Blast from the Past
1985
It was just past midnight and Randy Owens was freezing his butt off as he stood behind a large oak tree in Briarwood Queens that he was using to shelter himself from the stiff north breeze. The seventeen-year-old had wished he had paid more attention to the weather forecast so he would have dressed more appropriately. The black wool overcoat that had been his fathers, as well as the black t-shirt he wore underneath with matching black jeans, while it did serve a purpose, which was to help keep him from being noticed, was no match for tonight's cool fall weather. He rubbed his hands together in an effort to keep warm never taking his eyes off the buildings garage which he was standing behind. He checked his watch and it was just past midnight, time to get to work.
He looked both ways before leaving the cover of the big tree, walking across the small lawn to the north side of the building. He stepped down the two concrete steps that formed the stairwell to the pedestrian door of the garage. Checking once more to see that the coast was clear he pulled the small flat headed screw driver from his rear pants pocket. He slipped the small head of the tool between the door jam and latch that secured the metal door, giving it a shove with his shoulder the door swung open. He gave a quick look behind him and then stepped into the warmth of the garage. The warm air felt good on his cold body but he knew he did not have time to enjoy it.
He was at the north end of the long narrow garage. There were two rows of cars parked along the east and west walls leaving the center as the only lane running the length of the garage. He walked at a quick pace, not too fast, he did not wat to attract any unwanted attention. Not that there was any one around to notice him. In his research over the last few days he knew that the garage was deserted between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am on weekdays. He made his way to spot number seven and was relieved to see that his target was right where it was supposed to be. Not that he was too concerned, he had done his homework and knew she was in her spot every week night by 9:30. His victim tonight was a brand new Chevrolet Camaro IRCOZ.
Randy chose this vehicle for a number of reasons. The car itself fit all the vital requirements which would get him top dollar, Red exterior, five speed manual transmission, and T-tops. It was also parked in the perfect location, a nice quite place that would let Randy do what needed to be done with only a slight risk of being spotted.
Randy walked to the front of the car and dropped to one knee, he reached up between the bumper and the radiator and pulled apart the two wires that were attached to the siren. He stood giving a look both ways down the length of the garage as he moved to the driver's door. Once he was in position he once again dropped to one knee. This time he took off the black knapsack he had been wearing and placed it on the floor next to him. He pulled the small slim Jim from the pack. He stood once again glancing around to verify that he was still alone. Satisfied that he was, he placed the tool between the window and the door of the car and maneuvered the tool towards the locking mechanism, he had it unlocked in under five seconds. He swung open the car door grabbing his knapsack from the garage floor and tossing it on the passenger seat. Once inside the car he shut the door reached under the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle and unclipped the wires that disabled the starter and controlled the alarm system. He did a scan of the garage and since he was confident he was still by himself he pulled a cordless screw driver from his bag and proceeded to drill out ignition switch. Once the lock was out he stuck his screw driver into the place where the lock once occupied and gave it a twist. The car sprung to life. Randy placed the car in gear and drove out of the garage.
Randy eased onto the Van Wyck expressway making sure to obey all of the traffic laws.
He was glad it was a short trip from the apartment building to the cars final destination in College Point. This was riskiest part of stealing cars. Most people thought acquiring the vehicle was when you had the most chance at being caught, but that was just a myth. Sure there was a risk of being caught while taking possession of the car, but it was driving it to its final destination that was the chanciest. He knew that he could get caught by a nosy neighbor or the owner coming back to because he forgot something in the trunk, but the percentage of that happening were low. No driving it was the riskiest. While he was concerned about someone blasting a stop sign and running into him, his biggest fear was from the police. He knew he could get pulled over for anything, a bad taillight, not signaling to change lanes, looking too young to be driving such a hot car. Or for all he knew the guy who owned the car never paid his parking tickets, and all he had to do was pass a cop who would call in his plate and that would be it.
Randy knew what he did was wrong but he had no choice he needed the money. His parents had been killed two years ago, while returning home from one of their date nights. They had just left an Italian restaurant in Whitestone when they were run into by a drunk in a pickup truck while they were crossing the street, killing them both instantly.
