Car Raid Story

Car Raid Story- Uncle Todd

When one enters the weather beaten pickup truck of Todd Joyner, they are immediately met with the stench of cigarette smoke. It hits like a wall, while the Febreze car vent clip does little to mask the odor. He often smokes to relieve himself of the stress caused by day after day of driving cross country to deliver parts and machinery. One will also inevitably puzzle at the disorderly pile of tools scattered behind the front seat. He often finds himself fixing appliances around the house and other odd jobs his friends and family ask of him. Despite his own preoccupations, Todd is constantly willing to help others. He utilizes long drives and mechanical tasks as a chance to clear his head. His cup holder contains a can of Dr.Pepper. He would describe it as half full, in compliance with his optimistic lifestyle. He has seen many hardships: poverty, homelessness, a single mother, and being responsible for himself and his two younger brothers from a very young age. He uses smoking and caffeine to cope with stress, as can be seen in the smoke wrenched air and the many soda cans strewn throughout the vehicle. Despite the trespasses, Todd constantly wears a smile. His troubles taught him that he must work hard for everything he wants, and he appreciates even the littlest things in life. He keeps a picture next to the cup holder of his car. It features his two children, Crystal and Justin Joyner, when they were very young at the beach with their father. It shows a much younger Todd grinning and looking at his children affectionately. He speaks fondly of his family, and often he stresses that in the end, family is all that really matters. Though they are all grown, Todd continues to help and look out for his two brothers, John and Tim. He also draws strength from a picture of him and his girlfriend, Tracy, that also sits in his cup holder. In the photo, the couple appears next to Mickey Mouse at Disney Land. They are both to his left, while Tracy puts her arm around Todd, and he affectionately shows bunny ears above her head. This photo shows the fun and whimsical side of Todd, which sharply contrasts the depressed image typically assigned to those who endured hardships. When asked how he managed to get through rough times he stated that, "As long as I have the ones that I love by my side, I can overcome any obstacles." Though he struggles with addiction and gets lonely on the long deliveries his work requires of him, Todd is kind, funny, compassionate, and always willing to lend a helping hand. His life has taught him that everyone needs help sometimes, and he's made it his mission to help whoever is in need and to protect his family.