How the Cookie Crumbles

Jedediah

"Was that our car?" Maria asked Billy. They had just dropped Steve off at work and were about to leave the parking lot when a loud noise jolted Billy's minivan.

"I don't think so," Billy began, but then the car in front stopped and the driver got out.

The mysterious man walked toward Billy, a cowboy hat tipped over his face. He stopped suddenly. "Billy?" He asked.

Billy smiled, "Jedediah Jeremiah, is that you?" He got out and the two boys embraced like it was junior high again. "Man, it's been too long!"

Maria hopped out of the van to listen in.

"Well, looks here like is only a scratch on this here fender. You got that ol' insurance?" Jeremiah asked Billy.

"Why yes I do, actually!" Billy said.

"Sorry, but you don't have insurance?" Maria asked Jedediah.

"Naw, they wont give her here any insurance even though I've asked plenty. Is cause I built 'er from a buncha scraps that my uncle had laying all helter skelter in the yard. I just got back into town from showing it off at a mechanic show type thing."

"You built a whole car from scraps?" Billy joined Maria's amazement.

"Why yessir I sure did. She runs just okay though." Jedediah grinned beneath his cowboy hat, "so Billy, is this your girlfriend?"

"No, no, we're just good friends. We were just dropping our other friend off because he was going to be late to work." Billy explained.

"Ah there, I see," Jedediah made long eye contact with Maria, "so I was just going to look at this coffee house that opened up this week, are either of you interested in joining me?"

"Oh, I actually have to be getting back," Billy said, but Maria chimed in.

"I'd love to come! Can I ride with you?"

Jedediah smiled, "why, of course you can."

As Billy returned to his minivan alone, he realized how deep the scratch went. He could have been injured! In his epiphany, he pulled out his cellphone.

"Hello, Lilly? It's me, Billy from high school."