151 Just for us
The days went by like weeks. The flat became their established ‘home’ and was clean and tidy. The park was their favourite place to visit and was on the doorstep, as was the beach they could easily walk to. Body found places that were quieter and less visited by tourists, and avoided the busier weekends. Body found her way around town a little better and on Brains advice, switched off the location setting on her phone. Days were spent pleasing herself as to what she did and when. It was a strange sensation for her days to be her own and bitter sweet.
There were still days when nothing went right and everything went wrong, but Body coped with them better and kept herself to herself.
Body’s car finally failed her as she knew it would eventually. Not the engine, the engine was good and had never let her down. She had to get rid of it because parts could not be found for the wiper motor. The mechanic was somewhat puzzled and the part (a plastic housing/tube) instead of being perished in the heat, like most of the rest of the bodywork on the car, looked as though it had been cut. The search for the part resulted in numerous phone calls being made to suppliers and eventually the manufacturer themselves who confirmed that this particular part was not made anymore. The part would have to be found from a scrap yard. Body knew the chances of this happening were thin, especially given the language barrier and make and model of the car. A decision had to be made on whether to keep the car or not based on a ridiculously small part and nothing else. What a waste Body decided.
Body considered her options and even spoke to her ancestors and God about it. What was she to do?
Brain considered the finances and the subsequent Maths.
Heart loved her car and did not want to part with it but agreed it was dangerous to drive it without wipers even in a hot, fair climate.
Spirit stated “Go for it.”
Soul knew the path, a car would be needed.
“We can’t afford a new one” announced Brain.
“We know” they all answered.
“How about a scooter” Body suggested. They had a motorbike licence so it would not be a problem.
“No way” cried Heart “it’s not safe. We have seen how people drive here and anyway, Body has sore hands, which is why we sold the motorbike in the first place.”
“True” Body replied “but it would be cheap. Cheap to run as well.”
“What if we need to go to the airport at some point or further afield?” sighed Soul.
Yep. a scooter was not for them.
“What about a small van?” suggested Brain “think of all the items we have had to pay others to get moved.” They considered it.
“Not exactly inspiring” called Spirit “and second hand vans have usually been flogged.”
“You mean done a lot of miles” Brain suggested and agreed.
“A small hatchback” sighed Soul “would get us a bit farther along our path without being vastly expensive.” Yes, that was the best option they decided upon and took steps to find one at the local garages.
It was a bit depressing, cars do not last well in salt and sun. They would have to increase their budget otherwise risk buying one in not much better condition than the one they had just got rid of.
Brain went back to the drawing board and re-assessed the finances. It was possible to increase their budget if they utilised the little capital they had left and take out a small loan, but it would mean no savings left at all and their monthly pension would have to stretch further.
“But we have been told money is coming to us in the future. Let’s take the chance and assume all will be well.” called Spirit.
“Risky” said Brain “and you have no proof of that.”
“In the larger scheme of things does that matter?” called Spirit. “We have managed in the past and we should be confident we will manage in the future.”
“With prudence” stated Brain.
And then they saw it, the car, and Heart fell instantly in love with it. “Oh no” Body put her head in her hands. “That fits none of our criteria!”
“It’s small” Heart persuaded.
“Yes with little or no boot space for airport runs or travelling” stated Body.
“It won’t be underpowered on the motorway” Heart cajoled “It has a good sized engine.”
“But there is even less chance of moving items in this car than the last one” Brain stated the obvious.
“It’s pretty!” the Little Red Haired Girl exclaimed “can we have it please?” she begged.
“It certainly feels great to drive in the open air” Spirit took sides with the child.
Body walked around the car. It was in relatively good condition, better than the others they had seen. The paperwork and mileage seemed genuine, and the seller, the garage owner, gave good eye contact and caused Body no sensory doubts.
“I sensed a good light in him too” Spirit called.
Body went home and with Brain thought through all the pro’s and con’s. A sports car had not been on their list at all. It was not practical.
“We know our pension is stable” stated Brain “it is possible with a small loan. Are we prepared to take the risk?”
“Yes” the Little Red Haired Girl jumped up and down on the spot.
“It would be just for us. A treat and well deserved to have a little fun” cried Heart.
“It will get us from A to B anyway” sighed Soul “with just a little style.”
“Ok Ok ” Body quietened them all. “Brain check the figures again, I will investigate the paperwork again and I also feel sure that whatever happens, we will cope, we will manage, we will make it happen.”
“Confidence Body?” called Spirit “is that confidence I see? It’s about time.”
“It is” agreed the ancestors.
© 2025 Jennifer Harris. Free And Alive 555