With their parent's dead and Randy not being of legal age to take care of himself much less his younger sister Jennifer, their Uncle George Moved into their home. Unfortunately, Uncle George who was Randy's fathers brother was in no position to look after anyone. Randy's parents had been helping him out with the bills prior to their passing. Uncle George was an electrician by trade and had a small business doing small jobs for people in the neighborhood. Two years before his brother and sister in-law’s death he was changing a light fixture on a high ceiling in a customer's home when her two young sons who were playing ball in the home ran into the ladder he was on causing him to crash to the floor. It was a far fall and he landed back first on top of the ladder causing damage to his spine. He was in the hospital, and rehab for over a year and was not able to walk for over six months. While he was able to walk now he was in constant pain.
He was working without insurance and the customer he was working for was a single mom who was also uninsured. He never considered suing for an accident caused by young children. His brother and sister in law came to his aide by paying for his rent, utilities, doctors bills and even furnishing him with some spending money. Now with them gone money was tight for all the Owens.
Randy Pulled the IROC right up to the big overhead door in front of Tiny's Auto and Body Works in College Point. There was only a small light that illuminated the small sign on the windowless building. He reached into the front pocket of the backpack that was on the passenger seat and pulled out the remote control for the large door. He pulled off the battery cover exposing the battery and frequency code switch bar. Using his screwdriver, he changed the code to 438, Tommy Waters AKA ‘Tiny' switched codes every day to make sure that he got no surprise visitors. He had gotten the code from Tiny that afternoon, once he had the code set he replaced the battery cover and hit the button.
The large door creeped up spilling light from the inside of the garage onto the dark street. As soon as the door cleared the roof of the car Randy pulled in and pressed the button to close the door behind him. While the place had looked deserted on the outside it was hustling with activity on the inside. It was a long narrow shop, it was the length of a city block, but only about 25 feet wide. There were at least ten cars that were in the process of being dismantled by a group of guys, there were also two cars in the paint booth at the rear of the shop being painted. Body and engine parts hung from the walls and ceiling.
Randy was impressed with how well run Tiny's shop was. Sure it was a body shop that operated an illegal chop shop but still it was a successful business. Randy always admired when a business was run well, weather it was the hardware store that he worked in after school and on Saturdays or the big department stores in the malls or the quick lube oil change on Queens Boulevard. His dream was to open an auto repair shop one day.
One of the ways Tiny made money was called an "Insurance Job". Take for instance someone had a Porsche and they could no longer afford the payments on. They may have tried selling it but could not get what they still owed on it. They would bring the car too Tiny where it would be stripped of all its parts, once all of the pieces had been removed the car would be placed on the street. The owner of the car would have already called the police and reported the car stolen. The remains of the car would then be found by the police and traced back to the owner by the vin number. The police would than call a towing company which Tiny happened to own, and the car would be towed back to his shop. The insurance company would send out an adjuster and they would see that it was cheaper to issue a check for the replacement value of the car then to fix it. The check would be more than what the person would have gotten if they sold it the legitimate way. Of course the person would owe Tiny a small fee.
Tiny would then have a few options. One of his options was he could just sell off the parts he had taken off the car. Another option was to buy the car from the insurance company for an extremely low price. This opened up even more possibility’s. He could put the car back together using the parts he already had and sell it at market value. Or if someone had a car that was the same make and model but did not have a clean tittle, Tiny could be payed to switch the Vin numbers giving the dirty car a new lease on life. Of course the shop made money the legitimate way by fixing cars as well. Randy knew even thought there was a steady stream of money coming in there was a nice flow going out as well. There was the usual overhead, rent, wages, utilities and so on, but there were other expenses as well. Insurance adjusters had to be taken care of, as well as some of the cops to help smooth things along the way. Randy grabbed his bag and got out of the car and made his way to the rear of the shop where Tiny's office was located. None of the guys who were working in the shop paid any attention to him. When he reached the office the door was open and Randy was able to see Tiny was sound asleep in his chair with his feet up on the desk letting out some amusing snores. Randy wondered why they called him Tiny, the man was six foot five and weighed in close to three hundred pounds, he was a big boy. Now many people would be afraid to wake the big man, his temper was legendary, but Randy had no fear for some unknown reason to him the big guy liked him. "Hey big guy you up"?
