Chapter 9
It was a week from hell for Ryan.... without his car everything became a colossal hassle. He had to have his car towed-which he didn't have the money for-and he had to borrow his Mom's car. Besides all this, he had gone to the doctor about his wrist and had an MRI that revealed that he had damaged a ligament. The doctor put a brace on his wrist and told him to keep it on until he came back to see him in two months. There would be no more gymnastics practice this summer. Hopefully he hadn't permanently damaged it or his chances for a scholarship were gone.
It was another rainy morning as Ryan headed for AquaSpa Pools. He found the always upbeat Benny working behind the counter.
"Hi squirt... how's it hanging," Benny snickered when he saw Ryan walk into the store.
"Hi Benny. Okay I guess," he answered sullenly.
Benny could immediately see that something was troubling Ryan. However, he knew that at Ryan's age, it didn't have to be anything big. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Everything," he lamented.
"It can't be that bad. Did one of your ladies throw you out?" Benny said in an attempt to lighten his mood.
"Naw, that part's been great. My car is kaput and I almost broke my wrist."
"Who'd you punch out?" Benny laughed.
"No one. I hit it on the steering wheel when my car broke down."
Benny looked at him and shook his head like an exasperated father.
"I know... stupid. If I have to have it operated on a scholarship is out. Besides that, now I'm driving my mom's car. I have to take her to work and pick her up."
"You are having a bad day kid," Benny said sincerely and paused for a moment. "Listen, I can't do much about your wrist but if you want, you can borrow my van until your car gets fixed."
"Really?" Ryan knew that Benny had a conversion van that was his pride and joy. He was surprised that he would loan it out.
"Sure, I've been driving the Corvette all the time and since I'm working in the office now, I don't need a van anyway. Well, except that it's great for dates... if you know what I mean," he said and winked. Then he thought for a moment and said, "But then again, the women love the Corvette too."
Ryan's face broke into a wide smile. "Wow man, you just made my day."
"No problem. But do me a favor. If you pick up any chicks, clean it up afterward," Benny joked.
"I don't know any chicks that would go out with me. My 'ladies' as you call them are older and most likely wouldn't go for a tumble in the back of a van."
"Don't be so sure," Benny laughed with a knowing smile. "Hey, speaking of dates, what about Cindy over there," Benny said, nodding his head toward a pretty blond sitting at a desk in the accounting area.
Ryan looked over and saw the girl working at a terminal. She had shoulder length blond hair and was wearing a red sweater. She was very pretty. "Yeah, like she would go out with me."
"You don't know until you ask," Benny said, adding, "You miss too many opportunities by being shy kid." Then Benny dropped his voice to a whisper and said, "I've gone out with her a few times and you won't be disappointed," he said with another wink. "I'll introduce you to her if you want."
"Uh... I don't know Benny," Ryan answered, looking over at the attractive girl.
"Come on kid... haven't I taught you anything?"
Ryan knew that he was no longer the inexperienced kid he was a few weeks ago. However, he wasn't exactly a ladies man either. He looked at Benny and then at the girl again. "All right, I'll try."
"Don't try kid. Women like guys that are confident. Come with me."
Benny came from behind the counter and walked over with Ryan to the girl at the desk. "Hi Cindy," he said.
The pretty girl looked up and smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.
"I'd like you to meet a good friend of mine, Ryan Crawford. Ryan, this is Cindy Williams."
"Hi," they both said at the same time.
"My friend Ryan here has a couple of tickets to the Civic Center for the "Alabama" farewell tour Saturday night. Unfortunately he doesn't have a date. You interested."
Ryan looked at Benny with surprise. First of all, he was supposed to ask her out and second, he didn't have tickets to any concert. When he opened his mouth to protest, Benny pulled two tickets from his pocket.
"I almost forgot to give you the tickets," he said and handed them to Ryan. "You interested Cindy?"
She smiled brightly, looking at Ryan and said, "Absolutely. I love Alabama."
Benny looked over and saw a customer standing at the counter. "Listen, I have a customer. You guys can take it from here."
As Benny started to walk away, Ryan caught his eye and mouthed, "Thanks man."
"Hey, treat my lady nice now," he answered, smiling at Cindy.
Ryan turned back to Cindy, suddenly very nervous. "Uh... would you like to maybe get a bite to eat prior to the concert?"
"That would be nice."