Docked for the Night

I eased the front bumper right against the heavy spine of a hardcover book, bringing the rig to a dead halt. Perfect clearance. Night shift was wrapping up, and my translucent green headlights were casting sharp little neon pools across the wood grain. I stepped onto the running board, gripped the side exhaust pipe, and gave the big pumpkin’s mounting bracket a hard tug. Not a single stud had slipped; the brackets held up through every bump today. With a wedge eraser shoved behind the rear wheel as a parking brake, this cargo isn't budging until dawn.