The man did not move with the exception of opening one eye, "What do you want punk?" "Who you calling Punk, Punk?" Randy teased.
"You, you little shit," Both eyes were now open and staring at Randy. "Now why did you wake my ass up?"
Randy realized that he was treading on dangerous ground and decide that teasing might get him hurt. "I got the IROC you wanted, Red T-Tops with a five speed she's sweet."
Tiny got off his chair and moved faster than a person his size should have been able to. He knocked Randy into the door jam on his way past him out of the office. "Excuse me," Randy said as he trotted behind him.
"What took you so long?" Tiny asked over his shoulder.
''You know me." Randy said struggling to keep up with the big man. "I have to do my homework; I just don't pop anything."
"I know kid that is why I like you, you use your brains, plus you don't damage them when you do pop them." Tiny walked around the car and poked his head in the window. "Nice job kid." He reached into his pants pocket and took out a roll of bills. He peeled five hundred dollar bills off the top and gave them to Randy. Randy usually got between two to five hundred dollars depending on the make model and condition of the car he brought in.
"Thanks Tiny."
"You see any of those five litter Mustangs in black around, that will get you the same.
"Give me a couple of days and I'll get you one." Randy turned and left the shop. It was late and he had to be up early the next morning for school.
(2)
It took Randy several seconds to realize the voices he heard where not part to his dream, but were actually coming from the clock radio he kept on the dresser at the foot of his bed. He tried unsuccessfully to ignore the irritating conversation coming from the radio. He forced himself to an upright position, it felt like he had only slept for a few minutes, not the four and a half hours he actually did.
He dragged himself down the hall to bathroom, hoping a shower would clear his head. He exited the shower garbing a towel from the rack but not before looking in the mirrors. ‘Not too bad looking he thought.’ He was 5’10”, weighed around 165 pounds. He was not skinny and certainly not fat. He liked his body. He felt he was solid. He did his pushups and sit ups most nights before going to bed. His light brown hair was down to his shoulders and he wore a diamond stud in his left ear. He didn’t think he would ever be mistaken for a male model, but he didn’t feel he looked like a troll.
With the towel wrapped around his waist he went into his little sister’s room. Jennifer was a cute kid and he loved her more than anything. Since their parents died they formed a special bond. She just turned seven last month and Randy threw a party for her and her friends at the local McDonalds. He got her the big doll house that she always wanted. She was sound asleep, with her long brown hair fanned out on the pillow. He bent down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. As she rolled over onto her side he said “Come on sleepy head time to get up.”
“I don’t want to go to school.” She wined.
“Come on.” He pulled her blanket down to her ankles and she curled up her legs so that she was in the shape of a ball. “I’m out of here in twenty minutes. If you’re not ready, I’m leaving without you.” He knew his little sister would be ready to go. Every day they went through the same routine, but she was always on time. He would drop her off at school, but on the way they would stop at the bagel shop on Main Street and get breakfast. Jennifer would get the same thing every morning- a toasted sesame bagel with cream cheese and chocolate milk.
He went back to his room, picked up the jeans he wore last night from the floor and pulled the money out of his pocket that he had gotten from Tiny the night before. He went to his closet, reached up and pulled out a roll of bills that he kept hidden between the door frame and the wall at the top of the door. He added the five hundred dollar bills to the roll and put back in its hiding place. He had just over three grand in this hiding spot, 15,000 in a safe deposit box, and ten grand more in a savings account.
It was funny, Randy thought as he got dressed, that he had made much more money in the short time he had been stealing cars than in the five years he worked at Mike’s hardware store in downtown Flushing. He knew he only had few more months to keep boosting cars. He would turn 18 then and his short career of stealing would end. Once he turned 18, if he got caught he would be tried as an adult, and if convicted, he would see jail time and it would go on his record. If caught while he was still 17, he would be tried as a juvenile and maybe get some time in a juvenile detention center. After his 18th birthday his record would be sealed. He was trying to save as much money as he could before his birthday, so he could take care of his baby sister.
He pulled on his usual outfit, a pair of worn jeans with a jean jacket over a sweatshirt. He knocked on Jennifer’s door as he headed to the stairs. “Five minutes kido!” he said as he downed the stairs.
