Chapter 50
Jenson Motors
Mike smiled. She was thinking about going and watching videos. “And, what was that crack? What do you mean, a man like me?”
Celia looked up as if she wasn’t sure what to say. “Well, not that I’m saying people who camp are not as smart as others but it seems like a kind of simple minded thing to do. I never did understand the draw. I mean, it has to be like watching grass grow!”
“You are so wrong, and you should see the gadgets and toys they come up for us simple minded campers.” He smiled so she could know he was teasing.
“I didn’t say you were simple. As a matter of fact, I said the opposite. I didn’t see why you would be interested, or Martin either. There are so many more things a person could do with their time.”
“Like what? Read a book, go shopping?”
“Now you’re insulting me.”
“No, but if those are things you like to do, you can do them while camping. You’re just going to have to go with me to see what you’re missing out on.”
“When? Four months from now? Look at me. I can’t even walk by myself and you’re wanting me to climb mountains and play in the dirt.”
“I can wait. Besides I have to survive your side of the bet first. Have you come up with anything yet?”
“No, I’m still thinking. It will need to be something I can do in this chair.”
“You keep putting a time limit on this. We can wait until you’re out of the chair before we settle this bet.”
“How long do you plan on babysitting me?
“I don’t look at this as babysitting.”
“Then what is it?” she asked. Mike glanced up quickly. She was looking at him. Her eyes were compelling him to say something, to explain why he was paying attention to her. He knew she’d just quit dating his best friend, and that the news her mother had given her had been a huge blow, so what did he say?
“Do you want the whole truth or the candy coated version?”
“The truth.”
Mike nodded and put his fork down. “The truth is I felt guilty because of what Martin did to you. I felt I had a part in the breakup because I never thought the two of you were right for each other. And I told him as much a few times.”
“Did you tell Martin to sleep with that woman?”
“No. I think what he did was wrong, but in his defense, Martin told me that he hadn’t slept with Randi, and I believe him.”
“It doesn’t matter. He dated her while he was in a relationship with me,” Celia let out a deep sigh, “but at this point I don’t care. I’m trying to forget and move on. And on that note I’ll ask, what was the candy coated version?”
Mike laughed. “I didn’t have one. I’m too honest for my own good, and I figured you’d want the truth.”
“You’re right. I did. But if that’s what started all of this,” she asked, motioning between the two of them, “why are you still here? Do you still feel guilty?”
Mike knew that sooner or later they would come to this moment. A time where he had to make up his mind what he was really doing here. Why he was taking care of Celia, and sending her family out to dinner so he could be alone with her? True, it was Martin’s idea but he had acted on it and was glad to do so. “I’m not sure what to say. I guess I wanted to see where things might go?”
Celia tilted her head. “Okay. If we’re putting all of our cards on the table, when I first started talking to you it was to get Martin’s attention. I was hoping I could make him jealous. I was so angry with him and you were his best friend. I wanted to get back at him. Then we started working on the house and talking and now this,” she ended, with a slight shrug.
Mike put her on the spot and asked, “And now? Do you still just want to make Martin jealous?”
She didn’t answer quickly and he could see a side of her that was shy. “No, not anymore. There’s times when I’d still like to beat him, curse him out. I’d like for him to be embarrassed and hurt as he did me. I assume that will pass in time.”
“It will. But it might take a while.”
“Well, I’m ready to be over him, and move on. I don’t want to spend my days trying to figure out how to get back at him. I want to do something positive with my life.”
“Good. Admitting that is a good step. Forgiving him will be the next, and it’s not for him, it’s for you.”
“That one will be harder. But I’m trying. I don’t want to live to get back at someone. I want to live to live.”
“Great statement. I think you’re on the right path. And now, I have one more card to put on the table.”
“You do? What’s left?”
“One thing.” Mike reached into his back pocket, took out his wallet and handed a card to Celia.
She took it and held it out to let some of what was left of the evening light reflect off the card. “This is from the place where you work. Jenson Motors.”
“Yes, but it’s more than just the place where I work. Jenson is my mother’s maiden name.”
Her brows rose and she gave him a quizzical look. “Your mother owns the dealership?”
“They left the dealership in her name, but Dad ran it for years until they turned it over to me.”
“Well, that’s good. Your family owns a car dealership.”
Mike replied, a little apprehensive of what he was doing, “Well, we really own . . . five.” He went back to eating his steak, wondering to himself if he’d just made a mistake.
“No wonder you were assured that I would get a job. This is great. Why didn’t you mention it before?”
He tried to hide any kind of expression as he cut his steak. “I don’t tell most people what I do for a living. Everyone either wants me to give them the deal of a lifetime, or they want me to let them go joyriding in the car of their choice.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea,” Celia began, leaning on the table, “Do you have anything for the handicapped? I could use a van, a white van, but not one of those ugly things. Something sharp and expensive.” She slid the card back across the table and Mike reached out to take the card.
He ended up just resting his hand over hers because she started pulling the card back. He removed his hand slowly as she gave him a shy smile and said, “On second thought, maybe I should keep this. You never know when a girl might need a fine ride.