Mandy

Dad comes running over to greet us as we make our way down the stairway. He definitely seems anxious to see us. I suppose it’s been pretty quiet without Mom around. I set down my handbag and give him a big hug.

“I’m glad to see you,” he says, squeezing me tight. “I’ve been worried about all of you.”

“I know.” I pull back and give him a smile. “This is Anthony,” I tell him, introducing them to each other. “He saved both of our asses a couple days ago.”

“I knew you two couldn’t resist playing with fire,” he replies, instantly showing his irritation. “I’ve about worn out the kitchen floor from pacing.”

“I know. I could just picture you pacing back and forth with a steaming cup of coffee in your hand.” I give him another quick hug. “But, everyone is safe.”

“I haven’t let them out of my sight since we met,” Anthony assures him.

“Yeah, he’s been sleeping in between us and we even shower together,” Trey adds with a convincing cringe. “He’s there… all the time.”

“Jesus Christ! Is your brain still a little messed up or what?” Anthony asks with a shocked look on his face. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

“I don’t know.” Trey laughs and slaps him on the shoulder. “I think I’m just really overtired or something. I really shouldn’t be giving you any shit.”

“Not when I’m the one savin’ your ass.” He narrows his eyes. “I’d hate to see you wake up dead.”

“Okay boys, lets get your stuff loaded in the car,” Dad suggests, reaching for a couple of my bags. “Ya’ll got better things to do than sit around bickering.”

“They’re just messing around,” I assure him. “These guys all have a pretty good sense of humor. Where’s your truck?”

“At home. Why?” He shoots me a curious look.

“Well, Trey said you brought an extra vehicle for us to run errands with,” I reply, glancing back at Trey.

“Yeah, but I figured you’d rather have a car than my old truck,” he replies, nodding his head toward the hangar. “I dropped it off last night, so they let me park it inside.”

While the guys stop at the limo to load the bags, I continue on into the hangar. My jaw nearly hits the floor when I turn the corner and see a shiny black sixty-five Mustang GT convertible. It is absolutely perfect with flawless black paint, shiny chrome and sparkling chrome wheels. Walking around the car, I can see that it’s just like Mom’s but this one literally looks like new.

“Where did this come from?” I ask Trey as he strolls into the building. “It’s just like the one Mom had, I think it’s even a K-code.”

“It is the one your Mom had,” he replies with a grin. “I bought it from your sister the day after we went back to the city.”

“But this one looks like new and there is no dent in the fender.” I run my hand along the perfectly polished front right fender. I turn to him nearly speechless, looking for an explanation.

“I had your dad drop it off at the body shop for a couple days. It looks like they did a great job on it,” he replies, walking around the car. “It’s amazing what a good buffing and a some clear coat will do for an old car.”

“Darla let you have it?” I ask, my mind still reeling in shock.

“She and Bill just needed the money, they weren’t all that interested in the actual car,” he explains. “I talked to a classic car dealer in New York and he thought it would be worth about fifty grand, so that’s what I offered. She took it on the spot.”

“Fifty grand? I wouldn’t have paid a nickel over thirty-five,” I tell him. “No wonder she let you have it without a fight. How much more did you put into it?”

“Only five,” he says, sliding his hand behind my head and pulling me in for a kiss. “It’s no big deal, I just wanted you to have the car. Now lets go for a ride.”

Trey

Seeing the look on Mandy’s face when she realized that it was actually her Mom’s old Mustang was worth every penny I spent on it. I know how much she loves driving it, so I was determined to get it back for her. I’m glad Darla and Bill didn’t really want the car after all.

“Thank you, sweetie,” she says, turning the key and starting the engine. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to drive this old thing.” She slips it in gear and drops the clutch causing the tires squawk just a bit.

“You drive careful now,” Ray tells her as we glide to a stop next to him. “Your mother’s urn is in the trunk, so you can spread her ashes if you want.”

“You don’t want to do it with me?” she asks with a disconcerted look.

“No. You and her shared a love for that place, so you go ahead,” he replies giving her a pat on the arm. “Come back to the house afterwards and we’ll have some dinner.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she replies with a pensive smile as she slowly lets out the clutch and we begin to roll smoothly down the road toward the highway.

“I’m glad to see you know how to properly let out a clutch,” I tease her in an attempt to lighten the moment.

“Hmm,” is her only response as she turns onto the highway and hammers through the first three gears. “You have to admit, that’s a lot more fun!” She winks and flashes me her beautiful smile.