He entered the living room where he saw his uncle passed out on the couch the same place he was when Randy got home earlier in the morning. He made sure that his chest was moving. He took a twenty out of his pocket and placed it under the half empty beer on the coffee table by his uncle. Randy felt bad for his uncle. He knew he was in a lot of pain and that he felt like a failure. Up until the accident, they had a very good relationship. They used to go to Met games together and watch football on Sunday afternoons. The funny thing was that during those times his uncle would only have one beer. Now he was never without an alcoholic beverage in his hand, game or no game.
“Let’s go baby girl’ he called up the stairs, then looked to see if he woke his uncle, he didn’t budge.
The Owens kids made their usual breakfast stop, before dropping Jennifer off at her elementary school. He sat in the car and watched her walk up the steps making sure she got in O.K. he then made his way south down Main Street towards his high school, Crestview High in Jamaica. If he lived just four blocks north, he wouldn’t have to commute the 2.1 miles every day. At least this year he was able to drive instead of taking the bus. Not only was it cool, it saved him a half hour.
Randy liked to the cruise the bus stop route to if he knew anybody waiting there. He was surprised when he saw his best friend, James Edwards the third and his beautiful girlfriend Linda Summers waiting for the bus. Even though he was almost a block away they were easily recognized. Jimmy was well over six feet tall, very muscular and black. Linda, who was standing by his side holding his hand, was short with long blond hair that was blowing in the wind. She had a Fantastic body.
Randy and Jimmy, as James liked to be called, had been friends since the day they meet in kindergarten, they were inseparable. Randy stopped his 76 Trans Am in the bus stop, Jimmy opened the door, and Linda climbed over the roll bar into the back seat trying not to let Randy look up her short skirt. After she was in, Jimmy got in the passenger seat and shut the door.
As Randy pulled away from the curb, Linda thought it was funny how the two of them didn’t need to exchange words. She also found it amusing that they were such good friends, yet opposite in so many ways. Randy always dressed like a bum, while Jimmy always dressed for success with a button-down shirt and a nice pair of slacks. Jimmy was an honor student, Randy just got by. Jimmy was going to be a lawyer or doctor. Randy would most likely end up a mechanic. She and Jimmy had been going out for over three years and Randy was always around. Not that she minded. She liked Randy. He was a great guy and had become a good friend.
As they crossed over Union Turnpike, Jimmy said just one word: “brakes.” Randy knew from that one word, that the brakes in Jimmy’s car, “the Pimp Mobile’ as they jokingly called it, were out. It was a candy apple red mint 67 Impala convertible that Randy and Jimmy had put together. Actually, it was Randy who rebuilt it while Jimmy paid for the parts from his job working at the delicatessen.
“Why didn’t you call?” He asked knowing that Jimmy was more of a book smart kind of guy then a MR. Fix-it like himself.
“I did all night. I spoke to your kid sis three times. If she was older she would think I was stalking her. She said you were out. Where were you?”
“Working” Randy said.
“The store closes at nine; you didn’t pop another car did you?”
Jimmy knew what the answer was, and there was no need for Randy to answer it. It bothered the heck out of Jimmy what his best friend was doing. He knew since Randy’s parents died he was supporting the household and was scared about running out of money. Randy had worked from the time he was twelve, either delivering newspapers before school or working at the hardware store after school and a half day on Saturday. Before his parents died Randy worked so he could buy his car and build it without having to ask his parents for money. He also liked the idea of having money in his pockets without explaining to his parents why he needed cash. Steeling was never part of the equation until his parents died.
“Don’t worry Mom just a few more times and then I’m done.” Randy said. He was not upset he knew Jimmy had his best interest in mind.
“You better or I’m going to put you over my knee and whip your butt.”
“I promise.” They both smiled at each other and the subject was dropped. Jimmy knew if Randy said he would stop then he would stop.
The trio parked two blocks from the school. Randy opened the trunk and activated his homemade anti-theft device. Crestview was a large and tough school with a very diverse ethnic population. There were many racial issues going on at any given time.
