by Eric Howling
"Ed!?Ed!...Ed!"
Chapter Fifteen
"I still don't know why you needed to buy a new one so fast," Mom said. "Mildred is a perfectly good car."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, perfectly good if you don't mind being laughed at by all your friends. Can you imagine me pulling up at school in that?"
Mom pursed her lips like she always did when she wasn't happy about something. "The only good thing about getting your license is that you don't have to take those driving lessons any more."
"I thought you wanted me to take lessons."
"I did but not with some older woman. I couldn't believe my eyes when that cougar came by the house that one time to pick you up for a lesson."
"Scarlett was an instructor not a cougar, Mom."
"Well, she was too attractive to be in a car alone with my young boy. I didn't trust her."
I shook my head and walked over to the window, pulling open the drapes. There it was parked in the driveway-my new, well at least new to me, Honda Civic.
The car wasn't shiny like Scarlett's but ten years old with a few scratches and dents. It wasn't electric blue but more of a sickly mustard yellow. It wasn't as fast but it did get to the speed limit, eventually. But the best thing about the car is that it wasn't as expensive as Scarlett's. I tracked it down on Kijiji and managed to whittle down the asking price to only three grand. That meant I had some cash leftover from the reward money for insurance and gas.
"I have to go to work Mom," I said, reaching for the car keys in my pocket. "My shift at the store starts in twenty minutes."
"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you?" Mom asked, looking concerned. "You only got your license yesterday. Maybe you should pedal your old bike for a few weeks. You know, just ease into driving every so often and then in a few months-"
"See you later, Mom."
Out of habit I picked up my helmet but quickly put it back laughing at myself for thinking my transportation still had two wheels. I hopped in my new ride and made the short drive to 7-Eleven. I swung around back but every spot was taken so I parked in the customer lot out front.
I had only been working the cash for a few minutes when I heard the growl of a familiar engine pull up. Trey, Fish and Kat slammed the doors of the Mustang and came in chattering like chipmunks. Trey and Kat waved as they headed to the snack aisle. A few bags of chips, pretzels and caramel popcorn later they were back at the counter.
"What's the damage Ed?" Trey asked, pulling out his wallet.
"Judging by what we just saw in the parking lot, I'd say that wreck of a Civic." Fish smirked as he laughed. "I feel sorry for whoever has to drive that old yellow beater. It looks like a banana on wheels."
"Yeah, it's seen better days but it's all I could afford."
"That's your car?" Trey asked, taking a quick glance at it out the window.
"Yup," I said, standing tall from my normal slouch, not caring what Fish thought.
"Well I think it's cute," Kat said. "You deserve to buy a car with that reward money."
"Hmm," Trey said. "That gives me an idea."
"Me too," Fish said, smugly. "I'm going to call a tow truck. He'll be needing it."
Trey gave Fish a sideways glance. "At least Ed has a car and isn't mooching rides off me all the time."
After shutting down Fish, Trey looked me in the eye. "I've been wracking my brain for a way to pay you back and I think I've found it."
I shook my head. "No need, Trey."
"All your car needs is a paint job and it would look like new."
"Yellow's not so bad," I said. "At least other drivers can see me on the road so it's safe."
"But what if it was red?" Trey asked, breaking into a smile.
"And not just any red," Kat said, grabbing her boyfriend's arm.
"That's right," Trey said. "Mustang red."
I wrinkled my brow and stared at Trey puzzled.
"I can get your car custom painted at my dad's dealership."
"That sounds awesome but I can't afford it."
"You don't have to-it's on me," Trey said. "I'll make an appointment in the shop and I'll let you know when to bring it in."
"You would do that for me?"
Trey nodded. "Your red Civic and my red Mustang sitting side by side in the Midtown parking lot is going to look totally cool."
"Totally," I said, ringing up and bagging the snacks.
"Let's move out," Trey said, leaving Fish to pick up the bags as usual.
Kat waved goodbye then elbowed Trey in the ribs.
"Hey, I almost forgot Ed. We're having another party Saturday night. Why don't you swing by?"
"Why so happy tonight?" Bruno asked, coming by at nine o'clock to end my shift. "It's cold and rainy outside."
"It sure is." I grinned, fingering my keys on the way to the front door. "It's the perfect weather for riding home."
Eric Howling is the author of six Young Adult novels: Gang Tackle, Head Hunter, Red Zone Rivals, Hoop Magic, Kayak Combat and Drive. His books have been shortlisted for the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, included on Resource Links' Year's Best list and picked as CCBC Best Books selections. Eric lives and plays sports in Calgary, Alberta. Learn more at:
www.erichowling.wordpress.com.
