Nicky made his regular phone call to Sean to see how he was [they were the biggest pair of gossips trying to out-do eachother with bitchy one liners] "So how are you and how's everything going?" asked Nicky, never really knowing what to expect. "Same as usual" said Sean. "Is that it?" asked Nicky, absently-mindedly watching tv. "Nothing exciting happened at your end?" Sean thought for a moment. "Well, I'm thinking about getting a new car, but I didn't think you'd be interested in that". "Another one?" replied Nicky, turning tv channels. "You only just got one, didn't you?" "That was last year's model" said Sean. "I like to keep up with things". "Oh you know what I'm like with cars" said Nicky. "I don't have a clue". "A bit like with me and makeup" laughed Sean. "Each to their own" quipped Nicky. "That's what makes the world go round" agreed Sean. He seemed in a good mood today. "Anyway" he continued "I want to get it sorted before our career takes over again, while I still have time". "Well good luck with the car hunting" said Nicky. They finished talking and Nicky promised to ring next week.
Sean had thought he'd be ok with last years model but then he'd gone on the internet and read about the new one. "I don't know how you can spend thousands of pounds on another car" ... he remembered what Nicky had said to him. Even his best friend didn't understand him sometimes. And it'd come as a surprise to him too when he decided to get one. He was perfectly happy with the one he had. He'd got attached to it. There were so many memories associated with it already, including Matilda's first car ride... But the new model had DVD navigation and the old one only had CD. So his mind was already made up. He would order all the latest add ons and get the best money could buy. So he printed out a list of what he wanted ready for his trip to the local dealer.
The next day he found himself sitting in his old car outside the showroom full of shiny new cars. He hesitated about going inside. A new car didn't come with any of the memories this one had and he didn't think he could get rid of them that easily. This was the first time he'd ever really felt sentimental about a car, before this he'd wasted no time buying a new one. And whereas before he'd loved the smell of the clean new interior, suddenly it didn't seem so appealing.
Nicky had always joked that they'd have to grow up when they became Dads. Not that Nicky had seemed to change much [apart from the suits] But Sean definately felt differently than he used to. It was almost like seeing things through different eyes. He sat there deep in thought not knowing what to do. His head told him he wanted a new car but his heart told him different, no matter how fast it had been beating when he'd studied the latest specifications. For once, he wasn't sure of himself at all.
Maybe a closer look wouldn't do any harm, just to make sure. He knew they'd be keen to get a sale, they'd be persuasive. Would he be strong enough to resist? He usually traded in the old car in part exchange for a new one. The new car would soon be full of personal mementoes. He hesitated at the door. Then took a deep breath and went inside.
They remembered him from last time, and joked they'd expected him sooner. "I've been busy" he said. Infact he'd been putting it off. He really thought he'd got over the thrill of spending thousands of pounds on something new. Hadn't he? Well, he'd been spending money on Matilda but that was different. He made his way over to the car. It looked good. He peered through the window. He opened the door and got inside, and sat down and breathed in the newness. His eyes raced over the dashboard looking for the new features. They didn't have them all as standard, he'd have to order them. And then there'd be no going back.
Suddenly, his mobile phone rang. It was Nicky again. "I forgot to say!" he almost shouted. "About your old car, I know you usually trade it in but we wondered if we could buy it from you?" "One reliable owner and all that?!" said Sean, quick as ever. "Well we've not had a new one for a few years and it'd be daft you trading it in when we could use it?" Sean smiled to himself and finally put both hands on the steering wheel. "Sean? Are you there?" "Oh sorry!" he said "I was miles away. Yes, of course. You just caught me in time. I'd love you to have it"
When Nicky had gone, Sean relaxed into the seat. There was nothing to stop him now. The old car would be in safe hands, thanks to Nicky. And Sean could still see it any time he liked...
This fictional foray into Sean’s world was brought to you by alienated.
