CHAPTER 96

About an hour later, Mrs Timmons called me and told me that her husband was going to be stuck late in a business meeting and asked if I could make it the following evening, which was Friday, about the same time. I told her that would be fine, I would see them tomorrow. I wasn't scheduled to leave until Saturday night, so I still had about days to do what was needed. Since I had the night free now, I had no idea what to do. I asked Ashley if she had any ideas, she really didn't .

I really didn't feel like sitting at home, but had no clue as to what to do. I decided I was going to go to the local pizza parlor where the young kids still hung out. I asked Ashley if she wanted to go, she told me that she felt like staying in and relaxing. I cleaned up, changed clothes and drove over to the pizza place, it was close to eight at night. I went in, the place was packed, mostly teenager's as I remembered it. I sat down at a small booth, ordered a medium pizza and a coke, then leaned back looking out the window to the street. Maybe a half minute later, I heard a very soft, female voice behind me, causing me to turn my head.

"Hey Brian, what are you doing here ?"

I turned and it took me a minute to realize who it was, there stood Gia, Courtney's baby sister, only now a young teenager.

"Hey peanut, what are you doing here ? Where's Mom and Dad ?", I asked.

"At home, I am here with my friends.", she said, pointing over her shoulder, at two other girls with two boys.

"You just got here ?", I asked.

"Yep, just walked in.", she replied.

"Well let's get a big table, I will buy for everyone.", I offered.

"Cool.", she said, summoning her friends over.

I got up, found my waitress and told her I needed her to come over to the table the youngsters had picked and add their orders to mine. She told me she would be there shortly. I walked back across the restaurant to the table and sat down next to Gia. She made the introductions quickly, as only a teenager could.

"Hey guys, this is Brian. He was my sister's boyfriend. He plays football in the pro's, I'm not sure for who though.", she stated, very matter of factly.

"Hey guys, I am Brian Stevens, I grew up here in this town, went to your high school, I now live in San Diego.", I added.

"Hey, I think I heard of you.", said one of the guys.

I had to laugh at their naivety, it was fun being young with no worries. Just about that time, the waitress showed up to take the order.

"Order whatever you want, I am paying guys. Go all out.", I offered them.

They immediately ordered three large pizzas with everything, then soft drinks for the girls. One of the guys, who appeared to be a bit older than the rest, looked directly at me.

"Is it cool if we order beer ?", he asked, a sort of cockiness in his voice.

"Not gonna happen sunshine, so get it out of your head. You're a kid, act like one.", I told him.

"That's so lame dude.", he replied, "I get beer all the time."

"He's with you Gia ?", I asked.

"No, he's Cindy's boyfriend.", she said, pointing to the girl to her right.

"Ok, then it's not my business, but you're not getting any beer with me here.", I told him.

The waitress finished the order and left us, the mood at the table had grown solemn. The cocky older boy, whose name was Roger, was one of those who never could let something go. I knew the type, they were going to get the last word in no matter what. He kept pushing the issue.

"So, I guess you never drank beer when you were sixteen huh ?", he asked, with a smirk on his face.

"Actually, no I didn't. I was too busy with school and football, I didn't have time to take chances gambling on my future.", I told him calmly, "And if you doubt me, you can ask Gia's parents, they have known me since I was your age."

"Whatever dude.", he said, a look of disgust on his face.

Just about that time the waitress brought the pizza's and the drinks, and the kids began to eat. I could tell Gia was a bit nervous, I think she felt I was going to confront her friend further. I decided I was going to leave early, let the kids enjoy the rest of the evening.

"Hey peanut, I am gonna head home ok ?", I told her.

"Aw why Brian, hang out with us.", she replied.

Just about that time, a very pretty young brunette, I am guessing in her mid to late twenties came walking over to our table. She approached slowly, then stopped a few feet away. She waited until I turned and acknowledged her presence.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but are you Brian Stevens ?", she asked.

"Yes, I am.", I replied.

"I went to school with you, only I was two grades ahead of you. I watch you play all the time. Would you mind taking a picture with me ?", she asked.

"Not at all.", I replied.

I got up, took her phone and handed it to Gia. I stood next to the woman, placed my arm around her waist, Gia snapped two quick pictures. Gia then handed the woman back her phone, which she slid into her pocket.

"Thanks so much, my friends would never have believed you were here," she told me.

I sat back down for a second, finished my soda, then reached for the check. I once again told the group to have fun but be sure to stay safe. I told Gia to tell her parents I would see them tomorrow night. I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, telling her to be careful. I walked over to the register, paid the check, tipped the waitress then left.

I drove back home, it was about ten o'clock when I walked through the back door. I could hear the TV on in the family room, I knew Ashley was in there. I grabbed a soda from the refrigerator and joined her on the sofa. She had already changed for the evening, she was wearing a mid thigh, oversized tee shirt, not much else. I finished my drink, headed down the hall, took a shower, then dressed for bed. By now it was after eleven, I could still see the TV in the front room. I decided to go straight to bed, seeing Ashley dressed as she did very little to help the situation. Thankfully I fell asleep quickly, I slept well until I heard Ashley in the kitchen moving around. I got up, went to the bathroom then joined her in the kitchen. I poured a cup of coffee, then sat at the kitchen table.

"Hey how about we go look at cars today over in Midway, see what they have to offer ?", I asked.

"Brian, I told you I don't think I can afford a new car," she replied.

"Let's just go look, it can't hurt.", I answered.

"Ok fine, we will go look.", she shot back.

