Stranded

Mark called about an hour ago to tell me (he is on his way home from somewhere near Ft. Payne) that his car was acting funny, but he was going to try to make it home. He was in Gadsden at the time. So, he called back a very short time later to say the lady behind him (traveling with him in her car) called him to say there was smoke and "stuff" coming from the car. He called back soon after to say that he had decided to drive as far as he could, maybe to Oxford or Anniston. He called about 5 minutes later to say that the car stopped, just stopped. He called AAA, then called me again. To tell me that he was on the side of Hwy 431 and it was very dark, very very dark; he sent his traveling companion on home; and he was just sitting in the dark on the side of 431. He was going to get out of the car and go stand at the edge of the trees - no flashlight in dark woods in Alabama. She ended up coming back and they were going to drive home in her car and have the car towed by AAA to a garage there - south of Gadsden - wherever they are. So, AAA came. The guy said maybe adding some transmission fluid would help. Then he could drive it home. He just called again. The fluid didn't work, they were close to calling the fire department. He is being towed home by a AAA represented towing company at the price of $3 per mile. Yes, that would be close to $350 from where he is at right now. The guy told him that it will not be worth repairing this car. Did I just type that? Surely not. Are we about to be a one car family? Should I remind my readers that our old pick up truck exploded earlier this year? I am not sure how to process this information this evening. The car is possibly gone. Where does one find money to buy another vehicle? Get a loan? Oh wait, is anyone even loaning money for middle class workers who don't have cash on had to buy a car? HELP!!! I am not really freaking out yet, but I am sure that will come soon enough. Maybe I will begin walking to work after all. Maybe I can shower in the sink at the office. This makes me think all employers should provide showers for their walking employees. Deep breath, deep breath...