LOVING FIERCELY

3

I walked Jon to his car after Tan bidded him goodbye. Stopping in front of his car, he turned to face me, his face an inch away from one.
"You should really stop being hard on Tan."
Catching my breath i staggered backwards giving room between us.
"How am I being hard on him".
Jon smiled when he realized the effect he had on me.
"We should be happy he doesn't do drugs or smoke weed".
"Aha..we can't be sure."
Jon reached out, placing his hands on my shoulder, he looked me in the eye.
"I am a man too....I know my son. The time i spend with him every weekend is enough for me to figure him out. and i can say i am proud that he showed interest in line of work." he chuckled a little bit.
"He did?"
"Yeah..he asked me if he could come do some apprenticeship with me when he turns eighteen and is in college".
I felt my chest rise with pride, i never knew Tan would be interested in real estate and, Jon and i agreed not pressure him about his future.
"I want him to learn to enjoy freedom and control it...seeing that he has along way to go, i don't want him feeling suppressed or lacking behind."
I shook my head understanding exactly where Jon was going with that statement.
"I get it".
Letting go of my shoulder , he unlocked the car. Getting into the driver's sit, he rolled down the window.
"That hairstyle makes you look incredibly sexy young", he winked.
I was about to reply but he drove off.
"What would i do with him".

Checking the time for the eleventh time, i cursed the traffic under my breath when i saw the next exit. Pulling out of the freeway i exitted at 1B pulling into the Terrace.
"Finally..that traffic could have taken forever."
I looked at out my window at the stop light to admire the trees.
"Hey!" someone yelled catching my attention immediately.
"You've got a flat", The white woman said pointing at my tire.
I watched her, confused at what she was saying.
"Flat tire", she yelled louder before moving when the traffic light turned green.
"Flat tire"
"Holy crap..she meant i have a flat tire".
I pulled over rushing out of the car, i bent down slightly to take a quick glance at my tire. The left back tire was at this point completely flat.
"There no way i can manage it at this point".
I stood there for a while watching the cars to and fro. As if my mind had started working again, i pulled out my wallet praying that i have my triple A membership card in it.
"Thank goodness", i grasped.
I dialed the number i written behind the card, waiting for the other end to answer the phone i left the driver's sit to check where i was exactly so i can give the correct directions.
"Safeway is in that plaza just around the corner", I thought biting my lips.

"Hey, This James speaking how may i help you today?"
"Hi James...I just got a flat tire and i would need some assistance".
After giving him the direction, i ended the call hoping whomever they would send out would be able to find me easyily. I checked the time wondering if i should call Tan or not.
Just then a police car pulled right behind me, i peeped from the rearview mirror to see if the officer was coming towards me or not. A familiar face walked to my driver's sit, knocking on the rolled up glass. I hesitated a little before rolling down the glass.
"You need some help?"
"Not really..i already called triple A."
The cop stared at me puzzled.
"Don't you remember me ??"
"Should i-", i paused giving him another look. "Your that cop from Tan's case aint you?"
"Yeah..Ashton is the name by the way".
"Yes..Yes..Ashton."
He circled the car checking each tire before coming back to me.
"Do you have a spare with you".
"Yes i do..but its okay".
"Don't worry i can change it for you quickly."
I paused thinking of the advantage i had.
"If you wish", i grinned at him.

Ashton opened my trunk to find the spare tire, walking to his car he got the tools he need. I contemplated giving him a hand or just sit in the car and li to some radio. I chose sitting in the car to listen to some radio, a little while passed and i checked the time yet again.
"Are you done?"
"Y-e-s", he gritted his teeth while tighting the nots. "It should be okay now", he wiped the sweat on his forehaed with his back arm.
There was an awkward silence before he broke it.
"Let me put in your trunk and return the tools...i will be right back".
When he left i checked the tires in delight to how much time he saved me.
He returned, his deep brown hair was given a nice cut---his lanky stature gave away his youthful appearnace although you can tell he tried to hide it by the haircut he got.
"I owe you one", i said not knowing how much weight those words carried.
"You owe me dinner", he said flirtatiously.
"Do you know know how old i am?"
"Does it matter??"
I stared intensely at his with a dash of smile on my face.
"Fine...i would buy you dinner but not today".
"Who said it was today", he paused bring out something from his back pocket. "Your phone number please", he said putting the samrt phone in my hand.
I was puzzled at his naivety or was it something other than that. I was not too sure if i was taking the right steps because it could mean much more than a dinner.
"Here you go again...overthinking stuff" my mind caution me.
I took a deep breathe before punching in my number.
The first thing i asked was, "How old are you??"
He hesitated, "Twenty five..and you??"
I shook my head.
"You are quite young ",
"Who am i kidding..he is freaking young", i said to myself.
"Do you regret giving me your number now 'cause i might just be too young for your taste?" he smirked.
His response were so candid, i was impressed.
"Well....yes".
"How old are you?" he asked
"Weren't you taught not to ask a woman her age?" I said ostentatiously.
He frowned.
"I was just kidding..i would forty seven soon".
He nodded staring into his phone.
"Yeah..i should be going, i would call you when i am ready to buy you dinner alright?"
"No problem".

Thank you for reading yet another chapter.
Tell me if it was too boring or if you didn't like any part
Cheers-N.Y POET