the vehicles. “Let’s get some information. These are as nice as that one. Right?”
Celia walked away from the Navigator and over to Kate. They ambled around the SUVs and peeked through the window. Kate reached for the door of the dark-blue one. Celia suddenly clutched Kate’s arm. She squeezed it hard and pulled her back.
“What’s wrong?”
“Shh! That’s him. Don’t look!” Celia stared at the entrance at the front of the large room.
“That’s who?” She immediately turned her head to look.
“Kate! I told you not to look and the first thing you do is look! Why did you look? What part of ‘Don’t look’ didn’t you understand?”
“Sorry. Who are we not looking at?”
“That guy by the door. That’s the guy I saw at Pete’s Market.” Celia was still squeezing Kate’s arm.
“When?” She pulled her arm free.
“I don’t know. Maybe a month ago. I told you about him. Spilled coffee on myself. Remember?”
“Yeah. Yeah. I remember. Are you sure it’s him?”
“Yes! That’s definitely him! I couldn’t forget that face or those eyes. Should we find out if he works here? Maybe I could buy a car from him. Come on, let’s walk over there.”
Kate groaned and shook her head. She let her bag fall from her shoulder. Slowly they proceeded in his direction. Before they reached the handsome stranger, a salesperson greeted him. The two men walked past Celia and Kate.
“Are we invisible? He didn’t even notice us. I looked directly at him. We should have stayed by the Navigator. I don’t want to leave right now.”
“I think you seem to be forgetting the reason we’re here. Besides, you’re not interested in guys these days. Remember?”
“Very funny. I don’t think he’s a booper.” Celia took a deep breath. “Do you think he’s a booper?” She wrinkled her nose and tilted her head. She was serious with her question, though she knew she wouldn’t get a serious answer.
“You never know, Celia. Don’t forget, you told me that you thought the booper was cute at first sight too. Hey, maybe we can use the word booper as the code word for when you meet a guy who’s a jerk. You know, he’s a real booper. Good idea?”
They laughed at the same time. At every vehicle, Kate jumped into the front seat and pointed out all the visible features on the dashboard. Celia read the sticker and groaned. She held her heart as she recited the price aloud.
“This is a beauty. I might buy it if you don’t want to.” Kate sat up straight and looked through the front window.
“You know, Kate, that’s not a bad idea. You buy this one, and I’ll buy your car. I’ll be broke if I buy one of these.”
“Broke or broken down, take your pick. I could get used to driving up this high. It’s as if you’re a notch above everyone else.” She stepped down and out of the SUV. “I want you to sit in the driver’s seat. I’m not kidding. I think you’ll love it.”
Celia stepped onto the side panel and settled into the driver’s seat. A salesman in olive trousers and a light-blue button-down shirt approached.
Celia adjusted the seat and kept her eyes forward as if she were driving. She continued to peek in the rearview and side mirrors for the man with the nice eyes. Her concentration on the car was distracted, to say the least.
“How do you like it?” The salesman watched Celia and Kate inspect the car.
“I don’t know. I think it’s too big for me.” She turned her eyes away from the mirrors and toward the back window. “I’ll be afraid to back up.”
“You look fabulous in it.” Kate leaned into the window next to Celia.
“I need to think about this. I’m just shopping around today.” Celia glanced in the direction of the potential non-booper as they left the dealership. He never glanced in her direction.
Kate talked Celia into one more stop as she spotted a Jeep dealer up ahead. After she took the Jeep for a test drive, Celia knew her car search was over. She was in love with a steel-gray Wrangler. A decision was made, and Kate couldn’t have been happier.
Noah was walking Trudy past her building when Kate dropped Celia off.
“Hey, Noah. How are things with you and Trudy?” Trudy jumped up on her. Celia bent down to Trudy’s level and rubbed her head.
“I’m doing great! We’re on our way home from the store. Got some ice cream this time. Uncle Bill is waiting at the corner for us. He watches me walk to the corner when it’s late and then waits up there for us.” He pointed to the top of the hill. “He can see us all the way to Pete’s Market. I guess he still thinks I’m a little kid.”
Celia saw the shadow of Noah’s uncle under the streetlight.
“I’m right here, Uncle Bill.” Noah waved his hand high.
“I see you, Noah.” Celia heard him reply.
Celia motioned a wave to his uncle, and the uncle returned the wave.
Celia locked the door behind her and walked through the kitchen into her bedroom. She stood by the window and gazed into the distance at the minuscule patch of the ocean. The moon created streaks of light on the water. Celia moved her face closer to the window and bumped her head on a puppet’s foot. She took a long, deep breath. She breathed in the ocean smell and instantly felt calm.
Cigarette? Calories? Cigarette? Calories? Maybe both? No! Don’t do it. Think of the wrinkles it will cause with every puff you take. Think about your lungs. Don’t do it. A lollipop and a carton of ice cream replaced her urge for a smoke. With the rounded candy of the lollipop, she dug out small bits of ice cream.
Celia sat at the kitchen table under the window and stared out as she sugared up. On the street below, she saw a couple walk together through the glow of a streetlight. Look how cute they look holding hands. Would I ever be open to another relationship? Geoff’s face popped into her head. Her blood ran cold as the hairs on the back of her neck stood straight. It had been a very long time since she thought about him. She walked to her night table and picked up a book of matches on the way.
Keep the Fizzy
The text came through Celia’s phone minutes after she arrived in her office. C. can u meet me 2day 4 lunch. E.
Celia responded immediately: c u at 12. did u remember a good story 4 me?
Emma responded: Yup.
At their usual table in the courtyard outside of the cafeteria, Celia waited for Emma to arrive with their lunch.
“Great idea to share a pizza.” Celia opened the box and took out a slice covered with cheese and pepperoni. “It smells amazing.” She put the slice on a paper plate and handed it to Emma. She took another for herself. “Yum!” The cheese was stringy and stretchy, exactly the way she liked it. “This sauce is spicy and sweet. It’s perfect! What’s the lunchtime entertainment today?”
“It’s stupid. After Jillian was diagnosed, I visited with her more than usual and entertained her with these stories. I told her about a dopey drink episode. After this incident, she made me make a promise to her. I promised that whenever I’m put in an uncomfortable situation, I’ll take a deep breath, pause, and respond with a question. Ya know, something like ‘What do you mean?’ or ‘Why do you say that?’ Throws the attention right back at the attacker.