He asked her again, and this time she couldn’t say no. It was that look in his eyes. A hoping, longing look that she’d seen there as long as she could remember. So they bought it. It came with smoky glass, shiny leather seats, and a little hat for each of them.
They weren’t well-off by anyone’s reckoning. Most months they lived hand-to-mouth, and once in a while he would bring a bonus home from his low-level sales job. It was one of these bonuses that prompted the question.
When she said yes, the next thing she didn’t say was, “What are people going to think?” She already knew the answer, anyway. Her father was furious. She could have predicted his every word, but she didn’t dare repeat them to James. This was his dream, and the only thing he’d ever wanted for himself in their 10 years of marriage. It didn’t matter to her that it didn’t make any sense. She’d never seen him so happy.
They would take turns driving. That’s where the little hats came in. The one driving would wear the hat, and the other one would sit in the back. Sometimes they would both sit up front, and he’d play with the buttons and dials. She wanted to ask him to stop, but she bit her tongue. She didn’t want to spoil any part of his dream.
But other people weren’t so kind. Everywhere they’d drive, people would stare at them. Family events were always a bit tense after they bought it, even if all the kids in the extended family thought it was really cool. They were still blind to the economic realities of owning such a thing.
He took care of it as well as his abilities allowed. He didn’t know a thing about repairing engines, and his detailing skills were far from professional. But he was faithful to wash it every Saturday morning in its permanent spot on the left side of the driveway. He even built a crude carport for it, since it wouldn’t fit in the garage. He also carefully fashioned directional covers for the sprinklers on that side of the lawn. “Would want to water-spot the gold and maroon paint job,” he thought.
Someone want to continue the story?
How dare you!!!!! I was anxiously awaiting the last paragraph and that’s what you do to me……….now I have to wait for all those others to end this for me. Please hurry!!!!!!
I thought there was going to be a punchline, or a moral, or a lesson, or SOMETHING. You’ve frustrated me, so I guess you can chalk that up as a success. I know how you are, and I know that’s exactly what you were going for.
Thank you Jonathan!!!! you have put into words my feelings exactly – ANDREW – finish this story!!!!!!!