Pretty well

According to Brian, the three car lots in town open in about an hour. The two of you enjoy another cup of coffee and exchange small talk for a while before he says it's time to go and calls a cab.

The drive to town is no more than ten minutes, but it certainly isn't a walk you want to make every day. You're already feeling a distinct need to be able to put some distance between you and the school on occasion, and if the situation with Grace can't be resolved, you may have to make a sudden getaway.

The cab deposits you at the first car lot and the two of you stroll onto it. You don't have a big budget for a vehicle, but you're hopeful you can find something small and cheap. As long as it runs, you tell yourself. You browse down the rows of cars, stopping periodically to look at one or two more closely.

"Morning Fellas!" a cheerful voice calls to you. You turn to see a large red faced man approaching with a salesman's grin on his face. "Saw you walk onto the lot, so I'm guessing you're in dire need of a set of wheels, am I right? The names Jimmy Havers. Folks around here call me Big Jimmy."

You both shake the heavy paw he extends and you watch his dark eyes sizing both of you up as you introduce yourselves.

"New in town?"

"We teach up at Pink Rose Academy," you answer.

"You don't say!" he exclaims. "I heard they were hiring some men, but I didn't believe it. Well good to see you fellas and welcome. What kind of vehicle you fellas looking for?"

The conversation goes on into specifics and you can see Big Jimmy's eyes light up at the prospect of not just one but two possible sales. The next two hours are spent looking at and test driving a number of cars, Brian finally deciding on a ten year old Mustang convertible while you settle for an older Toyota that has seen better days but seems to run well.

The paper work takes another hour, and by the time the two of you are happy owners, you're also both hungry. Asking Big Jimmy's for a lunch recommendation, he directs you down the street to a unpretentious looking diner that smells delicious. There are no empty tables, but the counter has several vacant stools and the two of you sit down. A busy looking waitress greets you cheerfully and puts menus and ice water down, before scurrying off.

When she comes back you order burgers, and the two of you start chatting again, comparing your life experiences. You barely notice when a woman's voice asks if the stool next to you is taken, simply gesturing that it is while barely looking at her.

You're listening to Brian tell an anecdote of bus trips in the minor leagues when the woman's voice breaks your concentration.

"Excuse me for butting in, but are you guys from up at the school? Pink Rose Academy I mean?"