softly, “You are extraordinary. I need
you to own it.”
Chapter 8
Gwen
I fling my stuff to the passenger’s side and
settle into the driver seat of my car. Melanie has already left.
After starting my car, I wave goodnight to Kade, who always waits
to be sure Melanie and I get out of the parking lot safely. Locking
my doors and engaging my seat belt, I pull out of my parking space.
I wait a few seconds, giving Kade time to clear the exit before I
do likewise. The outrageous rumble of his bike can easily be heard
over my stereo as he races off into the night. The fact Kade
prefers motorcycles to cars never ceases to make me laugh. Sure
he’s strong enough to handle one and, physically, he doesn’t look
out of place riding them, but it’s so contradictory to his
personality. Kade, the nerdy chemist, who is about as calm and
reserved as it gets, riding around on a noisy hog like a wanna be
rebel. Thank God he doesn’t have a posse or any group insignia
leathers; I don’t think I’d be able to keep a straight face in his
presence.
Quickly, before hitting the interstate, I
scroll through my iPod, looking for just the right playlist for the
drive home. I want something with a little energy and simple lyrics
so I can sing along. I have random eclectic taste in music and go
through phases. Some weeks I listen to nothing but classic 80s and
the next its top forties. Tonight I can’t decide so I put my iPod
on random shuffle and let it surprise me. Now that my music dilemma
is settled I can enjoy the drive home. This time of night there’s
little chance of traffic so it should be pretty fun, and I love to
drive. When I’m alone, the drive home only takes about twenty
minutes or so. It’s closer to thirty if I’m being careful and
diligently following all the traffic laws.
My interior lights give off
a friendly blue glow that totally contradicts my current mood and
begins to annoy me. Reaching up, I hold down the ambiance lighting
button until the color rotates from blue back to orange. Perfect, a loud angry color is just what I’m
feeling right now. The ability to change
the interior lighting on a whim is one of my favorite features
about the Mini Cooper. The other is probably the secret storage
compartment located directly above the glove box. It’s great for
storing emergency items I don’t want Melanie to find, like
sunglasses or lip-gloss. The Mini is also a ton of fun to drive.
Having only driven four cylinder commuter cars most of my life, I
never understood the driving experience. So when I started at
Preston-Ward and began making a decent salary for the first time, I
decided it was time to retire my old car. Several weeks of careful
research were dedicated to looking at safety ratings, gas mileage,
and prices. I created a list of the best all-around cars to go and
check out at the dealerships. I never made it. Passing a dealership
one day after work, I saw her. Gunmetal grey with black bonnet
stripes, sitting sleek and glossy in the center display window, and
putting off just a little bit of attitude. Normally I would say
love at first sight is total crap but now I’m not so sure; it might
be true when it comes to cars. It was certainly true for me and
almost three years later my love affair is still going strong. And
the driving experience ... let’s just say I finally understand what
all the fuss is about.
Exiting off the freeway I open the sunroof
so I can enjoy the night air. I love all parts of California but
San Diego, with its temperate climate and unlimited supply of
sunshine, is perfect for a sun worshipper like me. In retrospect,
I’m not sure how I survived living in Boston, which most definitely
has four seasons. I’m happiest with one season: summer.
Presently I’m renting a small two-bedroom
house about a mile or so from the beach in La Jolla. It’s a cute
little one story with wide bay windows, a large back patio, and a
fat little garden gnome that guards the front porch. He’s a
you to own it.”
Chapter 8
Gwen
I fling my stuff to the passenger’s side and
settle into the driver seat of my car. Melanie has already left.
After starting my car, I wave goodnight to Kade, who always waits
to be sure Melanie and I get out of the parking lot safely. Locking
my doors and engaging my seat belt, I pull out of my parking space.
I wait a few seconds, giving Kade time to clear the exit before I
do likewise. The outrageous rumble of his bike can easily be heard
over my stereo as he races off into the night. The fact Kade
prefers motorcycles to cars never ceases to make me laugh. Sure
he’s strong enough to handle one and, physically, he doesn’t look
out of place riding them, but it’s so contradictory to his
personality. Kade, the nerdy chemist, who is about as calm and
reserved as it gets, riding around on a noisy hog like a wanna be
rebel. Thank God he doesn’t have a posse or any group insignia
leathers; I don’t think I’d be able to keep a straight face in his
presence.
Quickly, before hitting the interstate, I
scroll through my iPod, looking for just the right playlist for the
drive home. I want something with a little energy and simple lyrics
so I can sing along. I have random eclectic taste in music and go
through phases. Some weeks I listen to nothing but classic 80s and
the next its top forties. Tonight I can’t decide so I put my iPod
on random shuffle and let it surprise me. Now that my music dilemma
is settled I can enjoy the drive home. This time of night there’s
little chance of traffic so it should be pretty fun, and I love to
drive. When I’m alone, the drive home only takes about twenty
minutes or so. It’s closer to thirty if I’m being careful and
diligently following all the traffic laws.
My interior lights give off
a friendly blue glow that totally contradicts my current mood and
begins to annoy me. Reaching up, I hold down the ambiance lighting
button until the color rotates from blue back to orange. Perfect, a loud angry color is just what I’m
feeling right now. The ability to change
the interior lighting on a whim is one of my favorite features
about the Mini Cooper. The other is probably the secret storage
compartment located directly above the glove box. It’s great for
storing emergency items I don’t want Melanie to find, like
sunglasses or lip-gloss. The Mini is also a ton of fun to drive.
Having only driven four cylinder commuter cars most of my life, I
never understood the driving experience. So when I started at
Preston-Ward and began making a decent salary for the first time, I
decided it was time to retire my old car. Several weeks of careful
research were dedicated to looking at safety ratings, gas mileage,
and prices. I created a list of the best all-around cars to go and
check out at the dealerships. I never made it. Passing a dealership
one day after work, I saw her. Gunmetal grey with black bonnet
stripes, sitting sleek and glossy in the center display window, and
putting off just a little bit of attitude. Normally I would say
love at first sight is total crap but now I’m not so sure; it might
be true when it comes to cars. It was certainly true for me and
almost three years later my love affair is still going strong. And
the driving experience ... let’s just say I finally understand what
all the fuss is about.
Exiting off the freeway I open the sunroof
so I can enjoy the night air. I love all parts of California but
San Diego, with its temperate climate and unlimited supply of
sunshine, is perfect for a sun worshipper like me. In retrospect,
I’m not sure how I survived living in Boston, which most definitely
has four seasons. I’m happiest with one season: summer.
Presently I’m renting a small two-bedroom
house about a mile or so from the beach in La Jolla. It’s a cute
little one story with wide bay windows, a large back patio, and a
fat little garden gnome that guards the front porch. He’s a
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