All this time Ashley had been sitting there without saying a word, she finally leaned over to me when we were alone.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing? Even if I finance forty thousand the notes are going to be close to a thousand a month with insurance, I can't afford that.", she said, scolding me like a small child.
I didn't have time to reply, both the owner and the sales woman had now returned to the small office.
"My rock bottom deal is fifty two on the 550, I'll give you nine on the trade in.", he told me.
"You're going to put that SUV on the lot and ask at least fifteen, no way I take nine.", I replied.
"Here's my last offer, I'll go fifty one on the 550, you give me eleven on the trade in, that's put the balance at forty more or less. I pay you cash right now, no financing, we drive it home.", I ended.
"Cash ?", he asked.
"Yes sir.", I answered.
I reached in my back pocket, pulled out my wallet and checkbook, tore a check out of the book, handing it to him.
"You can just fill that out with the balance, I'll sign it.", I told him.
"Sir no offense, but this is an out of state check, it's Saturday, I would have to make sure this clears before I could let you take the car. I'm sure the check is probably good, but you have to understand my position here.", he answered.
"If the check's good, do we have a deal ?", I asked.
He thought for a moment, turned and looked at the paperwork one last time, then turned back.
"If the check's good , we have a deal.", he said, shaking my hand.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out my cell phone, scanned through the contacts and found Cindy Taylor's number, my financial advisor at PSA. I dialed it quickly, and she answered right away.
"Hey Ms. Cindy, it's Brian, how are you doing today ?", I asked.
"Good. I'm sorry to bother you on the weekend but I have a slight problem. I am back home, I'm trying to buy a car, but they want to be sure my check is good.", I told her.
I handed the phone to the owner of the dealership, he said hello, then listened for several minutes, the expression on his face changing from one of complete control, to one of genuine surprise.
"That won't be a problem Ms. Taylor, I appreciate your help.", he answered, handing the phone back to me.
I thanked Cindy for her help, telling her I would get a copy of the bill of sale for her next week when I got back to the west coast. I hung up and put the phone back in my pocket.
"I'm sorry Mr. Stevens, I had no idea who you were.", he told me.
"So we have a deal ?", I asked.
"We have a deal. Give me about thirty minutes to get the paperwork ready.", he answered.
He left the room with the sales lady, leaving Ashley and I alone for the second time. It didn't take Ashley long to confront me.
"Brian, I am extremely upset with you. You have no right to do what you just did. I do not need you to buy me a car. You went too far.", she said, her voice highly critical.
I looked over at Ashley sitting in the chair next to me. I leaned over and took her warm soft hand in mind, I looked into her angry eyes.
"Ash, when my Father died, I had no one, I was completely alone. I cannot imagine what would have happened to me had you not been there. You had no obligation to me whatsoever, but you took care of me like I was your own son. I cannot ever repay you for that. You're all the family I have left in this world, I love you, this is just a down payment on what I truly owe you.", I told her softly.
By time the tears were streaming down her cheeks, her hand squeezing mine tightly. She reached over and wrapped both arms around my neck, sobbing softly on my shoulder. I held her for a few seconds, then she pulled away.
"Let's go clean out your SUV, get your personal things out of the car.", I told her.
We went outside, she really had very little in the SUV, it all fit into one plastic grocery bag. By the time we were finished cleaning the SUV, they had pulled Ashley's new Mercedes around to the front. We went back into the office, Ashley signed all the paperwork I filled out the check, they handed her two sets of keys.
"Congratulations Ms. Thompson, you now own an exquisite vehicle.", the owner told her as she took the keys from him.
We walked out the front door where Ashley's new car was waiting, I opened the driver's door for her and motioned with the swing of my arm for her to get in. She slid behind the wheel quickly, I closed her door. I walked around the car, getting in the front passenger side. We pulled out of the lot, then carefully out onto the highway. I looked over at Ashley quickly, she was absolutely glowing.
We pulled into our driveway about five thirty in the evening, it had been a long day. I walked through the back door, Ashley stayed outside, looking her new car over, up and down. I went to my room, grabbed some clean clothes, took a shower, then dressed to go over to Mr. & Mrs. Timmons. Honestly, I was dreading the visit, I knew it would be highly emotional, but I also knew I had to go. I left the house at about seven o'clock, I drove slowly, I was not looking forward to the visit. As I pulled up to the house, I noticed three other vehicles in the driveway. For once, I was glad to see that perhaps there may be other visitors present. I walked up to the door, rang the bell, Gia answered the door quickly.
"Hey Brian, come on in.", she giggled.
"Thanks peanut, what's going on ?", I asked.
"My Dad has a few friends over, my friends are in the back swimming in the pool.", she answered.
I followed her to the family room, where I had been so many times before. There looked to be about three other couples there, plus Mr. Timmons and his wife. He stood up quickly as soon as he saw me, walking around the sofa to shake my hand.
"Hello Brian, it's good to see you soon. It's been a long time.", he said, warmly.
"Yes sir, it has. It's good to see you as well.", I replied.