store, I went to rent a U-Haul truck. I was planning on never having to take it back. I had plans for my new vehicle and by the time I got done with it, I wouldn’t be able to take it back anyway.
I got the U-Haul loaded. Then I went back to my place and called a taxi to take me back to the rental place. From there, I took my Mustang back to the car dealership to pick up the Hummer. By the time I got back, the winch was on and the papers were ready to be signed. Next came the hard part. I had to convince Gina to come with me.
Chapter 7
On the way to Gina’s apartment I called work. I talked to my boss and told him I was still sick. He wasn’t as understanding this time. I told him I was sorry but I would not be in tonight. The next two nights were my nights off so I’d have a few more days to figure out what I was going to do about my job.
When I got to Gina’s apartment there was a parking place right up front. As I was walking up to her door I saw the curtains move. As I lifted my hand to knock on her door she beat me to it.
“Go away. I have nothing to say to you.”
“Honey, let me talk to you. Just give me a few minutes.”
“My name’s Gina and I’m not your honey.”
“Look, I’m sorry about what happened with us. That’s not why I’m here though.”
The door opened a crack. I knew she still liked me.
“I’ll give you five minutes. After that you’ll have to leave.”
“Five minutes? That’s all?”
The door closed.
“Okay, five minutes.”
The door opened back up and she let me in.
“What happened to your car? Is that yours?”
“Yeah, I traded the Mustang in on the Hummer. Doesn’t make sense does it?”
“No but I never assumed you were very bright.”
“Look, I’m sorry I lied about my age but it’s kind of your fault too.”
“You need to leave.”
“Come on, just let me finish. Your fault is that you’re so good-looking I didn’t want to lose you. You thought I was only thirty-five and I took it as a compliment. Then you found out the truth before I could tell you myself.”
“I just want you to understand. It’s not that you’re ten years older than I thought. It’s that you lied and I can’t stand a liar.”
“You’re right. I was wrong to let you believe I was only thirty-five. I really like you and well, I’m an ass. I’m sorry.”
“You’re right about one thing. You are an ass.”
There was an uncomfortable pause in the conversation. I didn’t know how I was going to get to the real reason I was here.
“Well, okay then,” she said. “I’ll see you at work tonight and we can talk some more.”
Gina works in the bakery at the store. She’s the head baker on the night shift. Since I’m the night manager, I’m kind of her boss. Life’s funny like that.
“Look Gina, there’s more I wanted to talk about. Can we turn on your television? There may something on the news I’d like you to see.”
I’d timed my arrival to coincide with the start of the evening news and I was hoping that there would be something, anything, to help me start this conversation.
“Okay but I have