My response to the Light and Shade Challenge.
Jeff kept his professional smile as he
showed the couple around the car dealership.
“It’s a very reasonable price,” he
said. The Ford Fusion gleamed. “Very low mileage and we include a full
service before delivery.”
India’s lips were pressed together so hard
that you couldn’t see her lipstick. “I
don’t see why I have to pay out for that
kid.”
“Sweetheart, it’s my godson. He’s seventeen, he has a hobby…”
“He’s a spoiled brat.” She turned back to Jeff. “The kid is just going to take it to pieces. He hasn’t even got his licence yet…”
“He’s got his test booked…” Jason said
helplessly, taking a swift mouthful out of a small flask as India turned back
to Jeff.
India hadn’t noticed the flask. “I have to scrape by and make do, but when it
comes to the kid he can’t say no.”
“His name’s Oliver.” Jason muttered.
India shrugged then turned to Jeff. “Honestly, something a little cheaper.”
“He should have been called Nancy.” Jason mumbled.
“Oliver
can see it as a project. What have
you got that needs work?”
“I wouldn’t let them call him Bill.” Jason
managed another crafty mouthful from the flask.
“You’re making less sense than usual.”
India looked at Jeff. “Anything?”
Jeff smiled. “Between you and me, there’s one vehicle we
weren’t thinking of selling at this moment,”he said with absolute truth. It was booked for the scrapyard. “It’s a fixer upper, but at a very good price.”
“What do you mean?” India followed Jeff to
where the wrecks were stored.
“It’s a nice little car.” Jeff waved a
hand at the red wreck in front of them.
“Once it’s done up it could be quite desirable. Is the lad handy?”
“He’s a good lad.” Jason said
quietly. “Good with his hands. I was thinking of taking him on as an
apprentice.”
Jeff watched India’s hands clench into
fists and then slowly unclench. Then her
shoulders slumped. She nodded. “We’ll take it.”
“Why don’t you look it over while I sort out
the paperwork.” Jeff didn’t like leaving people alone, but today was an
exception. “I’ll be back in five
minutes.”
Jason slumped against the Toyota, shielding
India as she knelt next to the wheel arch and quickly felt inside. She looked up. “Keep talking to cover me,” she whispered.
“She could have called him Sikes,” Jason
said, his voice getting a little louder. “She never called him after me.”
“Hang on.” The woman struggled a little
then nodded. “I’ve got it.” She pulled out a small, tightly wrapped package. “Okay, let’s stage the argument and get out
of here.”
Jeff was shuffling the paperwork on the when
he heard them shouting.
“What do you mean, he’s your son?” India
yelled. “I can’t believe it. After all these years!” She stormed over to
their car and threw herself into the driver’s seat.
“Sweetheart…” Jason scrambled into the
passenger side as the car rattled out of the yard and screeched around the
corner onto the main road.
Jeff shrugged. He may have lost a sale, but at least he
didn’t have a headache.
