RV

Summer was almost over. We were nearing the end of our two week camping vacation at the lake.

As we drove into a nearby town to buy groceries, we passed a row of quaint homes. I knew as soon as I saw the for sale sign we were going to be awhile.

“It’s a good thing mom isn’t here.” I said.

Dad pulled a toothpick from his shirt pocket. He poked at his teeth with it before letting it hang from the corner of his mouth.

He got out first, casually striding up the driveway. I got out to join him, not wanting to sit inside a hot vehicle.

“Do you get over to the lake much?” Dad asked.

“Ah, not as much as I used to. Kids are all grown up now.” The man said.

“How much are you looking to sell the RV for?”

“I’m asking $15,500.”

I almost felt bad for the guy.

“How many miles on it? Are you the original owner? The tires look pretty worn.”

He already knew what he was going to pay.

Dad would get a cheap set of four tires at the auto wreckers the next day.

“Have you had a lot of interest in it?”

I’d seen him work a hundred times before. I was used to our garage being a temporary stop for vehicles. It could be one week or one month before a vehicle was sold and the next money-maker parked in its place.

“I’ll have to think about it, the price is on the high side.” Dad said.

“What are you willing to pay?” The man asked.

“I’ll have to talk with my wife.”

He wouldn't.

Back in the truck, dad flipped through a black book, it detailed the market value for every target vehicle. If dad had a bible, this was it.

“Why do we need another RV?” I asked.

Dad paused briefly, "if I can talk him down to $14,000, it's a good deal. That year and model are worth $15,500. I'll make him wait until tomorrow. In his mind the vehicle is already sold, it should be easier to talk him down."

The next afternoon, I was walking back from the beach when I found dad in conversation with the middle aged couple from a few campsites down.

When I got close, I caught Dad saying, "it pulls the trailer well on the highway. Runs pretty smooth, just need to take it easy on the hills."

I glanced down the way. The couple looked to have a perfectly good truck and trailer, if only a little more dated than ours.

I slumped down in a chair near the campfire. The couple looked over at me and waved. I gave a half-hearted wave back.

Dad ducked into the front seat of the truck. There was no going back now. Book in hand, my dad was about to close the deal. “You can see here, the model and year. I’ve kept the vehicle in good condition, tires are in good shape.”

“Give us a minute to talk, and we’ll let you know what we decide.” The couple said.

The couple walked back to their campsite. Dad tried to keep himself looking busy. He rummaged through some papers in the glove box of the truck, occasionally stopping to read one.

Finally, the couple returned and Dad ended the charade. They turned to each other one last time before the man spoke. “We’ll give you $20,000 for the truck and trailer.”

“$20,000, I think we can make that work. You'll really like how the truck drives.”

A few minutes later we started emptying out the trailer onto the grass. Mom didn’t say a word.

Dad had gone with the couple into town to finish the transfer.

Mom and I were placing the last few kitchen items on the grass when we heard it. The spluttering sound grew louder as it made its way to our campsite.

Dad had purchased the RV we had looked at the day before.

He backed in the dated monstrosity. Thick exhaust choking out the fresh campground air.

“What is that thing?” Mom asked.

I shrugged, “I think that’s your new RV. I’ll be sleeping in the tent tonight.”