This scene was cut, simply because I wanted to keep the focus on Bryan and his story. But I still think it’s a cute beginning to how his parents met, so here you go. Enjoy!
Winter 1959
The bell which hung over the small gas station door jangled, signaling a new customer had come in. Glenn was busy helping another patron behind the counter and didn’t bother looking up. It had been a busy day, filled with angry people who wanted their cars fixed right away. The last thing he wanted to do was start on another job that would take several hours when he was supposed to be off work in twenty minutes. The stranger walked up to the counter and began tapping her fingernails impatiently on the laminate.
“My car won’t start.”
Glenn sighed, wiped his greasy hands off on his jeans, and finally looked up. His jaw dropped for a brief moment when his gaze fell upon the gorgeous redhead standing before him. She looked at him expectantly, her emerald eyes widening as she waited for a response. Glenn realized he had been staring a moment too long when her smile faded. He shook his head to clear it.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“I don’t know. Isn’t it your job to figure that out?”
Her words seemed sharp until he noticed the smile playing at her lips. Glenn smiled broadly and her grin widened in return.
“Can you take me out to where your car is?”
“Sure, it’s just this way.”
Glenn liked the way her blue skirt swished around her legs as she walked away from him. She had incredible legs to match the rest of her, and he had to refrain from whistling. He realized he had been staring again and quickly jumped forward to follow her out the door.
She led him straight over to a blue Cadillac and held her hand out in front of the car. Glenn circled the vehicle before taking a look under the hood.
“Listen, I’m going to be late for class.” She gestured to the tall Westminster college buildings that stood across the street. “Can I just come back and pick it up?”
“Sure, give me a couple hours and I should have it all fixed up for you.”
“Great, thanks!” She turned to leave when Glenn stopped her.
“I’m sorry, I never asked your name.”
“No, you didn’t.” She looked at him with that teasing smile again.
“So what’s your name?”
“I’m Carol,” she responded.
“Glenn Carroll,” he said, extending his hand over the hood.
“Your last name is the same as my first name?” she asked, taking his hand and shaking it gently.
“Imagine that. We already have something in common.”
Carol looked at the grease that was now on her clean hand and made a little face.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” He internally kicked himself for not checking his hands before touching her. “Here.” He handed her the cloth that was in his front pocket.
She accepted it graciously and wiped the smear away. “I really better go,” she added, returning the cloth.
Glenn watched helplessly as she began walking away. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. He couldn’t let her go. What if he never saw her again?
“Carol, wait!”
She turned and looked at him, surprised. “Yes?”
“Do you want to have dinner with me? After class?”
Carol hesitated, biting her lower lip as she considered his offer. “I actually have plans tonight. I’ll take a rain check though.”
She walked away from him, turning to wave one last time before she disappeared behind a building. Glenn hated watching her go, but he held on to the promise that she would return later to pick up her car. He remembered his shift was almost over. Frustrated, he kicked her car tire before trudging back inside. He kept staring at the building across the street, hoping she would magically reappear. No such luck. His replacement arrived right on time and, grumbling, Glenn drove home.
The following week, the little bell above the door jingled while Glenn stocked some shelves with an assortment of chips. It had been a slow day.
“I’ll be right with you,” he called. He shoved the last two bags on top of the pile and turned around.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Her smile was even more enchanting than Glenn remembered.
“Hi! You’re back!”
“I’m back!” she said, holding her hands up. “How are you, Glenn?”
He couldn’t believe she remembered his name! “I’m fabulous, marvelous, and wonderful now that you’re here,” he said. “What can I do for ya?”
“My car is giving me problems again. Can you take a look at it, please?”
“Of course.” He followed her outside, thanking the heavens for this second chance. “We didn’t solve your problem last time?”
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m going to be late for work and the silly thing keeps stalling.”
“How are you going to get to work?”
“Oh, I’ll just have to walk.”
“But if you’re already late…can I just give you a ride?”
“Well,” she glanced over at the building and back to Glenn again. “Sure, thank you.”
Glenn ran around to the other side of the gas station and jumped in his own car. He tried to hurry, afraid she might leave before he drove around the building, but she still stood in the same spot beside her car. He jumped out and opened her door.
“Thank you,” she responded politely. She glanced back at the station. “But are you sure you can leave?”
“I won’t be gone more than two minutes, and it’s been really slow today.”
He pulled out onto the busy road and glanced over at her. He couldn’t stand the idea of not seeing her again after this.
“Carol?”
“Yes?”
“Can I take you up on that rain check tonight, or do you have plans?”
She smiled. “I’d love to.”