Gemotions

The morning sun cast long shadows across the driveway. Elias squinted, pulling his worn flannel tighter. Where was the Jeep? He’d parked it right here, beneath the gnarled oak, just last night. A wave of bewilderment washed over him. He checked the house, thinking maybe he’d absentmindedly moved it. Empty. The gate stood ajar.

A yellow triangle of paper clung to the empty spot on the concrete. His heart hammered against his ribs as he walked over to it. A towing notice. His driveway. He reread the date and time. It didn’t make sense. He’d never had a problem with parking here.

He ran a hand through his already messy hair. His jaw clenched as he dialed the number on the paper, his fingers fumbling. "Hello?" he asked the phone, his voice tight. "My car... it was towed from my driveway..."