When they got to the school they cut across the track instead of walking around it. Most students walked around the track because at the east side the school building hung over the paved area next to the track leaving a dark alcove below.
It’s where a lot of the tough kids hung out and they were usually up to no good. Jimmy and Randy had no fear of the “alcove” as the students called it. Even thought they were not part of that group, they were well known by them.
As they were passing the alcove, aside from many students hanging out, Linda noticed a kid from her science class pinned up against the back wall by two guys, while a third guy was going through his pockets. The kid was Sammy Goldstein. Linda always felt bad for Sammy. He was your typical high school nerd; about five foot four, chubby, wore glasses, and was very bright. She didn’t think he had many friends. Sammy had always been very nice to her and helped her out many times. She didn’t feel like he was like the other guys who helped her just so they could get in her pants. He was sweet.
“Jimmy babe”
“Yeah babe” Jimmy replied.
“You see that kid in the back of the alcove getting roughed up? I think he may be in trouble.”
“So?”
“So,” she said in a huff. “I think you should do something about it.”
“Like what?”
“Like help him out dam it.”
“Why”” Jimmy asked frustrated as the three of them came to a stop as they passed the gate that led to the main entrance of the school.
“One, because he’s a nice guy, two because he’s helped me out in lab many times, and third and the most important reason is, because I’m asking you.”
“Babe,” he replied in a low soothing voice, which frustrated Linda to no end. “You want me to get in a fight because some kid helped you out in lab?”
“Yes, and it’s the right thing to do.”
“I’ll take care of this,” Randy interjected. He always had a special friendship with Linda, plus he thought it would be fun. “Linda you hang here: Jimmy, just watch my back.”
“Just watch your back. Are you out of your mind? Did you see how many guys were there?”
“Trust me.” Randy said as he headed back to the alcove with a smirk on his face. He knew Jimmy would follow him; there was no way that he would leave him out in the cold. Randy walked straight to the back of the alcove were the guys were tormenting the little nerd. He didn’t personally know any of the three guys but he had seen them all around school before.
“Hey guys, what are you doing to my little buddy?” All the guys were shocked, especially Sammy. They all turned to see who would dare interrupt them.
“Back off douche bag,” the largest of the three said. He was a big blond guy. Randy thought was named Dennis.
“You’re not talking to me that way?” Randy replied as he stepped right into the big guy’s face.
“Get out of here or you’ll be next.” All three guys that were picking on Sammy turned their attention to Randy. Even Sammy, who could have made a run for it, was in too much disbelief to move.
“I don’t think so slick. You see my friend Jimmy here?” He flicked his thumb behind him to where Jimmy was standing a few feet back. “He isn’t scared of you.” All four guys had been concentrating on Randy that they never noticed the big guy a few feet behind.
“Big deal, it’s three against two, not to mention my boys over there.” Dennis jerked his head towards the four guys hanging out at the side of the alcove. Randy knew he had to act cool, because if they were to get into it they would be in trouble. He had no doubt that Jimmy would be able to take the two smaller guys, which would leave him with Dennis. He was confident he would be able to take him. He was also sure the guys on the side would jump in and that would turn the tide rather quickly. He knew he could not let it get that far.
“You remember who my boy Jimmy is?” He didn’t bother to wait for a reply. “He’s the captain of the basketball team, and I’m sure you know the rest of the team is right behind this wall.” Randy flicked his thumb once again, this time to the right. All of them knew that the basketball team hung out every morning just outside the alcove where he had just pointed to.
Dennis seemed to be going over his options before saying, “We were done with this little shit anyway, but you and I are going to dance.” He said addressing Randy.
“Looking forward to it, just remember I like to lead.” Randy said as he motioned for Sammy to come with him and Jimmy. As they headed to the main entrance, Jimmy and Randy never took their eyes off the trio until they cleared the alcove.
“Basketball,” Jimmy said in a huff once they were out of ear shot. I don’t even like basketball why couldn’t you say football?”
“We don’t have a football team, plus they think all black guys like basketball.”
“Oh so you were just stereotyping.”
“Hey if the color fits man,” they reached the front entrance and Linda gave Randy a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Are you O.K.?” Linda asked Sammy.
“I am thanks to you guys,” Sammy said as he looked at Randy and Jimmy, “but why?”
