“Jaq, honey, slow the car down.” Minuete, my wife, grabbed my arm and squeezed.

I peered through the rain, and far ahead there was light. Another car sat, stopped, pulled over. It rested alongside the road near the forest, underneath a canopy of trees. It was a road in the middle of nowhere. The only lights visible were the headlights of the cars, and the moon through a break near a turn of the road further ahead.

Our car slowed to a crawl. I wanted to avoid getting too close.

An older man attempted to change a flat on the passenger’s rear. Every time he got the jack connected and pushed on the crowbar, it fell. He glanced up as we approached and waved.

The rain roared as it hit the roof of our car. It was hard to see him. We hid behind headlights. I was certain he couldn’t see us. His headlights pointed further down the road.

“Jaq, we need to help him. He’s having a hard time and going to hurt himself outside in that storm.”

She was right, of course. Minuete insisted we walk the righteous path. Always help people when able. She told me once that it was one reason she loved me.

When we met, I was helping a child find her mother in a mall. It did not matter that it was my job as a police officer to aid the kid. I’m not that way. I don’t volunteer to help people or give them the shirt off of my back. Yet, Minuete thinks I am.

I got lucky finding her. She is gorgeous. I am not saying that just because she is my wife. She has golden-brown hair and emerald green eyes. She works out several times a week and maintains an amazing shape. So what the heck is she doing with a guy like me, a standard brute, average looking with mediocre intelligence? She is so out of my league. When she told me she loved my kindness and thoughtfulness to help others, I could not disappoint her. I changed my life, or at least the appearance of it, when I am with her.

I sighed. No choice but to get out under the wet sky and aid this guy, or shatter her image of me. The latter could not happen.

“Here.” She handed me an umbrella and took the second for herself. Minuete was out of the car, umbrella open, and on her way to the older gentleman before I could even open my door.

I rushed to Minuete’s side. She is too trusting. We don’t know this guy or of what he’s capable.

He stood there, with water running down short grey hair onto his suit. Armani? That suit cost more than I make in a month. He just stood there like he wore a pair of old shorts and a torn t-shirt. Then I saw the car more closely. It was a late model Aston Martin. The car cost more than the house we wanted. We still lived in an apartment. This guy had money.

The older man placed his hand over his eyes to block the rain. “Sorry to bother you two. Will you please help me?”

My wife responded fast. “Of course, we will help you in any way we can.”

The old guy smiled. Something about the way he did gave me a funny feeling. Being a cop for several years helps you develop a sixth sense. Something was off with this guy. Something was not quite right. The sooner we left, the better.

“My name is Dr. Claude Galven. Whom do I have the pleasure of meeting tonight?”

Minuete never met a stranger. “I am Minuete, and this is my husband, Jaq McClury.”

Dr. Galven turned to Minuete. “Thank you for agreeing to help me. And you, young man? Do you agree to help me too?”

I looked at his car jack setup. It was an old one. The foot was missing the brace that holds it in place while using it. No wonder it kept falling. “Where is the rest of the jack?” And why is this guy talking like he just met an old friend in a restaurant and we were about to sit and have lunch?

The doctor raised his voice to be heard above the rain. “Well, I am not sure. Maybe in the trunk. Does that mean you will help me?”

“I am going to change your tire so you can get home.”

The doc looked frustrated. He sighed.

“You know what, Doc, never mind. I have a hydraulic jack in my trunk. I will get it.”

When I got back, the doctor was under Minuete’s umbrella with her chatting up a storm.

I listened as I changed the tire.

“No, not anymore. I am retired. I still have a clinic nearby, though,” said Dr. Galven.

“You help the unfortunate?”

“Cannot say I do. I no longer practice medicine. When I retired, I gave up that privilege. I still do research, though.”

The rain stopped right after I finished. Typical.

“Okay, Dr. Galven. You are all set.”

“Thank you, Mr. McClury.” He walked towards his car.

Minuete started coughing. She looked very pale, almost white.

“Baby, are you okay?”

“No, I am not. I do not feel good at all.” Minuete fell. I rushed forward, just in time to stop her head from hitting the ground.

Dr. Galven shook his head. “Oh my. Could she? I mean… It is possible, but…”

“What are you talking about? Never mind. Where is the closest hospital emergency room? I am not familiar with the area. We were taking a shortcut to get home from Minuete’s mother’s house.”

Dr. Galven did not respond. He looked like he was thinking.

I didn’t have time for this. I pulled out my cell phone. No bars. That explains why Dr. Galven didn’t call for aid. There was no reception.

“Listen. I need to know. Where is the nearest emergency room?”

Dr. Galven, Claude, snapped out of wherever he was. “No. There is no emergency room or hospital for at least ninety miles. But… It wouldn’t help you anyhow. I have seen this before. She may only have a few hours to live. Lucky for you, I know how to cure it. I am perhaps the only doctor around that knows. We need to get her to my clinic.”

“I thought you said you shut it down. You retired.”

“Do you want to save your wife’s life or not? Put her in your car and follow me.”