A Long Walk Home

“Yeah, as if.”

“You’re right.” If it were my car, I’d let her.

A moment later Summer turned off the ignition, swung the door open and threw Tony his keys. “Thanks.”

She’d thanked him.

More progress.

“I was thinking of heading out for pizza. Would you like some?” he asked.

“Sure, can I come?”

He threw me a questioning glance, and I nodded approvingly.

“Only if you promise not to play your music,” he said, a strained, crooked grin in place.

They returned some time later with two large pizzas, a liter of Pepsi and a bag of vinegar chips. I knew instantly that something was wrong.

Tony slammed the boxes down on the counter and disappeared into the bathroom.

Summer took a paper plate I’d set on the table, loaded it with pizza and chips.

“Mmmm-mmm, vinegar chips are my favorite,” I said, taking one from the bag.

She rolled her eyes, shrugged, poured herself a glass of Pepsi and, grabbing her plate, charged up the stairs. At least she wouldn’t starve.

She’d no sooner slammed the bedroom door shut when Tony entered the kitchen.

“What happened?” I asked.

“That kid has a fresh mouth.”

Tell me something I don’t already know. “She’s had a rough life.”

“That’s no excuse for her to call me an uptight prick.”

Here I’d thought we were making progress. “Why’d she say that?”

“Because she wanted to?”

Which didn’t tell me a thing.

Not that I’d have taken Summer’s side, but I needed to understand. Should I press for details or wait until he’d calmed down?

I wrapped my arms around his waist. “She’s here for only a few days. I need you two to get along.”

His voice softened. “I’ll try, but that might not be possible.”

Though disappointed, I appreciated his honesty. “What set her off?”

His muscles tensed under my touch. “Are you taking sides?”

“No, just trying to understand.”

“There’s no understanding that kid. She’s rude. It’s as simple as that.”

“What were you talking about when she got upset?”

Tony pulled away, walked toward the sink and poured himself a tall glass of water. He drank half, turned and leaned against the granite countertop. “I was trying to get through to her, but she wasn’t having any of it. I told her how much work you’d done to make her stay special. The least she could do is show a little appreciation and not give you a hard time.”

“I don’t need you fighting my battles.”

“I know that. I was only trying to help.”

“Is that when she called you—”

“She didn’t say a word, instead she stared blankly out the window. Before I went inside to get the pizza, she asked if I could leave the engine running so she could listen to the radio. Of course I refused. I was afraid to come out and find her gone.”

“I certainly understand.”

“When I returned a moment later with the food, she was hunched against the seat, pouting. Thinking it would make her feel better, I pointed out that no one but me drives the Porsche. Not even you.”

That news didn’t settle well. “Does this mean you wouldn’t let me drive your car if I asked?”

“No, of course not.”

But there was enough doubt in his tone to make me wonder.

“So when exactly did Summer start calling you names?”

“Right after she found out you’d never driven my Porsche.”

“It sounds as though you think more of that damn car than me.”

“I never knew you wanted to drive my Porsche.”

“I didn’t…but now I do. Very much.”

“Then let’s go for a spin.”

This was silly. I really didn’t care about driving his car.

It was the principle.

Plus it had a stick, and I was no good at shifting.

I had to be sure he trusted me with his precious car.