Vespa

The handsome boy kicks the tires of the Vespa.

"I thought that was more of an expression."

He looks up at me shrugging. His blond curls bouncing.

"How long you had it?"

"My husband bought it new a few years ago now. 2006, I think."

"Any problems with it?"

"No. I don't think so. He didn’t use it much."

"No?"

"Not like he planned. Seemed like a good idea, even I thought I’d use it sometime. " Flashbacks to never occurring memories of riding down Magnolia Avenue, sun shining, smiling and I’m cute as all hell.

"Well, I’d use it a lot. I'm getting a delivery job. I could attach a carrier on the back."

I nod.

He kneels by its side. Poking it in the guts. I wonder if he really knows anything about the machine. But his arms are sexy, light blond hairs on his tanned forearms. So young, like my own sons a few years ago.

"It’s really dirty. Dusty."

"It’s been unused in the back of the garage there for a while now." I feel the guilt of not having gone through Ron’s things yet. To sort it, send it on. But too many memories attached to his things. I thought he'd be back, at least to go through it all. Maybe he dreads the memories, too.

"Can I ask him about it?"

"I dont know if he'd have much more to tell you. Besides, he's hard to reach."

"Oh?"

"He's moved to the east coast, New York."

He looks at me blankly.

"We split up."

He nods and for the first time, he seems to notice that I am a woman. His eyes slide over me quickly. But then, he turns back to the Vespa. He must agree with Ron's assessment.

"I’d paint it. I don’t like this lime green."

"It’d be yours to do with what you want."

He’s like how Ron used to be. And like my boys, too. I guess how young men are. Confident. Believing they are sharp. Looking to make things their own. Before leaving them to gather dust in the garage.

"$1500 is a lot."

"What do you think is fair?"

"A thousand?"

"Do you see those boxes? In the back of the garage?"

"Yeah?"

"If you take those too, just clear it away. Whatever is inside is yours. Then sure, take the Vespa for a thousand."

Wide grin. "Seriously? What’s in the boxes?"

"Stuff. I don’t really know. You can keep anything you want. Toss what you don’t."

"Can I drive it first? "

I toss him the keys which he of course catches with youthful grace.