“The big guy has a soft spot. I have to get to class, see you guys later.” Randy walked into the school.
“Hey babe we have to go also.”
“Thanks again.”
“I’ll see you in lab,” Linda waved as she was being pulled up the steps by Jimmy.
(3)
Randy was sitting in the last row by the window in his fourth period geometry class. He was lousy in math; actually he was lousy in all his subjects. His teachers would tell him that if he applied himself he could be a very good student. He knew they were right, but he just found school work very boring. He kept his grades above 65 percent without doing much studying, except math. He just couldn’t get it no matter how hard he tried, not that he tried that hard. Sixty-five was the passing grade; he wanted to graduate on time.
The class hadn’t started yet, all the students were waiting for their teacher, Mr. Stark, to come in. Randy didn’t like Mr. Stark because he would always embarrass him by announcing his grades when returning test papers, or calling on him to come up to the board to solve a problem no one else in the glass could solve. He would than go on to belittle him in front of the entire class saying that Randy would never amount to anything because he knew so little about math.
There were different groups of kids standing around the class talking. Randy was thinking it was strange that Mr. Stark wasn’t there yet. He had never been late to class all semester. He kept himself occupied by staring at the girl of his dreams. Her name was Eve Franco and she had dark brown curly hair that fell just past her shoulders. She had beautiful milky white skin with amazing blue eyes and a fantastic smile, not to mention a killer body. Today she was wearing a tight jean jacket with even a tighter pair of jeans and black boots that showed off that great little body. They had been in a few of the same classes over the years, apparently she wasn’t a very good student either.
They knew each other, but not very well. They didn’t hang out in the same circles. A hello now and then was the extent of it. He was always thinking of ways to approach her, but for some reason he never got the nerve to do so. He didn’t know why she had this effect on him He had gone out with several girls over the years and he was never at a loss for words, but when it came to Eve, every time he tried to make small talk with her he always ended up sounding like a fool.
“Stark is out, sub on the way,” Ronald Johnson, a tall skinny kid yelled to the class from the doorway. The class let out a small cheer, and one or two kids got up to leave. Randy stood, picked up his books from the desk and headed for the door. There was no way he was going to stick around for some substitute teacher. He was passing Eve who was still sitting at her desk as he made his way out of class. “Are you staying?”
“Got any ideas?”
“Anywhere has got to be better than here.” He knew this was his only chance. “Let’s blow this popcorn stand.”
Eve didn’t say a word she got up, grabbed her books and walked out the door.
Randy could not believe what was happening. He was so excited as he started off after her. By the time he got through the door and into the hall, the excitement turned to fear, He now needed a plan. Most kids when they cut class either went to the library or the cafeteria. The really cool kids left the building. He knew he had to leave the building. That was the hard part since the school had a strict no leaving the building policy. They posted security guards at all of the doors, and there were always a few guards rooming around the school grounds.
“Where to?” Eve asked.
“Just follow me” Randy said as he took the lead and headed down the side steps. When they got to the first floor, they left the stairwell, crossed the hall, and went into the auditorium. A few members of the band were just setting up for a practice set. The band ignored them as they walked past and into the empty dressing room. It had an unmarked door at the rear that lead into the boiler room. As they were going through the dirty boiler room, Eve made a wise ass comment. “You do know how to impress a girl.”
“Why thank you, you do want to get out without getting detention don’t you?” They had reached then end of the room and Randy pushed the exit bar of the fire-door which let them out in the teachers parking lot. The lot was deserted and the guards rarely patrolled it figuring enough teachers went in and out during the day and that no student would dare go there. They walked through a hole in the fence, down an alley and came out a block away from the school.
“That was pretty slick, hot shot.” Eve knew they were safe and there was no chance of stumbling upon a security guard. They came up to where Randy had parked his car this morning. He opened the trunk and switched the battery switch too on. “That’s a good idea.”
Randy was a bit shocked that she knew it was his security system. He had taken a battery switch that was used in boats. When it was in the battery off position there was no power going to the starter system, so that the car couldn’t be started. He placed it in the trunk because no one would think to look for it there. Plus, the battery was in the trunk he and his father placed it there for weight distribution reasons.
