Tom kicked the front tire of his red toy car. It did not bounce back. A sad, deflated hiss filled the quiet driveway.
He rummaged through the tool shed. He pulled out a heavy jack that looked too big for his small hands. The metal was cold and rough.
With a grunt, Tom pushed down on the jack handle. The car stayed stubbornly low. A bead of sweat rolled down his nose.
The driveway gate creaked open. Leo stepped in, holding a colorful air pump. He pointed at the valve stem and asked if they could inflate it together.
They worked together carefully. Tom held the wheel steady while Leo attached the pump nozzle. The connection clicked into place.
The pump whooshed loudly. Air rushed into the tire. The flat rubber began to swell and rise.
The tire swelled up firm and round. Just as the sun dipped behind the house, the car finally stood tall.
They high-fived. Their hands were sticky with oil. They laughed as the car gleamed in the fading light.