, turned off the car and just waited there for a bit. He turned it back on and slammed the gas and we made it across to the crossover. Put the emergency lights on again and we looked around to see if anyone could help us. A man in a green car came up behind us and I was about to wave him to go around us and he parks next to us and asks, “Did the car stop?” I said, “Yes. It’s overheating. Smoke was coming out and everything.” He said he’d help us move the car over to the left shoulder so we wouldn’t be in the way. I got into the driver’s seat and John helped him push. He ran back to his car and I yelled, “Thank you SO much!”
So we sat there and waited. Thankfully, I had the cellphone. I usually forget it. I tried calling to Mary’s, but no one ever answered. So I called Mario at work and of course he starts lecturing me on “Why did you take that car if you know it’s not working right? Why didn’t you take my Mom’s car.” I tell him, “Well, that’s not gonna help me now, is it? I’m calling because I need your help. Bring water please.” He says okay and that he’d be there ASAP.
We tried making light of the situation and kept making jokes. We’d scream out, “Helpo! Helpo!”, whenever we’d see a cop car or constable, which is John’s idea of Spanish LOL. There was one cop car parked at the gas station that was across from where we were stranded. Eventually, he drove over and parked behind us. And then I panicked because I left my permit at home! He gets out of the car and asks if we’re okay. He was funny. I expected any cop to be mean and straight-faced, but this cop wasn’t. He kept cracking jokes and kept assuring us we’d be okay. I told him we were waiting for my husband, so he said he’d wait with us and helped us move the car a little farther away from the shoulder.
Just a few seconds later, a family parks on the opposite shoulder and asks if we need help. The cop says, “It’s overheating. She’s waiting for her husband to bring water.”
The guy yells, “I have water!” So we nod for him to cross over. He explains a few things, adds water to the radiator and we notice the radiator fan’s not moving. After messing with the A/C and then the heater, it started. The car cooled down right away. The guy said he was from our city, and that he’d follow us home just in case. I told him we’d wait for Mario since I couldn’t get a hold of him and he was on his way. I thanked him profusely and he and his family waited in their van for us. The cop guided us while I drove to the right shoulder, since he said it’s safer. Mario gets there, he puts the radiator cap back on and I get in the Sentra while he drives the Honda to Sonia’s. The guy in the van saw that we were okay, so he and his wife waved to us and off we all went.
I didn’t think we’d get that kind of help. I expected to be there, waiting, until Mario got there. John kept saying, “There ARE nice people. I never expected them to be HERE!” God Bless them. I’d of had a panic attack had they not helped us!
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. I didn’t even ask, nor did they tell me, what I needed to take with me. I don’t know when their classes start either. I’m nervous!! And if I do go to that school…it’s in a really busy part of town. Good Lord, I haven’t even gone to Target on my own yet because I’m avoiding all that traffic!! I’d have to drive there every day 
. I hope Mario’s okay with it. He’s got the day off, but he only expected to go pick up money from Mom to pay her storage unit, then we were going to the mall real quick because John needs to pick something up. I found it strange that the lady asked, “How does your spouse feel about you starting school?”, to which I replied, “Um…he’s very enouraging!” LOL.