Sweet Consumption

Chapter 10

Sasha leaves for work not long after John and Collin, so I decide to take advantage of the time alone to take my car to the shop and assess the damage. John had given me the name of the mechanic they wanted me to use, so once I had showered and dressed, I headed off to the car repair center only a few blocks from my apartment.

I spend a few hours sitting in the tiny waiting room, before a mechanic informs me they would have to keep the car a few days, because they needed to order some of the parts. He suggested renting a car until they could finish the repairs, but since I had very little money, I would just need to stick close to my apartment until I could get the car back. I could also call my mom if I needed to go anywhere, which I ended up having to do anyway since it was now sleeting outside.

She pulls up to the car repair center in her bright yellow Mustang and I quickly jump in. “Hey Mom, thanks for picking me up.”

“No problem, honey. Were they not able to get you a rental car?” she asks.

“I could, but I’d have to pay for it, so I’ll stick by my apartment. I need to get working on some new recipes, anyway, and research if there will be any competitions in the area any time soon,” I reply, making a mental list in my head. 

She glances over at me, skeptically. “I thought Mr. Harper was taking care of everything. Doesn’t that include a rental car?”

I shake my head. “No, Mom. He's already paying too much with the repairs. I’m not going to add a rental car to the list when I don’t really need to go anywhere. The mechanic said the car would only be there a few days, so you or Sasha can take me if I really need to go out and get something.”

She nods in agreement, then purses her lips in thought. I know this look well. I had seen this expression many times over the years and it meant she was about to say something she thought I didn’t want to hear, but needed. I wait silently in my seat, mentally preparing myself for whatever she’s about to say.

“Livie, honey.” Here we go. “Um, have you had much contact with Mr. Harper since the accident?”  I pause, this wasn’t the question I was expecting.

“Why do you ask?” I narrow my eyes at her, wondering where she could be going with this. 

“I’m only wondering," she replies, evasively.

I fold my arms and give her a hard stare. ”Sorry, Mom, I’m not buying what you’re selling, so you might as well tell me.”

"I've been giving it some thought," she begins with caution in her voice, "and I came to the conclusion that I might have been a bit unfair to think you would go after Collin for more than just business. I apologize for that. I talked it over with David and he convinced me that I was a bit hasty in my assessment of the situation."

"David? You mean, your boss David?" I ask, confused.

She nods. "Yes, I went to work yesterday and he noticed I was upset. I told him the situation and since he knew my past with your father, he thought I was using that as an excuse to keep you from pursuing this opportunity. I realized he was right. You should talk to Collin and see what jobs they might have at the film site.”