Chapter THIRTEEN

Their house was quiet as she sat at the kitchen table and sipped her morning coffee. The weather outside had turned surprisingly comfortable despite there being a slight chill so she decided to dress appropriately for work, wearing one of her best dresses that she would cover with a short white knee-trench coat and stylish knee-high boots.

She had draped the coat over the back of her chair, content to linger over the morning paper and listen to the sounds the old house occasionally made. As expected, the paper was full of accounts from the charity ball, mostly centered around her sudden departure. Bobby Mercer was becoming quite the subject for The Daily Detroit to write about. As much as it annoyed her, this article stuck to only facts about what had happened, staying far enough away from the slander line and prohibiting her from making a call to her lawyer.

Footsteps had her looking up at the doorway just in time to see Bobby stumble into the kitchen. He was dressed in just his jeans, yawning as he stretched his arms and ran a hand through his rumpled hair. She smirked and lowered her cup onto the table. "Good morning sleeping beauty."

He grunted and came forward to kiss her before plopping down into a seat at the table. "It's seven in the fucking morning."

"I want to be at the office before Melody gets there."

"Why don't you just call in again? I'm sure she'd appreciate the extra sleep."

Kimberly rolled her eyes at him playfully but shook her head, sipping at her coffee again. "I like being at the office Bobby, and it's important that I'm there. People feel more motivated to do their jobs when they see someone like a person in my position cares as much about it as they do."

"You should give them all a raise, problem solved. You'd be their new Evita."

"You know who Evita was?" She teased.

"That woman Madonna played right?" He scratched at his chest. "Sofi used to play that damn movie all the time at night." He snorted with a grin. "I swear it was for Angel though; I'd hear him singing along to it when he didn't think anyone else was listening."

"Evita was actually Eva Duarte and later Eva Perón. She was a child from the lower class bracket that became not only the first lady but also a spiritual leader of Argentina." She leaned in to kiss him. "And yes," She giggled, "she was played by Madonna in the movie."

"Guess you learn something new every day." Bobby grabbed the back of her neck to bring her mouth back to his, the kiss demanding. When he finally released her, he smirked at the dazed look on her face. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Now call Melody and tell her you're sick."

"I can't." She stood up and rinsed out her mug in the sink. "I won't stay all day, I promise. Besides, don't you need to go to your own office every once and a while?"

He snorted as he leaned back and stretched his arms. "And do what? Twirl around in my useless desk chair? I still don't understand Jerry giving each of us an office; it's a waste of space especially when Jackie isn't even in Detroit anymore."

She came back towards him, sliding into his lap and wrapping her arms around him as he slid his around her waist. He buried his face into her neck and sighed. "You really miss him a lot don't you?"

"I always thought I'd be the big brother and look after him." Bobby muttered. "Now he's off living his life in Los Angeles with a wife and three kids trying to make it as a rock star."

"He's happy and following his dream, that's what matters." Kimberly pressed her lips against his temple. "Who knows; maybe one day they'll move back here."

Bobby leaned back. "Do you ever think about leaving Detroit?"

"I finished college out of state so yes, I have but this is my home now. I have too much invested into this city, too much invested into its future to just abandon it now. I want to see this city be a place people are proud to be from, not one they shun or feel disgraced by."

"Sometimes I think maybe there's more out there." Bobby admitted. "I spent so much time away from here only to come back when it was too late and now... Now I can't help but think there's more to my life than the walls of this house."

"You have to do what makes you happy Bobby."

He smirked at her. "I'm trying but she won't call out of work."

"Don't do that." She smiled despite the serious words. "Don't try to change the subject when we're actually talking about something important." She cupped his face with her hands. "Do you want more than the walls of this house Bobby?"

"It wouldn't matter if I did. You love Detroit and not only that but Angel and Jerry are here. I can't just take off and leave them; I told myself after Ma died I wouldn't do that again."

"Your brothers are grown men with their own lives and they would understand Bobby just like they understood about Jack having to leave. Just because you move away doesn't mean you can't come back to visit."

"You don't understand."

Kimberly dropped her hands and moved off his lap. "You're right Bobby. I don't." She peeled off the house coat she had been wearing. "I didn't lose my mother the way you did and I didn't have any brothers or sisters so you're right, but it doesn't make what I'm saying any less true."

