Chapter 2
Sarah and her father sat quietly in a
booth both barely picking at their dinner. Mr. Thompson was sad that his baby
girl was leaving in the morning but something else was on Sarah’s mind. Mr.
Thompson was startled by a waitress who had come to warm his cup of coffee. She
flashed him a brilliant smile and he nervously returned the gesture. He watched
the waitress hurry back behind the counter and then turned his attention back
to the distressed teenage girl in front of him.
Sarah stared out the window lost in a
dream. Outside, the auto shop sat directly across the street. The door to the
garage was now closed and the sun was starting to set, but the 57 Chevy was
still visible through the windows. “I thought he was going to come pick up the
car today.” Sarah practically whined.
Mr. Thompson broke into a smile as the
problem at hand suddenly became clear. “I should have known there were ulterior
motives when you volunteered to spend your final day in Michigan helping your
old man out in the shop.”
Sarah couldn’t help her guilty look.
She knew very well that the name on the registration of the car parked in the
garage was Harper, and Mr. Harper always sent one of his boys to pick up his
latest toy. Sarah had hoped that fate might cut her a break and give her the
chance to see Nick one last time before she left. She’d been in love with him
as long as she’d known him and she’d been denying it just as long. Mr. Thompson
shook his head with a sad smile while Sarah quickly tried to recover. “Give me
some credit.” She said with a pout, “This was my last day in town and I wanted
to spend it with the worlds greatest dad.”
Mr. Thompson quickly saw right through
her flattery and eyed her skeptically. “Then what’s this?” he asked holding up
an envelope.
Sarah was shocked to see her dad
holding the letter she’d spent the last week trying to get just right. Mr.
Thompson saw the petrified look and chuckled. He turned the letter over and
tapped his finger on the heart shaped sticker that sealed the envelope shut.
“And you think your Aunt Janet is girly.”
Sarah is stunned. “Where did you! How
did you!” she stammered defensively, “It’s nothing! Give it back!”
Sarah flew across the table attempting
desperately to retrieve the note but Mr. Thompson skillfully kept it just out
of her grasp. “A love letter?” he teased.
“Dad!” Sarah squealed as she continued
to scramble for the letter.
Finally she tore it from her father’s
fingers. She folded it in half and pushed it deep into her pocket. Sarah
angrily shoved a bite of food into her mouth as if nothing happened, but Mr.
Thompson stared at her waiting expectantly. When she could no longer tolerate
his gaze she sent him a piercing stare. “Is it a crime to want to say goodbye?”
“You should have tried saying hello.”
Mr. Thompson returned quickly.
Sarah glared at her father even though
he made a valid point. The truth stung a little but she couldn’t let her dad
have the last word. “You’re one to talk!” she accused.
Mr. Thompson feigned a hurt look but
was confused by the remark. Sarah looked at the waitress who was still standing
behind the counter. Mr. Thompson followed her gaze. The waitress smiled their
direction forcing redness into Mr. Thompson’s cheeks. “The food here’s really
not that good.” Sarah spat.
Mr. Thompson opened his mouth in order
to defend himself but no words came out. He was busted. He tore his eyes away
from the waitress and looked at his daughter with admiration. “I’m really gonna
miss you squirt.”
Sarah smiled back calling an unspoken truce
between them. “I’ll tell you what.” Mr. Thompson said pulling a set of keys
from his pocket, “You want to say goodbye, then say goodbye.”
Mr. Thompson slid the keys to the
Chevy across the table at Sarah. “Brian called earlier and asked if I wouldn’t
mind dropping it off tonight. Why don’t you take it?”
Sarah’s brilliant green eyes shimmered
at the opportunity and she was overcome with excitement. “Really?” she
squeaked.
“Just pick up the final check when you
get there.”
Sarah jumped up from the booth not
wanting to waste another second and snatched the keys from the table. She was
shaking with anticipation as she took one final sip from her soda. “You’re the
best!” she exclaimed kissing her father’s cheek.
Mr. Thompson laughed at the sheer
silliness his daughter was displaying. “Thanks dad.” Sarah whispered sincerely throwing her arms
around him.
“Good luck Pumpkin.” Mr. Thompson
echoed and then gave her one last curious look.
“What is it daddy?”
“That letter doesn’t rhyme or anything
does it?” he teased.
“Ewe dad! I’m leaving now!” Sarah
laughed as the redness reentered her face.
