It had now been over three hours since he'd left the airport terminal and when he glanced out of the window, he saw that the fog was showing no signs of lifting. If anything it had gotten thicker. He knew how dangerous it was to drive in such unsettling weather but he didn't care. He was a safe driver and even if he drove slowly he could still make it home, if only a few hours later than he'd hoped. Daphne would surely understand. And if she didn't, he'd make sure that he made it up to her in tenfold.
With a sudden burst of energy, he hurried to the garage to get his car. And when he reached Section A Space 8, he found himself standing in front of his car… a Ford Focus.
A Focus.
When his luggage was securely in the pathetic excuse for a trunk and the rest carefully placed in the backseat, He opened the door and climbed in, but not before taking off his coat and laying it over the seat, which was most likely covered in germs. If only he'd remembered to put a handkerchief in his pocket with which to wipe the seat... As for the car, what they meant by "Focus" as though focusing on something remained a mystery. It definitely wasn't luxury or comfort.
With a deep sigh he shut the door, grateful that he was in Spokane and not in Seattle, save for the fact that if he was in Seattle he'd be in Daphne's arms and not in this retched car. The last thing he needed was to have someone recognize him in the driver's seat of a Ford Focus of all things. The idea was disturbing in itself, but to think that he could be spotted in… an orange Ford Focus was harrowing. He'd never be able to live that humiliation down.
He looked around the car, cringing once again at the interior. Dear God, this couldn't be their idea of clean as they so proudly announced it on their Welcome sign in the car rental office. Niles gathered that Eddie's dog bed had fewer germs.
But time was ticking by. He was losing precious moments with his angel, moments that he would never be able to get back. And it was that thought that propelled him to start the car. Miraculously it started without trouble and he slowly maneuvered his way through the parking garage. At the gate he handed the attendant his paperwork and was asked if he'd checked the condition of the car thoroughly.
Damn… In his haste to get to his wife he hadn't done so. And to the dismay and annoyance of the driver's behind him (judging solely by their loud honking horns and rude hand gestures), it was not a good decision. But he was determined not to be charged anymore outlandish fees for something he simply didn't ask for. He checked the car thoroughly; examining each and every inch, noting precise areas of paint chipping, scratches and dents. And then just for good measure he took pictures of each area with his cell phone.
One could never be too careful. A full forty five minutes later he was finished and he climbed back into his car, where even more honking greeted him. The attended seemed happy to wave him through and soon he was greeted by a thick cloud of fog. It was so thick he could hardly see, but he'd never been more grateful.
"Don't worry Daphne." He said to the car interior. "I'll be home soon."
