He had a bronze 1967 Ford Falcon. It was his pride and joy. He bought it from the original owner, a fact he was clearly chuffed about. That meant something, that did, only the second owner. He said it proudly. It meant the car had clearly been loved. It was no accidental purchase this car.
"Only people who really love XR Falcons, drive XR Falcons," he said.
She knew she was meant to be impressed, that much she knew.
"So, you love XR Falcons?" she said.
"They are my favourite car ever," he said.
He looked at her expectantly. She was used to boys looking at her expectantly because they wanted something, but this wasn't quite the same look as those boys who wanted her to show them her knickers.
"She runs like brand new," he said.
She got the distinct feeling that he wanted her to ask him to let her hear it run, so that is what she asked.
"Go on, let me hear what she sounds like."
She wondered what made this car a she, but she decided not to ask.
The engine roared into life with a single turn of the key. “Bwup, bwup, bwup, bwup,” was the sound the engine made.
The only thing she could think to say after he started it up was, "Is this a V8?"
"Yes," he said.
"Oh jeez," she replied.
"Nervous?" he asked.
"I am now I know it is a V8."
"Don't stress," he said. "I'll be gentle."
"Please," she said. "This is my first time."
"We don't have to," he said. "Not if you don't want to."
"Oh no, I wanna," she said. "I just didn't expect to feel it quite like this. Through…"
"Through the seat?" he asked.
"Yeah, I didn't expect to feel it, um, er, that way." She looked down at her lap.
"Oh," he said. He laughed. "It's nice though, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"It is the cylinders."
"Oh," she said.
He gunned the accelerator.
She squealed.
He laughed. He gunned the accelerator.
She giggled.
"Should I spit me gum?"
"Dunno…"
"You'd know better than I would," she said. "I don't wanna choke on it."
"You're not gonna choke on it."
"You sure?"
"Only if you inhale on it."
"Am I gonna inhale on it?"
"Dunno."
"Are you gunna make me inhale on it."
"No, I don't reckon."
"Well, I don't know what its gunna feel like."
He suddenly pulled his left foot from the clutch, and pushed his right foot to the floor. The car raised up at the front and took off.
She shrieked.
The old Falcon sped across the field at a cracking pace. He whooped and hollered.
She screamed out, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! YES!"