"I just..." He paused. "What are you wearing?"

She glanced down at her dress with raised eyebrows. "A dress?"

"There's no..." He motioned at his chest. "Is it on backwards?"

Kimberly burst out laughing as she reached for her trench coat and slid it on. "No, it's not on backwards; there just isn't any fabric down the middle."

"Your breasts are practically hanging out!"

"My breasts are fine." She shot him a look as she grabbed her purse. "This isn't the first time I've worn it and I've done a good job so far at not giving old men any heart attacks."

"But-"

"I paid good money for this dress Bobby and I like it."

Seeing the look of determination in her eyes, he grunted and sat back in his seat. "Don't blame me when I have to punch someone in the face to defend your honor. This is Detroit."

"Defend my honor?" She chuckled. "Oh, no; I'd hate for you to have to do anything like that. Don't pout please; I like this dress too much to give it up." She moved around the chair to bend down to kiss him. He tilted his head up but as their lips brushed, he stood up and deepened the kiss, the motion moving her back to where the back of her legs collided with the table.

Bobby growled and yanked the sides of her coat apart, hands dipping between them to brush the fabric covering her breasts. He growled again at seeing her bare skin underneath. "I like the fucking dress too baby, that's the problem." He thrust his hips against hers and she moaned, her mouth finding his again the second his hands slid over her breasts.

Her hands grabbed at his back, nails scrapping down the skin there, as he squeezed her breasts. In response, she bit down on his bottom lip so hard he cursed. "Upstairs." He kissed her hard. "We have to go back upstairs."

"You're making me late."

He smirked and dipped to bite her neck. "Wouldn't be the first time would it?"

Laughing, she wound her arms around his neck. "You're going to get me in a lot of trouble one of these days." She watched an indescribable expression flitter across his face. "Hey, I love you."

"I love you too baby."

"Ya'll make me sick. Can't you take that shit somewhere else?" Angel entered the kitchen in just his basketball shorts and scratching his stomach. "People gotta eat on that thing."

"I'm surprised the rest of are able to eat with you around." Bobby adjusted her dress so she was covered again and stepped away from her. "Why are you up?"

"I heard commotion." Angel glanced between them with a slow smile. "Thought I'd come check it out."

Kimberly cleared her throat and adjusted the lapels of her coat. Her eyes lingered on Angel's defined stomach. When he cleared his throat, she looked up to find him grinning widely at her.

"There's nothing to fucking see." Bobby growled moving in front of her. "Go back to bed."

"But I'm up already and I'm hungry."

"You're gonna be missing some teeth if you don't go back upstairs."

"Bobby, really, don't be childish." She scolded softly and grabbed her briefcase from the table. "I'll be back around lunch time if things aren't too hectic at the office." She kissed Bobby briefly and laughed as Angel puckered his lips. "Good bye Angel." Ignoring Bobby's growl, she pressed her lips against Angel's cheek. "You boys play nice."

"See you girl." Angel chuckled then paused. "Hey.... Your dress on backwards?"

1313131313131313131313

Several hours later, Kimberly shrugged off her jacket and shut the door. She frowned as she heard Sofi and Angel arguing upstairs and Bobby's voice was coming loudly from the kitchen. She hung up her jacket and made her way into the living room to see Marley lying down on the couch, a blanket laid over her as she watched SpongeBob on the television. As soon as she saw Kimberly, the little girl jumped up off the couch.

"Mommy!"

"There's my little girl." She scooped Marley up into her arms and kissed her nosily on the cheek. "Is Daddy on the phone?"

Marley nodded resting her head against Kimberly's chest. "Aunt Natalie crying."

"She is?" Kimberly lowered her back down. "Keep watching SpongeBob while I check on Daddy." She smiled as Marley nodded and ran back to the couch. She ventured into the kitchen to find Bobby pacing back and forth as he talked on the phone, managing now to keep his voice low as he talked to Natalie. She leaned against the door frame and crossed her arms.

"Sweetheart, you have to stop crying. I'm sorry." He sighed and rubbed at his eyes. "No, I know it's not my fault but I..." He sighed. "Please stop crying."

Kimberly straightened as he looked over at her, a helpless look on his face. He mouthed the word help and she hesitated before she reached out to take the phone from him. She cleared her throat and raised the cell phone to her ear. "Natalie?"

