Page 53 of Till The Sun Dies (Checkmate 2)

What adventures has it had?

Why was it once a beautiful automobile, only to be dumped at the back of a farm?

“I would never dump you.” I run my fingertips along the faded paint and glance at the roof frame. Some of the old fabric remains, but it’s mostly dust now.

“But you protected your car, huh?” I lean over the door and run a hand over the almost immaculate leather bench seat. “Sitting in the weather for God knows how many years, but the leather is still almost perfect.” I imagine a whole new life for this car. A life of fun and sand and lazy days in the sun.

I imagine couples lying head to head on the backseat, with their feet hanging over the doors, their fingers twined, and their tongues teasing; words, caresses, sass.

I imagine Ang and… Frowning, I’m not sure who I imagine him with. She’s blurry to me, but she’s someone, and she’s beautiful and kind, because that’s what he deserves. I imagine them planning a lifetime together, and every plan they make will include this car.

“I wonder if I can buy it from him?” I walk around to the still open hood and run my thumb over the oil and dirt covered engine. “Will you ever run properly? Will you make me proud?”

I spend an hour with the beautiful car. I fiddle, but I don’t unpack any of the million boxes stacked against the wall.

This isn’t my car.

Not my garage, either.

I simply walk around and poke my nose into an engine bay that never invited me. I hum under my breath, and tuck my hands into my pockets when they itch to touch.

But when the mosquitoes eat me to death and the cicadas grow loud enough to drown out Jess’ giggles from upstairs – or perhaps Kane is done making out with her – I step back through the open door, flip the light switch, and head back upstairs.

Nine hours later, I come back to find two industrial sized bug zappers and a candy bar.

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