The Tow Truck Driver

He is late. I called for towing service over an hour ago. Fortunately, my car is broken in front of my house so I can wait inside where it is comfortable.

When the tow truck driver arrives, it is after 9:30 a.m. The light still has morning clarity and I can see the trees rustling in the wind. The beauty of the morning is deceptive. Already it is 100 degrees outside.

The driver is a heavy set black man, who immediately apologizes for being late. "First day of school and all -- man, it's crazy out there." He starts hooking my car up to the tow bar. He is sweating profusely. I offer him a bottle of water. "Yeah, I'd take a bottle of water," he says.

He says, "Yeah, I was even late today, first day of school and all. I had to run in, sign papers and stuff. Man, who knew there was so much to getting your kid in school." He told me he has a 12 year old son. He and his wife divorced about four years ago. She lives in Memphis. His son comes to stay with him every summer, but this year the son decided to stay and live with him. It's real different living here and not just visiting for the summer. The tow truck driver has sympathy for single moms now that he is a single dad. He's starting seventh grade this year. "Tough transition," I said. "Yeah, he'll be alright," the tow truck driver said. His boy is a good boy, and real mature. He'll take the bus home from school, won't be no trouble, and is ok on his own for a few hours.