by J A Scooter
Jennifer could see the two men arguing, then Peter making a phone call before handing the phone to Jack.
It was obvious Jack was startled and turned to Peter incredulously. Without speaking, he handed the phone to Peter who spoke some rapid words into the phone and Jennifer could tell he was no longer bargaining but ordering someone to do something. He handed the phone back to Jack who was visibly dazed but he shook Peter’s hand before the two returned to Jennifer.
“Jennifer, I'm retiring and I’ve had a long life in car sales. Never has anyone bargained as hard as Peter and just as well, else the company would go bankrupt. The car is yours - insured, registered and on the road - all taxes paid for $25,990.”
“Got that wrong, Jack, $25,000. Forget the pre-delivery charges. We’ll do it free for this young lady.”
Jennifer hurled herself into Peter’s arms and kissed him repeatedly until Jack coughed, commenting, “I wish all my clients over the years had been as grateful. If I can be bold enough to interrupt, could I have some signatures on the papers and what special number plates would you like?”
Peter suggested, “‘JEN 808’ but tell me what you would like.”
Slowly Jennifer released Peter and sat back in her seat unable to comprehend how quickly the sale had ended. The question was posed again as Jennifer signed the papers. “Did Peter suggest that? Then I would love that number plate. Can I take the car now?” was her question as she signed the check and completed all the paperwork.
Jack laughed, “No! It won’t be ready until the close of business on Friday. You can pick it up from Peter’s workshop at say 5 Friday afternoon. However please, don’t ever bring Peter back here kicking tires with you.”
Jennifer was walking on air and didn’t notice Jack give Peter a hug, saying, “Peter, you're most generous. Look after that young lady and I hope you invite the wife and me to your wedding.”
Jennifer who had wanderer back to 'her' car did not hear Peter’s reply. “That was a little thank you for helping me in the sale. You’ve been a good manager over the years. Yes, you both will be there if, and when, I get married.”
When Jennifer, still starry eyed, returned to the office Jack gave her a hug. “Don’t forget to be at Peter’s five o'clock Friday else he will probably sell it on you. Look after this great bear. He’s a good man, a better man than anyone I know.”
They took their leave and wandered next door into the workshop to meet the staff. Joe was particularly suave, breaking into Italian and bowing low to kiss Jennifer’s hand. Suddenly he threw his head back allowing his magnificent tenor voice to resound off the ceiling of the workshop. ‘Non piu andrai’ by Mozart killed the hammering of cars being repaired.
Jennifer was surprised and embarrassed.
Laughing Peter explained, “It means 'Now my days of philandering are over'… Joe is trying to marry me off. Are you free sometime soon?”
The answer was a punch in the arm and Jennifer’s smile, “Just behave.”
It was when the magic of the day was ending and they sat in Peter’s car outside Jennifer’s apartment that Peter put forward a suggestion hoping she would agree to his plans.
“Would you like a weekend away from the city say up in the mountains or a secret place? Pack a bag, just a few things...” The words tumbled out. “That new car needs a long drive in the country to make that motor work. Perhaps we could head north where it’s warmer and not so crowded.”
Peter waited for an answer but there was none. “It would do the car the world of good.”
Remembering that he had told Ted that this weekend would see the start of the contract delivering trucks to Bathurst Peter froze. Seeing the hesitation in Jennifer’s eyes he shrugged, ‘The trucks can wait. Jennifer is more important than trucks
Slowly Jennifer shook her head.
“You really don’t trust me, do you, Jennifer? After all this time, you still don’t trust me so am I wasting my time loving you?” Peter looked surprised at his own vehemence as he walked around the car to assist Jennifer to her front door.
“On Friday, collect your car. I’ll not annoy you anymore. I’ll stay away. Why? Because again you have insulted me and frankly I don’t like it.
“I have no idea what’s in your pretty head but I sure don’t like the lack of trust. Goodbye, Jennifer, I’ll not worry you anymore. Find someone you can trust.”
Peter turned and without looking back started towards the car. With squealing tires, he left.
