Free Chance Of Rain by Laurel Veil Page A

world. I looked up and saw Trent staring at me in disbelief.
    “Binge much?”
    My mouth was stuffed, and my plate was almost clean. He hadn’t even begun to eat.
    I swallowed then gave him a toothless smile.
    A grin touched his lips as he reached toward me with his napkin. “Sour cream,” he said, as he gently wiped it away.
    I thought about going limp and just letting my body slide off the bench and under the table. Instead I took a sip of iced tea. “So here are my top three choices.” I handed him the list he had given me.
    We devised a plan of attack. We decided we’d start with the car that was the farthest away and work our way back home.
    After lunch we took the 106 to Jasper; it was a beautiful drive. Hilly, green pastures lay on both sides of us. Going to Jasper was like stepping back in time. The little buildings that lined its streets were historic. My favorite was the tiny bank that was no bigger than a doughnut shop.
    We took a couple of turns off the highway and found the address with no problem. I knew we were at the right house before I saw the number, because there it sat, shining in the sun—a shiny, red 2000 Eclipse. I didn’t realize just how much I wanted a car until the opportunity to have one was right there in front of me. I wanted that car!
    “How can this car only be a thousand dollars?” I asked Trent.
    Trent looked at the paper. “Because it has almost two hundred thousand miles on it. Let’s take a closer look and hear what they have to say.”
    Mr. Cook came to the door moments after we knocked. He was very friendly, and his potbelly more than filled his overalls. He shuffled his feet as he stepped across his front porch. He talked as slowly as he walked.
    “She’s got a lot of miles on her, but they’re all highway. None of that stop-and-go city stuff.” He turned and spat some tobacco juice into the grass. “She’s always been mine, so I know she’s been well taken care of. I did all themaintenance myself. No one’s ever smoked in her either. She still smells brand new.” He handed me the keys. “Take her for a spin.”
    I couldn’t quit smiling as I took the keys from him. I just couldn’t imagine Mr. cook driving this car. They didn’t match up. He needed an old pickup with a dog in the back.
    My heart raced as I reached for the door handle. Mr. Cook was right; it still smelled brand new inside. It had pristine gray-leather interior, and the carpet was spotless. I was very pleased with everything I saw.
    “Well, what do you think?” I asked Trent as we rode through town.
    “I think you were meant for this car. It suits you.”
    We drove around a little longer, and then we found a bank, and I went in and cashed a check. Who would have thought I’d have fallen in love with the first car I looked at? I knew I’d better act fast; it was a great deal and wouldn’t be around long.
    When we got back to Mr. Cook’s house, I gladly placed ten crisp one-hundred-dollar bills in his pudgy palm. Then he signed over the title.
    I was thrilled! He went inside, and Trent and I got ready to leave.
    “Oh.” I stopped in my tracks.
    “What could possibly be wrong?” Trent asked me.
    “I just realized I don’t get to ride back with you.”
    He smiled.
    “I don’t know if I like this
freedom
stuff,” I told him. “I like riding with my friends better.”
    Trent brushed a few strands of hair behind my ear, and my knees almost buckled. Then he opened the door to
my
car. “Let’s hurry and get back. Then we can go for a ride together.”
    On the highway, Trent and I took turns passing each other. My car handled well. It was really easy to maneuver.
    We were back at my house in no time. My mom and Chase were there and came outside when they saw me pull up.
    My mom looked at me quizzically. “What do we have here?” she asked.
    I explained what I had done. She wasn’t thrilled, but she seemed OK with it. She liked the car, and she loved that this meant my short obsession