Flowers Are Beautiful

Chapter 2 - The Car

Lily and her father, Jacob, walked into the scrap yard. It had only been two weeks since her eighteenth birthday and as her present her father chose to buy her a car. Jacob decided to buy his daughter a used car. He told her she could any used car out of the scrap yard, as long as it was safe enough to drive home, he would buy it no matter the state. Lily promised she would help her father fix the car, she chose, up. They would be able to re-do the paint work, re-do the seat leather of fabric and her father had also said he would be able to re-do any carpeting in the car.

Lily's POV

I could barely contain my excitement! I was finally getting my first car. I've been able to drive since I was seventeen but I've had to drive my Dads Audi Q7 Quattro 4x4 2007 for the last year. And now I'm allowed to get whatever car I want.

We walked through the scrap yard and headed towards the main office.

"Do you have any idea which car you want, sweetie?" My dad's rough, husky voice asked.

"No, not yet." I answered quickly. Walking ahead, I reached the office before my dad.

"Slow down," He mutters, catching up with me in two large steps.

My dad knocks on the office door.

"Come in!" A gruff voice answers.

Stepping inside the door, I see an older man sat behind a desk. He's wearing a light brown hat, a grey beard and a dark grey shirt which I'm sure was meant to be white.

"Well, little lady let's see what we can get you," He mumbles as he walks out the door.

"Come on Lily." My father orders.

"Right, sorry." I mutter giddily.

We walk over to the right hand section. There are rusted, old, gross cars stacked as high as my eyes could see. Certain cars have been put here because they've been smashed up so bad.

"Now, we've got cars that need some...repairs, would you be prepared to fix them up?" The older man asks.

"Yes, that'd be fine." My father answers, still looking around.

"May I look around on my own?" I ask excitedly.

"Oh okay, I suppose." The old man mutters.

"We'll look around as well just in case we see a nice one." Dad tells me. I nod quickly and run off.

Looking around, I past so many horrible, rusty, old cars. Turning the corner, I see it. The car of my dreams; a 1969 Ford Mustang 351. It's perfect. Well...I mean it will be once we've finished cleaning it up a bit. It's slightly dull looking, but once dad and I are finished it'll look great. The car was once green and black, I think, but I'll get dad to re-spray it black and grey.

Walking up to the car, I see it's not even damaged. The body work is just dull for some reason, but the rest of it fine. Everything that's wrong with it is just aesthetic. The, once, cream leather on the seats is torn slightly and discoloured with age. The steering wheel looks fine; the dash looks good as well. As I inspect the car further, I hear male voices. Turning around, I see my father and the old man approaching and talking.

"Lily's had it rough over the years, and I think she deserves to have a bit of freedom, you know?" My father addresses the older man.

"I understand; it must be hard for her. You said Lily and her brother were close?" He asks quietly; neither have realised I'm right near them.

"Yes, they were. So was Lily and Sarah." My father grimaces.

"Mhmm, it's so sad, I'm sorry for you both. I wonder if she's found anything yet." The older man changes the subject. They both look up at the man's comment. My father's piercing, grey eyes burn into me. I smile gently.

"I think I found the car, Dad." I gesture to the Mustang, smiling.

"Oh, are you sure you want that one? It's a bit run down, Sweetie." His voice is soft as he approaches me.

"Yep, I've looked over it, the only thing that's wrong with it is aesthetic." I nod confidently.

"Okay, Lily, if that's what you want." He smiles gently and turns to the dealer, "How much do you want for it?"

"Shall we say $4,000?" His voice is gruff and cold.

"Pssht, does it even run?" My father replies.

"All of our cars run, Sir." The man replies.

"But you're a scrap yard," My dad smirks, "Let's say $1,500, shall we?"

"Well I do-"

"Cash," My father cuts him off.

"Well I suppose so, yes." The man nods greedily, "Follow me to the office to pay and collect the keys."

We follow the old man back to the cabin which he calls an office. I smile up at my Dad; he smiles back gently. As we enter the cabin, my dad's already got him wallet out. I mentally roll my eyes; he's already itching to get away from this man. The two men exchange the money and the keys.

Walking out of the cabin, my father turns to me.

"Are you going to drive it home or am I and you can drive my car?" He asks. I shake my head.

"I'll drive my car back, and thank you so much!" I squeal. I wrap my arms around his waist because of the height difference. He chuckles and hugs me back. Handing me the keys.

"Drive safe, okay?" He says seriously.

"Of course I will, I'll see you at home, yeah?" I smile up at him.

"Mhmm," he grins, "We'll start work on the car tonight, okay?"

I nod, "sure! Bye!" I sprint off to the car. I can hear my father's chuckles as I do so.