Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Landon
Rays of morning sun spotlight the classic ride.
She sits in Lex’ driveway looking like a girl who knows she is beautiful.
Look me over and be dazzled. There is something about a car that is alive.
This one has a definite personality. It’s ageless swagger.
Almost Sixty years old and still in its long prime.
I feel cooler sitting in it. Just like I did back when I was ten.
My arm automatically stretches atop the seat and my back settles against the right spot.
The sounds, the smell, the way it feels.
My senses are in overdrive. Maybe Frank and Dean would like to grab a drink.
I check the glove compartment to make sure everything’s right.
The paperwork under a small pack of Kleenex and the hard cherry candies they liked.
Arranged in order, at the ready, like he used to have his car business.
I can hear Mom saying it. ‘Put this new insurance card with your father’s car business.
’ He is going to appreciate the detail. He’ll probably fucking cry.
Wimbledon White, decades old, still looks as good as it did in the photograph.
The Galaxie was already fifteen years old when they bought it, but whoever owned it first, took care of it.
It was pure luck Derek’s Detail was able to detail it this morning.
The rush order worked because Dad had referred so much business to the guy. One hand washing the other.
The leather Lipstick Red seats are as sharp looking as last time I sat in them. When I had a feeling it was so big I had to hang on when Dad turned the corners. The car is coming home. Back to Smyrna and her old wooden garage.
Eddie dying before his time, and Mabel’s wanting to hold on to a piece of him, saved the car.
Literally. Saved the paint and the engine.
Saved the paperwork and history. Thank goodness she drove it now and then.
When it was required. She was never a woman who liked to drive.
Kind of like Kim. I would have known it even if no one told us.
How else to explain the relatively low mileage?
A nineteen-sixty-three car with under fifty thousand miles is remarkable.
Footsteps on gravel. Lex rounds the corner of the house. I open the wide door and get out.
“So what’s the plan? Tick tock.”
“What time is it?”
“Twelve thirty.”
“Okay.”
Holly makes her way round the house and joins us. She whistles her approval.
“Absolutely gorgeous! He is going to flip out.”
“Maybe we should look into buying a classic,” Lex says, catching his wife’s eye.
The expression she is listening to an idiot makes Lex laugh.
“That’s a no,” I chuckle.
“It was just a thought. Don’t get your panties twisted!”
She punches him in the arm and laughs.
“It’s a beautiful car, Landon. Does he have any idea you are planning a surprise?”
“No. God, I hope not. Everybody has been under strict shut your trap orders. If any hint of this comes out, I will personally beat the shit out of the person who blabs.”
“What about the party? Does he still think it’s for you?”
I chuckle. “Yeah. It’s supposed to be my goodbye and thank you send off. He would have vetoed a birthday party for himself.”
“Definitely.”
“He thinks it’s all about me. A handful of friends having a barbecue. We had to tell him something. The house had to be prepared, the tables, the food, and the seventies decorations put up.”
“Is Stacy cooking?”
“No. She’s with Dad. Kim’s leading the cooking charge. Along with the food other people are bringing. We couldn’t afford to have it catered.”
“Good. I like homemade,” Lex says.
“How did you get him out of the house? Where is he now?”
“Stacy came up with the plan. We had to have him properly dressed for the occasion. You know, he would be wearing a caftan if it was up to him. She guilted him into it.”
“It’s for a good cause.”
“He would want to be in the right wardrobe for driving this baby.” I pat the seat of the convertible. “He thinks we’ve taken the bikes out. You’re supposed to be keeping me away till one.”
“Oh, he thinks he’s in on the con.”
“Yeah. He and Stacy are shopping for his outfit and he’s getting a shave. She offered a manicure and pedicure, to kill time, but that wasn’t going to happen.”
“Has she met your father?”
“Right? So Plan B went into effect. They had breakfast before the shopping started.”
“We may not recognize him. The weight loss, clean-shaven. New clothes.”
“You’ve done a great job, Landon. I’m proud of you, bud.”
“Thank you both for all the ways you helped us get through this shit.”
Holly comes in for a hug.
“We love Ronnie. And you too, Landon. We would do anything for you guys,” she says.
“Why the hell are you going back to Memphis, dude? Everything’s here.”
Good question.
“I don’t have a choice. Not right now anyway.”
“Aren’t you gonna miss all this?” Lex says, opening his arms.
“Yeah. I am.”
“What the fuck do you do there? Work, sleep, repeat?”