The woman on the other end hiccupped. "Who… Who is this?"

"This is Kimberly. You don't know me but Bobby's a mess when it comes to crying women." She kept her voice calm. "Is there something maybe you feel you talk to me about? Woman to woman?"

"Kimberly... Bobby's Kimberly?" Natalie sniffled. "I'm talking to that Kimberly?"

"Um, I hope I'm the only one." She laughed lightly, smiling as Bobby wrapped his arms around her from behind. "What's wrong? If you don't want to talk to me, that's fine but -"

Jack's wife sniffled again. "You're very sweet to offer. I can see why Bobby loves you." She cleared her throat. "It's my father." She hiccupped and started to cry again.

"What about your father?"

"He is such an asshole! He doesn't talk to me for years, taking my mother's side and practically disowning me!" Natalie sobbed. "And now he's sending me some check for money! Wrote a note about it being for the baby and to not write back a thank you! Like he's paying me off or something!"

"Your father tends to follow your mother's lead I'm afraid. I'm sure he didn't mean it in an insulting way."

"I don't care how he meant it! I don't want his fucking money!"

"Sweetheart, you're getting really worked up over this. Maybe you should send the check back."

Natalie sobbed even harder. "I want to but we need the money." She hiccupped and exhaled sharply. "I'm pregnant again and we're behind on our bills and there are problems at the hospital.... I don't want this check but I can't seem to tear it in half. What kind of person does that make me?"

"How much is the check?"

"Two million dollars. He sent us two million dollars!" Natalie sobbed.

Bobby sighed and Kimberly moved to sit at the table as he released her. He disappeared into the living room and she cleared her throat. "I know you feel if you cash the check that it's almost like taking blood money Natalie but you said it yourself that bills are right. Think about your family."

"It's almost as if he's paying us off! Paying us to stay away! I'm supposed to accept that?"

"When it comes down to it, it's your money anyway. Perhaps your father felt guilty about how he's treated you and is trying to make up for it by helping your family out."

"Well, it might be just money to you Kimberly but it's not to me." Natalie's voice grew stronger. "I can't just accept something because they feel guilty. I'd be collecting money for the rest of my life if that was how it worked." She snapped. "And even if I wanted to, Jack's never going to accept it! He'd rather work all day and night and never see our kids in order to provide for us before he'll accept my father's handouts."

Kimberly listened as Natalie ranted ninety-miles an hour before she spoke again. "How much are you behind on your bills?"

"Excuse me?"

"Natalie, please just answer the question."

Natalie hiccupped again. "We're almost seventy-five thousand dollars in the hole. I was balancing our checkbook and our statements today and realized it. I can't believe this. What am I going to do?"

"I have an idea."

"If it means I won't have to cash this check, please tell me."

"Well, what I'm thinking means you will have to cash it."

"I will?"

Kimberly chuckled. "I've been discussing some options to expand my business with my lawyer and I've decided to start a charity that will cater to the less fortunate around Detroit. I'm planning on opening a huge center for children in need of adopting or a place to stay in general. It's also going to extend to helping anyone over the age of sixteen find an occupation and a place of residency, a jack of all trades kind of center."

"That's such a wonderful thing to do Kimberly."

"If you honestly don't want to cash the check to place in your own account, you can donate the money through your hospital or your own family and in exchange I'll write you a check in an amount you're more comfortable with cashing."

"But..."

"If you won't take me helping you out one woman to another, I'll consider it a loan."

"I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to answer right away. If you want to talk it over with Jack and call me back in a couple of days, that's fine." She paused. "Of course, if you don't accept the offer, I'll find another way to help you out and I just won't tell you."

Natalie gasped. "You wouldn't!"

"You don't know me Natalie. Trust me, I will." The line went quiet for a few minutes and Kimberly cleared her throat again, pausing as she heard the other woman sniffle again. "Natalie?"

"This is just so unexpected." Natalie sniffled loudly. "You're just the sweetest person. You're doing something extremely nice for a person you hardly know."

"If Bobby vouches for you, you're worth it."

"You really love him don't you?"

Kimberly trailed her fingers absentmindedly on the table top. "Yes, I do Natalie. I love him very much."

Natalie went silent again for a minute. "If I decide to take you up on your offer, I can pay you back each month?"

