Daniel closed the hood of the car and turned the key in the ignition. The engine started up clean. No clunking, no smoke, just a smooth, steady hum.
"There," he said, "good as new. The hose was loose, that's all. I tightened it and checked everything else while I was in there. Your oil's a little low, too, so I topped that off for you as well."
Grace stood up from the chair, stunned. "That's it? It's really fixed?" "It's really fixed," Daniel confirmed, closing his toolbox. "You should be fine getting home now."
Grace reached into her jacket pocket, pulling out a small, worn wallet. "How much do I owe you? I only have like $15 on me, but I can bring you the rest tomorrow. I swear."
Daniel shook his head and held up a hand. "Put your wallet away. This one's on me."
"What? No, I can't just—"
"You can," Daniel said, smiling for the first time that night. "Consider it a favor. Someday, when you're older, you'll do the same thing for somebody else who needs it. That's how it works."
Grace looked at him like she wanted to argue, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. Instead, she just nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again, though this time she was smiling, too. "Thank you," she said softly.
"I mean it. You have no idea how much this means to me. My mom is going to be so relieved I got home safe. She worries about everything."
"That's what moms do," Daniel said, walking over to grab a business card from the desk drawer. He handed it to her. "Here, if anything else comes up with the car, or if you just need help with something, give me a call, anytime." Grace took the card, holding it carefully like it was something precious.
"I will. Thank you again, really." Daniel opened the garage door for her, and the cold night air rushed back in. Grace climbed into her car, rolled down the window, and looked back at him one more time.