Mr. Thompson grinned as he watched his
daughter practically skip out of the café.
Fifteen minutes or so later Sarah
pulled up to an enormous house that had tons of strategically placed lights
spread throughout the landscape giving the house the appearance of a natural glow. She stepped
out onto the vast expanse of driveway and noticed Nick’s car sitting right out
front. She glanced at the house and then ambled over to the convertible with a
dreamy look on her face.
The first thing she noticed was a
sleek black jacket lying in the front seat. Sarah couldn’t help herself and she
pressed the jacket to her face taking in the intoxicating smell. She slipped
into a dream for a moment and then pulled the letter from her back pocket. With
a deep breath she tucked the letter carefully in the jacket and just as she
placed it back where she found it she was startled by a soft voice behind her.
“It may be fast but can’t compare to a classic like this.”
Sarah whirled around to see Brian
smiling at her through the open windows of the Chevy she’d come to deliver.
Startled and curious as to how long he’d been standing there, Sarah forced a
smile having no idea what to say. “Nick likes things flashy.” Brian continued,
“He has a hard time recognizing real beauty.”
Brian held his gaze on Sarah and
waited for a response but Sarah just stood there awkwardly. Brian couldn’t tell
whether Sarah didn’t understand the compliment he paid to her or simply chose
to ignore it, but when it was clear he wasn’t getting anywhere he gestured to
the car. “Your father does beautiful work.” He said.
“I’ll be sure to let him know.” Sarah
replied beginning to relax a little, “He said I’m supposed to pick up a check?”
“Oh, right. It’s inside.”
Brian was about to invite Sarah in
when the front door to the house swung open and Nick stepped out in a hurry.
Sarah immediately became tense as he approached her. “Hi Nick.” She said
timidly.
“What are you doing here?” Nick
replied with a dashing smile.
Sarah fumbled nervously over her
reply. “Oh I just, uh…” When she couldn’t complete a full sentence she pointed
at the car.
“Cool.” Nick said nodding casually.
Nick began walking to his car again
and Sarah mustered up every ounce of courage she had. “Nick?” she said
practically shaking from nervousness when he looked again her direction, “Would
it be to much trouble to drop me off at home on the way out?”
Sarah began to hold her breath. She
couldn’t believe she’d just asked that. Nick looked at his watch and then to
his brother. Finally he smiled at Sarah and said, “I’m sure Brian won’t mind.
I’d love to, but I’m already late and…uh…”
Nick looked down at a name that was
scribbled on the palm of his hand along with a phone number. “Deanna is waiting
for me. Next time though.” He added with a wink.
Sarah was devastated. She managed a
weak smile as Nick hopped into his car completely oblivious to her emotion.
Brian however, picked up on her disappointment right away. He felt bad for the
poor girl. She was trying so hard and Nick barely gave her the time of day. He
gave her a sad smile although she didn’t notice it. He tried to take her mind
off of Nick and said, “Why don’t we go get that check?”
Sarah glanced at him but didn’t follow
him inside. As Brian walked up the steps Nick yelled back to him from the car.
“Hey Bri, you left this in my car.”
Sarah watched in horror as Nick
grabbed the jacket off the front seat and threw it to Brian who then
disappeared into the house. Sarah’s heart began to race and the palms of her
hands became clammy as a thin layer of sweat covered them. Nick noticed her
face go pale. “Something wrong?” he asked curious to the sudden change.
Sarah starred at Nick in panic but
couldn’t force any kind of reply. “You don’t look so good. You feeling ok?”
Nick asked again.
Sarah kicked herself internally. Say
something idiot! Her brain screamed at her. “Uh,” she mumbled with a shake of
her head, “I’m fine.”
She paused for a moment and then
decided it was now or never. “It’s just that…” she began but was cut off by the
roar of an engine. “All right then,” Nick said buckling his seat belt, “I’ll
see ya later.”
Sarah let out a long sigh of
disappointment and whispered a sweet, “Goodbye Nick.” as the Corvette sped out
of view.
That was it. Sarah was convinced that
was the last time she would ever see him again. She would never have a chance
now. She was leaving in the morning and while her world ended with the move,
his would no doubt keep on turning and someone would finally win his heart.
Probably this girl Deanna. The girl he was on his way to pick up right now.
