When I bought my used Toyota Corolla, it was a milestone. I had recently left my corporate job to focus on writing, so I was determined to stick to a tight budget. The car was perfect—simple, reliable, and affordable. Little did I know, this purchase would lead to an unexpected adventure.
The next morning, while making coffee, my phone rang with an unknown number. I hesitated but answered, thinking it might be important.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hi, is this the new owner of the Toyota Corolla?” a nervous man asked.
“Yes, this is she. Who am I speaking with?” I replied.
“I’m the previous owner,” he said, his voice shaky. “I left something under the seat. It’s really important and alive. I need to get it back immediately.”
The word “alive” set off alarm bells in my head. What could possibly be so urgent and alive? I imagined a range of scenarios, from a baby to dangerous creatures.
A plastic box with air holes | Source: Midjourney
“Can we meet somewhere?” I asked, trying to keep my composure.
He agreed, and we decided to meet at a nearby park. I texted him the address and waited, my anxiety growing.
When Ben arrived, he looked as anxious as his voice had sounded. He was in his late twenties, with tousled dark hair. He quickly reached under the seat and pulled out a small, sealed box with air holes punched into it.
“I’m really sorry for the trouble,” Ben said, holding up the box. “It’s a box of live insects. I feed them to my pet gecko, and I must have left them behind in the rush.”
I felt a mix of relief and amusement. “You left a box of bugs?”
“Yes,” he said, embarrassed. “I was worried they might escape and cause trouble in your car.”
We both laughed at the absurdity of the situation. Ben’s relief was palpable as we shared a moment of genuine connection.
“Let me make it up to you,” he said suddenly. “How about coffee? As an apology.”
Surprised but intrigued, I agreed. We went to a car wash first, making sure my car was cleaned of any potential bugs, then headed to a nearby café.
As we talked over coffee, Ben shared stories about his little brother, who lived with him. His affection for his sibling was heartwarming, and I enjoyed our conversation more than I expected.
What started as a potentially alarming situation ended with a pleasant and unexpected connection. Ben and I parted ways with plans to stay in touch, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the strange twist in my day.
