Wrong

I knew what I was doing. I had a plan. I was confident that I was right. I always am.

But in this road trip, the other guy was driving because it was his car, so even though I know I am a far better driver than him, I still let him drive, although his driving did annoy me as I gritted my teeth.

Then it happened, the car came to a juddering halt. It had run out of fuel.

Him: "Don't worry, I have half a gallon in a can in the boot, but we'll have to fill up at the next garage we come to, which is a few miles ahead"

Me: "Ok, but that one is expensive, the one after that is another ten miles, but I think it is significantly cheaper"

He got out and went to the back of the car, took out the half-gallon petrol can and then emptied it into the car's fuel tank. Then he came back and tried to start the car. After about four tries, it finally fired into life, and we were on our way once more.

We were the only car on the road, which was fortunate because his driving left a lot to be desired, but it was going to get me where I needed to be, and, to me, that was all that really mattered.

We were driving through a dustbowl desert, so the only signs of civilisation were garages, and the one that I had suggested also had an American Diner, so that might have been an option for us.

The journey was humdrum, and we passed the first garage. I noticed the fuel gauge was approaching the red, but thought that we should be fine to reach the next garage, well I knew we would be fine because I am always right.

The garage came into sight, and the fuel gauge was only halfway through the red, so there were probably another twenty miles in the tank. He drove into the forecourt and pulled up to the pump, which I noticed served both petrol and diesel. He asked me to fill up the car and the can in the boot, and he said he would go and pay and get some snacks for us.

I got the can out of the boot and filled that up first, and then continued filling the tank up. I replaced the cap and then got back in the car and waited for him to come out.

He returned and got in, and he said:

Him: "You were right, that was a lot cheaper than I expected. I got some extra cans and chocolate bars as well, and a couple of BLT sandwiches which should keep us going until we get there".

Me: "That's great, I need a drink, and I love chocolate, but I just need to use their facilities before we set off"

Him: "So do I. I'll go first, but just move the car so someone else can use the pump"

He parked the car, got out and went to the toilet block, but I had to stay in the car to look after it while he relieved himself. He came back and waited for me while I did the same. I returned and got in the car, and we set off once more.

After half a mile, there was a banging from the engine and the car ground to a halt.

Him: "What the fuck? I've just had it serviced, what the hell has happened. I hope the fuel at the station was not not dodgy"

Me: "It's fine, I filled it with petrol because it was a lot cheaper than the diesel"

Him: "What. You moron. You can't put petrol in a diesel engines. It wrecks it"

Me: "But I saved you maybe thirty dollars"

Him: "You have probably cost me five hundred dollars, and you are going to pay"

He called someone out who drained the fuel tank and got the car running again, with no major damage. My confidence had nearly destroyed his car and put our friendship in a precarious position.