Page 8 of Broken Chains

He jumped up and I knew I had his full attention then. “For the hog? You’re shitting me. You’re really giving her up?”

“Yeah. I have to, but like I said, it’s gotta be a fair, fast trade.”

“Okay, let me think. I have a 1988 Honda Civic, has a little over three thousand miles on her, but she’s sound. Rebuilt the engine myself.”

He walked me around back and showed me. It looked like a hunk of junk.

“Seriously? She’s worth three times that much easily, and you know it. Don’t screw with me, Jimmy Lee. I need this and I know how bad you want that bike, but I’ll take it to someone else if I have to.”

“Dude, I’m limited on what I can bargain with here, without dragging my dad into it. Wait—” he cringed, and I knew it was going to be a terrible offer, but he went for it anyway. “We just had a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country come in. It’s not on the books yet. It was in an accident, body damage only, otherwise sound. It’s only got like forty thousand miles on it, but, it’s a minivan.”

“Let me see it,” I told him.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, I’m serious,” I said.

“Um, okay, right over here.”

There it was, a goddam minivan. It was black, at least, and as I checked it over, I saw that it looked clean. He wasn’t shitting on the miles, either. I knew it was more vehicle than I expected, and it would be perfect for Eve.This is all for Eve, I reminded myself. I could do this. I could drive a damn minivan for my daughter.

“Deal,” I said.

Jimmy Lee about shit himself. We signed the titles over and exchanged keys. I took one last longing look at my bike and wanted to cry, then I tucked that nostalgia away and I drove off in my new dad-mobile to pick up my girl.

When I pulled up in front of the house, I saw Terry peeking out from the window. He came outside when he noticed it was me.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“My new car,” I said with no cheer in my voice.

His jaw dropped. “You sold your hog?”

I shrugged. “Can’t very well just strap on a baby and ride around town, now can I? Besides, I knew Jimmy Lee would jump at the chance to get his hands on it.”

“But it’s a minivan,” he said. I think he was more in shock than I was.

“It has good safety ratings for the baby,” I said dryly, not sure if I was trying to convince him or myself.

He looked at me in a new light. “You’re really serious about making this work and stepping up to be a full-time dad, aren’t you?”

“Sir, I’ve raised my three brothers since they were toddlers. I was eleven and found a way to make that work. I think I can handle the responsibility of one little girl now.”

“You know her mother and I were really pissed at the both of you for being so irresponsible and Melina getting knocked up in the first place. We should have given you more of a chance back then. I really think you’re going to do right by that little girl.”

“I’ll do whatever I have to do.”

“Clearly,” he said, pointing to my new minivan.

I groaned.

They helped me pack up everything they could offer for Eve: cases of diapers, the Pack 'n Play, clothes—even some for her still to grow into—bottles, formula, toys; really, a little of everything I’d need to get by, and I knew that was really all we would need.

I carefully installed the car seat and strapped Eve into it before saying goodbye and promising I’d bring her by in a few days for them to visit.

As we drove away, I knew my life had once again changed forever.

Peyton

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