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While he drives, he asks me about what I want in a car–all the features, and what I don't like–so when we pull up to a car lot about 25 minutes later, we look around for a couple minutes at some of the SUVs. I’m leaning over, looking at the specs for a gorgeous 2022 Nissan Armada Midnight Edition, when a salesman appears. He's older, maybe mid 50’s, bald, and pudgy.
He walks up to us smiling, like a shark that smells blood, extending his hand toward Silas to shake. “Hey there, folks! Welcome to Quinn’s New and Used Cars, I’m Bill. How can I help y’all today?”
“Yes sir, can you tell me if this one comes with leather or cloth seats? What are the average miles per gallon? Does it have anchors and top tethers for car seats?” I fire all the questions at him in one breath, and he looks me up and down but actually turns away from me to direct his answers at Silas.
“Lemme see… This here beauty gets 18 miles per gallon highway and about 13 in town, has leather-appointed seats, a 4.3-liter V6 engine, and runs 460 horses.”
I chime in, “Actually, sir, you’re wrong. A 4.3 is a V8, not a V6. From what I see, this car is a 5.6-liter V8, and there is no way it gets 460 horsepower either. I’m betting it’s closer to 400, max.” He continues to look at Silas, blatantly ignoring me.
“I don’t know why you’re looking at me, pal. For one thing, she’s right, and for two, it’s her car. So she’s in charge.”
The salesman blubbers like a fish. “Well, that’s all fine and dandy, but I’m sure you’re paying for it, since a woman like that couldn’t possibly afford this kind of car.”
Silas looks ready to start swinging so I cut in. “Actually, not only can I afford it, I was planning on cutting a check for the full amount for whatever car I find. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Gauthreaux family? Yeah, that’s me, so here’s what we are going to do. You are going to go get your manager and a different salesman. Then you’re gonna go find a cactus, sit on it, and rotate, you pompous, sexist fuckwad!” I’m seeing red. His blatant sexism has me screaming by the end. I’ve had it with this town’s judgmental assholes. That’s two in two days and I’d be ready to pack up and leave if it weren’t for Maw-Maw.
I’m yelling by the end of my rant, Silas is laughing so hard he’s bent at the waist, and the sales guy is an ugly shade of red. “WHY YOU DUMB LITTLE WHORE!” he shouts, lunging for me.
I step back, at the same time Silas steps in between us, and from behind the jackass, someone yells “BILL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” I’m guessing this is the manager.
“This stupid little girl just insulted me! I will not be talked to like that by some dumb bitch that don’t know her place,’’ he grumbles. From the manager’s face, this is not his first issue with Bill and a small spark of satisfaction hits me as he confronts the asshole.
The manager gets in his face. “That’s it, YOU ARE FIRED. You can not talk to customers like that. I strongly suggest you leave now, or I will have you removed.”
Bill glares at me, then turns and stalks off in a huff, and once he’s gone the manager turns towards me. “I am so sorry about him! I don’t know what his issue is, but I can assure you that is not how we treat our customers ‘round here. Is there anything I can do personally to help you?”
I glance at Silas to see what he thinks, and he shrugs, so I guess he’s fine to stay. “Actually… who is the newest, or makes the least in commissions?”
He looks confused for a moment, “Um, well probably Sarah; not many men want to buy cars from a woman,” he says, smiling sheepishly.
“Yeah, imagine that. Just like a man can’t believe a woman can buy her own car.” I roll my eyes.
He sighs. “I really am sorry about Bill. His brother is the owner, and no matter how many complaints we got, Quinn wouldn’t let me fire him. Now, I have plenty of witnesses. He can’t explain away his attempt to attack a customer.”
Silas chuckles, hitching his thumb towards me. “When her grandmother hears how his brother acted, he will be lucky to still own this place. She’s gonna be pissed.”
The manager, John–whose name tag I finally read–looks ill. “Uh, who’s your grandmother?” he ask timidly
“Emmalynn Gauthreaux Aaron,” I sigh, already knowing how this is going to go. Everyone who hears her name has some sort of reaction, she’s made a name for herself around here.
His face lights up, as if I just told him it was suddenly Christmas morning. “Oh shit, ha! That’s gonna be fun, Bill tried the same shit with her. I hope I’m here when she comes in!” He’s laughing so hard he has to take a moment to catch his breath before he continues, wiping a tear from his eye. “Let me page Sarah for you, and if there’s anything else I can do for y’all, let me know.” He calls for Sarah on his walkie talkie and then excuses himself. About five minutes later, a pretty young girl walks up. She’s probably 22, blonde, and tiny.
Once she makes it up to us, she holds out her hand, first to me and then to Silas. “Hi! I’m Sarah. I’m sorry about all the drama. Can you tell me what you are looking for? Do you have a preference for an SUV or car? Anything specific you want in whichever vehicle?”
“Hi, Sarah. I’m Isla, this is my friend Silas. I’m looking for an SUV, or something with plenty of space. I have three kids all in car seats, so I need anchors and tethers on as many seats as possible.” I pause to consider what else is on my list. “I’d also like leather seats and built-in DVD players, and a back-up camera, too.”
She laughs, not unkindly. “Okay great, I know just what car you need!” She walks us to a beautiful metallic beige 2022 Chevy Tahoe Premier, and opens the door for me. “This one is brand new, with only 291 miles on it. We got it straight from the dealership in Houma. It features a 355 horsepower, 5.3 liter V8 engine. What do you think?”
“Wow, this is beautiful!” I exclaim. Climbing in, I notice the interior is black and a dark mocha, and it has a big touch screen control. The middle and third row seats both have a huge collapsible center console with plenty of storage, and the floor mats are WeatherTech not carpet. I get out to check the seats to make sure they all have anchors and tethers. “So far, everything looks good! The only thing it doesn’t have is the DVD player, but I can buy some portable ones,” I reply.
Sarah is grinning when I look at her. “Okay, so this car has everything but the individual DVD players, but the touch screen in the front plays movies and can be viewed from both back rows. It has heated leather seats and steering wheel, back up camera, as well as emergency braking assistance and several accident avoidance systems. I think my favorite features are the remote start and hands-free liftgate; you just raise your foot here,” she says while showing me. “It also has dusk sensing headlamps. Surprisingly, it gets 20 miles per gallon highway and 15 city. Do you like it, or do you want to look at something else?”
“Honestly, I love it! The colors are gorgeous, all the add ons are awesome, and best of all it’ll be easy to clean.’’
Sarah claps her hands. “Awesome! We offer in-house financing, or if you already have a lender…” Her face goes from excited to ashamed as she gasps. “Oh! I didn’t even ask what your budget was. The total for this is 74 thousand dollars before fees and taxes.”
I wave off the apology I can see in her expression. “That’s fine, I’m paying with a check for the full amount.” Man, her face is priceless…
“You’re writing a check for almost 77 thousand dollars, after tax?”
“Yup! Where do we need to go to sign and everything? I think I’ve taken up enough of Silas’s day,” I say. Honestly, I’m still a little bit in shock. I can’t believe I just bought a car, on my own, with cash. It’s mine and no one can take it from me. Realizing I got lost in thought, I look at Silas apologetically.
He grins knowingly at me. “I’ve loved spending the day with you, Wildflower.”
With that declaration, I’m looking into his beautiful blue eyes wondering what it would be like to kiss him when we are interrupted by a throat clearing. Glancing sheepishly at Sarah, I apologize. “Sorry…lead the way.” We follow her inside and spend the next hour doing all kinds of paperwork. I can’t wait to see the kids’ faces.
