To help put both entries in context here's the opening of the story written by Hugh Betcha:
Laura was in desperate need of a man who wasn't afraid to wear a plaid flannel shirt.
After five years of living in Uptown, watching the bars fill up with urbanites who thought they were roughing it because they had worked up the nerve to parallel park, she couldn't take it any longer.
"I need to find a man who drives a four-wheel-drive truck, not to be trendy, but because he needs it to pull his snowmobile trailer," she told her best friend, Inga, as she packed the last of her snow globes.
Laura was tired of lines, of crowds, of seeing people everywhere she turned.
"I need space," Laura said. "I need a place where, if I go a couple of days without seeing anyone else I'm just someone who minds her own business, not a closet sociopath who might be planning to blow up the Grain Belt Beer sign."
Inga laid a steadying hand on her friend's forearm. "And you could use a man," she said. Laura chuckled. "I'll find a man," she promised. " Now help me get out of here."
"But why are you leaving so suddenly?" Inga asked. "And why no forwarding address?"
Laura hesitated, then said: "If you call my cell phone, I'll always answer your calls. And we'll get together this summer. Just remember that I can never go back to Hinckley."
They packed the last of her belongings, setting aside the beef jerky and Mountain Dew for the road. Laura hugged Inga, pulled her parka's hood up over her head and stepped outside. She was so excited about her adventure that she didn't even feel the bitter north wind, which was turning her breath into shards of flying ice and blasting it back in her face like angry fondue forks.
"Somewhere out there, there's a man for me," she announced. "And I'm going to find him -- no matter what it takes."
Entry 1
Alas, Laura had forgotten one of winter's rules: She didn't check the antifreeze. Her Hyundai froze up just outside Albertville.
Never had the Outlet Mall seemed so warm and welcoming. While the Pump 'N' Munch garage toiled over the Hyundai, Laura outfitted herself from head to toe in flannel and fleece from the Eddie Bauer Outlet, all post-holiday bargains.
Her eye was caught by the handsome cashier, square-jawed and rugged, his red plaid shirt carelessly unbuttoned, exposing a tanned expanse of impressively furred chest. Engaging in some chat with the hunky guy, whose nametag proclaimed him "Lance," Laura found out he drove a 2007 Ford Focus. All thoughts of a longer stay in Albertville vanished like snow in April.
Back in the repaired Hyundai, her Visa card already maxed-out, Laura was still full of optimism. Living would be cheaper up North, she thought. She could learn to bake bread. Make popcorn from scratch. Stuff like that. Laura drove north, deciding to get off the freeway and explore the countryside. It was dusk when Laura found herself in a quaint hamlet. "Motley," said the sign, "Gateway to the North Woods." Wow.
Heeding nature's call, Laura pulled up at a likely looking Petro Pad. A bulletin board inside the door caught her eye. Amidst the puppies and kittens and the used cars she spotted "Cabin for Rent. Two bedroom, 1 bath, cozy woodland retreat. Rental by the month. Call Cal."
Laura grabbed her cell phone and excitedly punched in the numbers.
Entry 2
The drive had been uneventful until Laura neared the Hinckley exits. That’s when her car started to act up. It shook and rattled so badly Laura knew she didn’t have any choice, but to take the next exit. Her car sputtered while she made her way to a service station. Laura’s mind raced. Why did her car have to act up now? Not Hinckley! Anyplace but here!
Laura’s car sputtered and coughed one last time as she turned it off. She stepped out then turned and glared at it. “I should have traded you in for a new car before I left!” Laura spun on her heels and went into the gas station. She glanced at the service counter where a young blond girl worked. There was a customer already being helped, so Laura waited.
Once the person left, Laura stepped up to the counter and the young woman asked, “How may I help you?”
“My car broke down.”
“We aren’t a full service gas station. I could call one for you; will you need your car towed?”
Laura hoped there was more than one auto repair shop in Hinckley. The only one she remembered was the one John worked at. And he was the last person she ever wanted to see again. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a tow, it barely made it here.”
“Give me a few minutes; I’ll have John’s Auto Repair come get you and your car.”