"So when are you going to get a car?"
After AP Chemistry had concluded, Edward and his friend Rollie Ritter, a fellow JROTC member, were heading to their last class of the day, AP World History, with a really strict teacher, Mr. Wong.
"What?" Ed turned to face his classmate. Rollie, his dark brown hair cut military style, smirked at him.
"You heard me, you aren't deaf, are you?"
Ed gave him a dirty look. "Nah, man. I have ears. As for your question, I am going after school to Dennis's Lot."
As they entered the checkered hallway of the King Building of Carpenter High, the boys chattered away about Dennis's Lot.
Rollie just shook his head. "Come on, man. Dennis Garaglino is known to be a cheat. That greasy bastard only has one thing in his mind. It's called profit. He has been known to cheat and rip off customers with overpriced vehicles, not to mention faulty ones. Just save your money and perhaps you can find a better place that offers the car of your choice. You may have to pay more out of pocket, but quality is really important."
Edward just sighed as they entered Mr. Wong's class. "I'll keep that in mind."
As the two took their seats beside Cassidy Waters and Alex Jamgojian, Mr. Wong decided to jump the gun and kick off class.
"Good afternoon, class. I know, we are approaching the summer months now, but it is still important to pay attention and do well in class. It is the month of February and the AP test is in May. Just buckle down for a few months and you are free. How does that sound?"
As the teacher rattled on, Edward's ears heard him, but his mind didn't register what he had said. It wouldn't have made a difference had he been speaking Norwegian or Portuguese. All that was on his mind was the car. Despite what Rollie had said, he would still try his luck at Dennis's Lot after school. Surely, the chiseler had a car that was a good fit for him.
---
"I can't believe you still want to set foot in that S%$tshow of a car lot. I am telling you, you are going to get swindled."
Seated inside Rollie's black Dodge Challenger, the duo came upon Dennis's Lot, situated near the edge of where the vast Mojave Desert spawled into the beyond. The sunlight was starting to wane as the clouds started to congregate on the horizon. Cars of all sizes and color filled the lot as the duo exited Rollie's vehicle. For some reason, Edward felt the clouds on the horizon, partially obscuring the setting sun, gave the lot an ominous appearance.
It is almost like something from an early 2000s horror flick.
"See anything you like?" Rollie nudged his buddy. "I can guarantee you that it will break down as soon as you hit the road."
Before Eddie could respond to Rollie's query, his eyes fell upon a car that stood out like a sore thumb. Nestled between a yellow Camaro and a silver Accord was a maroon and white Plymouth Fury, glowing a ghostly shade in the small beam of light that shone from the sun behind a gray cloud.
"Dude, you see that Fury?" He pointed at the strange car. "That thing is an antique. I wonder what the hell it is doing sitting among Dennis's junk?"
"May I help you?"
Both teens turn to see Dennis Garaglino slinker out of his office like a cat zeroing in on a couple of birds. Dressed in a yellow and black checkered suit, the car salesman looked like some villain from a 70s comic strip. Fingering his mustache, Dennis's hazel eyes glanced between the two boys.
"Yeah, can you tell me more about that baby over there?"
Dennis glanced over at the antique and smiled slightly. "Oh yes, I found her in my stall the other day, not sure who brought her in, but it could have been either Norman or Josue. Either way, I figured a baby like her would sell for a good amount of moola. What do you say?"
Eddie was already over the Plymouth Fury, examining its doors , wheels and interior. It may have looked like an untouchable old car not fit to return to the roads, but for reasons unknown, the vehicle beckoned to him. He noticed that the side door opened as if on an automation and the Honors student stuck his head inside to check it out.
Hey big guy, you wanna go for a ride? Hop on in!
Blinking twice, Eddie glanced around to see where the feminine voice came from. It sounded sweet and seductive as if it was layered with honey. The inside of the car smelled like how an old car was expected to smell-damp and dusty. He wouldn't be surprised to find mothballs amongst the seats.
"Hmmm, you are sure something. What do they call you?"
Not even questioning why he was talking to a car as if it were a sentient being, Edward just felt drawn to it like it was some sort of succubus or siren. As if it understood the teen's words, the radio shot on an oldies song 'Christine' by Siouxsie and the Banshees. As the song blared, Eddie was already in love.
"Dayum!" He moved back as Rollie and Dennis walked over to him. "This baby sure is something. Does she have something like Alexa or Siri installed inside her? She responded to my command as if on cue."
Dennis scrunched up his face. "Not that I recall. Maybe the previous owner had installed a similar system , if not Josue or Norman. Is that an issue?"
"Not at all!" Edward grinned as he sat in the driver's seat. "How much you want for it? Don't worry about no test drive or some s&^t like that. I must have her."
Rollie just sighed. He couldn't help but feel that they were in for a long haul.
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