The Heart of Cars

Chapter 1

My ringtone goes off in my bag as I change the oil on my Chevy Chevelle ss. As I wipe my hands on a cloth, I answer look at my caller ID. I wonder what dad wants. "Hey dad. Whatcha need?"

"What do you mean? Don't you know what time it is, Jo?" I look at the clock on the wall. "Oh shoot! I'll be home in a minute." I hang up and finish my oil quickly and get in my blue car with two black stripes on the top. I get home and run up to my room to shower. "Dad, will you pick me out a dress?"

"Already did, it's on your bed with the shoes." He yelled from the kitchen where he must of been talking to Sam since Sam's Chevy Tahoe Forum is in the driveway. My dad will choose what he knows would be best for the occasion, I hope. It's a tradition that the mom of every coming of age girl picks out her outfit. Dad's here though and he is all I have, and need.  I quickly shower and shave and blow dry my hair. I go out into my room and see my dad's choice dress sitting there on the edge of my king sized bed. I gasp and stand there looking at it for a minute. It is dark purple on top that fades into a dark cobalt blue at the bottom that brushes the floor  and matches my eye color with long sleeves that fade in the same way. Given that it has a V-neck neckline I'm surprised my dad will let me wear it, even though it was the dress my mom wore to her ceremony. I shake my head and dress quickly, leaving  my hair to fall in its natural waves and walk out to my dad. "Did he leave?" I ask since I don't see the Hunter's youngest boy anywhere. "Yeah, he said he is going to meet us there. Come on before we're late."  I put on the purple heels that go with the dress and follow my dad to his truck. I look at him, "You know how cliché  me wearing mom's dress is right?" He laughs "Yeah I know."

"Okay, good. I didn't think you would let me wear it. Even if it is for my 17th birthday." I smile lightly at him as I know it must be hard for him, considering he met my mom when she was wearing this dress, on her 17th birthday. "I know, but I thought maybe it was time to let you wear something that only your mom would approve of." I laugh and look out the window as we arrive at the lot where we get our birth cars before going to the party. "I'm scared." I quietly admit to the one person who has completely understood me since I was born exactly 17 years ago. He smiles "Me too, but we can do this, J. You're strong enough to handle your mom's death and juvi so I know you can handle this, even though you're wearing a dress and heels." I smile and nod, "If you can handle this, then I dang sure can."

"Language!" I laugh and get out of his truck and take a deep breath and harden myself to the stares of everyone seeing me in a dress for the first time.

*editing*