Char fit the nozzle into her gas tank and squeezed the trigger to the low flow setting. A gulp of Pepsi washed away the ashy taste of her last cigarette. With only eight dollars, forty-five cents in her pocket, she watched the digital display closely. But soon the baby began to wail inside the car. She pulled him through the open window and perched him on her hip, lisping sweet words into his ear. Resting his damp head on her shoulder, he twirled her hair around his tiny fingers. His other hand found her earring and tugged. "Ow, you little monkey," she said, trashing her Pepsi, then working her earring free and setting it on the post beside her. Turning, she saw the digital display tearing through the ten dollar range. She cursed; the baby started and his face crumpled. Gas splashed her flip-flopped feet as she yanked on the nozzle. It splattered on the concrete, soaking in for a moment before evaporating off in a wavy mist. She stuffed the nozzle back into its cradle and the screaming baby back through his open window. Struggling to buckle him as he struggled against her, pushing his belly out and kicking his legs, she debated. Try to explain and pay in part or just drive away? Digging the bills and change from her pocket, she finally set it on the post, under the earring. The rear view mirror showed no signs of pursuit as she pulled away. And the baby settled, finding comfort in his mama's voice and the sing-song promise that they would come back soon, a day or two maybe, and pay the rest.
i'd love to read your spin on the photo - submit it by clicking on comments below. 250(ish) words or less. thanks for a great first week!
