"Uh...I need an 18mm deep well socket," she said with as much authority as possible.
The man went into the back of the store through a small doorway and returned empty-handed.
"Don't have an 18 deep well right now, Ma'am," he said without emotion. "Got an 18 standard but not the deep well. Don't get a lot of call for metric around here. Guess you need the deep well, huh?"
"Yes," she replied, trying to control her impatience. She felt that he was talking down to her. "I need the deep well."
Henry Jewell had been listening and watching, something he always did. "I've got one in the toolbox in my car," he volunteered. "If you're close by I'd be glad to let you use it." Thera turned and looked at Henry, who was now standing next to her at the counter. He was comfortably taller than she, appropriately older and was casually but tastefully dressed. He looked as if he had just stopped off at Horn Motors on the way to someplace much more interesting. His voice was resonant but not overly deep -- quite pleasant and reassuring. She paused a moment and then answered.
"My brother's in the middle of a job and needs the socket. He'd really appreciate the loan -- I don't think it will take him that long..." The words were spoken before she had time to re-consider. What was she doing? She knew nothing about this man who thrust himself into her life so quickly and easily. But the process continued without either of them attempting to stop it.
"Tell me where you live and I'll meet you there," Henry said, as he pulled a small notebook and a pen from his shirt pocket.
"On North Shore Drive in Reston....go down 606 to Wiehle, down Wielhe to North Shore -- where Tall Oaks Shopping Center is -- turn right and it's the fifth house on your right."
"Be there in a half hour or so. By the way, my name's Henry Jewell. And yours is....?" he said as he held out his hand.
Thera took his hand briefly and introduced herself. "I'm Thera James -- my brother's name is Buddy. You'll find him in the garage with his head under the hood of an old Volvo he's working on," she said, smiling. "See you in a half hour."
Thera left the store and went to her car. As she put the key in the lock she felt strangely apprehensive and yet wonderfully exhilarated. What had she started? Why had she told Henry Jewell, a stranger, where she lived? Why had she so willingly invited him into her life? And why was there a parking ticket under the driver's side wiper blade of her car?
She yanked the ticket from it's resting place and thrust it in her shoulder bag. The Herndon police had left her another calling card. They were very efficient, those Herndon police....
