I understand it’s stressful and scary and a huge commitment, but I think you’ll thank me for this.”
“No, I’d rather do it without Tom. I could research more online. I’m mad that I haven’t done that already. It is a daunting decision for me. I don’t do well with change. Let’s go to one more place and I’ll take it more seriously. There’s another dealer down the street. Let’s go there and see what they have. I’ll try to relax.”
“Don’t worry about buying something this second. Let’s see what they have and find something fun about this.”
At the next dealership, they parked at the front door and walked into the well-lit showroom, filled with gleaming new cars. Immediately they found themselves in front of a sparkling black Navigator.
“This is beautiful. The black has a little glitter.” Celia opened the door and peeked inside. “This is gorgeous. Is this real leather?” She rubbed her hand across the seat. “What am I saying? Of course, it’s leather. And I’m sure it’s way too expensive for me.”
Kate pointed to the sticker on the window and scowled.
Celia read the sticker and gasped. “This is what freaks me out. The cars I like are too expensive. This price is exactly why I’m nervous about getting a new car. Who can afford this?” Celia was anxious. Kate tried to remain calm and supportive.
“How about these?” Kate stood between two SUVs on display and swayed her arms between the vehicles. “Let’s get some information. These are as nice as that one. Right?”
Celia walked away from the Navigator and over to Kate. They ambled around the SUVs and peeked through the window. Kate reached for the door of the dark-blue one. Celia suddenly clutched Kate’s arm. She squeezed it hard and pulled her back.
“What’s wrong?”
“Shh! That’s him. Don’t look!” Celia stared at the entrance at the front of the large room.
“That’s who?” She immediately turned her head to look.
“Kate! I told you not to look and the first thing you do is look! Why did you look? What part of ‘Don’t look’ didn’t you understand?”
“Sorry. Who are we not looking at?”
“That guy by the door. That’s the guy I saw at Pete’s Market.” Celia was still squeezing Kate’s arm.
“When?” She pulled her arm free.
“I don’t know. Maybe a month ago. I told you about him. Spilled coffee on myself. Remember?”
“Yeah. Yeah. I remember. Are you sure it’s him?”
“Yes! That’s definitely him! I couldn’t forget that face or those eyes. Should we find out if he works here? Maybe I could buy a car from him. Come on, let’s walk over there.”
Kate groaned and shook her head. She let her bag fall from her shoulder. Slowly they proceeded in his direction. Before they reached the handsome stranger, a salesperson greeted him. The two men walked past Celia and Kate.
“Are we invisible? He didn’t even notice us. I looked directly at him. We should have stayed by the Navigator. I don’t want to leave right now.”
“I think you seem to be forgetting the reason we’re here. Besides, you’re not interested in guys these days. Remember?”
“Very funny. I don’t think he’s a booper.” Celia took a deep breath. “Do you think he’s a booper?” She wrinkled her nose and tilted her head. She was serious with her question, though she knew she wouldn’t get a serious answer.
“You never know, Celia. Don’t forget, you told me that you thought the booper was cute at first sight too. Hey, maybe we can use the word booper as the code word for when you meet a guy who’s a jerk. You know, he’s a real booper. Good idea?”
They laughed at the same time. At every vehicle, Kate jumped into the front seat and pointed out all the visible features on the dashboard. Celia read the sticker and groaned. She held her heart as she recited the price aloud.
“This is a beauty. I might buy it if you don’t want to.” Kate sat up straight and looked through the front window.
“You know, Kate, that’s not a bad idea. You buy this one, and I’ll buy your car. I’ll be broke if I buy one of these.”
“Broke or broken down, take your pick. I could get used to driving up this high. It’s as if you’re a notch above everyone else.” She stepped down and out of the SUV. “I want you to sit in the driver’s seat. I’m not kidding. I think you’ll love it.”
Celia stepped onto the side panel and settled into the driver’s seat. A salesman in olive trousers and a light-blue button-down shirt approached.
Celia adjusted the seat and kept her eyes forward as if she were driving. She continued to peek in the rearview and side mirrors for the man with the nice eyes. Her concentration on the car was distracted, to say the least.
“How do you like it?” The salesman watched Celia and Kate inspect the car.
“I don’t know. I think it’s too big for me.” She turned her eyes away from the mirrors and toward the back window. “I’ll be afraid to back up.”
“You look fabulous in it.” Kate leaned into the window next to Celia.
“I need to think about this. I’m just shopping around today.” Celia glanced in the direction of the potential non-booper as they left the dealership. He never glanced in her direction.
Kate talked Celia into one more stop as she spotted a Jeep dealer up ahead. After she took the Jeep for a test drive, Celia knew her car search was over. She was in love with a steel-gray Wrangler. A decision was made, and Kate couldn’t have been happier.
Noah was walking Trudy past her building when Kate dropped Celia off.
“Hey, Noah. How are things with you and Trudy?” Trudy jumped up on her. Celia bent down to Trudy’s level and rubbed her head.
“I’m doing great! We’re on our way home from the store. Got some ice cream this time. Uncle Bill is waiting at the corner for us. He watches me walk to the corner when it’s late and then waits up there for us.” He pointed to the top of the hill. “He can see us all the way to Pete’s Market. I guess he still thinks I’m a little kid.”
Celia saw the shadow of Noah’s uncle under the streetlight.
“I’m right here, Uncle Bill.” Noah waved his hand high.
“I see you, Noah.” Celia heard him reply.
Celia motioned a wave to his uncle, and the uncle returned the wave.
Celia locked the door behind her and walked through the kitchen into her bedroom. She stood by the
