Page 88 of Two Chances With You

“The money…”

“Oh, right. How much did we have to pay?”

“How much didwe?Youhad to pay twenty-three hundred euros. A lot less than you’d expected to pay.”

“Still, it’s a lot, fucking hell.”

When it’s about money, sure enough, he can definitely curse like a normal person.

“Those thieves, I’m almost tempted not to pay them.”

“Well, actually, I already paid them. But if you want, we can just call the cops and report the theft, after I take the car right back to the thieves.”

“No, no, are you kidding? In fact, thanks so much, Step. You don’t have anything to do with it. I’ll leave you the money on the table.”

A little while later, I get out of bed. After all, it’s morning and I’m hungry for breakfast. I cross paths with Paolo in the living room. He’s sitting there, just finishing writing the check.

“Here you go.” He finishes his signature with one last flourish. “I gave you a little extra for your trouble.”

I take the check and look at it. Paolo puts on a happy face as if to say,Well, aren’t you satisfied?

It’s made out for twenty-four hundred euros. That is, one hundred euros more than what I was supposed to give to the car thief. A reward of one hundred euros for a guy who knocked himself out to retrieve the man’s stolen car. At least, that’s what he thinks happened. What a miser! Live life large. Make the check for at least twenty-five hundred euros and be done with it, no? But seeing that, in reality, he’s given me an enormous tip to pay for the privilege of “lending me” his car and enjoying a splendid night out, with a magnificent meal and all the rest, I can’t really say anything to him but “Thanks, Paolo.”

“Don’t mention it. I should be thanking you.”

These are the kind of pat phrases I detest.

“And another thing. Step, you can’t guess what an absurd thing it is, but they also stole a padlock.”

“A padlock?” I pretend to be stunned by this development.

“Oh, right, I was so worried about my car that, whenever I parked it, I’d wrap a chain around the steering wheel. It wasn’t on the wheel yesterday, but how was I supposed to think they’d be able to steal my car when it was safely parked in the garage? Plus, what is a thief supposed to do with a padlock, anyway?”

“Huh, yeah, what are they going to do with it? You got me.”

In response to this question, I really have no idea what answer to give. Try to explain that away.

“And that’s not all, Step. Just look.”

He tosses it on the table in front of me. I pick it up and examine it closely. Delicate. Simple. I recognize the hook and clasp that I opened last night. A bra. Gin’s bra.

“I mean, seriously, these assholes stole my car, and then they went and fucked in it! My only hope is that she, whoever she is, didn’t put out for that piece of shit car thief. In fact, I hope that she put a padlock on it.”

“Well, if you found that bra in the car, then I don’t think things went the way you’re hoping.”

“Oh, true, you have a point.”

I get up and head into the kitchen.

“Wait, what are you doing? You’re keeping it?”

I pretend I don’t know what he’s talking about. “Keeping what?”

“What do you mean? The bra!”

I smile, letting it dangle in front of my face. “Well, why not? I’ll do an updated version of Cinderella! Instead of the glass slipper, I’ll be looking for the girl who’ll fit into this bra.”

“Aside from the fact that it’ll fit any girl who wears a B cup.”

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