by JL Bryan
Chapter Twelve
Jason pulled into Mitch's driveway on Monday evening. He drove a black Corvette, like the one his dad kept under the drop cloth in the garage, except Jason's was newer and actually worked. He'd spent a big chunk of his signing bonus on the car, but it felt like it was worth it. No more pedaling his bike around town like some little kid.
He'd driven past Erin's house, hoping she'd be outside and he could offer her a ride. Or, at least, she could see him driving something a little nicer than a Schwinn. No such luck, though.
“This place looks good!” Jason said as Mitch stepped outside. Jason pointed to Mitch's house, which had been extensively repaired from foundation to roof, erasing much of the damage done by Dred's drums.
“Oh, yeah, the insurance figured it had to be an earthquake. They're taking care of...whoa, is this a 'vette?”
“A Corvette,” Jason said. “You can say the whole word. It's not that long.”
“Nice.” Mitch walked a slow lap around the car, admiring it. “I need one of these.”
“Just something to get around with,” Jason said.
“It's a lot more than that!” Mitch opened the passenger door. “Man, when you told me you were picking me up, I thought you'd be rocking your mom's station wagon.”
Jason smiled.
Mitch sank into the black seat beside him and pulled the door closed. He gazed lovingly at the interior. “You spent your bonus on one of these. That's totally something Mick Jagger would do.”
“He'd probably buy something British. Jaguar, Aston Martin...”
“Whatever. How about the stereo?”
“It's great!”
“Then why is it not blasting holes in my eardrums right now?” Mitch asked.
“You asked for it.” Jason cranked up the radio, where a song by Idaho rapper DJ Smoov-Moov had just begun blaring from the local rock station. It was called “The Shaker Maker”:
I don’t hesitate
I make ya shake
Prepare to get shook
Next time you look...