“Hopefully that urn isn’t flying around back there,” I laugh, reminding her to be a little careful.

“Oh, Mom would probably like to have a little of her riding around in this thing too,” she replies with a reflective smile. “After all, she’s the one who taught me to drive like that.” I can picture the two of them flying down the highway with their hair blowing in the wind.

We both fall silent as we wind down the highway with the warm breeze swirling around us. Being out here among the trees and driving along the creek is so relaxing compared to anywhere you can go in the city. People who believe a walk through Central Park is relaxing have never been somewhere like this. The trees begin to open up as we come to a long bridge that crosses a river, so I know we are getting close to her favorite spot. After crossing the bridge she slows down and turns off onto a gravel road. With each turn I can see the anxiety building on her face with each passing mile. If she only knew what was waiting for her around the next corner.

Mandy

I had romantic aspirations earlier today. The thought of throwing a blanket down and making love in the warm sunshine was teasing my brain. That thought evaporated once Dad mentioned spreading Mom’s ashes. Those two things just don’t mesh in my mind. It’s too bad; it would’ve been the perfect day to do something a little crazy. Instead, I have a feeling of dread as I turn the final corner and head up the tree-lined driveway. This will probably be all developed by the next time I’m out here.

“I actually feel sick to my stomach,” I tell Trey as we drive toward the big oak tree in the center of the space. “Someone has already put up some kind of a marker,” I add, seeing triangle-shaped rock structure standing next to the tree.

“Does it say something on the base of it?” he asks, as we pull up next to it.

“Yeah,” I lean out the window to get a closer look. “It says, Maggie’s Acres.” I turn back to see a smile on Trey’s face. “What did you do?”

“Your Dad had that made,” he says with a smirk. “This way you can leave her in the urn and take her for a ride like you said.”

“But it says Maggie’s Acres and all those little flags are gone,” I reply as the fact that they are gone suddenly occurs to me.

“I thought it was such a beautiful little spot, that I hated to see it split up and developed,” he says with a glimmer in his eyes.

“So you bought it?”

“I did,” he replies with a shrug. “I was feeling so good after buying the Mustang from your sister, that I thought what the hell. They were happy as hell to sell the whole thing to one buyer. I told them I would take it as is, so they didn’t have to turn a wheel.”

“So it’s going to stay just like this?” I ask, feeling a weight suddenly lift off of me.

“Until we decide to build something out here.” He flutters his eyebrows and looks around. “It would be a nice spot to build a cabin someday.”

“Are you trying to melt my heart?” I ask in disbelief. “You would actually consider spending time out here in the boondocks?”

“I’ll be the first to admit that I wouldn’t want to live here,” he says with a chuckle. “But, yes, I would definitely like to spend some time out here. It’s so quiet and so beautiful; a perfect place to get away from everything.”

“Yeah, no one is ever going to bother you out here. Especially if you shut off your phone,” I tell him opening the car door and pulling the keys from the ignition. “I’m glad I don’t have to spread her ashes and then watch a bunch of strangers take over this place. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“Actually, I do know,” Trey replies, coming around the back of the car to meet me as I insert the key to pop the trunk. “Remember I told you not to worry that day we were out here.”

“Yes, you did, but I’m still struggling with my trust issues,” I admit, reaching into the trunk and pulling out a blanket. “Here, you hang onto this while I put Mom in her new home.” I pull a beautiful gold colored urn from a cardboard box and take it over to the sturdy rock structure. “Where does it go?”

“It should be one of these big square rocks in the center,” Trey replies, wedging his fingers between several of rocks trying to pry one loose. “Maybe it’s on the other side.”

We walk around to the other side of the monument and it becomes obvious which one to pull out. “Cool, she’ll be facing the creek,” I think out loud, as he wiggles the only red-colored rock from its resting place. “I could handle this view for all eternity.” Trey smiles warmly while holding the large rock and allowing me to give the urn a kiss before slipping it inside. “Go ahead and slide it back in,” I tell him, seeing how his biceps are straining under its weight. “We have already said our goodbyes.”

Even though it’s rather anti-climactic and I feel like there is something more I should do or say, there really isn’t anything that needs to be said. I reach down and pick up the blanket that is lying at our feet. “Come here, I want to show you my favorite spot in the world.”

“Do I have to get in the water again?” he asks, giving me a scowl.

“Only if you can’t stay on the rocks,” I reply, pulling him by the hand. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“It sounds like a challenge,” is all he says in return.