Chapter 14: Revolation
As we approached Dan's Donuts at the corner of 5th & Elm St, I thought I saw my car. I knew I didn't park it there. It was still at my apartment. I hadn't driven it since I arrived back from vacation.
"That looks exactly like my car," I said curiously.
"Well, that's because it kind of IS your car, babe," Amy said, afraid of my reaction.
"Why is my car down here? It should still be at my apartment," I said.
"Babe, you drive a beat up '98 Ford Escort with almost 300,000 miles and no muffler. Not to mention the countless other issues. Did you really think it would last forever?" she said.
"Well no, of course not but that doesn't explain why it's d..."
I stopped dead in my tracks, realizing it was sitting in front of a Mercedes Benz dealership. I rubbed my eyes and looked again thinking maybe I'm still asleep? But it wasn't a dream. I was very confused, cocking my head to one side.
"Why is my car at the Mercedes dealership," I asked, slightly irritated.
"Babe, look at me, please," Amy said, turning me towards her, taking my eyes off my poor car.
"I talked to Greg about your car while you were gone. He said you've been driving that car since college and you and you could definitely use a new one," she started to explain.
I stared at her, clearly irritated now. But she continued to deescalate the situation.
"He said your birthday is next week, so I asked him to take it to my mechanic after we left on our hike. It's been here ever since. My mechanic is a technician here. He said it was too far gone to repair and would be cheaper to just buy a new one. So, that's what we're doing. I didn't tell you because I wanted it to be a birthday surprise. Please don't be mad at me. I'm just trying to be a good girlfriend. I've never done this before," she said, stepping up to me to beg forgiveness with a kiss.
I wasn't upset about Mercedes. I had always wanted one but could never justify spending the money, especially after doing the research. The maintenance alone is a minimum of $1,300 per year, plus the premium fuel. I was upset that she just took my car, which I thought worked perfectly fine, and decided she was going to get rid of it. And she had the nerve to say we need to have open communication. Give me a break!
I sighed, rolled my eyes, and said, "ok, fine. Let's go take a look. But, if I don't find a car I like, we are leaving with my Escort. Deal?"
"Deal," she said smiling.
We walked towards the dealership when out of the corner of my eye, I saw Greg and Mindy. Then I saw dad and Jess. They were sitting inside Eddy's Diner looking like they were having a terrific time. Nobody told me. I guessed I wasn't good enough to join their little party. Then dad turned his head and pointed. Before I knew it, they were all walking out to meet us.
"Hey, sport! Hi, Amy. Thanks for inviting us. Such a sweetheart you've got here, Jeff," dad exclaimed, looking at both of us with an ear to ear grin on his face.
"Hey man, I take it you've found out the surprise," Greg asked, slapping me on the shoulder.
"Yep, I found out," I said.
"Jeff, don't be upset. We were all in on it. You do a lot for all of us and don't ask for anything in return. We wanted to do something for you," Mindy chimed in.
"Babe, come on," Amy said, pulling me towards the dealership.
As we walked in, I was very intimidated. I felt totally out of place. With my salary, I could only dream of affording a Mercedes.
"Amy!" the very well dressed salesman said, almost running towards us.
He was the epitome of the word 'douchebag.' His muscles practically burst out of his white, boy's size dress shirt and he couldn't even put his arms all the way down. He had a chiseled jawline with a jet black beard and slicked back hair. And, was jogging over to us like he had a corn cob stuck in his ass.
'Oh my god, seriously. This guy. So cliche,' I chuckled quietly to myself while rolling my eyes, 'Gym rat.'
"Babe, this is Austin. He is our salesman, and my cousin," Amy said, pulling me over to shake his hand.
"Oh, ok," I said.
I guess her entire family consists of brainy athletes and fitness nuts, probably vegans too!
"Yeah, hi, how ya doin," I rambled, giving a no-shit smile and glance.
I shook his hand and tried to match his grip, but I'm sure he had some kind of medical condition because his hand was wildly out of proportion. It was enormous.
"So, Amy tells me your dream car is a Mercedes SLS AMG? Well, good news, I have one. Come on, let's go see it," he said, turning on his toes, again running, out the door.
"What are we doing here," I said, grabbing Amy's arm.
"Jeff, we are looking at a car. Now stop. Just relax," she whispered to me.
"Amy, I have no business being here. I can't afford one of these cars!" I muttered, slightly more irritated this time.
"Jeff, stop it. I get you're not happy with me right now, but like I said, I've never done this whole serious girlfriend thing before, and I'm trying my best. So give me a freaking break," she said, gritting her teeth.