“I say he likes you. I could see it from day one.”
“Really?” I question as I take one of her chips. Lunch has become one of my favorite parts of the day, next to rides to and from work. I can’t believe I went this long without talking to Gloria.
“It’s written all over his face. And that night of the Christmas party? He couldn’t take his eyes off of you!”
Sighing, I take another bite of my chip. “I don’t know. I think more than anything he feels sorry for me.”
“What? No way! If a guy feels bad for you, he looks at you like this.” She tilts her head to the side and squeezes my shoulder. “Then he’d like, offer you a tissue or something.”
“Yep!” I point at her. “That’s what he looks like. I havetwoof his handkerchiefs,” I say, holding up my fingers. I shake my head.
She glances up at the clock on the wall. “Shoot. I gotta run. Mr. Foreman wants to meet with me.”
I cross my fingers as she grits her teeth. I watch her toss her lunch as she walks out the door. I feel suddenly alone without her. My phone rings. I don’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Foley, this is Jimmy from Cliff’s Auto. Looks like your car’s paid off. When do you want to come get it?”
My eyes widen. “It’s paid off? Are you sure?” I ask.
“I wouldn’t call you if I wasn’t certain. We’re open until six. Stop by anytime and pick it up.”
My chest aches and I find it hard to breathe. My car is ready? I’d been sending bits of money here and there, but I didn’t realize just how much. I saved a ton on gas by carpooling. If my car is ready, that means no more carpool. That means I can finally get back to quiet drives in the morning. I smile brightly and suddenly frown. That means no more Kel, Emerson, Ernesto, or Finn. No more carpool.
“Umm… it might take me a few days to get a ride to pick it up. Is that a problem?”
“I could care less when you pick it up. We’ve got a big lot. It can sit there for another month for all I care.”
“Great. Thanks.” I end the call and stare at my phone. Strange thoughts rush around in my head. What do I do now?
“Merry Christmas, Emerson!” we say randomly as she rolls out of the car. She’s moving more and more slowly these days. Work must be kicking her ass. She seems exhausted today.
“See you Tuesday!” Finn adds with a wave.
“You celebrate Christmas?” Kel asks Ernesto. He smiles without answering.
“What’s the Spanish word for Christmas?” he asks Finn, leaning forward in his seat.
“Eh…I think Merry Christmas in Spanish is Feliz Navidad,” Finn adds.
“Hey! Feliz Navodad,” Kel says incorrectly.
“Navidad,” Ernesto corrects.
“Yeah, whatever.” Kel scoots forward again, losing interest. “So, Liz, what are you doing this weekend? Want to come over and roast my chestnuts over an open fire?”
Rolling my eyes, I respond, “You want me to roast your nuts, Kel?”
“As long as you’re touching them, I’m good.”
Finn glares at him in the rearview mirror. “Kel…”
“What? I’m just joking. I’d rather she jingle my bells than roast my nuts. Or maybe you’d like to climb…up on my housetop?” he sings.
As disgusted as I am, I can’t help but snicker at his creativity.
“Deck my halls? Maybe frost my snowman? Lie down in my manger? I bet I could get you to sing ‘Oh Holy Night’ after an hour with me.”