The next morning Joe demanded to know what was wrong. “Yesterday you were all smiles and so happy but today, nobody dares look at you or they get their head ripped off. Peter, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Just collect a car for pre-delivery from Jack next door. Put the best workers on it and you register it. The papers will be on the seat. I trust your driving. The others may flog it. It is for a special person who no longer wants me.”
Quickly Peter turned away not wishing Joe to sense the true depth of his loss. The morning dragged and Peter stood in the doorway staring into space when a certain British Racing Green Mini made its way slowly past him into the furthest work bay.
Unable to cope, Peter wearily climbed the stairs and sat at the table, chin in hands staring at the blank wall.
The jangle of the phone startled him and Joe’s animation alarmed Peter, “We’ve an irate new lady customer here. I’ve just sent her to you.” Quickly, Joe hung up unwilling to listen to the explosion of Peter’s colorful expletives.
Doing his best to hide his foul mood Peter opened the door in response to the timid knock.
“May I come in?” Jennifer look worried. “Peter, sit down and listen to me please. You frighten me when you explode. You gave me no time to respond to your suggestion and it shocked me coming out of nowhere the way it did. I do trust you. I just had to decide what would happen if I... and you do rush me so.”
“Jennifer, nothing will happen, nothing that you don’t want to happen. I love you. Don’t look so shaken, so surprised, I do love you and would do nothing intentionally to hurt you or to destroy any feelings you may have for me. I'm sorry for my impetuosity but I’ve had nothing to love in my whole life and my enthusiasm just carries me away.
“I speak without thinking. I’ve no ulterior motive in asking you away this weekend. I just thought it’d be a great opportunity for us to be together. That’s all I could think about, believe me.”
“Well...” Jennifer hesitated. “It sounds fun, but, Peter, please move slowly. You frighten me with your eagerness as though everything must happen yesterday. Please take our relationship slowly.”
“Jennifer, does this mean you’ll come?” Peter couldn’t believe her words.
Shyly, dropping her eyes, she whispered a faint, “Yes,” before Peter swooped her up into his arms and kissed her until, breathless, she pushed herself free of him.
“Behave, Peter. You’d better wipe your face before leaving the office otherwise the workers may get the wrong impression. Could you drive me home as I have some packing to do tonight?”
There was a knock and Joe walked in, humming that Mozart tune. Peter noticed the lipstick on Joe’s cheek and couldn’t help himself.
“Joe, I’ve told you and told you. Don’t become familiar with our lady customers. I think you’d better get rid of that lipstick before your wife sees you.”
“It was not my fault, boss. It’s this impetuous young lady you brought here as a new customer. She demanded to see her car and when I showed it and explained what had been done and she saw her number plates on the front seat... well, the lipstick is the result.”
“I’ll speak to you later, Dad,” Peter grinned, acknowledging Joe’s age.
“If this young fellow of mine doesn’t look after you and doesn’t treat you with the utmost respect let me know. I have a big strap hanging behind the kitchen door.” The reply was swift.
Laughing, Jennifer hugged Joe. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Now come on, Peter, ta
ke me home. I’ve such a lot to do.”
Friday morning did not come quickly enough.
Peter bounded to Jennifer’s door to collect her luggage and to drive her to work. When the door slowly began to open, Peter nearly tore it from its hinges.
“Steady on.” Jennifer didn’t struggle as Peter swept her up. “My dress is getting crushed and I have to be in court today.”
“I'm so pleased to see you. You look beautiful. Here is something for your desk.”
Thrusting a single red rose into her hand Peter wondered what she would think of his note. ‘Thank you for being you and a bigger thank you, for making me feel the way I do.’ He hoped she would understand.
“Oh, Peter, what a lovely rose and your note says so much. Thank you.” Jennifer stood on tiptoe to lightly kiss him on the cheek. As Peter tried to grab her, she whirled away with a laugh, “Don’t muck me up. I have to go to work. Come on.”