"I won't turn loan shark on you but yes, you can pay me back when it's possible. I'd prefer you didn't but I don't want you to feel like you're going from one situation to another you hate with the price being the only difference."

"I don't think that. I know the difference in your offer and my father's ridiculous attempt at an apology." Natalie's voice was calmer now, softer as well which was good for not only her baby but Kimberly's ear. "If... If I somehow talk Jack into taking this money... I want something in return."

Kimberly couldn't help herself, chuckling merrily for a few minutes before she stopped. "You're not used to making deals I can see. Usually when you're offered something, you don't request more on top of what you're already getting."

"This isn't a normal deal." Natalie remarked lightly. "You want me to take this money and from what I'm hearing, you don't really want me to pay it back."

"That's correct. I'm only offering the idea of a loan to make you both feel better about taking the money."

Natalie made a sound in her throat as if she was thinking. "I might be able to talk Jack into accepting the money and look at it as a large lump sum of reward for all the gay jokes he took from Bobby over the years..." Both women laughed. "But if I do, you have to promise me something."

Kimberly found herself speaking before she could think it over what exactly Natalie might request. "If you seriously take the money with no intention to pay me back and your request is in the realm of human possibility, I don't see why not."

"Bobby told Jack on the phone today he was thinking about coming out to see us shortly after the baby is born."

"He won't let me buy his plane ticket if that's what you're doing to ask."

"Of course he won't; he's a Mercer which is going to make this deal next to impossible considering despite no matter how much Bobby protests, Jack is honestly the most stubborn one of them all."

"Being the youngest, I'm not surprised."

"I want you to come out here with Bobby." Natalie blurted out.

Kimberly slapped her forehead. "Natalie, I..."

"Please Kimberly? I want to meet you and I really think you'd like it in Los Angeles."

"I've been to Los Angeles before Natalie and it's quite lovely despite the traffic and the smog."

"Do you travel a lot? Because of your business?"

"I do when it calls for it."

"So, will you come out in a few months?"

"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be bombarded by tons of people I don't know as soon as my feet touch the ground at LAX?"

"Nonsense." Natalie chuckled. "We'll wait until you get to the house before we do that." When Kimberly didn't say anything, she cleared her throat. "I'm just kidding of course. Kimberly? Did you hang up?"

"Of course not, that would be rude."

"Oh thank god. Kim, can I call you Kim? This is going to sound weird and it might be because of my hormones but I can't tell you how happy I am to finally talk to someone around here that doesn't have a penis. I mean, everyone I've met since we moved here is great but I don't really hang with them a lot and I love Jack but sometimes I could just strangle the man with his guitar strings."

Kimberly laughed and sat back in her chair, stiffening but then relaxing as she felt Bobby's hands settled on her shoulders. "Can I think it over?"

"I'll call back tomorrow for your answer."

"How did this come down to the final decision being up to me? You're a shrewd business woman Natalie."

Natalie giggled. "I'm starting to realize when you're a Mercer, it's sometimes necessary to be shrewd in order to get the things you want."

"You might be right about that."

"Oh crap, Jack just pulled into the driveway and I haven't even started dinner. I have to go." Natalie spoke quickly. "It was nice talking to you Kimberly. I'll call back tomorrow."

"It was nice talking to you as well Natalie. I look forward to hearing from you again." Kimberly snapped the phone shut and closed her eyes at the feeling of Bobby's fingers massaging her shoulders. "I really need to get back to the office."

"You haven't eaten anything for lunch." He released her shoulders to move to the adjacent seat so he could see her face. His eyes flickered to the phone on the table. "What did I miss?"

She hesitated then motioned at the chair. "Maybe you should take a seat."

"What did you do?"

"I robbed a bank before I came home for lunch. Just sit down." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as he plopped down beside her. "I'm going to assume you were apologizing to Natalie about her dad and the check?"

Bobby shrugged. "Even if I wasn't completely nerved by a woman crying, I did lay into him pretty hard at the party. Maybe he realized after that he's human underneath that prick exterior after all."

"He sent her two million dollars."

"Shit. Is she going to cash it?"

"Did you know they were having problems paying their bills?"

The frown on his face told her the answer before his mouth did. "I know now."

"Natalie told me they're almost eighty thousand dollars in debt."

