Morgan
“I think it’s shot, kid,” my father said from under the hood of my car. “The head gasket is leaking oil, not to mention your radiator is near death.” None of these things sounded good, or cheap to fix. Which meant my car was done for.
“I think it’s time to look for a new car,” he added as he peeked around the side of the hood. “I can help,” I cut him off before he got the chance to complete his offer.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s fine. The bus will take me anywhere I need to go and Marcus said he’d help as much as he can. A bus pass is cheaper than the maintenance on a car.” I tried to make the best of it but on the inside I was groaning in irritation. Public transport was the worst. I always got stuck next to the guy with the worst body odor or the woman who had on enough perfume to gag you. It was my luck; I had never gotten on a bus and left it without feeling horribly nauseated and like I was in desperate need of a shower.
“We could find ya something cheap,” he tried again. “I could get in touch with your Uncle Rich, see if he can get us something halfway decent out of the heap and we could use it as a down payment.”
“Dad, really, it’s fine.” It wasn’t fine. I dreaded the measures I would have to take to get from point A to point B daily. I also refused to put even more stress on my family. I couldn't afford a car payment, not with what I made. All my funds went toward school and rent. I already paid way less than Marcus, and felt horrible for it. He took care of me, and each night I went to bed with a perpetual knot in my stomach for it.
“Who knows? All those hours on the public bus could give me great material if I ever decided to write a book later,” I said with a smile.
“What? A horror novel?” He smiled in return.
“Or comedy.” I shrugged, pushing off the fender as I turned toward the house. “Come on, ol’ man, Mom left our lunch on warm in the oven and I’m starving. There is no use wasting any more time. Wilbur gave it a good run but it’s time to give ’im a proper burial.”
“Wilbur?” he said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, it was all I could think of. It sounds like a hard working man ready to retire.” I offered in explanation, smiling back at my dad.
“What about Edmond? Ed? Does that sound like an old man ready to kick up his feet and hang up his hat?” I heard the hood of my car shut just as I reached the steps of my small childhood home. It might be tiny, but it was full of more love than most large homes.
“Edmond sounds like a man with a huge heart,” I said as I spun around to face him. I watched as he walked toward me, and I noticed how tired he looked. I wished more than anything that I could help both my parents more. They deserved a break, a vacation, something. “Ed is the name of the best man I know,” I told him just as he stepped up to my side. “He’s my hero.”
It wasn't a lie. My father was and is the best man I have ever known. He would do anything for his family and he had. He worked long hours, only to come home with a smile on his face, showing us nothing but love. Even on the nights he was so exhausted and could barely keep his eyes open, he still found time for Toby and for my mom. He had a heart of gold.
“You do know you’re my favorite daughter.” He placed his arm over my shoulder and hugged me close. I laughed and poked his side at his joking comment. I was his only daughter, but he said this often. “Really, kid, you’re amazing, and I’m proud of you.”
I teared up as I always did when he said things like that. My father’s pride was all I could hope for. He loved so deeply and the way he took care of us all, even when he’d reached his limits, well, it was inspiring. Because even though there wasn't much else he could do, he still made the worst possible situation feel like it would be okay.
“I’m proud of you too,” I said.
***
I was lying on the couch, curled up under a blanket when Marcus entered carrying a pizza box. “Dinner has arrived,” he said in a happy, enthusiastic voice. “I got your favorite.”
“Extra mushrooms and black olives?” I asked, still watching the Lifetime show on TV.
“Yep.” He lifted my feet and sat down on the end of the couch, before setting my feet in his lap. “Pete says ‘Hi’ and that he added extra sauce for you too.”
I rolled my eyes at the mention of Pete.
“That guy has it bad for you,” Marcus taunted.
“Pete has it bad for every blonde who enters Porter’s Pizza.” It was true; I thought I’d seen him practically salivating on multiple occasions as he scanned over the restaurant, taking in every single blonde in sight.
“Well darlin’, if those innocent looks of yours get us free pizza, I am willing to use it to our advantage as often as I can.” Marcus began to rub my feet. “I told him you’d stop by and see him soon.”
I gawked at him, making him chuckle.
“What?” he said with a shrug. “I had to give the poor dude something, and he isn’t interested in me personally, so I offered you instead.”
“Way to pimp me out.” I turned back toward the television. “If only that man knew how much of a bitch I can truly be.”
“Nope,” Marcus said, “I’m sure it wouldn’t make a bit of difference. He reminds me of the submissive type.”
“Oh my god,” I groaned, taking that as my cue to get up and move. “I don't want to even begin to imagine that man in any type of intimate situation.”
“What about Xavier?” Marcus asked from behind and I was instantly glad he couldn’t see my expression.
The name alone still gave me chills. But after his friend came into the Sub Shop and commented on our night together, my expression might have been mixed with a little irritation too.
“Only you don’t have to imagine what he’s like in an intimate encounter, you know.” Marcus rounded the counter just as I placed two plates next to the box of pizza. “The sounds that poured from your room that night I’ll admit were erotic.” I looked up just in time to see him shiver with delight. “To have been a fly on the wall.” A large smile spread out over his lips.
“Okay weirdo,” I said, thrusting a plate of food at him, “enough fantasizing.”
He smiled wide, taking the plate from me before offering a wink.
“Just think you should have taken him up on a repeat performance.” He shrugged, turning around and walking toward the table.
Marcus kept things interesting.
“What—so he could go back and tell his fraternity brothers about the easy girl he banged the night before?” The words left my mouth before I even took the time to think them over. It was a downfall of mine. I think they call it foot-in-mouth syndrome. Or maybe it’s can’t-shut-the-fuck-up syndrome, I’m not sure which.
“He didn’t.” The fun Marcus from moments ago disappeared and in his place was one who didn’t look too pleased. “Let me rephrase that, he better not have.”
When I didn’t answer right away, Marcus leaned in and narrowed his eyes as I sat down across from him.
“Who told you this?” he asked.
Marcus is an amazing friend. He brings out the best in me, that side I rarely let others see. I didn’t have to pretend with him.
“It wasn’t so much him, but one of his brothers came into the Sub Shop the other day and made a comment about me being the girl he took home. You could just see it on his face,” I said, picking at my food. “I’m more than sure he got every detail Xavier could offer and he probably made up the rest. Considering he couldn't remember much.”
“I’m sorry, babe,” Marcus said, reaching out to take my hand in his. “I pushed you on the guy.”
“No, I did that all on my own,” I corrected him. “It was fun, I won't deny that. But it’s over and now I want to move on.”
I pulled back my hand and lifted my pizza to my mouth, taking a bite fit for a guy. I was a mess, but again I didn't care. Marcus didn’t judge me and he sure as hell didn’t expect me to eat nothing but salad. I could eat more than him on any given day and most of the time I did.
The rest of our conversation revolved around the death of my car and the plan to get me back and forth from school to work.
“I don’t like you riding that shitty ass bus,” he said as we stood side by side washing the dishes. “I think you should let your dad help you get a car.”
“Leave it alone,” I told him.
My parents were already behind on their mortgage as it was. He couldn’t afford to add me on top of it all. I had this. I may not like it, but it was a sacrifice I’d make to secure my family.