Relentless Love

Rhonda

"Well, that's my father for ya. He cares more about his Rolls-Royce these days. I guess he never used to be like this. After my mom left us, its just like he's been frozen in time." Sliding my glasses up my nose, I started to feel really sympathetic for the kid. I can relate in a way, but with my mother - my dad wasn't the most stable man, and I guess one day, she decided the family needed a stronger foundation. I woke up the morning after to find every picture, every item, every - trace, of him, gone. Like he had never existed. She got rid of him so easily, it was like another Monday night of taking the trash out to the curb, except it wasn't the trash this time (My mother would disagree.) Its always made me a bit depressed, how he just left without saying goodbye, and how he left so easily. Ever since, my mom had been looking for love, and failed every time. She's just given up now, and the only thing she genuinely cares about lately is her morning cup of coffee. "I'm sorry to hear that Harry, but th- hey wait! I've got an idea. It involves you and I... and your dad. Look Harry, I know we don't know each other that well, but what I do know is how it feels to be looked over by your parent. I cant change the way my mom is right now, but maybe we can change yours." As the day went on, I greatly anticipated the end of school. My AP classes seemed longer than usual, so it was a huge relief to hear the dismissal bell. As we all piled out into the chipped beige hallway, I could see a head of well placed curls walking against the crowd. Harry and I both met up, and walked side by side out into the schools parking lot, where I could see my faded Volkswagen Bug just as I left her this morning. "Alright Harry, there she is. Isn't she a beaut!" I looked over my '63 Beetle with a pleased smile. "She? Yeah Jade... uh, SHE'S quite the car. Where are we headed? Woodstock? A protest? A-" Before he could hit me with another hippie jab, I opened the door and slid in, turning the keys carefully. Harry followed eventually, laughing as he opened the passengers door and jumped in. "My god! Do you have to slam the door like that? You're going to hurt Ol' Rhonda. Then she wont like you, and break down." I said in a semi-serious tone. Harry was quiet for a few moments, then proceeded to laugh obnoxiously. "You named your car Rhonda? Jesus." He followed up by stroking the dashboard, and whispering softly 'im very sorry Rhonda, ill treat you better next time.' He was being quite the smart-ass, but I was glad, because he was apologizing to my baby. "Are you almost done getting to second base with my car? Or can I drive now?"