"Fuck." Bobby rubbed at his face with his palm before he slapped his hands together. "Fucking Fairy; why didn't he tell me?"

"Probably for the exact same reason you wouldn't have told anyone in his position, you Mercers have a serious problem letting go of your pride."

"I fucking knew them moving to Los Angeles was a bad idea but Jackie kept insisting it was where he needed to be for his music. Now look at them, they're in debt, he's still working that shitty ass construction job on the side, and Natalie is being forced to work double shifts at the hospital even when she's pregnant!"

Kimberly bit back a sigh. "They seem to like Los Angeles."

"Natalie would like Greenland if that's where Jack wanted to be. She's always had a problem with saying no when someone else really wanted something; even when we were dating she couldn't do it."

"Even when you were what!?"

Bobby ran a hand through his hair. "I dated Natalie for a few months when Jack went into the hospital. She was his doctor."

"Why was he in the hospital?"

"Victor Sweet sent people after us and they shot up the house. Jack almost died. It's not something I like talking about."

"So Jack stole your girl huh?"

"He did not steal-" Bobby grunted as he saw her smirking at him. He rolled his eyes. "Natalie and I weren't serious. And there just wasn't any denying that she and Jack were perfect for each other."

"In other words, he stole her. Did you sleep with her?"

"He did not! What? No!"

"Did you want to sleep with her?"

Bobby stared at her in amazement. "Where the hell is this coming from? Yes, I wanted to sleep with her, is that what you really want to know?"

"Can't I just be curious?"

"About my favorite color or hockey team sure but you're asking me about Natalie of all people! It's... It's a little weird."

"What's your favorite color?"

"I don't… I..." He grunted.

"Why didn't you sleep with her?"

"She didn't want to sleep with me."

Kimberly cupped her chin, her elbow propped up on the table. "So she wanted to date you but she wasn't interested in fucking you." The look that flared in his eyes made her smile behind her fingers.

"I know she wanted to fuck me." Bobby defended. "But she just wasn't ready. Not that it really matters but she was a virgin until Jack."

"I see." She lowered her hand to trail her fingers across the table. "How romantic, to save someone's life only to discover they're your one true love. I'm sure their first night together was very special." She smirked. "No wonder they keep having babies."

"Did you grow up wanting children?"

She blinked in surprise. "I've never really given it much thought. I always assumed one day perhaps I'd have one or two. I love Marley like she was mine Bobby and you know that but right now I couldn't possibly imagine being pregnant and having to prepare for a little baby."

"I want at least four."

"Something tells me you didn't always feel that way."

He shrugged again, scratching at his chin. "Until Marley, I didn't want any kids. I was too busy bouncing from job to job and staying away from Detroit to think about settling down. It wasn't until Ma was killed that I even considered coming back here."

Kimberly reached out to slide her hand on top of his. "You're a wonderful father Bobby."

He grabbed her and pressed his lips against her knuckles. His eyes met hers. "And you're going to be a wonderful mother."

"I'm already a mother." She smiled at him hesitantly. "There are times I'm still not sure what I'm doing but I swear I'm going to be the best mother I can be to Marley."

"You're a natural Kimmy. Marley thinks the world of you. Just be you and everything will be okay."

"Speaking of being me..."

"Does this story end with you being naked?"

"I offered to give Natalie the money to pay off their bills."

The easy going smile slid slowly off Bobby's face. "You what?"

"Long story short I'm starting a center for needy children and I told her if she donated the money to my charity, I'd give her whatever amount she needed in exchange. I offered it as a loan of course but now she's trying to talk me out of it."

"Talk you out of it how?"

"She'll take the eighty thousand if I agree to come out and see the new baby in a few months."

His jaw dropped. "You're fucking kidding me."

"No, she actually told me she-"

"You're just going to give her eighty thousand fucking dollars and not expect a penny back?" He raised a hand when she opened her mouth to respond. "That came out wrong. You just expect her to take the money and not pay you back? Most people wouldn't but that's not the type of man Jack is. Shit, I doubt he'll even accept the money to begin with."

"You'd be surprised at what a man will agree to when it comes to a woman he loves, especially one who's pregnant and bawling her eyes out."

"This is fucking insane!"

"Bobby-"

"You're not fucking giving them that money."

"Excuse me?"