At the workshop, during the afternoon Peter transferred two pieces of luggage to the Mini. As well, he loaded the CD player with music he had specially cut the previous night.
Even Joe noticed Peter’s light heart. “You're in a good mood,” he shouted across the noise. "You’ve done nothing but whistle all day.” At afternoon break, he continued his tease, “Is there something special in that tune?”
“Why?” The new apprentices were interested but too young to understand.
“Well...” Joe’s chest swelled and he began singing the tune Peter had been whistling.
“You’ve a marvelous voice.”
It became too much and Peter made it a duet.
The apprentice looked puzzled. “What’s the song? I don’t speak Italian.”
Joe began to laugh and the wide grin showed what Peter had been thinking, “It’s very rough English translation is ‘Now my days of philandering are over.’
“Why are there two small suitcases in the boot, Peter?” His eyes twinkled. He knew, but as foreman, he wanted to tease the boss. “Off for the weekend with someone special, eh?”
Peter blushed furiously but his denials only brought more good-natured teasing. Not that Peter cared. He was too happy. Even the apprentice’s comments when Peter appeared in a suit to ask Joe to lock up, did not break through his euphoria.
“My, you do look smart,” Jennifer was surprised when he called at her office as she finished her day. “Those blue tones suit you. I feel under-dressed.”
“You look beautiful,” Peter’s eyes glowed as he admitted, “I always have to choose carefully as you always look so attractive and tonight every man in town will envy me.”
Jennifer took Peter’s arm before asking, “Where’s my car? I'm so excited. Take me there now, please Peter I can’t wait any longer.”
In the taxi, Jennifer was quiet. Another Jennifer was there and, when Peter tried to hold her hand, he knew by her stiffness, he was not doing the correct thing.
She waited until Peter unlocked the workshop before speaking, “I'm worried, Peter. Perhaps it’s best if we don’t go off tonight.”
Putting his arm around her Peter dragged her against his shoulder. “For heaven’s sake will you stop worrying? Stop talking and for once just relax with me. I promise you no funny business,” and she looked up into his eyes Peter grinned. “Come in and I’ll explain.”
Jennifer forgot her apprehension when she saw her car waiting under the spotlights on a red carpet with her own number plates. It seemed all ready to leave immediately. She inspected the car and tried to understand the care Joe had put into the pre-delivery.
'Just a little something for someone who makes the boss so happy' was his note on the front seat and as she turned the key, the sounds of 'Love Changes Everything' filled the car.
Her face lit up and she whirled about to give Peter a brief hug. “The car is more beautiful than I remember and it cost a lot more than I paid for it. I don’t know how or why but I am grateful. How can I ever repay you?”
“Come upstairs and freshen up before we leave because I want you to understand something so this weekend will be perfect.”
Reluctantly she followed. “So this is your hideaway. Bob was telling everybody what a sly fox you are.”
She dropped her eyes demurely before shyly continuing, “But, I didn’t believe him. Not everyone has a one track mind like his even if all his actions are in his mind. What worries me is how will I ever pay the bill?”
Peter pointed into the bedroom and she retreated until she backed against the door. “If I were Bob I’d leer and drool, dragging you onto the bed, demanding, come here and I’ll show you.”
Jennifer clenched her hands so tightly the knuckles turned white.
“But, I'm me. So relax, laugh and enjoy. There’s no charge. How could I charge you? I care too much.”
Slowly she sat, her body taut, studying Peter like a bird mesmerized by a cat, ready to fly to safety. Saying nothing and becoming even more strained, she didn’t move as Peter dragged his chair opposite hers to take her hands. They were cold and trembling as though she was terrified.
“Look at me,” demanded Peter.
She dropped her eyes embarrassed by the intensity of his words.
Just as he thought - Jennifer knew. Taking her chin in his hands, he tilted her head until he looked directly into her eyes. “I love you, God, how I love you.” The words tumbled out.
Jennifer’s eyes widened, her face relaxed and Peter felt as though a weight had fallen from his shoulders.
