I expressed my frustration loudly and twisted the key for the fifth time. The choked sound of the engine was enough to trigger tears in my eyes.

I reached down to check my phone again, as if the battery would magically become at least one percent higher.

The screen stayed black.

I leaned back into the cars black leather seat and closed my eyes.

This couldn’t be happening.

I wasn’t here.

I wasn’t alone.

In an old red car.

That wouldn’t turn on.

And didn’t have working locks on the door.

In the middle of an alleyway.

With a dead phone.

That situation sounds horrible for whoever was going through it.

But luckily, it wasn’t me.

I opened an eye.

Yeah, it was definitely me.

I peered out the car window and into the night. The streets were still packed to the brim. Everyone walked with a purpose while I sat like the helpless person I am.

My grandfather told me to call him if anything happened to his old car, but even now that wasn’t an option. How did they contact each other in the old days, pigeons?

I growled and shoved the steering wheel. It let out a loud _honk! _But everyone still moved along.

Sometimes I hated the city.

No one cared enough to even look over at the old car honking it’s horn.

It’s all about yourself.

I sighed and sank into the seat. Then I sat up again and gripped the wheel.

My restless legs had to move, but do what?

The people walking by would think I’m some kind of homeless freak begging for money.

“Yoo hoo!” A knock came from my window and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I rolled it down an inch.

“Sir, can you help me?” I asked the man immediately, ready to blurt out the whole story.

“Car broke down?” He asked. I nodded, the relief sinking in and slowing my pattering heart. I realized my hands were shaking and placed them in my lap.

“Can’t help you.”

“Wait, _what_?”

“Can’t help you. I ain’t no mechanic and I surely don’t got no… jumper cables? Is that what you need?”

“I… don’t know.” I said.

“I can give you a push start, that’s for sure but I ain’t gonna hang around if it don’t work out.”

My heart filled with gratitude. “Oh, please do!”

The man walked towards the back of my car, flicking his cigarette butt onto the pavement.

I twisted the key and he pushed it forwards. The car rumbled to life. He waved me away before I could stop to thank him.

I forever remember that man on the street, but I certainly did _not_ tell my grandfather about that incident.