Chapter 52
Butterflies
Celia sat in her wheelchair ready for bed looking at the card Mike had given her. The old Celia wanted to smile. She had a wealthy young man in her grasp and he seemed to like her. The guilt he had talked about made her wonder what he and Martin had discussed, but it was in the past.
Roger was right. She’d spent enough time on Martin. It was time to move on. She wasn’t sure anything would happen between her and Mike, only time would tell. The job though, that was something to focus on; she needed to work.
It had been years since she’d depended on herself, and she knew it wouldn’t be easy. She looked around the room and laughed. She’d gone from being lady of this fine manor to nothing but an unwelcome houseguest. She let out a deep sigh and realized that this house would never be hers.
“Earth to Celia,” Roger called from the bedroom door.
She smiled. “Sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.”
“No kidding.” Roger walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. “What has your attention? Is it the pain?”
“The pain of life. I was just thinking about where I was and where I’m at now. Staying in the maid’s quarters and knowing I’ll never own a house like this in my life.”
“So what? We never lived in anything like this and we did fine. I would like to have something with a pool,” Roger said, with a smile. “That’s a nice pool.”
“Yes, it is. The whole house is nice. It’s my dream house.”
“For you and what army? No one needs a house this big. The cash you waste on taxes alone could make your money last years longer. I can see having a nice house, but this thing has way too many rooms. The electric bill has got to be astronomical.”
“I have no idea. Martin paid the bills, but I suppose you’re right. There are rooms in this place I’ve never even been in.”
“See, you need to think nice, but smaller. I mean, unless you plan on having the family move in and that would include everybody - distant aunts, uncles, cousins . . .”
“No,” she laughed. “I’d live in a cabin first.”
“That’s my girl, and speaking of cabins, I hear we’re all going camping when you get better. I can’t wait. You’ll love it.”
“What in the world would make you think that I would want to go camping? And, you missed part of the story. It all hinges on Mike doing something with me first.”
“Okay, think back. When we were kids, we rode bikes and played in the backyard. You were not so girly then. I think you’d have a blast. It’s so relaxing. I wish Dad had taken us when we were kids.”
“I don’t know. It might be fun. And I still need to think of something for Mike to do. Any ideas? What would you hate to do that I would think was fun?”
“No fair ganging up,” Mike said, pushing the door open with his foot. Celia hid a smile at the sight of him. His shirt was off and he was using it to wipe oil from his hands.”
“Do you always work like this?” Celia asked, with a smirk.
Mike looked down at his bare chest. “No. It was hot in the garage. The AC out there isn’t working, and my hands were so greasy. I dropped something and needed a rag. I couldn’t find one and this old shirt looked like the best candidate.” Mike looked at Roger. “Teaming up on me? That’s just so unfair.”
“I was taking up for you. I was trying to convince her to go camping.” Roger and Mike walked out of the room acting as if she wasn’t there. She didn’t like this and wheeled herself out following them to the garage door. This was as far as she could go and she sat looking out.
They walked over to the workbench where Mike had been working on some kind of an auto part. He was still without his shirt and she studied him. He was fit and trim, and the more she was around him, the more she realized how handsome he was.
“Want to join us, Sis?” Roger asked, with a smile on his lips. He must have caught her watching Mike. She gave him a ‘don’t you dare go there’ look, but he went on. “Come on, Mike. You help her down the steps and I’ll get the chair.”
She thought about arguing but when Mike stepped up and held out his hand, she found herself moving out of the chair. His right arm encircled her waist as she stood. Slowly he walked her down the few steps. Though he’d been working for a while, she could still smell his cologne.
It was the first time she’d been this close to a man since Martin, and it felt nice. She hated the term ‘butterflies’ but she was feeling something as Mike helped her back into her chair. Maybe it was desire from lack of male attention. What ever it was she hoped neither of the men noticed. “What are you working on?”
“Carburetor. I’ll not go into the details but I’m almost finished.”
“It looks messy. Is it yours?”
“No. From the shop.”
Roger reached into his pocket and held out his phone. “I got to take this. Let me know when you want to go back in the house.”
“I can help her,” Mike tossed over his shoulder.
“Great,” Roger said. He gave Celia a quick wink as Mike turned back to his project. “Let me know if you need any help.”
Mike nodded, seeming oblivious to Roger’s intentions. As soon as the door shut, Celia spoke, being sure to keep the topic off her. “Has my little brother been pestering you for a job?”
"No, but I might be able to find something. Is he looking?”
“I don’t know what he’s doing other then sponging. But I’m one to talk since I’m doing the same thing. I hope he’s re-grouping and ready to settle down and make something of himself. That’s what I plan on doing.”
“That’s a good objective. Have you been doing homework?”
“I’ve been practicing acting broke and pitiful to get pity from buyers. Does that count?” Thankfully Mike took this for the joke it was, laughed and turned giving her a shake of his head.
“That will help, but I meant selling tactics and learning about vehicles.”
“Some of that, too. I’ve also been looking at your website. It could use some work. I’m sure cars move fast from the floor and someone should keep that updated. There aren’t any click-able links so I had no idea if there was a special sale going on or what models you carry or . . .”
“You have a good point. An Internet techie I’m not, and to be honest, what little is there I just threw up one day while online. Mom and Dad didn’t even have a website. They advertised on radio and television but they don’t know a thing about the Internet.”
“Not that I’m looking for a job for Roger, but he could do better. He’s great with the computer. You should let him show you a few things. He could take pictures of some of the cars and make it look really good.”
“I may do that this week. Do you think you’d feel up to a ride to the shop to look around?”
“Sure. I’d love to. Maybe I could see someone in action, or just look around and see what it’s all about.”
He turned to the area where he could wash up. She followed him with her eyes, watching his biceps for a moment as he lathered the soap and washed his hands and arms. “What time did you have in mind?” she asked, feeling like a Peeping Tom.
“What time would be best for you?”
“I’m a bit slower than usual but I could manage eleven.”
“Then it’s a date,” he said, before washing his face and neck then taking a towel and drying off.
“Not my idea of fun,” she laughed, turning away before she was the one who needed cold water splashed on her face.
“We can fix that. After we’re done, we could go shopping, get you a skirt or something to go over that cast and maybe get your hair done, then have dinner.”
“Has my mother been talking to you?”
Mike smiled. “Whatever would make you ask that?”
“You know why. That’s exactly what I told her I needed. You do enough for us. You don’t need to take me shopping.”
“Consider it your side of the bet. You can top off the evening with some terrible play or museum tour.”