Memory in a Bottle

Jace

After dinner was done Dexter's friend dropped off Delilah's car and a few parts to fix the car. About twenty minutes into Delilah trying to fix her car she gives up. She's been working on the same section she started with for twenty minutes.

"I can't figure this out! Dex as much as I love you, I hate that you are right! You guys can take over and figure it out. I'm done. I'm going to go take a shower and head to bed." She shouts in frustration. She leaves the garage as Dexter starts chuckling.

"Jeeze, I didn't think that she'd ever tell me that I was right." He says snickering. "Alright, let's try and get this fixed. It doesn't look too bad.... probably won't take us that long to fix."

"I'm sure it won't." We start working on the car. "So, have you figured out what Satrina wants from you yet?"

He sighs. "No, but she wants to go out tomorrow and talk. I told her that I would be busy but knowing her she'll find a way to make me have time for her." I sigh and shake my head. I don't want her to interfere with the plan tomorrow. I want tomorrow to go well and make it the best day for Lilah. "I know what you're thinking."

"What?"

"I promised you that she won't interfere with Lilah or you till I get this all figured out. I'll text you if she decides to come up to me during the plan tomorrow."

"Yeah, okay. I just don't want Satrina anywhere near Delilah. Satrina's a cunning bitch and Delilah doesn't need Satrina near her or even talking to her."

"I know, and I will try to make sure that doesn't happen. I just want you to know that if I have to choose between Satrina or Delilah I will always choose Delilah." He says seriously. I know that he would always choose Delilah but sometimes he needs to choose his girlfriend or wives first.

"Dex, that's great and all but sometimes you have to choose your girlfriends or wives over her. You aren't the only one who is taking care of Lilah. Me, my mom, and your guy's dad are here to take care of her as well. I know you wronged her in the past, but you have to let that go, man. She has forgiven you as well as I have forgiven you. You need to forgive yourself and move on. She sees you are trying to be better, and she loves that. But I can guarantee you that she would want you to focus on whoever you are dating or married to. Sure occasionally, choose her over whoever you are with but not all the time. That's unhealthy." I tell him honestly. He stops and looks thoughtfully at me.

"You're right. I do need to forgive myself." He says softly. He goes back to work and two hours later we finish fixing the car. I look at the time and see that its almost Eleven. Both of us are sweating and tired.

"Why don't you sleep here tonight. It's late and I don't want you driving home tired. You can shower and there is an extra bedroom you can sleep in." I tell him.

"Yeah. That sounds good. Do you want to take a shower first or should I take one first?"

"You can take a shower first. I have something I have to do first."

"Okay." He leaves and heads inside. I sit down on the stool and look at Lilah's car. The memory of teaching Lilah how to drive consumes me.

'First gear is here.' I move the stick to first gear. 'Second gear is there. Third gear. Fourth gear. Fifth gear. Lastly reverse is here.' I move the stick to the designated gears. I peak in the corner of my eye and see Delilah looking so concentrated and focused that she looked funny. My heart skips a beat when she bites her lip. Jesus Christ. I shake my head and look back at the stick shift.

'I think I got it.' She says hesitantly. I know she is doubting herself and I don't want her to. I remove my hand from the stick.

'Show me.' I look up at her and she looks at me. The doubt that she hid from me comes out. But then she took a deep breath and determination crosses her face. She looks at the stick and puts her hand on it.