"Max, if you're joking, that's not funny".
"I'm not joking, Mr. H."
"I'm going to let you two talk. I'll be in the bedroom".
"Jennifer, you don't have to do that".
"Yes, I do".
She kissed him and then headed to the bedroom.
"Max, what's the big idea? Jennifer loves you. And I thought you loved her".
"I do. It's just, something's happened. And she's going to hate me for it. And I don't want to make you feel like you have to choose between her and me, because I know you would choose her, but I got nowhere else to go".
"Start from the beginning, Max. And it's ok, whatever it is".
"I was at the poker game. I wasn't doing so hot, so I came home. And when I decided to go somewhere else, I couldn't, because the station wagon wouldn't work. Wouldn't start. So, I called Stinky, from the tow yard, and he came and gave it a look and said the alternator and water pump are shot, and the transmission needed some work. Towed it in, and said it will be ready tomorrow, unless we fix the transmission. And your car was at the airport, so I figured I would use Miss Edward's jeep to make a grocery run. Just there and back, real quick. And on the way back, I got t-boned. Jeep is totaled. So, I called Johnny No-thumbs, and he picked me up and then took me to the airport to get your car. And I was going to be there to drive you two home, but time got away from me and then you two was here."
"Are you ok, Max? Were you hurt?"
"I'm a little banged up, but I'll be alright. But her Jeep is gone."
"I'm going to go get her, so we can all talk. It's ok, Max. Take a deep breath".
Jonathan headed to the bedroom.
"Darling, Max needs to tell you something".
She nodded. He held his hand out to her and she took it and he led her to the kitchen.
"Go ahead, Max".
"I was at the poker game. And I wasn't doing so hot. So, I came home. And then I was going to go to the store, but the wagon wouldn't start. I had to have it towed. So, I figured I would just take your Jeep to store and back, real quick. On the way back, I got t-boned. The Jeep was destroyed, Miss Edwards. I'm really sorry".
"Are you alright?"
"I'm a little banged up, but I'll live. You had great airbags in that thing. They cushioned me very well".
"Was it your fault?"
"No, it was the other guy's fault. He was running a red light while I was hitting a green. I got hit on the passenger side, but all the airbags came out. I got his insurance information and contact information and I filed a police report, but you have to go down and sign it because you own the car. I was able to save a few things from the car for you, and the tag, but they had to haul the rest away".
"So, you were involved in an accident that resulted in my Jeep being totaled and because of that, you don't want me to move in here? Am I missing something?"
"Darling, he thinks you're going to hate him for the accident. And He didn't want me to feel like I had to choose between the two of you, and he says I would choose you if I did have to choose, but he has nowhere else to go. Max, I would never throw you out of here, just like I would never throw her out of here. You will always have a home here".
"I'm really sorry, Miss Edwards. It really was an accident, I swear".
She stepped forward and kissed his cheek.
"It's ok, Max. I'm not mad at you".
"You're not?"
"No. Cars can be replaced. You cannot. I'm just grateful you're ok. And no matter what it is, I could never hate you. You're practically Jonathan's dad, in every sense that counts. And you've taken care of him when he didn't have anyone else to do so. I can never thank you enough for doing that and I would never hate you for anything".
Jonathan wrapped his arms around Jennifer's waist.
"See, Max? That's why we love her. Because she has the most caring heart out of anyone we've ever known. The previous women I dated would be holding a knife to you right now, but not our Jennifer. No, no".
Jennifer turned to him.
"You're very strange, you know that?"
"And you love me anyway".
"That I do".
"Miss Edwards, I'm sorry I said I didn't want you to move in. I do want you to move in, I just didn't want Mr. H. to have to choose".
"Max, it's ok. All is forgiven."
She took the piece of paper from him with the contact information and headed to the living room.
"Mr. H., how did you get so lucky to find such a wonderful, caring person? I've been on pins and needles all weekend waiting on you two to get home".
"it was fate, Max. And that reminds me, why didn't you just call us at the ski resort?"
"I didn't want to ruin your vacation with this. Nothing you could have done from there anyways. Although, I suppose I should have called and asked you if I could borrow the Mercedes, so you wasn't stranded. I apologize".
"It's alright, Max. it all worked out. Tomorrow, I'll call and make sure the wagon is fixed, and we'll see about getting Jennifer a new car".
Just then, Jennifer came back into the kitchen.
"I just called and spoke with the young man who hit you. I wanted to make sure he was alright, and he is, minus a few bumps and bruises. But no medical bills. Tomorrow, I'll call and file the insurance claim. Max, if you don't mind, can you write out what happened in full detail, so I can give it to them?"
"Sure, Miss Edwards".
"Ok, so where is the Mercedes?"
"In the garage".
"How about I take the three of us out to dinner?"
"No need, Mr. H. I've been cooking all day, and I made you two's a gour-met meal, so that I could say I was sorry".
"What'd you make, Max?"
"We are going to grill steaks, stuffed with bleu cheese, and seasoned to perfection, along with garlic mashed potatoes, and a chopped salad with all of Miss Edwards favorite vegetables. Plus, I made sweet tea, like Miss Edwards' likes, and I made another jug of tea and lemonade like you like, Mr. H."