“I love you so much it hurts. This weekend I want to be special,” he tried to drill the thoughts into her head.
Her face tightened in fright.
“No funny business. No sex - just us. I love you too much to risk losing whatever I’ve gained.”
Her lips opened and she stared, not actually believing what she heard.
“I think I’ve won your friendship. I hope so - and I'm going to spend this weekend trying to build on that friendship. Now relax. I won’t hurt you, not intentionally.”
Her eyes softened as she smiled.
“You little fool. Let yourself go with me. I'm your slave, Jennifer.” Peter paused to draw breath. Jennifer’s hands were no longer frozen. “I don’t know how you feel about me and I’ll not ask. If all I have is your friendship then I am a very rich man and I will be happy.”
Peter stood and her eyes followed him, “I’ve never used that word ‘love’ before meeting you. It sounds strange but it is so true.”
Before continuing, Peter kissed both of Jennifer’s wrists, “No matter what the appearances are. Keep this in mind. I love you too much to risk losing you. The rules, as far as I'm concerned, are to look after you, keeping you safe and happy. I’ll also try to make myself pleasant so you enjoy my company.”
Motionless she sat staring at Peter and didn’t flinch when he put his hand on her shoulder.
“There I go, talking too much as usual.” Laughing, Peter tried to break the tension, “Think over what I’ve said. Then decide whether you want to come.”
Nothing broke her stare into space.
She was a statue, so incredibly beautiful Peter wanted to stroke and kiss her. “I'm sorry if I upset you.”
Peter couldn’t guess what she was thinking.
Jennifer smiled, her trance broken. “I'm not upset. It was just a shock that’s all. It’ll take a while to sink in. I should apologize for being a fool but...”
“No excuses. Would you still like to come away for the weekend?” Peter held his breath, hoping.
“If not, we’ll unpack the car. Any presents are exactly that - presents given from the heart. No strings attached.” Again, he waited. There was nothing more he could add.
Jennifer looked up, smiling as if seeing Peter for the first time, “I’d love to come.”
“Thank God, you didn’t even add and no funny business,” he whooped into the bedroom and produced an enormous bunch of blood red roses. “I forgot these.”
“Peter you're a fool,” she
giggled and began burrowing into the roses. “Where’s the card? Knowing you, there’s sure to be one.”
“No card with these, just my heart.”
She must have expected more than Peter’s light kiss on the cheek, as she seemed so surprised.
“The bathroom’s through there.” Peter pointed into the bedroom. “I’ll put these in water and we're off. Which way? North? South or West?”
“Bob was saying you will be driving trucks to Bathurst so that’s where I want to go. I want to see the road you will be using as Bob said it is no picnic.”
Peter directed Jennifer though the traffic until they were climbing the eastern escarpment of the Blue Mountains. It seemed no time at all when he directed her to pull into a small, romantic French Restaurant, which seemed to perch high over the lights of Sydney.
The wine waiter paused for Peter’s order. Disaster! He knew nothing of wine but, sensing his confusion, Jennifer ordered with a smile.
“I see that I’ll have to teach you. However, do as I say. I don’t want a drunk hanging all over me,” she winked roguishly and Peter knew everything would go well.
The meal - or maybe it was only Jennifer’s presence - was delightful in spite of the occasional warning, “Sip don’t swig.”
Talking was easy and she was no Ice Maiden. She sparkled and glittered and Peter basked in her warmth. Those green eyes changed tints and were alive with laughter.
The music - the love songs, the arias, even the marches - and the climate control all helped pass the time in luxury as the car dashed onwards, its lights stabbing into the darkness.
At one stage, the strains of the Olympic Anthem 'Ode to Joy' were in Peter’s ears and his hand unconsciously strayed to Jennifer’s knee where it kept a rhythmic beat. Peter was completely unaware of where it had wandered until her hand left the steering wheel to pat the errant hand, “You enjoy classical music, don’t you? You're not even worried by my driving.”
“This is an extremely dangerous road and your driving skill is incredibly good. You and the car are a good pair,” Peter laughed.