Meredith spent afew hours in the garden, even though it was her day off.
She needed the comfort and distraction of work.She’d tossed and turned most of the night, wondering what to do about Wade.She couldn’t continue their affair without falling harder for him.The next time they were together, she might make a fool of herself by telling him she loved him.When he put his hands on her body, she couldn’t think.She could only respond, and wallow in pleasure.
At midmorning, Meredith baked the cake for Billy.Then she went to her room to retrieve the tin can she’d hidden under the mattress.Every dollar she had was stashed inside.She stuffed the cash into her purse on her way out the door.
Promise me you won’t leave without saying goodbye.
Wade’s words were like a dagger through her heart.But she hadn’t promised, had she?She hadn’t promised Wade or Wynona anything.
Trying to remain calm, she drove the Subaru to Rocksprings.The café was on the corner of the main drag, across from a gas station.The town no longer resembled the post-tornado disaster zone, but neither did it boast sights that would impress visitors.It was dusty and quaint, the very definition ofbackwater.
She pulled into the parking lot ten minutes early.She waited, listening to the sound of the cooling engine.At noon, she ventured inside the café.She was too upset to eat, so she ordered a milkshake.
The truck seller arrived five minutes later.He exited the vehicle slowly, hitching up his overalls.She strode outside to greet him.
“Mary?”he said.
“Yep.”
The man was close to seventy, with stooped shoulders and short gray hair.He gestured toward the truck.“Thar she blows.”
Meredith approached the vehicle.The body was rusty and dented, its paint color faded into dull gray.Victor popped the hood for her, and no smoke billowed out.She used a rag from her back pocket to check for loose parts.
“Does it need work?”
Victor shrugged.“I hardly drive it, little lady.That’s why I’m selling.”
“I’ll take it for a spin,” she said.
He gave her the keys and hobbled inside, favoring his right leg.She climbed into the passenger seat.The upholstery was trashed, with springs sticking out.It smelled like cigars and lanoline cream.An ancient, evergreen tree–shaped air freshener hung from the rearview mirror.Wrinkling her nose, she started the engine.It turned over.
The gearshift was stiff, but she managed to maneuver it into reverse.Then she pulled forward and gave it gas.The truck rumbled out of the parking lot like a grumpy bear waking up from a long hibernation.She tried to accelerate on a straightaway and the engine whined a protest.The speedometer didn’t climb above forty-five, even with the pedal to the metal.She continued for a few miles before turning around.
She returned to the café, checked the gauges, and sighed.Steeling her shoulders, she walked inside to haggle with Victor.He was drinking coffee at the counter.She settled into the barstool beside him.
“I’ll give you twelve hundred.”
“I’m asking twenty-four.”
“It’s not worth that.”
“Then don’t buy it.”
“Fourteen.”
“Twenty-two.”
“Sixteen.”
“I can’t go lower than two even.”
She drummed her fingertips against the counter.“I’ve got eighteen hundred cash.That’s it, down to the last dollar.”
His rheumy blue eyes narrowed.Then he stuck out a strong, wrinkled hand.They made the arrangements, and he followed her to the ranch.Instead of driving all the way to there, she pulled over behind an abandoned barn about a mile away.Victor seemed puzzled by the location.Meredith didn’t offer any explanation for it.She handed him the cash, and he gave her the pink slip.Though he didn’t ask for ID, he wanted her to sign a DMV form.She wrote Mary Meadows in careful script.
Victor’s wife picked him up in her car.Meredith sent them off with a friendly wave.She needed to get back before Wade returned from work and started asking questions.She hadn’t decided where to go, or what to do.
She left the truck behind the old barn and drove the Subaru to the ranch.She parked in her usual spot, and hurried inside.Wynona stood at the counter, frosting the birthday cake.Chico sat at her feet in hopes that a crumb would drop.Meredith felt a flicker of guilt.She’d forgotten about the cake, and the sad occasion.Chico wagged his tail in greeting.
