|84| • Amelia
I didn't think Everest would remember his words, but when he asked if I wanted to go with him to an empty road so he'd teach me to drive; ecstatic couldn't even begin to make up my emotion.
My chest swelled in giddiness; this man was quite thoughtful, my man cared about every little thing I said. It was almost shocking.
We were both inside his truck, driving with a light conversation in the air, he was telling me how he began driving.
He'd taken his dad's car as an act of rebellion when he graduated from college.
Pick up the car, turn on the engine and begin to move.
This made me burst out laughing, the nerve!
I couldn't begin to imagine how traumatised my Papa would be if I took his car out for a spin.
Firstly, I'd return without a hood! If I even got the car back in one piece — much less myself.
When I asked how his first drive was, he described it as being excited and filled with fear.
He had dashed into the road and when he saw other cars, his heart began to drum loudly, so loud he thought he was having a heart attack.
"But I overcame that fear and drove around laughing hysterically.
Someone would probably think I had a body in the boot.
" Everest's words tickled me into another fit of laughter.
I could imagine him as a teenager; I bet he had more of his boyish looks back then, with his tousled hair he said to have dyed blonde back then.
"So what'd your dad say about your rebel ways?
" I asked with a grin, twirling my finger against my palm which was on my thigh.
Lightly tracing the veins on the back of his palm, I smiled to myself.
"Oh, what else could he say? We weren't on the best terms so I guess he was happy I at least wanted a reaction out of him.
He first checked the car then a proud smile lit up his face.
" Everest chortled as though he was living that day over again.
"My dad would knock the rebel out of you," I said teasingly.
My Papa didn't believe in 'sparing' the rod.
When I was still little, any trace of misbehaviour was reset with a sharp knock to my head — and Abel's.
Fun time...well, back then it certainly wasn't fun back then with a throbbing scalp.
Everest bellowed a laughter. "I don't expect any less from my man Joseph. "
"Your man? Since when?" I teased, lightly squeezing his hands. "That's right, Papa did ask of you when I met them. I didn't know the two of you were getting closer." Everest smirked, shrugging. "What can I say? The old man is growing on me."
I smiled, genuinely happy. That was the same thing Papa said. When he had their differences months ago, I was quite worried. But now, they were growing fond of each other; what more could I ask for?
"I'm glad."
Looking out of the car, I saw we were now on an empty road.
It looked like a neighbourhood; a quiet one, but the roads went on for a good while.
As I stared, my heart began to this louder, was I going to learn to drive?
Oh gosh, what if I crashed his truck?! What if I toppled the car over and he got hurt? !
"Amelia!"
"Y-yes? Huh?" I jolted out of the anxiousness to meet a concerned Everest. The car had stopped now and he was leaning closer to me, his hand on my shoulder.
"Easy girl, breathe." Oh, was I that noticeable?
Following his instructions, I began controlling my breathing until my heart reduced the rate at which it was thudding.
Oh boy, if I was this nervous, how was I going to move the car?
"You're okay." He said, caressing my cheeks, his words so gentle that I believed him.
Nodding, a smile replaced the purse on my lips.
He was here, I'd be okay; I knew that much.
"There you go." He smiled, leaning out. It was moments like these that I was incredibly grateful I met such a wonderful man.
Who else would speak so softly to soothe my growing nerves?
Or handle me like I was delicate? The butterflies swarmed in, replacing the nervous feeling with giddiness.
"I'm sorry, I just freaked out for a second."
"No need to apologise, it's quite normal to freak out you know?
So I'm coming down now, you do the same.
Let's switch." Oh, it was happening already!
Nodding, I unbuckled my seatbelt, jumping down from the Hilux with a triumphant smile.
There was no reason to freak out; it was just a machine, right? A machine that moved, psh, big deal.
I giggled at the wink Everest threw my way when we crossed each other.
With a deep breath, I climbed back into the car, in the driver's seat this time.
It felt different at this side of the car, I felt.
..powerful. Bursting out in fits of giggles, I eagerly looked around me.
Was this how the dashboard looked? Everything seemed to crisp!
I could see the tank and battery level! How cool was that?
! The leather of the steering wheel rubbed against my palms in a rough yet calming way.