Sarah sighed one more time and wiped a
tear that had fallen to her cheek. She stood there watching the tail lights
fade until Brian reappeared. Sarah took a deep breath and buried her emotions
before turning to face him. Her face went pale again when she noticed that he
was wearing the jacket. She saw an envelope in his hand and felt the chunks
start to rise in her stomach as Brian smiled confidently. “I believe this is
what you’re looking for.” He said holding up the envelope.
Sarah opened her mouth to explain but
no words came out. The letter was self-explanatory. She blushed furiously and
Brian elaborated, “The check? For your dad?”
“Oh.” Sarah breathed in a sigh of
relief, “Right.”
Sarah clumsily took the envelope from
Brian and shrugged awkwardly. “Thanks.” She said and turned to leave.
“So, you need a ride home?” Brian said
causing her to stop.
“Oh no, it’s ok.” She frowned, “I’ll
just walk.”
“I’m going that direction anyway.”
Brian offered trying to make Sarah feel more comfortable. “I’m kind of excited
to take her out for a spin.” He added gesturing to the newly restored car.
“It’s really not that far.” Sarah said
again.
Needing a ride had nothing to do with
actually getting home and she already felt stupid enough. Brian walked around
the car and opened the passenger door. “I know I’m not six foot two with a
dashing smile and a shiny new Corvette, but it’s better than walking home in
the dark.”
Moments later Sarah sat in the
passenger seat of the Chevy staring out the window with her arms folded tightly
across her chest. Brian kept glancing her direction but she ignored him. Her
heart was broken. Nothing else mattered anymore. Brian could see how upset she
was and wished there were some way he could cheer her up. He began tapping his
thumbs on the steering wheel becoming uncomfortable with the silence. Finally
he broke it and said, “So… What’s in California?”
Sarah was surprised by the question.
She hadn’t told anyone about her move and she wondered how he could possibly
know that. Brian saw the confusion and explained himself. “You’re dad said your
leaving tomorrow.”
Sarah frowned. “I’m moving in with my
Aunt.” She sighed.
“You’re not coming back?” Brian asked
trying to mask his surprise. “Why?”
“Apparently I could use a woman’s
touch.” Sarah grumbled gesturing quotation marks with her fingers as she said
the words.
Brian held back a laugh and nodded his
head. “Is that such a bad thing?” he asked playfully, “I bet you clean up
nice.”
Brian waited hoping for a smile but
Sarah was indifferent to the compliment so Brian sighed. “If it makes you feel
any better, you’ll be missed.”
“Not by Nick.” Sarah said no longer
attempting to hide any disappointment. “He probably won’t even realize I’m
gone. He left so fast I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
Sarah didn’t notice Brian’s
disappointed look. She was too busy gazing out the window. “Isn’t that what
this is for?” he asked pulling an envelope from his jacket pocket.
Sarah stared wide-eyed at the letter.
She noticed the seal had been broken. “You read it!” She yelled desperately.
Brian shrugged. “There was no name on
it. I got half way through it before I realized it was for Nick and then… I had
no idea it was from you. It’s a really nice letter. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to
embarrass…”
“Look just forget it.” Sarah said
cutting him off.
Sarah turned her body as far away from Brian
as she possible could. She was humiliated and devastated. Tears formed in her
eyes and she turned her head to the window in an attempt to hide her face from
Brian. There was a suffocating silence the rest of the way to Sarah’s house.
When they pulled into the driveway Sarah stepped out of the car without saying
a word. Brian noticed the letter still sitting on the seat. He stepped out of
the car and followed Sarah to the porch just before she stepped through the front
door. “Sarah?” he asked gently. He held up the letter. “Do you still want me to
give this to Nick?”
Sarah took the letter from Brian.
Brian gazed into her pain filled eyes, sad to see the tears that had formed in
them. Sarah stared at the letter for a moment and then ripped it in half
letting the pieces fall to the porch. “It’s not like he wanted it anyway.” She
said feeling completely defeated.
Her eyes met Brian’s again and she
forced a smile. “Thanks for the ride.” She whispered and then disappeared
through the door leaving Brian standing alone on the front porch.
Brian stood helplessly for a moment
staring at the ripped up confession at his feet. When he finally made his way
back to the car he noticed the light flip on in Sarah’s room. He watched for a
minute wondering and then released a heavy sigh. “Goodbye Sarah.” He whispered
and then drove away.
***