18 Chapter Eighteen

Jensen smiled, it was cute. How she worried about him.

He got up and went to sit on her couch with her. He gave her a hug and peck on her cheek.

"I understand, Elaine". He said. "And I appreciate you worrying about me and looking out for me. But you don't have to. Believe me I'm fine. I promise... Okay?".

Elaine gave him a look. "That's what you used to say after she left. You said you were fine when you clearly weren't. You were clearly hurting and you shut everyone out"

"Well I am fine now.. And that's not going to happen this time. I've got this"

"Are you happy that she is back?" Elaine asked.

"I honestly don't know, Elaine" Jensen replied. "Why do you ask? It doesn't matter"

"You still love her, don't you, Jensen?" Elaine asked.

"No... I mean. It doesn't matter. All I'm doing is letting her get a store in my building, Elaine. Chill okay, It's not that deep".

"Sure" Elaine said. "If you say so".

But she didn't believe him one bit.

—————————————

"Mom, can I come to see your store after school today?" Tim asked as he ate his breakfast.

Katherine's father, Jonah, was also at the dining table.

"That would be nice, honey" Katherine said. "But aren't you going to be tired after all the school work?"

"Not really... Don't you want me to come see your store?"

"Of course I do, honey." Katherine said. "I just don't want you stressing yourself too much that's all. You could come on Saturday"

"Alright. But it's no problem, Mom. I can still come today"

"You know there are no cupcakes there now, right?" Katherine asked smiling.

"Relax, Mom. I know" Tim said.

"Okay. So I will come pick you up after school then"

"Or maybe I could just take my bicycle" Tim said.

"No, sweetie. I don't think so".

"But Mom...." Tim began

"I said no. Now finish your breakfast. You are going to be late."

"Hey, pumpkin. You should let him". Jonah said.

"But Dad...."

"It is not that far, honey. And nothing ever happens in this town. You know it's safe. I remember when you were little, you...."

"Okay, okay Dad." Katherine interrupted. "No need for that... I guess I can let him go"

"Yayyyy" Tim said excitedly.

"But just today. I don't want you riding your bike all over town. And you come straight to the store"

"Thanks mom. Thanks grandpa" Tim said as he left the dining table to get his school bag.

———————————————

"Damm it, damn it, damn it" Timothy Kavell said as he kicked the flat tire of his bicycle. "Shit" he cursed again.

He luxuriated in saying all the words he heard from movies and grown ups sometimes. If his mother caught him talking like that, she would ground him for a week at least. Or take away his video games. But no one was there with him now. So he let fly with another round of vulgarities.

His mom didn't want him riding his bicycle to her store. And now, with this stupid flat tire, she would say she was right and she wouldn't let him ride in bike there anymore.

Timothy looked down at the bike balefully. If he rode on it, he would ruin it the more. His mom was surely going to find out about the bad tire. So there was no need to hide it. So he decided to just roll it to the store.

A car sped past him, sending up a cloud of dust. Timothy waved the dust out of his face. He was so angry, so he shot the driver the finger.

Immediately, the brake lights of the car flashed on.

"Oh no" Timothy thought fearfully. He was in big trouble. To his further mortification, the car began backing up.

"Oh shit" another trouble for him. Today was definitely not his day. He thought. He licked his lips and waited.

The fancy car rolled to a stop beside him. The passenger window lowered.

Timothy wanted to run. But he didn't want to look like a wuss, so he stood right there.

"Hey, little man" the driver said.

Timothy swallowed a wad of nervous spit.

"Hi" he said, trying not to sound too scared.... And failing.

"Did you just give me the finger?" the driver asked.

Timothy's knees turned to jelly. He suddenly had to pee real bad.

"Yes sir" Tim managed to answer truthfully.

"You know that is not nice, right?" the man asked

"Yes I do?"

"So why did you do it?"

"You raised a lot of dust sir. I think you were speeding." Tim said.

"Look I'm sorry, kid. I was kind of in a hurry. And when I saw you it was already too late to slow down." he nodded towards the bike. "Looks like you are in trouble "

"My tire went flat." Tim said

"Were are you headed? "

"Crimson bay. My mom's store."

"Your mom?" the man repeated.

"Yeah. Miss Katherine Kavell. We just moved here so you might not know her. Though my mom is from around here"

"Hmmm" The man said and looked at Tim more closely. "I'm actually going to the same place. Would you like me to give you a ride there?"

"Oh. No. Thanks. I will just..."

"You bike will fit in the trunk"

"Oh I don't know, sir. Don't worry"

"Relax. I promise you are safe. Your mom and I know each other. Actually we have known each other since we were little. I don't know if she mentioned me to you — I'm Jensen Packard"

"Oh. I think I have heard her talk about you with my Uncle Jon" Tim said.

"Yeah that's right. So don't worry you are safe with me. I promise".

Tim knew he wasn't supposed to accept rides from strangers, but this man knew his mother and he knew his mom knew him. And he didn't have to be stuck on the road. So he accepted the ride.

He put his car in the trunk and got in the front seat of the car. It was a a really cool car.

"Thanks. Mr Packard" Tim said.

"Hey, just call me Jensen"

"Oh. Alright. Thanks... Jensen" Tim said smiling.

"What's your name?"

"Timothy. But my mom likes to call me Tim. Sometimes Timmy"

The way he made the comment made Jensen laugh.

"What would you like me to call you then?" Jensen asked.

"Timothy...but everyone already calls me Tim so I guess that's okay." Tim replied.