I gripped it with both of my hands; Evie looked effortless when he wrapped his hands around this and even did so with a few fingers!
"Someone's excited." He teased and I nodded eagerly. I was!
"So what do we do?" I asked, turning to him.
Everest laughed lightly. "Easy baby, first put on your seatbelt.
" Blushing, I nodded, strapping myself on.
Everest came closer, explaining each function smoothly.
The gear could be put on neutral or drive to set it in motion, while the signal lever was used to show which side the car was moving to.
He said some other things but the information was getting too much for me so I ended up nodding my way through.
"You get it?"
"Huh? Yep, yeah I do." I quickly said so he wouldn't think I wasn't ready. Everest eyes me suspiciously and I respond with an innocent grin. It wasn't my fault my attention span wasn't that great! "Okay, so with your legs on the brake pedal, slowly shift the gear to drive."
From what I understood, if I took my legs off; the car would start moving independently. "Should I?" I was getting nervous again. Evie seemed to notice this because he put a hand on mine. "I'm right here, don't worry. If anything happens, just smash the brakes."
"That doesn't make me feel any better."
Everest laughed. "Just move the car, baby. It's fine."
Huffing, I did as told. The gear shifted easily to drive but my legs were still on the brakes so it didn't move.
"Not gently take your legs off the brakes and don't press the gas pedal just yet.
" Nodding, I let out a shaky breath and when my legs were off the brakes the car began moving. I gasped, excited.
"It's moving! Evie, it's moving!"
"Eyes on the road, little lady. Now turn the steering wheel, when the car is moving slowly, you'd need to turn it gently but more emphasised than if it was moving faster."
"So I should make it move faster?"
"If you can handle it." Grinning that he didn't refuse my request, I gently pressed the gas pedal and the Hilux began trailing faster than before.
"Now move to the right." On instruction, I was about to swerve, "Gently, remember.
" Evie's voice was stern but not harsh. Taking a deep breath, I nodded, slowly turning the wheels and the car obeyed.
"Oh my gosh! I'm actually driving!" My hands were gripping the steering so tight, I thought my knuckles were going pale. But it didn't matter, I was driving!
"Don't grip it too tightly, you'll have more control that way.
" He instructed. I was kinda liking taking instructions from him.
He was so detailed and soft yet stern-spoken; I didn't even know how to explain it properly!
It was just attractive. Listening to him, I tried to soften my grip but ended up gripping it back when the car jumped at a speed bump and slammed back to the ground. "Eek! I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Next time you see that, go slower to climb it." We were reaching another speed bump so I tried it this time, pressing my foot on the brakes to slow the car down and it climbed gently, reaching the floor without a harsh noise! Smiling, I looked at Evie and he nodded in approval.
"At this rate, I'd start driving you to work soon enough, Evie," I said proudly, turning back to the road only to hear him laugh. "That so?"
"Yep! I will. I'd drive you anywhere you want."
"I'd love that, I could use the time to get some shut eyes." He said and I nodded in agreement. "But you'd have to pass the drivers test first. So one step at a time."
"Yes sir!" I teased, climbing the speed bump carefully once more.
As I continued to move the car, I tried to go at regular speed by slowly pressing on the gas pedal. Evie either didn't seem to notice or didn't mind because he calmly looked ahead. The silence made me remember sometime I told myself I'd share with him.
"So...I want to share something with you about my mom.
Do you mind?" The more therapy sessions I had, the more I wished to open up to advice about the whole thing.
Slowly but surely, I was getting better at talking about the entire situation.
Evie looked intrigued, sitting up from his slouched position.
"Of course, I don't mind, I'd love to hear more about her."
I smiled sadly, it was a while since I spoke about her. "Okay..." I was beginning to soften my hold on the steering wheel so it was getting better to maneuver. Clearing my throat, I thought of where to start.
"From what I can remember, if someone had asked me back then who my favourite parent was, I would say my mom before even thinking the question through," I said with a chuckle.
"She was honestly my best friend in the whole world.
Seeing as I was little, I guess the rebel phase wasn't on yet— unlike Abel's.
" Back then, I could remember Mama and Abel usually had frictions a lot — Papa would snarl and call it puberty.