"I said you're not giving them the money. If they need the fucking help, we'll all help them but I'm not going to let you be the only one to give them money."

"It's not really up to you Bobby."

She jumped as he slammed his fist down on the table. "The fuck it isn't!" He snapped. "You don't even know them!"

"So suddenly I have to know someone before I help them out?"

Bobby's nostrils flared as he stared at her. "You can't just go around handing out money every time someone needs it! What the fuck are you thinking Kimberly? You're not a fucking bank!"

She realized her hands were clutching the sides of the table, her knuckles turning white. "Please do not yell at me."

"Obviously it's the only way you'll listen to me. I can't believe you did this! And you didn't even ask me!"

"Since when do I have to ask you permission to do things?" She shoved back from the table and stood up. "I share your bed Bobby and I try to be a part of your family but you don't fucking own me and you do not tell me what to do!"

She took a step back as Bobby stood up, the chair going unnoticed as it fell loudly onto the floor. "This isn't a discussion Kimberly. You're not giving them the eighty thousand and that's final."

"I'm sorry Jack decided to not tell you he was in trouble but don't take the fact he's living his life out from under your shadow on me Bobby."

"This has nothing to fucking do with that!"

"So you're just doing it out of insecurity? I thought we were passed this!"

"For the last time, I am not fucking insecure!" He snarled.

She snorted and shoved her chair in. "Right; you're just acting ridiculous all because you have a better idea, is that it? What exactly can you do to help them Bobby? It's not like you have eighty thousand dollars just lying around. Do you? Have I overlooked it somewhere in this house by some chance?"

"They don't need your fucking money."

"What they don't need is you giving your opinion on how they should live their lives. If they want to take the money, I'm giving it to them and that is what's final."

"Why the fuck are you doing this Kimberly?" Bobby snapped. "You don't know them, you're not family to them! You're just some woman I'm dating that they've never met!" The very second the words came out he watched some of the fire in her eyes die, embers remaining behind as she continued to stare at him in anger. "Kimmy, I didn't mean-"

"The hell you didn't!" She snapped. "You're right, I'm not really family am I? I didn't grow up in this house so I can't possibly be included when it comes to important matters."

Bobby snorted, his hands at his sides clenched now in the shape of fists. "Don't be fucking ridiculous! You are family to me but they're- Hey!" He growled as she left the kitchen. "I'm talking to you!"

"You're talking at me. I'm going back to work."

"You're not leaving until we're done talking Kimberly!"

She rolled her eyes and swooped down to kiss the little girl that was miraculously still asleep before she straightened and kept walking. She ignored Bobby repeating her name and shrugged on her jacket. "Goodbye Bobby."

When she pulled open the door, he slammed it shut with his hand. Kimberly kept her hand on the doorknob, her eyes glued to it. "I said you're not fucking leaving."

She lifted her eyes slowly to his. "What are you going to do Bobby?"

"Don't walk away from me like this." He growled. "We're going to finish talking and then if you want to go back and hide in your office, be my guest."

"Hide in my office?" Her eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you to speak to me like that?" She kept her face close to his, her voice low. "Let go of the door."

"No."

"You can't keep me here. Step back."

Bobby smirked and leaned more of his weight into the door. "I can keep you here as long as I fucking want to Kimberly and there's nothing you can do to stop me. Shit, if I wanted to I could carry you upstairs right now kicking and screaming."

"Do not threaten me."

"It's not a threat baby, it's a promise. I decide when we're done and right now there's way in hell I'm letting you leave here without finishing this conversation. You're pissed at me, I get it but there's no reason to leave upset; we can fix this. Just let me explain to you why your idea won't help like you want it to Princess."

Her eyes stayed locked on his but her voice was shaky this time. "I want to leave." She cleared her throat. "Please Bobby, let me leave."

He sighed and pushed back from the door. "You want to go; fucking go."

"Bobby..."

"You wanted to leave! I'm letting you fucking leave!" He threw his hand up. "Fucking go!" Scowl on his face, he marched into the living room.

Kimberly yanked open the door and the only thing that stopped her from slamming it behind her was the fact that Marley was mere feet away thankfully asleep and unaware of the turmoil swirling around her. She almost ran to her car, slipping twice on her heels, and as she pulled away from the curb, she refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing her tires squeal.