Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(11)

“And then, yes, there is you. Why would I leave you? What would I even leave you for? I haven’t even thought about it. But William, it is a car. A car. That is just such a big commitment. You have to at least have it two years to get any value out of it. If I buy it new there is a huge car payment. If I buy it used it is a lesser, but still prevalent car payment, added to by repairs.” I looked at him expectantly.

“So...your problem with buying the car is...? I still don’t understand what the big deal is.” He was incredulous.

I have this bad habit of going beyond frustration and starting to cry for some, any, release. I am not proud of this trait, but there it is. This was one of those moments. The fear and worry that money caused were so far removed from some people that they didn’t even get the concept. How do you explain breathing air to a fish?

I shook my head as the tears sprung up. I got out of the car—well, I tried to get out of the car. He had the damn locks still on and I couldn’t figure out how to get the door open.

Then I was trapped by two large hands reeling me in, gently but firmly. He rested me against his chest and put his face close to mine.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t cry,” he said in a hushed tone.

I struggled to get myself out of his grip with more force then I probably needed. “Damn it! I am not f-ing sad!” I could feel my face getting red.

His mouth clicked shut, but the surprised look on his face didn't wash away.

“William, listen very closely,” I seethed, at the end of my patience and ready to just get it all out there, embarrassing or no. “I am poor. I am getting a huge deal on rent because Gladis likes me. I save, but compared to you that is peanuts. I don’t have the money to just buy a car. Any loss would be added to my enormous college and credit card debt. I don’t have it. I simply do not have it. I could probably make it work, that is if nothing happens to my living arrangement, but I will be financially pinched for three to five years. That is a long time.

“If you do the math, I will be setting myself back three-to-five-years. Think how you would feel if your whole ranch caught on fire. All the animals died. All your bulls, dead. The house, gone. You have money so you could just buy a new house, but can you buy those same prize bulls for your breeding?”

I could see this sinking in.

“That is what a car is to me. Does that almost make sense now?”

I was actually calming myself down as he was gaining awareness to my real issue. “So yes, it is just a car. It really isn’t a big deal. The money to buy said car, however, is. It is a little embarrassing to have to spell this out to you, since you’ve never had money problems...” I trailed off.

I was suddenly depressed. Who was I fooling? Him and me, me and him—it would never work. How could it? We weren’t just from different worlds, we were from difference galaxies. Just enough meets gross excess.

I suddenly knew what his mom’s problem would be. A look in my bank account would confirm it. Me not knowing how to act in high society would cement it. Poor William was just fooling himself.

“Would it be rude if I just bought you a car to smooth everything over?” he asked.

Way wrong answer.

I smiled despite my black mood, clasping my hands together so I didn't punch him in the mouth. “No, it would be incredibly sweet, but I wouldn’t be able to accept it.”

“No, I thought not. Too big too soon.”

“That’s what she said!” I giggled.

“Who said…What?”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, never mind. Let’s go.”

Chapter Three

I wasn’t paying attention due to thinking about finances, so I didn’t notice which store we stopped in front of. That was, until I looked up and saw Prada! I looked at William wild-eyed. Did he really intend to buy me a present from Prada?!

A car, no. That is too big of a purchase. Only spouses do that sort of thing. They would be sharing the bill anyway.But a handbag or some glasses? Women’s lib though I do support, I would be hard pressed to say no when faced with the dilemma!

I must have looked like a kid on Christmas. I was actually hopping up and down. William just shook his head, gave me a one armed hug.

“Okay, look,” he said, holding plastic out, “as I said, this is more for me than you. This is like your stage make-up, or battle gear, I dunno. My mom will be looking to see if you have Prada or Gucci, since you said something about them. She will want to see your taste. If you don’t have one, that can only be bad news.”

Good yes, let’s blame this on the mom. It’ll make the purchase easy to accept. I was bobbing up and down, clapping lightly.

“They might know my family in there,” William continued, a grin pushing at his straight face. “At least, they know the family name, but they won’t know you, so here, take these.”

He handed me two VISA gift cards. They were just like credit cards, but with a limited amount of cash on them, and no name attached. “Together they should have enough for a new bag—you know, first out. Or just out, or whatever. I don’t know anything about this stuff.” He shrugged. “Anyway, get a bag that you think suits you and that you would buy if you just decided to splurge. Or better yet, you got a few gift cards from friends and went for it. Do you understand?”

“Yes!” I squealed in delight.