Eve walked around his white car. “76 Trans Am, nice. What no screaming chicken?”
Randy could not believe what was coming out of her mouth. Anybody who ever looked at the 70’s Trans Am knew it was very hard to differentiate between the years. She also showed she was car savvy when she mentioned the screaming chicken. It was the big bird decal that adorned most hoods of the 70’s Trans Am.
He walked over and opened her door.
“Why thank you.”
He closed her door and then sat in the driver’s seat. He fired it up and let the car ideal a few minutes, letting Eve take in the muscular sound of the engine.
“What does she have under the hood?”
“A 455 H.O. motor from a 71 GTO” he answered as he placed the car into gear.
“‘Is that a five speed?” She sounded excited, but Randy was the one who was excited. Most girls didn’t know the difference between an automatic and a manual transmission. Yet here was this beautiful girl talking car talk with him.
“Yep it’s a Richmond 5 speed killer off the line without sacrificing top end.”
“What does she do in the quarter?”
Again Randy was baffled. The question she just asked referred to how fast the car would cover the quarter mile from a standing start. That was the standard on how they measured cars quickness.
“Last time I went to the track was a couple of years ago and she ran the low thirteen’s. I’ve modified it a lot since then, so I’m guessing mid eleven’s.”
The last time he did go to the track was when his parents were still alive. He bought the car from his own savings when he was only fifteen. His mom did not want him buying a car at such a young age. His father came to Randy’s defense by saying said he would be responsible if he paid for it himself, plus it was in no condition to be driven. He and his father spent many hours working side by side bringing it to its current condition. He bought it two years before he got his driver’s license, and still another year before he was allowed to drive in the city. His father would take him and his car out to Long Island or up to Westchester and let him drive for a few hours. They even went to the track one time where his dad had that mid 13 second run. That was one reason why he never went back to the track. He didn’t want to beat his father’s time.
“Where did you learn so much about cars, Boyfriend?” She smirked a little. She knew Randy was interested in her, but up until today, she had never thought of him in that way, not in any way for that matter.
“Yeah some of my boyfriends were into cars.” It was true that some of her ex-boyfriends were into cars, but she learned about them from her older brother Jake. Jake was into American muscle cars before he started making big money. Then he switched to the higher statues German performance cars. When Eve said the word boyfriend Randy felt like someone punched him in the stomach.
“Do you have a boyfriend now?” he asked not wanting to hear the answer. He was sure she had a boyfriend. She was gorgeous and into cars. What more could a guy want.
“Yes but I’m not sure for how much longer.”
“Care to explain?” he asked as they pulled up to the traffic light at 72nd avenue.
They were headed north on Main Street waiting for the light to change when a black 1972 Nova stopped in the right lane next to them. There were two young guys in the car and they were checking out Randy’s car and started to rev their engine.
“No” she said with the cutest little smile. “You think you can take this clown?” she said referring to the guys in the Nova.
“You’re not trying to change the subject are you?”
“Of course I am, but if you beat him, I might consider filling you in.”
“Oh I’ll beat him and then you’ll tell me,” he said smugly.
“Maybe,” she teased.
Eve thought it as cute how Randy would tap the shifter as he waited for the light to change. When the light turned green, Randy popped the clutch, the back tires went up in smoke and the rear of the car slid to the right as the tires searched for traction, Eve held on tight as the car started to slowly move forward.
“Watch this.”
Randy pushed in the clutch, slammed the transmission into second gear slipped the clutch and the car took off like a rocket. Eve was impressed. She felt like she was in a fighter jet as she was pushed back into her seat. They flew by the black car like it was standing still.
By the time they crossed over 70th Road they were traveling at triple digit speeds. As they came up to Jewel Avenue, the left turn signal was green.
“Hang on.” He brought the car into the left turn lane and tugged on the steering wheel hard to the left as the car went into a four-wheel slide. Eve was sure they were going to wreck, since instead of hitting the brakes Randy stomped on the gas causing the back wheels to start spinning. The rear tires grabbed hold of the blacktop and Randy straightened the car out, and they sped down Jewel Avenue towards the park. She looked out the back window and watched the Chevy continue on Main Street.