We both dressed and took the one hour drive to Midway, a large city to the north. It offered much more selection than the two small dealers in our town, there were at least nine dealerships within a few miles. We went from one dealership to the next, mostly just looking, everything she seemed to like, she felt was out of her price range. We had just left one of the larger lots, when we passed a lot specializing in foreign imports. Without saying a word, I pulled into the lot, parking quickly in the front of the building. We had brought Ashley's SUV, just in case I could get someone to work us a deal. Before we were barely out of the vehicle, a well dressed woman in her mid forties approached us, asking if she could help us look at something.

"We need to find her a car, if possible.", I answered.

"What do you have in mind ?", she inquired.

"How about we look around for a few minutes, then get back to you ?", I replied.

She agreed and walked back into the large glass building, as Ashley and I began to walk between the rows of cars. They represented several foreign manufacturers including BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volvo. I followed Ashley as she went from vehicle to vehicle, but it seemed that the only thing concerned her was the price on the window of the vehicle. I wandered off alone, I was looking at a beautiful white Mercedes E550 with a tan interior. I opened up the door looking inside, the car was fully loaded. The sticker on the car was over sixty one thousand dollars but I knew now from dealing with Alexis, negotiation was the key. I was sitting behind the wheel of the car as Ashley approached me, walking quickly.

"Brian, let's go, I can't afford anything here. I'm going to just get my SUV fixed and be done with it.", she told me.

By now, our salesman was walking back up to us, leather portfolio in hand. She leaned into the car, smiling warmly at me.

"Nice isn't it ?", she asked.

"Not bad, I like it, can we take it out for a drive ?", I asked.

"We sure can, let me get the keys.", she answered, heading back inside.

"Brian, what are you doing, I can't afford this. Please, let's go.", she pleaded.

"After we test drive this, we can go.", I answered.

The woman reappeared quickly, handing me the keys to the car. I reached over and placed the keys in Ashley's hand, then walked to the passenger side of the car. I knew Ashley well enough by now to know she was getting a bit upset with me, but I knew she wouldn't say anything in public. I got in the rear of the vehicle as Ashley got behind the wheel, the sales woman in the front passenger side. As soon as Ashley started up the car, the lady was explaining all the features on the interior such as the automatic climate control, surround sound stereo, built-in GPS and phone system. She instructed Ashley to back out of the lot, and take the main highway into town. We hadn't gone more than three or four blocks when I noticed Ashley's edginess had disappeared, a smile was on her face. I could tell, she really liked this car. After about a fifteen minute test drive, we found ourselves back on the lot.

"So what do you think about the car ?", the lady asked Ashley.

"Oh my God, I love it, but I can't afford this on a teacher's salary.", she answered.

I was standing behind Ashley, she couldn't see me, I made a signal to the lady to keep her talking. The lady caught on quickly, inviting us inside to take a look at financing options. Ashley shrugged her shoulders , we both followed the woman inside. She led us to her office, promising to return with the invoice for the vehicle we have just test drove. She returned several minutes later with a large manilla folder, sitting down behind her desk and opening it.

"Ok, let's see. This vehicle lists for sixty one eight, I can go fifty nine five, with sixty month financing.", she said, looking up.

"I'm thinking more like fifty, maybe fifty one.", I replied.

"Oh, there's no way, I can get anywhere near that price.", she shot back.

"Sure you can, I got close to fourteen percent off the sticker of my 750Li.", I responded.

"You own a 750Li ?", she asked.

"Yes mam, back home in San Diego.", I answered.

"Well wait here, let me go talk to the manager.", she said, getting up from her desk.

"Look, while you're out there, have someone drive the SUV we have, give us a trade in price on it.", I asked.

"OK, I will get one of the other salesmen to do that.", she said, walking out of the door.

She was gone for close to thirty minutes, while Ashley and I basically sat there in silence. She reappeared, with a few more sheets of paper in hand, another manilla folder under her arm.

"Ok, we drove your SUV, it needs a little work, but it's not bad. It does have low mileage, and the body and interior are both excellent.", she started.

"Now, my manager agreed, I can go fifty five, five on the car, then give you six thousand on the SUV in trade. That leaves you at forty nine five to finance." she finished, looking up from her paperwork.

"I'm still thinking fifty one on the 550, you give her twelve on the SUV.", I offered.

"No way my manager goes for that.", she replied quickly.

"Well, why don't we get him in here, then see what we can do.", I asked.

I knew the game and how it was played. The salesman pretended to leave the room and go back and forth with the manager, when in fact, the manager rarely ever had to get personally involved in the deal. Within minutes she was back with a younger man, very well dressed, who introduced himself as the owner of the dealership.

"How can I help you today ?", he asked, shaking my hand.

"You can help her drive off in that white E550 you have outside.", I replied, pointing to Ashley.

He asked the saleswoman where the negotiations were at and she quickly brought him up to exactly where we both stood. He turned back to me, a serious look on his face. From his question, I knew he was thinking I was far too young to be looking at this type of automobile.

"You're serious about the 550 ? We do have some other vehicles on the lot a little less expensive, but still extremely nice. Maybe the price range would be more manageable.", he offered.

"The price is not a problem, I'm just not over paying for the vehicle.", I replied.

He turned around and looked back at the balance sheet the woman was working off of, running the numbers through his head quickly.

"So what do you think is fair ?", he asked, feeling me out.

I thought quickly and remembered something Alexis' had said to the dealer while I was looking at the Escalade.

"Let's be honest here. You don't have someone walking in here everyday ready to drive a fifty plus thousand dollar car off your lot.", I answered, "Not in a town like this.

"How about you go outside, look at her trade in yourself, then come back and give me your rock bottom price on the car. If I like it, we drive off right now, if not we shake hands and leave ?", I told him.

"Fair enough.", he said, motioning for his sales woman to follow him back out.