AFTER CHRISTMAS

By

DimariS

Chapter 10 – The Day Before the Day Before 2013

Laying in my beautiful bed, a hommage to Point Pleasant, thoughts turned to the many things I had to do before the party. First and foremost was get new wheels. I can only stand to drive Big Blue, everybody else's name for Grandpa Mazur's monster mobile, for short periods of time. That would be every time my cars cease to function. Of course, to be honest, I probably drive the thing more often than any car I've ever owned. So sad.

Since tomorrow was New Year's Eve, I planned to take all day getting ready. After all, the driver would be here at 6:30 to pick me up. The only trip out would be to the salon so Mr. Alexander could "refresh" my hairdo. It makes me snicker every time I remember him promising to do that for me.

While out car shopping today I need to swing by Connie's to have my nails "refreshed." She promised a pedicure, too. All this special treatment never happens to me so I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it. Sure Ranger offers me cars, which I turn down, and takes me a few nice restaurants but designer clothes and special beauty services are way beyond my experience. Wonder what it would be like where those things are commonplace…nah, my imagination is not that good.

Which brings me to my real concern: Who sent me the invitation to the party and Gucci clothing? Most of all: Why am I not freaking out at the prospect? My life is full of crazies who threaten mayhem or worse at every turn; but somehow this situation doesn't cause my instincts to shout "Danger, Danger, Will Robinson!" and it makes no sense. I'm just really excited. Guess I've turned into a fearless adrenaline junkie. Yeah, right. As if. It's time to go car shopping before I give myself a headache.

Hopping into Detroit's example of a thyroid condition, I head to Foca's Used Cars. Al, Ranger's expert in all things automotive, suggested I go to Ernesto's for my next replacement. Said he was reputable and would give me a good price. Works for me.

When I drive into the lot, what do I see but a man who could be Ranger's relative except he has short dark hair and a thicker waist line. Damn! Cuban men have some seriously impressive genes. Head shaking I get out of the car and extend my hand to Mr. Foca. Focus, Stephanie.

"Hi, I'm Stephanie Plum. Al told me to come to you if I needed to buy a car."

Ernesto looked me over and grinned, "Yeah, Al told you might come by and I was to show you my best inventory. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, I guess an SUV would work best because I'm a…"

"Miss Plum, I know who you are. Like most guys in Trenton I follow your exploits in the newspapers. I can't wait to tell mi amigos the Bombshell Bounty Hunter bought a car from me."

I tried unsuccessfully to rein in my temper. I did better controlling my mouth. "Mr. Foca, we'll get along better if you call me Stephanie. I also expect you to resist the temptation to tell your friends what kind of car I buy. I think Al and Ranger would agree that I don't need more notoriety in my life. Of course, I could always ask them how they feel about it. You think I should?"

Good old Ernesto starts to sweat a bit and shakes his head vehemently, "No, Miss Plum, that won't be necessary, I assure you. You can depend on my silence."

It was time to get this show on the road so we begin to discuss what he had available. That's when I saw the cutest dark blue CRV with black leather interior. It looked like a late model and was in great condition so I figured the price was out of my reach. Then I saw the sticker. Holy cow! He only wanted $3,500 for it! Could I be that lucky? Answer: Hell no!

"Mr. Foca, is that really the price for the blue Honda?"

He nodded, "Yes, Miss Plum, the reports show it was well maintained by the original owner and never involved in a collision."

Something seemed off so I pursued the subject. "I can't believe I'm saying this; but it seems like a low price for a late model in such good condition."

His face broke into a big smile. "This is a special just for you. Al said Ranger wanted you to have a safe car at a low cost."

My temperature started rising and my hands fisted on my hips. "Oh, he did, did he? And as you are a good businessman, did you accept his offer to make up the difference?"

Ernesto's smile faltered and he shuffled his feet in embarrassment. "Si, but Miss Plum er Stephanie, he said he was trying to take care of you as your friend."

"I'm sorry, Ernesto, I didn't mean to snap at you. What is the real price on this car?" This poor man didn't deserve my anger, Ranger did. He knows I don't want to take something this expensive from him. It's his sneaky way of doing an end run. Not going to happen.

"I listed it for $13,500."

"So Ranger um Al offered to pay the rest, the $10,000?" He nodded again. The man was probably afraid Ranger would hurt him or worse since his street reputation certainly supported that fear. "I'll tell you what, show me a couple of cars that really cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000 and maybe we can make a deal only if you give me your word you won't repeat this conversation to Al or Ranger."

This time Ernesto gave me a vigorous nod and sighed in relief. "Si, back of the lot there are two cars that might work. I already told my staff to lower the prices because I've had trouble moving them; but, Miss Plum, these aren't ones you would want to drive." I could swear the man was begging me to change my mind. Again, ain't gonna happen!

After all the negotiations I drove away in a grayish Buick Regal that had seen better days. All systems worked, today anyway. It even had a/c and heat for now, and the tires weren't bald. Skips could fit in the back and it could go more than 25 mph in drive. Damn, it's a speedmobile! Now we're cookin' with gas!

A dozen celebratory donuts in hand I knocked a syncopated rap on Connie's door. She opened up and grinned at the Tasty Pastry box in my hand.

"Hey,Con, if you've got coffee to go with these, let's party!" I was stoked. I had a good car, a new dress, new shoes and a party to go to. Yep, 2013 was looking like a way better year.

Later that night as I slipped between the soft as a baby's butt sheets my mind still reeled from all the fantastic things that had happened since Christmas. Tomorrow I would have my special gift, an adventure of fabulous proportions. Wish I had someone to share it with…