"You outdid yourself, Max".
"We love it, Max. But not as much as we love you".
"I tell you what, Max. I'll grill the steaks".
"And I'll set the table, and get the beverages, and do the dishes afterwards".
"You two are so good to me. I don't deserve either of you, for sure".
"We love you too, Max".
They insisted that Max eat with them, and they had a nice meal.
After Jennifer and Jonathan did the dishes, they all retired to the living room.
"Ok, so darling, I never asked you this because it wasn't any of my business. But what kind of insurance did you have on the Jeep?"
"Full coverage, plus Gap".
"What's Gap?"
"It's insurance where if I was to pass away, my car is paid off automatically and no balance is owed. If it's totaled, same thing. It only adds $4 to my car note, so I figured why not?"
"Good. So, tomorrow, when I get home, we can start looking for another car if you want. I don't want to insinuate that you can't handle buying one yourself, but I'm happy to help you make sure you get a good deal if you want me to help you".
"I appreciate it. I don't know that I'll be buying a car, though. I have no job, and no way to pay for another car. At the very least, I'll have to wait till I sell my townhouse before I can afford one".
"What kind of car would you get if you were able to afford one?"
"Well, I'm not sure. I mean, I loved the Jeep. I loved being able to drive around with the top off. And I loved being up high. But it bothers me that in this accident, it was destroyed so easily. So, I think I want something safer, like a Range Rover, or a car like yours. And I wouldn't get blue again, this time I would get silver".
"Why?"
"Because, I've had a red car, a black one, a white one, and now a blue one. And I never repeat my car colors, darling".
He kissed her forehead.
Max was writing out his statement.
"Ok, so it's official? You're moving in?"
She nodded.
"I guess at some point, we will figure out how to get all my stuff here and what to do with all of it".
"We will. I have a storage unit that we can shove stuff in, and if your furniture is in great shape and you know for a fact you don't want it anymore, we can put it in the corporate apartment the company owns".
"I love that idea".
"And then at some point, we can take a trip so you can get to know my father better".
"I met your father, in London. Remember?"
"Darling, in London, I introduced you to my father as my boss. This trip, I'll introduce you to him as my boyfriend. And you and he will get to know each other in a whole new way".
"Well, I can't wait".
"Huh. That's what you think…."
"What do you mean?"
"My dad is very old-fashioned, darling. He usually gives my boyfriends a hard time when he first meets them. Grills them, about a myriad of topics."
"I can handle that".
"I just know that he's going to love you, honey. As a boyfriend, I mean. My boyfriend, that is".
They watched tv for a bit with Max, and then headed to bed.
As they climbed into bed, he put an arm around her and she snuggled close to him.
"I love the way you handled Max, darling. And I promise, whatever needs to be paid for in all of this, I'll pay it".
"Oh, that's ok. Accidents happen. I just feel horrible because he felt so bad. Like he was afraid of me or something".
"I think in a round about way, he was afraid of me. Like if he disappointed you, then you would make me throw him out".
"That makes sense. I would never do that, but it makes sense".
"You gotta learn Max's way of thinking. Most of the time he's just like everyone else. But every now and then, it's like he sees around corners that others can't see around, and there's like a 1% chance that it backfires on him, which it did, in this case".
"Yeah, I can see that".
"If I'm being honest, though, the thought of car shopping makes me want to stay home and never buy a car again. I hate car shopping more than anything else".
"Really?"
"Yes, because it's a game. The salesmen are trying to squeeze you like a turnip for all your worth, and we, the customers are trying to scrape as much off the top as we can. And its just cat and mouse and I would sooner eat my own arm than go through that. When I bought the Jeep, I had researched it and knew what I wanted and I told the person what I wanted in very specific terms and he still tried to impress me".
He chuckled.
"The nature of a salesman".
"If money was no object, and you could have whatever you wanted, what kind of car would you get?"
"Probably a Camaro convertible, or maybe a Mercedes convertible, in silver, of course".
"Nice choice".
"I loved having the top off on the Jeep, and I loved my Camaro that I used to have in college, but really, I enjoy your car more".
He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. They chatted till she drifted off to sleep in his arms.
***The next morning***
Jennifer woke up with Jonathan, and they had breakfast together. Max was still not himself, but he was better than yesterday.
She poured him a to-go cup of coffee and walked him to the door.
"Max, I'll call you after I talk to the tow yard".
"Got it, Mr. H."
"Bye honey, I love you".
"I love you, too. I'll call you in a little bit".
She kissed him a few times and then he headed to the office and she headed for a shower.
She spent most of the morning on the phone with the insurance company, and they promised that they would send her a check as soon as possible.
After that was squared away, she started looking for a job and then unpacked her and Jonathan's suitcases from their trip.
Around 3, she heard the garage open.
A few minutes later, Jonathan came inside.
"Cars all fixed Max. Everything is taken care of".
"Great, Mr. H."
"Hi darling".
