Though she was happy at first, Cherish pressed her hands to her lower back and leaned her head away wearily, “Holy moly, were all movies that long?” She asked.
He pulled his glasses off and rubbed his eye as they approached the car. Stifling a yawn, he with her gaze before they ducked into the vehicle, “I don’t think so, but this story was so big and hard to follow they probably had to make it as long as the Bible to tie it all together.” He muttered.
Cherish smirked at him and rubbed on his shoulder, “You survived. I’m so proud of you.” She teased shutting the door behind her.
Turning on the car, the clock lit up and he hissed in a breath. 11 P.M. They were going to hear it when they got back, “Oh boy, let’s get home.” He said.
She inhaled a deep breath and held it before she sighed with a nod, “You’re right.” She said. Regardless of being tired, Cherish felt refreshed and as though she could get through another leg of her job, the kids, and home life. She knew another break wouldn’t come anytime soon. She stared out of the window silently with her chin against her palm while soft guitar instrumental flowed through the speakers of the radio. She didn’t have to say anything for Simon to know their outing had been a great time.
The soft music and the tired, content nature of the car felt like the perfect atmosphere to bring up the plans for their first vacation. Although he felt that there would be trouble with her agreeing, he had to convince her. He drummed his fingers on the wheel which tipped her off that he was deep in thought. Cherish turned her head towards Simon as he spoke up, “On the holidays we were planning out a trip to a cabin in Colorado and we want you and Jasmine to come with us.” He gave her a quick glance and added, “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
She scratched lightly against her arm as she rose her eyebrows, “Yeah? I mean, yes. That sounds like everything I’ve never had, but I don’t think I can afford to go.” She said and quickly explained before Simon had a chance to tell her he would pay, “What I mean is, I want to be able to contribute to the trip if Jasmine and I were to go. Colorado, wow. This time last year I never thought I’d have this sort of life let alone be this happy. Jasmine and Jr. are going to have their first Christmas and I want it to be memorable.” She said nodding. The decision was a no brainer because she wanted to provide for Jasmine in a way she never had herself. Anything and everything for that little girl. “I’ll put in the days tomorrow, just tell me when.” She said biting her bottom lip, “Can we invite Emily’s parents?” she asked.
Simon was pleasantly surprised which caused a big smile to take over his mouth. He nodded enthusiastically, “This is my mother we’re talking about. They’re already booked on a flight coming here a couple of days before.” He stated.
Smiling, she nodded quietly. It was good for both Simon and Emily’s parents to stay in the loop. Emily was their only child and Jr. was the only tie to her they had left. She would include them in everything if she had the chance to stick around long enough to do so. She rubbed a finger under her nose before snapping, “Oh, speaking of money. I think I found a car on Facebook that I’m really interested in. It’s a white 2004 Nissan, with ninety-nine thousand miles. AC works fine, no shakes or rattles they said and its recently been inspected. They only want two thousand for it. Can you take me there tomorrow to check it out?” she asked.
The first thing Cherish was met with was a skeptical look which didn’t help. A car that old with little mileage concerned him. The price was also a red flag for a vehicle that supposedly didn’t have issues. Nevertheless, he wasn’t going to argue her on it, especially after the wonderful night they’d just experienced. He knew she wouldn’t take his cash and wanted to do it for herself. Once she had her mind set, she pushed and accomplished it.
“Alright. But only if I get to inspect the car and you listen to what I have to say before you buy it.” He said. By his tone, it was obvious that he trying to convince her it wasn’t a good idea. The last thing he wanted was for her to pay her hard-earned cash and get stuck with a piece of junk, “Deal?” he asked.
Cherish’s eyes lit up as she pumped her fist and hugged against his side, “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!” she expressed happily. Even though it was just a car, a first one at that, the fact was this woman came from literally nothing. She was abandoned and on the verge on losing her daughter. Now, with the help from the guardian angel she was blessed with, she had her own job, people who didn’t take advantage of her, and soon she’d have her own set of wheels. The holiday vacation was just a bonus that she never saw coming but accepted willingly. Even though she knew that she’d have
