The sound of raised voices woke me from my fitful sleep. Rubbing the crusty remnants of slumber from my eyelashes, I sat up in bed, the mismatched blankets pooling at my waist. Our aging trailer lacked proper insulation, so the chilly January air permeated the room, making me shiver.
I sluggishly slid off my bed, wincing as my bare feet touched the frigid plywood subflooring. I dressed myself quickly, shimmying into my jeans quickly as I heard Kris and Matt's argument intensifying.
As I slipped out of my room, I crept down the hallway to peer into the kitchen. Kris sat on her usual barstool, waving her hands animatedly as she shouted at Matt. "Damn it Matt, I need to go back to work! We were barely treading water before my wreck. Even with you, Dylan, and Luna working, we're barely able to scrape together enough money to live!"
The older Wooding brother was no less fiery this morning and I could see him by the stove making breakfast, pointing the business end of his spatula at Kris to make his point. "It's too soon for you to go back to work, Kris! It's only been a month since your accident."
Kris groaned, smacking her forehead with her palm and dragging it across her face dramatically. She glowered at Matt. "I didn't say I wanted to go back to working full time, Matthew. My work offered me 20 hours a week on light duty. That money could really help us!"
I made my presence known with a long sigh, catching the attention of the two older Wooding siblings. Rubbing my temples, I hesitantly entered the kitchen and slid into the barstool next to Kris, who gave me an apologetic look. "Sorry, Luna. Did we wake you?"
The sarcasm left my mouth before I could stop it. "No, I enjoy waking up on my only day off at the crack of dawn. To you two screaming at each other." It was probably a little harsh, but I didn't care.
Matt gave me a warning stare, turning the spatula towards me. "Watch it." He grumbled, his blue eyes hardening as I met his fiery stare with a cool one of my own. I was decidedly rather grumpy; days off for me were few and far between nowadays. I often went to school in the mornings, came home, ate lunch, and then went to work for the evening shifts. Or, I'd catch a morning shift at BurgerByte before my afternoon college algebra class began.
"For the record, I think Kris is right." Matt opened his mouth to protest and I raised my hand to silence him. "We need the money, and she's been climbing the walls wanting to get out of here. I'm sure the store doesn't want a lawsuit for Kris being injured further, so light-duty cashiering means she'll be sitting and scanning people's groceries. How is that any different than her sitting here arguing with you?"
Kris looked triumphant but quickly deflated when I turned to face her. "However, I also know how you are, Kris. You'll try to hobble into the cooler and do stock behind someone's back because they messed up your system. If you go back to work, you must stay where they put you until your cast comes off."
Despite the tension in the room now being directed at me, I continued. "Matt isn't trying to control you or be overprotective. He's trying to keep you from hurting yourself more because you're a workaholic who doesn't know when to quit. Sending you back to work this soon runs the risk of you trying to overdo it and set back your progress with your leg. You can't do that with a shattered ankle or you might never walk correctly again. If you go back to work, and that's a big if, you need to take it easy."
Matt's hard look softened slowly and he nodded. "Luna's right, Kris. If you want to go back to work, you're an adult and I really can't stop you. I just don't want you to get hurt worse because you prioritize the household over your own health."
Whilst Matt had simmered down, Kris was still on the attack. She regarded Matt and me with a look of mild disdain and annoyance. "Matt, you do the same thing. What about the time you slipped that disk in your back? As soon as you were able to bend over again, you went back to work and it wound up causing you permanent issues. Why is it you're allowed to forgo YOUR health for the good of our family and I'm not?"
It was Matt's turn to look sheepish. He kicked at the peeling laminate floor with the toe of his shoe, looking like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Because I'm responsible for you and Dylan. You had just started working and Dylan had just gotten established at Deleon High, I didn't want either of you to go without or have to pick up more work to support me."
I gave Matt a sympathetic look and felt a pang of guilt, silently wishing I'd started pulling my weight sooner. I hadn't known Matt had even had a back injury before I'd moved in. I'd noticed him holding his lower back sometimes after work or his use of over-the-counter pain meds nearly a handful at a time. He was only 26 and had gone through entirely too much hardship for his age.
"How about all three of you agree to take better care of yourselves?"
We turned to see Dylan rubbing his eyes from the hallway, dressed in a pair of baggy sweatpants that were likely hand-me-downs from Matt.
The youngest Wooding boy walked lazily into the kitchen and dragged himself onto a barstool, groaning as he realized he'd sat on the one that wobbled. Despite his mild discomfort, the ginger teen continued. "I'm the only one in the house with a semi-normal schedule right now. I think it would be good for all of us if Kris went back to work. You and Luna could stop working so much overtime and Kris could stop moping around here all day."
