Page 109 of September

“How do you know what I’ve been looking for? Who are you, exactly?”

Gwen saw the light change then but made no attempt to cross the street.

“No one important. I just pay attention to things, and when I feel like I need to speak up, I do,” the old woman replied. “And you should get it.”

“The van?”

“Yes, the van.” The woman laughed as if Gwen had just said something ridiculous. “It’s the one.”

Gwen still wasn’t sure how this woman had known that she’d been looking at the van that was sandwiched between a pick-up truck and another car, but she was right. The van was solid white and seemed to be the kind she would need for the business she wanted to run out of it.

“I’ll leave you here,” the woman added.

“But how did you know?” Gwen asked.

“I just did,” the woman said, smiled, and walked down the sidewalk.

Gwen stared after her for a few more seconds until the light changed, and she could no longer walk. She used the time to write down the phone number on the sign in the van and walked, when she was able, across the street to take a closer look. Never knowing much about cars, she had no idea what to look for. The tires looked relatively new, though, and when she peered inside the window, the interior looked clean and also appeared somewhat new, which probably meant it was too expensive for her.

“Can I help you?”

Gwen looked up at a man who was now standing on the sidewalk, rubbing his hands on a rag.

“Oh. Do you know who owns this?” she asked. “There’s no price or anything.”

“You’re interested?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she said.

“It’s mine.” He nodded.

“Oh, great.”

“It’s a 2017. Practically new, really. The back is empty. I used it for carting things back and forth, primarily, but everything works. Battery was replaced about six months ago. The tires are only a year old, and I drive it locally, so not a lot of miles on her, either.”

“Okay. If I wanted to take a look, could I?”

“Sure,” he replied. “Let me get my wife out here. She’s the real car expert and the one who bought it for me.”

Gwen laughed and said, “A woman after my own heart.”

The man laughed and said, “Give me a sec. I’ll be right back.”

Gwen waited until a woman in her mid-fifties walked out of the building.

“Interested in the van?” she asked.

“Yeah. I’d love to take a look inside and maybe take it for a test drive.”

“Sure. I can open the back for you, and we can take her for a drive, if you want. She’s dependable. No issues so far. We’re only selling her because my husband is retiring and we’re moving. He’s going to get a fishing boat, and I might never see him again,” the woman joked.

“Can I call someone to see if they can test drive with me?”

“No problem. I’m just packing, so I’ve got time. Let me open the back for you, though.”

Gwen picked up her phone and dialed.

“Hey,” Myra answered.