"She and I would read storybooks and she'd teach me to bake. I always adored how skilled she was in the kitchen. She could make a ton of pastries and not even be clothed in flour! Unlike me, that is." The memories made me giggle and Everest joined in.
"I can imagine you bathed in flour."
"Oh, it was bad." I seconded with a light laugh. She'd have to cut the baking time short to bath me. I always wondered how she could be so neat with it."
"I guess that's where you got the passion for baking from."
Nodding, I pressed the brakes to climb the speed bump.
This was getting easier! If I learnt how to reverse and maybe drive with other cars on the road once in a while, I'd definitely pass the drivers test — okay I guess I'd have to read a few books too.
"Go on, I'm listening." I blinked away from my thoughts, the story I was telling him still hung in the air and it seemed to peak his curiosity.
Giggling, I did so. "It was no secret I admired her more, my Papa would make jokes about it and she would ask me to also go play with him so it wouldn't make him feel bad.
They were an amazing couple, at least in my eyes.
My mom was always so soft spoken and seemed wise to me.
It was as though she complimented Papa in so many ways. "
When I looked towards Evie, he seemed invested in the story, eager to know my past. This made me glad, I didn't have to hesitate, most people didn't like hearing deep stories — especially those that ended with the inevitable.
It made them uncomfortable. But I just wanted to share her memories with others — without feeling weird about it.
"That old man must've been smitten." Everest said with a chuckle, leaning back against his seat, a smile pushing up his lips. "Oh he was quite the smitten man; I'd say."
"I bet he was. I know your mom was an amazing woman, how wouldn't he be?
" His words were so affirmative, and his eyes fixated on me.
It was as though he was saying these things about me and not my mom.
Blinking away; I blushed. She would have loved him, Momma would have loved Evie like her own; I knew it. The thought brought ears to my eyes.
"Stop here, and park the car." Evie said lightly. Nodding, I did as he said, trying to park the car. Reliving those memories were nice, but there was a definite pain in my chest. I missed her; I missed my Momma so much it hurt.
"That's it, you're good."
"You're free to cry you know? I imagine how whelmed with emotions you are right now.
" Evie said making me look up with blurry eyes.
I didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
I didn't want to start crying and make him not want to hear about her again.
Most people didn't; they thought it to be a sensitive topic and steered clear.
"N-no, it's fine. I just...I just miss her is all."
"I know you do. Hey, look at me." He cooed, his hands cupping my cheeks.
The tears fell before I could stop it, dropping on his palms. "It's okay to be sad, to miss her.
You don't have to apologize for that, Amelia.
" When he called my name, the tears poured out more.
He said the same thing my therapist said. It was okay to be sad.
Before I knew it, I was crying in his arms, building his shoulders and inhaling his scent.
How long was I crying for? "I wish she could've met you.
" The words flowed from my lips in a whisper.
Evie hummed, rubbing my back. "Don't worry about that, okay?
Her other half met me and that's just as good. "
"Her other half?" I asked, laughing.
He chuckled, "Your old man. And from what I heard, I did good."
I giggled, crying at the same time. "Yeah, you did good.
" He was right, Papa was starting to love him, just like Momma would have.
"Thank you, Evie..." I meant that. It felt nice talking about my Momma with him; I loved how he responded to it.
Evie held my waist, not pulling me closer so we wouldn't shift the gear — I didn't want an accident all because I couldn't keep myself from crying.
"Thank you? That should be my line, darling. I'd love to hear more of these stories from you. I'm not the only storyteller, you know?"
He was right; Everest did tell interesting stories about his past. Perhaps I'd start to do that too. Wiping my tears, I nodded. "I will." Evie grinned, winking.
"Now where were we?"
Without thinking, I leaned in; leaving a lasting kiss on his lips. He seemed taken aback while I just grinned.
"What was that for?" Evie asked; the smile evident on his lips. I shrugged. "Why not?" Was my reply. Everest chuckled, pulling me back in.
"Well then, don't stop on my accord." He whispered against my lips making me giggle. Look who was eager. Deciding to continue, I cupped his neck; placing another kiss and before I knew it, we were lost in it.
And I loved every second of it.