THE RACER Chapter 6

Working on Lottie's Car
courtesy photobucket.com

 

After Abel adjusted the carburetor on Lottie's car it was running pretty good.

Abel said come on in out of the sun and we can have something cool to drink.

As they started to open the door the hound ran into the house and laid in one of the chairs. Abel made him go outside and invited the ladies to come in and find a seat.

Abel went to the ice box and brought out a cold pitcher of iced tea.

 

As they sat, Lottie did most of the talking while Abel mostly nodded or gave short answers to questions by her.

Alice just observed - -Abel not saying much to either of them.  As she looked around the house she thought, "This place sure needs a woman's touch."

After a half hour Lottie said, “Come on Alice we have things to do.”  Then as they left, Lottie said, “Able, don't you wait so long before you come to see me”  

“Of course,” Abel assured her that he would come over soon.

Neither Alice nor Lottie said anything for several minutes till Lottie spoke up and said, “Well what do you think of him?”

Alice laughed and said, “What do you mean what do I think?”  She quickly went on and said, “What I am thinking while using only one word is: "Pathetic.

 

I can't believe that Millie was ever married to that man.  Assuming that there is a lot more to him than what is apparent, he is still Pathetic."

Lottie asked, “Why would you say that?”  

Alice said, “He is completely void of personality, actually his dog evokes more interest than he does.”

Lottie went on and asked, “Don't you think he in well mannered and polite?”

Alice said, “I don't know, because all he did was to sit there as if he wasn't aware there was anyone else in the room.”

            
Lottie said, “That is just his way.”  To which Alice replied, "Exactly.  If you are trying to get that guy married, you sure have your work cut out for you.”

Lottie had a plan and she spoke again, “That is what I'm afraid of and why I invited you to come and spend the summer.  Do you think you could help him?”

Alice answered, “Help him? I'm afraid he is beyond help by me or anyone,”

Lottie said, “I think you are up to the challenge and I believe you would like to try for you are a lot like your mother.”

Alice said, “I think it would be better for me to get back to the city where problems much simpler but let me think on it for a day or two.”

The next morning Alice said, “Do you think you could get him to come over for dinner?”  Lottie said, “Well he likes to eat so I guess I can.”

The next evening Abel and his dog showed up on time and he made his dog stay in the truck for Lottie didn't like a dog in the house, especially one as rambunctious as Silo.

Alice looked at Abel in a different light than before. A while ago she had just seen his shortcomings, but now she was looking for some redeeming traits.

Alice forced him to express himself with longer answers, and began to see the damage the hurts he experienced had done.  She probed as deep as she dared to see what his response would be and after which she judged that he needed a reason to move on past the past.

After a good meal and what appeared to be small talk Abel left for home and felt better than he had for a long time.  

 

Silo his dog joined him in the front seat of the truck and Able give him a couple of biscuits which were thankfully received.

As he drove along he thought about the evening and that he had talked more with Alice than he had with anyone since  his wife Millie died.

To be continued