Part II

"You are the first lady mechanic, I've met, Charley. Now for the obvious questions how and why?"

"Well it's sort of a family thing. My dad was one of the best mechanics in Chicago and he just past on the skill to me. He opened the garage about 4 years after he and my mother where married. When other little girls where playing with dolls and tea sets I was breaking down a motor. I loved working and learning from him and I adore the time we used to spent together."

"Used to?"

"Yes. Both my parents where killed about 6 years ago in a plane crash and that left me to fend for myself. They did leave me enough money to keep this place going and well here I am." Charley still found it so hard not to let the hurt show.

"I'm sorry, it must have been very hard on you having to face the world alone so young."

"Yes, it was but it made me strong and I have no complaints. So tell me about you. Born with a silver spoon in your mouth?"

"No, not really. My mother was a teacher in Cambodia who married an American history professor. They had been married only a short time when he died of cancer and she was left with a gray-eyed, half, Caucasian child that wasn't accepted by her family. For my own safety she left me at an orphan institution that protected many children from similar parenting. It was supposed to be temporary until my mother could make enough money for both of us to move to my father's country, since I was a citizen by birth. But she was killed and the government closed the place where I lived. From then on I pretty much lived on the streets. I begged and hustled enough to stay alive and go to a small school in a near by village. Then by some miracle my fathers family found out I was alive and made arrangements for me to be sent here to the United States. My grandparents are great loving people and even though they were rich I was never spoiled. They sent me to college and I worked hard to became a lawyer and now I work for the Legal Aid Society."

Charley was moved and fascinated by the things Solomon shared with her and was very interested in finding out more about him. The conversation stopped temporarily when they pulled up in front of one of Chicago's posh four-star restaurants, "Intermettzo."

Breathless and in awe, Charley again let him take her hand helping her out of the car. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure it wasn't all a dream. He wrapped her arm around his and escorted her inside. There were chandeliers and candelabras, white linen cover tables and elegant marble floors. Gracious waiters met them at the door and without a word showed them to their waiting table that was covered with delicate fine china, long stem crystal glassware and elegantly carved silverware. In the tall lead glass crystal vase that served as the centerpiece were another dozen white roses. The evening was filled with soft lilting music, magnificent food, wonderful dancing and enchanting conversation all ending much too soon back at Charley's front door.

"I can't tell you what an incredible night this has been Solomon, tell me is it heavy?"

He looked at her smiling strangely not knowing what she was talking about, "Is what heavy?"

"That shinning armor," she smiled.

He laughed, "A lovely lady like you deserves to be treated like a queen. Would it be possible to ask you to spend tomorrow afternoon with me? There so much more I'd like to know about you."

Again she looked into those gorgeous pleading almond shaped eyes and found it impossible to turn him down, "I really shouldn't. I have…."

Oh I'm sorry I did even think to ask if there might be someone else." He sadly apologized.

"No, there really isn't, I mean…. I'd love to spend more time with you too. Sure, tomorrow afternoon would be great. How about I fix us a picnic lunch, I'm known for packing a pretty mean spread."

"That would be prefect. I'll pick you up around 12? " A bright smile returned to his handsome face.

They got out and he walked her to her door. He reached down and picked up her hand placing a light kiss on it. "Until tomorrow, then?"

"Until tomorrow," she smiled opened the door and walked dreamily inside cradling the bouquet of roses close to her heart.

"You have a good time, Charley Ma'am?" Modo ask having arrived only moments before she did.

She smiled in a way he'd never seen before and walked up to him lightly kissing him on the cheek. "It was a night of enchantment, Modo. Absolute enchantment. Thanks for keeping a low profile I could hardly tell we were being followed. Would you mind locking up for me? I'll see you guys in the morning, okay?" She waltz dreamily humming one of the songs they'd danced to.

"Okay, have a goodnight." As over joyed as he was to see her so happy, it hurt him just as much knowing the pain it would cause his friend.

By the time he'd pulled up into the scoreboard it was well past 1am. He checked and saw Vinnie snoring contently in his hammock. Throttle's bike was parked in her normal space but there was no sign of him. Modo knew where he'd be, so he walked down into the ball field and sitting in the quiet dark dug out was Throttle.

"Hey, bro couldn't sleep?"

"Nah, not until I knew Charley was home safe."

"Well, she is and that guy seems to be the real thing for what I've seen so far." Modo took a seat on the opposite end of the bench Throttle was laying on.

"I'm glad for her."

"Are you really, bro?"

"Charley deserves some happiness after all she's given up. If this guys can give her a good life then, yeah, I really am."

"You've been lovin' her for a long time, even before you and Carbine split. You ready to give her up so easily?"

He looked at his wise friend not surprised that he hadn't kept his feeling a secret from that one always-searching eye, "There's no givin' up what's not yours in the first place. It's better all around, I'll survive."

"Well if you say so. I'm gonna turn in, you comin'? Modo stood getting ready to go back inside.

"Not just yet."

"Okay, don't stay out here too long."

"I won't."

After a few moments Throttle got up and walked over so he could look up and see the night sky. "I'm hopin' he gives you all the happiness I wish I could, Sweet, Charley girl." He whispered before going back into the scoreboard.

To be continued….