Kris shot Dylan an indignant look but didn't protest.
Matt thought for a moment, running a hand over the delicate stubble that adorned his chin. "We need another vehicle. With everyone working different schedules, we can't really use the Chevy to take everyone to work."
---
Integrity Motors did not live up to it's name.
Two dozen cars in various states of disrepair adorned the cracked pavement of the car lot. Handmade price stickers were haphazardly taped to aging windshields, citing 'low prices' that were well over the fair market value. As we wandered closer to a particularly rusty sedan, a salesman materialized, seemingly out of nowhere.
The tall, balding salesman smiled lecherously at me and Kris before turning his attention to Matt. "So, young man, what brings you to Integrity Motors today?"
Matt, unimpressed by the older man, flatly gestured to the sea of jalopies. "We need a second car. Preferably something from this century with minimal rust that hasn't been rode hard and put up wet."
If the salesman lost any bravado because of Matt's bluntness, he didn't show it. Instead, he walked to the rusty sedan and with a loud squeal of grinding metal, opened the door. Ushering us closer, he spoke confidently. "I think this beauty is exactly what you've been looking for. Low miles and a plush interior with a one-of-a-kind paint job."
I looked at the mismatched spray-painted body, a mod podge of browns, blacks, and greens making a feeble attempt at a camo pattern. "One of a kind, sure." I stifled my giggle behind my hand and glanced up to see Kris doing the same.
Matt shook his head at our antics and slid into the driver's seat. The salesman fished around in his pocket before pulling out a key to the sedan, and handing it to Matt. The car took two tries to crank up, a shrill squeal coming from under the hood. I covered my ears instinctively, wincing at the painful noise.
Matt shot the salesman a blistering look as he returned the jalopy's keys, causing the grimy man to turn on his heel and gesture to a beaten-down SUV. "Maybe this is more what you are looking for." His confident tone wavered for a moment as he watched Matt struggle to get out of the camo nightmare.
Kris opened the door of the faded blue SUV, shuddering as she noticed the abundance of cobwebs under the seat. The salesman chuckled hesitantly. "Let me see about finding you a key." He quickly scurried away, leaving us to meander around the dilapidated car lot.
I scanned the lot before turning to Matt. "I don't think we're going to find what we're looking for here. Most of these cars look really overpriced and in awful condition. I think we'd be better off trying another lot."
Before the slippery salesman could come back, we quickly piled into Matt's truck and turned our sights on a more trustworthy car lot. From the rearview, I could see him standing halfway out of the glass door, looking rather deflated and I couldn't help the snicker that left my lips.
As we pulled onto the main highway, I glanced down at my phone, noticing a few texts from Lily. Links for bridesmaids' dresses in various styles, asking my opinion. Ever since I agreed to be part of the wedding weeks ago, I have been bombarded with wedding ideas.
As we left the dilapidated Integrity Motors in the rearview, we set out in search of a more promising car lot. The cold air ripped through my thin sweater as I stepped out of the Chevy, making me shudder. I examined the dealership, turning my head to look up at the crooked sign, proudly proclaiming 'Deleon Quality Cars; Affordable Autos and Great Service'. I hoped this lot lived up to his name more then Integrity had.
Across the pavement was an assortment of various cars in different stages of decay, but there were a few that looked promising. One such vehicle was a two-door navy blue hatchback that looked like a spaceship, with soft, rounded lines that formed into an elongated hood. The paint was peeling on the hood, but the car seemed to be in a much better state than the jalopies we'd seen at Integrity.
Kris and Matt had gathered around a van that looked remarkably like her old one and I broke away from them to examine the sedan. I approached the car, running my fingers over the mottled blue paint and smiling to myself. I tried the drivers' door and to my surprise, it opened. The scent of cheap 'new car' air freshener and stale air greeted me as I slid into the driver's seat.
I ran my hands over the cracked wheel and examined the interior of the vehicle. It reminded me of Taylor's Camry, Maggie. I couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth. The interior was well-worn but not abused, the plush grey seats showing fraying on the corners. I noticed that one of the knobs that controlled the air conditioning was nearly split in two.
To my delight, I flipped the lever controlling the lights and watched as the headlights popped up from the hood.
I was so enraptured by the car I didn't notice the salesman until he leaned against the vehicle. Startled, I looked up at him. The middle-aged man wore a pale blue polo emblazoned with the Deleon Quality Cars logo. He gave me a warm, friendly smile. "What do you think of this beauty?"
