Chapter 15
15
“Daddy, why are all these people staring at us?” We’d just stepped out of the car at the first dealership on Daddy’s list and like five people disbanded and immediately flocked to each customer. It was kinda overwhelming.
“That is the downfall of car shopping, my love. Daddy will deal with them.” Daddy squeezed my hand as the vulture approached.
“Good morning, gentlemen. How can I help you?”
“Good morning.” Daddy glanced at his name tag. “Lane. Shopping for a car for my partner. We have a few models in mind, and you have one we’d like to test drive.”
Straight to the point. Don’t try to sell us anything Daddy didn’t ask for cause he knows what he wants.
“Excellent.” They talked about car stuff which flew right by me while I walked around the showroom. Thankfully, no one approached me for I’d have squealed and run back to Daddy.
“Ready, Trevor?”
“Yes, Da…errr, Jayger.” That felt so weird to say but our lifestyle wasn’t anyone’s business but our own.
Daddy and Lane sat up front and chatted about the car while I was in the backseat. I loved the smell, new car smell , I heard Lane call it. Wait, was this a brand new-brand new car or a used one?
No, no, no. That was too much. There was no way I could afford that payment. Had Daddy lost his mind?
We circled around the neighborhood, then back to the dealership. I waited until we were back in Daddy’s car on our way to shop two of three before I said anything.
“Daddy, was that a brand-new car or a used one?”
“New. All the ones we’re driving today are. They have bumper-to-bumper warranties and high safety ratings. Why?”
“How in the world do you expect me to afford a new car payment? That will be like all my paychecks a month.” I couldn’t do this. No way. It would kill me. This was too much all at once. Was this what hyperventilating felt like? Why was it so foggy? I couldn’t…breathe…
“Deep breath, Trevor. Breathe in, breathe out. Focus on Daddy’s voice.” Daddy rubbed my back. His soothing voice grounded and drew me out of the fog. Wait, when had we pulled over?
“Daddy.” I burst into tears, beyond overwhelmed. “I can’t do this. This is too much all at once. Just let me take the bus, please.”
“I’ll make you a deal. How about you get this car that we’re in now, and Daddy buys a new one for Daddy.”
“Isn’t this car one of those rich, fancy names?”
Daddy laughed. “It’s a BMW and it’s a couple years old. Would you feel better in this one? It’s paid for and Daddy wouldn’t mind getting a newer version.”
“I can’t take it for free. That’s not right nor is it fair.”
“Sweet Bee, I’m trying to compromise here, and it is fair. Daddy gets a shiny new toy this way.”
Guess I hadn’t seen it that way and Daddy did like expensive things. At least, expensive beyond my means which was saying a lot.
“Okay, I guess that’s alright. But I’m buying groceries from now on.” And I wasn’t budging on that one.
“Deal, Little Bee.” Daddy snagged a kiss, then pulled out onto the road. “Now we’re off to a whole new dealership. Whoop! Whoop!”
He was way too happy about spending money. I wasn’t sure I’d ever reach that comfort level. But Daddy deserved it ‘cause he was the best Daddy ever who always put his boy first.
“Looking to trade that one in?” The guy who approached us asked.
“Nope, it belongs to my partner here,” Daddy took my hand in his. “Looking for a new one for me and here’s what I want.”
He already knew what he wanted. Had I just been played?
“Jayger,” I glanced at the salesman then back at Daddy. “Did you play me?”
“No, my love, I did not. I gave you another option when the others weren’t to your liking. While I researched vehicles for you, I also peeked at what my next one would be, and it just so happened you made that possible for me to get now.”
Okay, so it felt like I did something nice for Daddy. I saw how he worked. Way to turn it back around and make me all gooey inside. Besides, Daddy’s old vehicle was super nice and already comfy and broken in. He kept it spotless, and I had all my favorite radio stations already programmed. Winner, winner! That was me.
We test drove a couple different cars, then Daddy and the salesman, I think he said his name was Gordon, went to his office to discuss what options Daddy wanted. I wandered around, got a snack from the vending machine and snuck into the empty kids play area for a bit. I kicked back in a bean bag chair and played games on my phone which was where Daddy found me when they were done.
“Did you get what you wanted?” I hopped up and ran over to him.
“Nope, had to order it so they offered me a loaner while I wait.”
“That sounds nice. Do we get to go home now?” I was so bored. I wanted to check on our flowers and play in the sandbox.
“We are. Let’s get you situated in your new car while they wash the loaner.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Daddy showed me how the keyless entry and start system worked. Then we set the seats and mirrors to my liking.
“Here are the keys and on there is your new house key as well. The garage remote is built into the visor so you get to open the magic door yourself now.”
Right as Daddy said that the salesman pulled up in freshly washed, and still drying, vehicle beside us.
“Jayger, here are the keys. I’ll keep you updated on the progress of your new vehicle as it makes its way through the plant.”
Daddy was so excited by what Gordon said. If it were me who was waiting I’d have no clue what language he spoke. I would’ve just picked something they had on the lot and been done with it. Getting Daddy’s old car ended up being the perfect one for me. Finally this nightmare was over.
“Excellent.” Daddy shook Gordon’s hand. “Thank you, I’ll be in touch.”
Gordon trotted off. Now it was time to get the heck out of here.
“Okay, my love, let’s head home. Follow me.” With a quick kiss, Daddy jogged around the SUV and slid into the front seat. Once he backed out, I did the same and trailed behind him and sung along with the radio in my first car.
I was so spoiled. I made a promise to myself right then and there to never take advantage of that and to always make sure Daddy knew how much I loved and appreciated him and that he was always taken care of, too.
It had been far too long since I drove anywhere. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it, and Daddy gave me this freedom back. I was super careful when I pulled into the garage, parking exactly where Daddy did every time.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Daddy.” I nearly knocked him over when we got inside the house. “I forgot how much I love driving unless I’m with you. Then I like to focus on other things.”
“You are welcome, my love. I’m glad you’re happy.” Daddy gave me a kiss.
I loved being in his arms and staring up at him. I loved him more than I ever thought possible.
“I’m sorry it took so long today but thank you for appeasing your Daddy.”
“I don’t understand why it takes so long to buy a car. It was like-- forever.”
Daddy smiled. “Lots of paperwork and Daddy may have gone a bit overboard with the options he chose for his new toy.”
“Silly Daddy.”
“Yes, your silly Daddy and the one who needs to feed his happy boy.” He gave me another quick kiss and was off to the kitchen.
I changed into shorts and went outside to peek at the flowers and see if they had any new friends on them today.
“Howdy, Mr. Sunflower.” I sniffed him even though they didn’t have much of a scent. “You look well today.”
I’d read somewhere that talking to your plants was good for them, so I said hello to each one. “Yay, we almost have a whole cucumber. I can’t wait to see what Daddy does with you.”
“Daddy will probably add him to our salad with some ranch for my dippy-dippy boy.”
“Nummy.” When I turned, Daddy had just finished setting the patio table for lunch. “I love eating outside, it’s my favorite place to be.”
“I know, Sweet Bee. Come sit and eat and tell Daddy how our garden is doing.”
We talked and ate wonderful nummy fish tacos Daddy had made. Butterflies and a couple of bees sampled our plants and made my day. As soon as we finished, Daddy set me loose and I ran and played until my legs gave out and he found me sunbathing in the sand.
“Silly boy, what are you doing.”
“I’m tired and the warm sand felt so good.”
“Come on, let’s take a nap. It was indeed a busy, but productive day.”
Moving and car shopping. Who knew it’d take so much out of you?