Page 46 of Daddy's Little Dreamer

I broke down the boxes and put them in the recycle bin and went back through the plan of attack for tomorrow. Dealing with car salesmen wasn’t high on my list of wants, but for my boy, I’d battle the commission-based dragons.

15

“Daddy, why are all these people staring at us?” We’d just stepped out of the car at the first dealership on Daddy’s list and like five people disbanded and immediately flocked to each customer. It was kinda overwhelming.

“That is the downfall of car shopping, my love. Daddy will deal with them.” Daddy squeezed my hand as the vulture approached.

“Good morning, gentlemen. How can I help you?”

“Good morning.” Daddy glanced at his name tag. “Lane. Shopping for a car for my partner. We have a few models in mind, and you have one we’d like to test drive.”

Straight to the point. Don’t try to sell us anything Daddy didn’t ask for cause he knows what he wants.

“Excellent.” They talked about car stuff which flew right by me while I walked around the showroom. Thankfully, no one approached me for I’d have squealed and run back to Daddy.

“Ready, Trevor?”

“Yes, Da…errr, Jayger.” That felt so weird to say but our lifestyle wasn’t anyone’s business but our own.

Daddy and Lane sat up front and chatted about the car while I was in the backseat. I loved the smell,new car smell, I heard Lane call it. Wait, was this a brand new-brand new car or a used one?

No, no, no. That was too much. There was no way I could afford that payment. Had Daddy lost his mind?

We circled around the neighborhood, then back to the dealership. I waited until we were back in Daddy’s car on our way to shop two of three before I said anything.

“Daddy, was that a brand-new car or a used one?”

“New. All the ones we’re driving today are. They have bumper-to-bumper warranties and high safety ratings. Why?”

“How in the world do you expect me to afford a new car payment? That will be like all my paychecks a month.” I couldn’t do this. No way. It would kill me. This was too much all at once. Was this what hyperventilating felt like? Why was it so foggy? I couldn’t…breathe…

“Deep breath, Trevor. Breathe in, breathe out. Focus on Daddy’s voice.” Daddy rubbed my back. His soothing voice grounded and drew me out of the fog. Wait, when had we pulled over?

“Daddy.” I burst into tears, beyond overwhelmed. “I can’t do this. This is too much all at once. Just let me take the bus, please.”

“I’ll make you a deal. How about you get this car that we’re in now, and Daddy buys a new one for Daddy.”

“Isn’t this car one of those rich, fancy names?”

Daddy laughed. “It’s a BMW and it’s a couple years old. Would you feel better in this one? It’s paid for and Daddy wouldn’t mind getting a newer version.”

“I can’t take it for free. That’s not right nor is it fair.”

“Sweet Bee, I’m trying to compromise here, and it is fair. Daddy gets a shiny new toy this way.”

Guess I hadn’t seen it that way and Daddy did like expensive things. At least, expensive beyond my means which was saying a lot.

“Okay, I guess that’s alright. But I’m buying groceries from now on.” And I wasn’t budging on that one.

“Deal, Little Bee.” Daddy snagged a kiss, then pulled out onto the road. “Now we’re off to a whole new dealership. Whoop! Whoop!”

He was way too happy about spending money. I wasn’t sure I’d ever reach that comfort level. But Daddy deserved it ‘cause he was the best Daddy ever who always put his boy first.

“Looking to trade that one in?” The guy who approached us asked.

“Nope, it belongs to my partner here,” Daddy took my hand in his. “Looking for a new one for me and here’s what I want.”

He already knew what he wanted. Had I just been played?

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