I stammered for a moment, caught off guard. "It's nice. Um, Matt and Kris are the ones you'd want to talk to, though. They're the ones buying."
"Let me know if you'd like to test drive it." The salesman turned on his heel to find that Matt and Kris were walking towards us. As they got closer, I could see them exchange a knowing smile and hopeful glances.
"We're looking for something reliable, decent mileage, and inexpensive." Cautiously optimistic, Matt folded his arms and examined the car.
The salesman nodded, tapping his chin. "These cars are known for being pretty reliable, the only issues you tend to have is the seals around the windows and if you don't take care of the transmission, it can be a bit finicky."
Matt watched the older man, nodding emphatically.
"Would you like to take her for a spin? I can go get the keys."
The older Wooding siblings looked at me expectantly. I looked back at the vehicle before nodding shyly. It wasn't the most practical car, with its hatchback design and cramped backseat, but I had to admit I could see myself happily driving it for years to come.
The salesman, Chuck, scampered inside and returned momentarily with the keys. With some effort, I climbed into the claustrophobic backseat and found it surprisingly comfortable. Kris leaned against a car with her crutches and waved us off as the salesman climbed into the passenger seat.
The car started on the first crank, quietly purring to life. We turned out of the sales lot and onto the main highway. Hitting the gas, we found the vehicle was surprisingly nimble for its advanced age. It breezed through the curves of the main highways and accelerated smoothly.
I watched the scenery whiz by through the back windows and rear glass. I smiled as Matt whipped the car onto a back road and started to put the car through its paces before returning to the dealership. The salesman smiled at Matt's playful smirk and as we turned back onto the highway and slowed to turn into the dealership.
As we put the car in park, the salesman immediately tried to strike a deal. "We just got it in on trade, I could probably get it out the door for you for around three grand, with five hundred down, of course."
Matt sucked air in through his teeth. It was a decent price for the car, but the down payment was a bit hard to swallow. "How much would our payments be?"
The salesman looked pensive for a moment before pulling out his phone and doing some calculations. "I could get you in it for 145 biweekly, 15% interest for two years."
Matt winced. "Let me talk to my sister."
—
After some fierce debating between Matt and Kris, the elder Wooding boy reluctantly agreed to the salesman's demands. I watched him from the leasing office, reading over paperwork with the sales manager..
I had no credit and on paper, didn't make enough money to buy the car outright, so Matt had put the car in his name and when either me or Dylan had enough money to buy it from him, we could.
The weight of our impulsive decision hung in the air and the weight threatened to suffocate me. I glanced at Kris, who was seated next to me in Matt's Chevy with her arms crossed. "You okay, Kris?"
She nodded, rubbing her arm. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried about money."
I looked grimly at the car and felt the guilt pooling in my stomach. I patted her good leg reassuringly, biting my lip. "You know, we could keep looking, maybe there's something less expensive and more... practical."
Kris gave me a deadpan look. "You loved that car from the moment you saw it. You deserve a reward for all the work you do for this family."
I looked away, sighing. "I guess. But still, I know it's a little over our budget."
Kris chuckled dryly. "Most things are over our budget nowadays. Besides, that thing is sporty enough Dylan will like it, but not so sporty he'll kill himself in it being stupid."
I glanced at the gleaming blue car and smiled slightly. "Yeah, it is pretty nice, huh?"
Kris gave me a knowing grin. "You made a good choice, kid."
"I'm only like a year and a half younger than you."
"Just a child, I tell you!" Kris put an arm over her face dramatically.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Matt emerging from the office with a triumphant smile. As he made his way to the car, I popped the driver's door open for him and hopped out.
Matt tossed the keys to me and I felt excitement bubble in the pit of my stomach. "Have fun, be safe, don't die!" He called to me, climbing into his pickup.
As I walked towards my new car, I squealed internally. Sure, I had to share it with Dylan, but it was technically mine. Bought for me, specifically.
I pulled the door open with a creak and slid behind the wheel. The car rumbled confidently to life, mirroring my newfound sense of freedom. I seamlessly merged onto the main highway, beginning my journey home.
I cracked the window, letting the crisp air whip across my face. It was freezing, but I didn't care. I could hear a symphony of sounds; the soft purr of the engine, the sounds of Deleon echoing in the background.
With each mile taking me out of the city and towards our home, the worries of the day melted into the rearview. The sleepy road stretched out before me and I felt as if I was flying in my car.
My car.
The thought exhilarated me and as the midday sun faded into afternoon, I let out a happy sigh, enjoying every mile of my drive home.
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