"Hi. You're home early".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"Yeah, I am. Someone had to pick up the wagon, so I moved some things around, and I got two people from the office to follow me to the shop, pick up the wagon and follow me here".
"Well, that was nice of them".
"Yeah, it was. Have a good day?"
"Yeah, I did. I got the insurance stuff squared away, I got us unpacked and laundry started, and as soon as I can get a notepad and organize my thoughts, I think I have an idea for my next article".
Just then, the doorbell rang.
He held his hand out to her and they walked to the door.
"Hi, delivery for a Jonathan Hart and a Jennifer Edwards?"
"That's us".
"Sign here, please".
"Certainly".
Jennifer tried to see what it was.
"Here you go, ma'am".
The delivery man handed her a pouch that had keys in it.
"Thank you".
She started to open it, while Jonathan handed the clipboard back to the man.
"Baby, step over here".
She stepped over and he pointed to a silver convertible in the driveway.
"See that? It's yours".
He leaned over and kissed the side of her face.
"What? You bought me a car? Jonathan…."
"I did. You deserve the best, baby. And you said you would get this kind if money was no object, and since I can afford this, I got it for you".
She turned and kissed him.
"I don't deserve you, and I have no clue how it happened, but I'm glad you're mine".
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.
"Thank you, darling".
"You're welcome. Want to take it for a spin?"
She nodded.
"We'll be right back, Max".
She grabbed her purse and they headed for a spin around the block.
She loved it, and tested out all the features.
"You're the greatest!"
They came inside the house, and headed to get a cocktail.
"Miss Edwards, while you two was gone, your Pop called. Said you know the number and to call him back".
"Thanks Max".
She went and sat on the couch and picked up the phone and called him.
"Hello?"
"Hi Pa, it's me. Jennifer".
"Hi sweetheart, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine".
"Well, I got a phone call from the insurance company saying that you had filed a claim for an accident. And when I told them I didn't know anything about that, the agent said you gave them this number as a contact number".
"Yeah, this is where I'm living now. In Los Angeles. Why was the agent calling you?"
"They wanted to double check the policy number, sweetheart".
"I see".
"So, what happened, how much is it going to cost me?"
"Well, the short version is, I've been dating someone for a little bit of time now, and we went away for the weekend. And while we were gone, his houseman had to borrow my car, and he was the one who got into the accident. Car is totaled, but it's not going to cost you anything, Pa. Jonathan, the guy I'm seeing, bought me a new car today".
"What kind of car did you have?"
"Jeep Wrangler".
"Is your boyfriend's houseman ok?"
"Yes, he's perfectly fine".
"He's very lucky. Those vehicles are death traps. What on earth possessed you to get one?"
"I've always wanted one, Pa."
She pointed to Jonathan and got his attention and then pointed to her glass of wine he had poured.
He put a white towel on his arm and pretended to be a waiter, and brought it to her. It was all she could do to keep from laughing.
"There's a reason I said no to buying you one all those years ago. You realize that, don't you?"
"I suppose".
"So, what kind of car did he purchase for you this time?"
"A Mercedes convertible. And I love it, Pa".
"Mercedes is high-quality. But no driving with the top off. I want you protected".
"Pa, need I remind you I'm a grown woman? And that the first car you bought me ten years ago when I started driving was a convertible?"
"Fair enough".
"We want to come visit you, Pa. Do you know when you'll be back in the States?"
"Two weeks sweetheart. And only for about a week or two".
"Ok, well, we will come then".
"Perfect, and we can celebrate your birthday while we are together".
"Sure. That sounds fun".
"Ok sweetheart, I have to go. I love you, I'm glad you're ok".
"I love you too. I'll talk to you soon".
She hung up and nestled back onto Jonathan's shoulder.
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah, the insurance agent from the insurance company called him because he's the policy holder. So, he was just checking on me".
"He's the policy holder of your insurance?"
"Yeah. It's a long story. Basically, he's rarely in the states, so he only needs insurance for half of the year. But they won't sell him a policy like that, so he put me on the policy and he bought me a car that we keep at his house and I use it when I'm there. So, when I bought the Jeep, I had them add it to this policy. Well, they were checking the policy number and they called him instead of me, so he was concerned. And then when I told him it was a Jeep, he told me they were death traps. And when I told him you bought me a convertible, he forbade me from driving around with the top down, because he wants me protected".
Jonathan chuckled.
"And he said we can come visit in two weeks, and we can celebrate my birthday when we do".
"When's your birthday?"
"November 2. When's yours?"
"It was three days ago".
She looked crestfallen.
"Why didn't you say something?"
"Well…"
Just then, Max came in.
"Shrimp kebabs ok for dinner?"
"Max, make Jonathan whatever he wants in celebration of his birthday we missed. Whatever he wants".
"What missed birthday? Mr. H., it ain't your birthday! His birthday is February 10".
"What? Jonathan Charles, you tricked me!"
Jonathan started laughing.
She swatted him.
"I was kidding. He's right, it's not till February".
"You rascal! Shrimp is fine, Max".
He leaned over and set his drink down and then wrapped his arms around her.
"I can't wait to celebrate you on your birthday".