“It’s not as bad as that. Close. But I expect the new place will force me to take a break occasionally.”
“What about Kim? Is she going with you?”
“Lex!”
“What? I can ask that!”
I chuckle at their sparring.
“It’s okay. We haven’t ironed out the details yet. We’re gonna talk tonight. As long as Hunter is in college she wants to keep the house for him to come home to. And she wants to be there for him when he does. So we are kind of hogtied either way.”
“I get it. She’s a mother and she is looking at the whole picture.”
“You’ll figure things out,” Lex says, patting my back.
“I only have one thing to say,” Holly adds.
“That’ll be the day,” Lex teases.
“Don’t let the details muck up things. That’s it. I said my peace.”
“Thanks. Okay, let’s get to it. This baby needs to be garaged.”
I am more nervous pulling onto the frontage road, then I was the entire drive back from Kentucky.
Don’t fuck up the car now! Lex and Holly should be there, moving Dad’s car out the garage and hiding it out back.
Hopefully, the big red bow Kim made is in place.
I considered a scavenger hunt, or a dramatic entry, but they didn’t seem right.
I want the moment to be quiet between us.
I have to get him there first. He’s gonna be fucking pissed thinking I’m making him walk unnecessarily. Priceless.
There’s a lot of pieces to this. My empty stomach is gurgling.
Couldn’t eat right now if I was paid to do it.
I feel like I need to take a shit. I will never give him another gift that means so much.
Not for the rest of his birthdays. Dad’s bucket list in life was pretty short.
He had most everything he ever wanted. And they were more meaningful than a hundred luxuries or adventures.
This one got away from him. He thinks it is lost for good.
I feel kind of proud. The turn signal is engaged, as I approach the property.
The sound is so much louder than cars nowadays.
It makes you feel you are living in another time.
Driving slowly up to the house, all the bees are buzzing.
Another Mom saying. I am thinking of her a lot today.
People have started arriving. Some sit at the round tables set up on the open field.
Some are on the porch having a lemonade.
A few have brought their children and they are playing with the dogs.
I see a familiar dog running with Barney.
Colter’s dog keeps up with my boy. Whenever they are together, my presence is ignored.
Good. I don’t want any sharp nails scratching the paint.
Biscuit knows when he is outmatched, and has made a good choice.
He sits on the porch, in Layton’s lap, getting a head rub.
The chair rocks gently. The good eye is closed and it looks like he doesn’t want to move an inch, just in case the rubbing would stop.
In the corner, like a mob boss wanting the best view of what is coming at him, Dolly calmly watches.
Just as I am about to keep moving toward the garage, the screen door opens with a slap. Kim walks out. She looks so cute with that apron on. Where did she find that? Looks like Mom’s. I think it is. I slow, put it in Park, and leave the engine running.
“Oh my God, Landon! They did a great job!”
She points ahead. “Lex went to the garage. He’s waiting for you there.”
I call her with a wiggled finger.
“Come give me a kiss. I need the fuel.”
She sprints down the stairs and comes around to my side. Lifting my chin, I offer lips and a plan.
“My lips now. Yours later.”
She leans down and gives me a good one.
“Go. Get it hidden! They are going to be back in half an hour! Your sister just texted.”
“Is everything set up?”
“It’s all done. We are ready. I’m so excited!”
“Me too. I’ll be back in ten. Give me one more.”
Another kiss and a wave. I head for the garage.
Following the gravel road, I make sure not to kick up any on the car. Slow, Landon. Slow.
A couple of minutes later, I see Lex standing by the opened door. There is a big red bow in his hand. He waves me forward.
“Careful now. Come on.”
I guide the Galaxie into her old spot and turn off the engine. Did I hear a sigh? It might have been me, but I think it was her.
Dad’s red neon edged clock on the wall looks good above the hood. They go together.
“Lord. It’s done.”
I get out and shut the door gently. Lex looks as happy as I feel.
“You did it, man.”
I grab the bow and place it on top of the seat. Somehow it isn’t what I imagined.
“I don’t know. Do you like it?”
“It’s okay. I think it would look better without it. Let Ronnie see it in its natural state.”
“Yeah, I agree. This baby doesn’t need any help looking good.”
I toss the bow to the side.
“Let’s go.”
Sliding the door shut, Lex and I head back. At first, we walk in silence. Enjoying the warm breeze and the perfect looking day.
“His truck is behind the garage?”
“Yeah.”