YOU'RE ALL MINE - ch 18

YOU’RE ALL MINE - ch 18

(the magic of Midnight)

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“Mia, are you ready? Let’s go, girl! You’re wasting time.”

“Midnight! Enough! Dad said weren’t leaving for another thirty minutes and mom insisted I put a bit of makeup on. She’s funny! ‘Don’t want to look like you’re ten when you’re looking for car!’”

“Mia, what are you going to do if you find one you like?” Midnight asked curiously.

“Not sure, yet, Midnight. I’ve only had my lisence for three months and mom’s been really good at lending me her car when I really need to go somewhere. I’ll be harvesting my garden soon and dad said I can drive the yard truck into Dunlavin; I won’t need a car for that. This is really to just get an idea of what I might want.”

“How about a bright red, snappy convertible? Now, Mia, that would be cool!”

“Midnight, you definitely are a bad influence. But I don’t want a convertible. I don’t even want a red car. Well, actually, I don’t really know what I want. Guess I’ll know it if I see it.”

Mia looked in the mirror one last time, have her blonde curls a fluff with her fingers and left her bedroom. As she decended the stairs, she called out, “Dad, I’m ready.”

“Excellent. Here” he said as he tossed her the car keys. “You drive. I still want you to get in as much driving time as possible before we let you completely loose on the road.”

Mia’s heart beat a little faster with excitement. “Thanks, dad.” She caught the keys in mid air, and opened the car door.

Midnight, sat in the back with her eyes opened wide, worrying, not about Mia but about the other cars on the road. “Mia, while I have complete confidence in your driving skills, it’s the other cars that worry me.”

Mia chuckled and said, “Midnight, don’t worry. Dad taught me well. Not only do I watch what’s in front of me, but I glance at both side mirrors and the rear view mirror so I can monitor the cars around me. Besides, I’m still wearing the protection amulet that Aintin gave me. We’ll be fine.”

Yet, Midnight sat with her back almost squashed against the back seat of Brian’s old Ford Ranger and with the exception of a slight, muffled screech every now and then, did her best to remain quiet.

That was until they were in the car dealership where she spotted a bright red, FIRE ENGINE red, convertible. “Mia, Mia!” The silly cat jumped up and down. “Here! Here’s your car. I swear, it has your name written all over it!”

Mia turned and laughed. “You know, Midnight, I might have to teach you to read. That car is a KIA. It does not say Mia! And NO, I don’t want a red covertible. We’ve been through this.”

Although Brian didn’t hear Midnight’s words, he heard his daughter’s interruptation and laughed. “KIA? Mia? You have to admit, hon, she was close!”

Mia walked around, looked inside a car or two, then made her way back to where her father was standing. “Did, I don’t know. There is one that I kind of like but it’s not speaking to me. I need one that screams, “take me home” and I just don’t see it yet.”

The salesman walked over and asked, “Hi, my name is Daniel Callahan, can I help you find something paticular or are you just looking around?”

Brian nudged Mia encouraging her to take over the conversation.

“Mr. Callahan, I really don’t know what I want. I guess it’ll know me when I see it.”

Brian noticed that Mr. Callahan studied Mia’s face. “Is something wrong, Mr. Callahan?”

“Oh now, not a’tall. Your girl looks very famillar, ‘tis all.”

He then asked Mia, “Do you know Sheila McHenry?”

Mia’s eyes opened in surprise. “Yes, she was my teacher a few years ago.”

“Ah, that explains it. I’m her brother, Dan Callahan. I’d probably seen you at the school a time or two when I’d pick Sheila up for lunch. Well, now, feel free to wander. We also have another showroom through that door,” he said and pointed to the door on the far wall. “I’ll be at that desk, there, should you need me.”

They thanked the salesman and as soon as Mia walked through the door, she felt it. She knew it. Her car was there among the many waiting to be sold. She called out. “Okay, then. I’m here. Where are you?”

She followed her instincts and suddenly stopped as though a huge magnet had pulled her in one direction and held her there.

Excitedly, she called out. “Dad! Dad! I found it. It’s this one! THIS is my car!”

She stood mesermized next to an older model, mint blue Ford Escape. Gently, she stroked the roof and said, “Dad, it’s perfect. I know it! It’s mine.”

“Are you sure? Are you positive you don’t want a newer car?”

“Dad, this is mine! I just know it!”

Midnight, walked around, under, and over almost every inch of the vehicle. “Good choice, Mia. Yes, this is definitely your car.”

Brian spoke up, “Let’s test drive it and if it’s still what you want, we’ll go speak with Mr. Callahan and sign the papers.”

Two hours later, with the title in her hand, she walked through the door with a smile on her face.

“In one week, I’ll be driving that home! Dad, I don’t know how to thank you.”

“You can thank me after we make one more stop. I’m thinking of buying a slightly larger warehouse and want your opinion.”

As they approached the building, Mia said, “Dad, there are so many cars and trucks here. I think half of Ireland is interested in this warehouse.”

“Well, let’s go in and find out. Maybe I’m not too late.”

They walked inside and Mia stood stone-still with her mouth agape as she heard everyone shout, “SURPRISE”, then begin to sing, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TO YOU!”