"I still need a car!"

“I still need a car!”

“A car? My car??” It took him a moment to recover.

“Yes, your car....the one you always drive around the block with.”

“Come.” he said, taking Elyse's hand and leading her through a door that enters into the garage. Turning on the light, he pointed to his pink classic Thunderbird convertible. “You mean this car?”

“Yes, of course!”

He gasped for breath, and he clutched his chest to monitor his heartbeat. “I'm sorry. I can't let you take this car. This is my baby. I've had it for over forty years now. Kept it in the shape it is.”

“It's a very nice car,” Elyse said, walking up to it and sliding her hands along the hood.

Mr. Brady came around the side and opened the passenger door. “Please, you can't begin to know it until you've sat in it.”

Smiling, she followed his inclination and sat within. He closed the door, came around to the driver side and sat beside her.

They sat there for awhile looking over the dashboard.

“Have you brought many girls in this car with you?”

“Sadly, no. Not like you might expect.”

“That's kind of sad.”

“It is." He released a heavy sigh, "unfortunately life had other plans. But anyways, here I am. And, here you are! So, it can't be that bad, right?”

Elyse giggled. “Maybe you're right, Mr. Brady!”

Entertaining an idea to please him, she leaned over and kissed his face. “There,” she said with a smile.

“Elyse,” he said deeply, “This is a dream car, but it's nothing without the dream girl.”

“I'm afraid you overvalue me. I'm really not what you think I am.”

“If only I were your age at this very moment...I can assure you I wouldn't be so much the gentleman.”

“You don't have to be such a gentleman,” she said, “especially when there's so much we want from eachother.”

“You want my car.”

“You want my kisses.”

“You want my money.”

“You want my child.”

He raised a hand to her face and stroked her cheek. “You drive me crazy, girl. And, I just can't bear to see anything happen to you. Please tell me what you want.”

“I want your car...just for today.”

“No. No, because, you don't have to go through the trouble anymore. I surrender myself to you. You can have my money. You can have what you need. $750? It's yours. I ask nothing from you. Please, will it rest your mind?”

“But—I can't just take your money. You're too good.”

“Please take it. Will you? Please, if you can't get the money any other way. Take the money.”