“Then I’ll pay you fair interest on the money you’re spending.”
“No. That’s not part of the negotiations. And might I just add, you should become a lawyer because you can damn well argue.”
I snicker at Dale and he’s sitting opposite me shaking his head in disbelief. “Thank you, Dale. I accept.”
“Thank Christ for that. I thought you were going to make me sign a contract in blood. Phew,” he huffs. I laugh again. “But the other part of the condition is this. The car has to be brand new. I don’t care what type of car you buy, but it has to be brand new, because then Peter and I will know you’re safe.”
“Brand new?” Suddenly I start to panic because if I buy a brand new car, I know they can be quite expensive and I don’t want to spend the next ten years paying it off to them. “I don’t think I can afford a brand new car.”
“Peter and I were thinking something dependable like a Ford Taurus or a Toyota Camry. They’re both really safe cars and as it turns out; I have a friend at Ford, and Peter knows someone at Toyota, so we can get a good price. If you want something else, like a Honda or Subaru, then we’d need to pay full price.”
I must have a weird look on my face because to me, a car is a car. There are big ones, little ones, and super-fast ones, but as long as it’s safe I’m not overly worried what type of car I get. “Okay,” I slowly add while Dale is trying his best to hold in a laugh.
“Okay what?”
“I’ll get a Toyota or a Ford.”
“Which one? Or would you prefer time to research them both?”
“If you say they’re safe, then I’ll go for a Ford. When can we go look for a car?” I’m now super eager and can’t wait to get my new car.
“Ha, you’ve changed your tune.” From the excitement, I’m almost bouncing in my chair. “We can go on the weekend if you like.”
“Yes!” I shout too loudly. Dale laughs at me again. I’m starting to think I must be like a kid on Christmas morning. I’ve never unwrapped anything which didn’t have an evil ulterior motive behind it. Whatever I’ve received, it has always come with conditions to benefit the person who’s giving it to me. “The weekend sounds so good.” I clap my hands together giddily.
“Then Saturday morning I’ll come by and pick you up, and we’ll go to the Ford dealership.”
“Your meals,” the waitress interrupts and puts down my soup and Dale’s burger.
“Thank you,” I almost yell at her, unable to wipe the giant smile off my face.
“I’ve never seen someone so happy to get chicken noodle soup before. But you’re welcome,” she smiles a huge smile toward us.
“I’m getting dessert, too,” I enthusiastically tell her.
“Then I’ll be back for your order.” She seems so happy that I’m ecstatic.
Dale attacks his burger with so much gusto, he’s eating it like he thinks his wife is about to walk in and catch him. He drips some mustard on his shirt, but he doesn’t even realize it. I’d better remind him once he’s done. I wouldn’t want him to get in trouble with his wife.
Dale and Peter are good men. Like Max, these men are a breed I never knew really existed. I’m sitting here, the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s not because Dale is going to finance a car for me, it’s not because he’s taking me out to lunch.
I’m sitting here smiling, because for the first time in my life, I have something which was always kept from me.
I have control.
It’s Friday night and I’m sitting in Shayne and Liam’s family room looking down at the permit I got today. I have the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face, which has been on my face since Shayne took me to the Department of Motor Vehicles this morning. She took an hour off work, and Peter said I can come in late if I’m going for my permit.
Shayne was trying to calm me down before I took the written test. I was a complete nervous wreck, but she talked sense into me. And now, I have a permit.
“You still smiling?” Liam asks as he walks behind me and ruffles my hair.
“I am,” I confirm as I look up at him, still smiling.
“I’ll teach you how to drive.”
“Um, I’ve booked three lessons.”
“Oh.” Liam wiggles his hips at me and says in a shrieking high voice, “Miss Hooty-Tooty wants driving lessons. Look at me, I’m Lily and I’m getting proper driving lessons.” He pretends to flick his hair over his shoulder. “Liam’s not good enough for me to learn from.” He moves his head as if he’s flipping his hair at me. We’re both laughing, because although I don’t flick my hair around, he’s got my voice down pat.