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"I didn't tell you it was the bikers."
"But it was, right?"
She let out a heavy sigh. "It seems so."
"Damn. Well, I'll be here when they can come down."
He finished his call and saw Coop pull up a chair from in front of the garage and sit down. His faded eyes locked on his and they stared at each other for a long time. Sid began to wonder what was going on with this old guy. "You got something on your mind?"
His stomach twisted. He'd caused all of this by not working with those bikers. Coop would probably ask him not to come back.
Coop sat back and rested his arms on the chair. He sat like that, still as can be for a moment then he nodded. "I'm too old for this shit, Sid. I come in to work here because the little woman gets on my nerves if I'm home all day. She wants me to do this and that and some more. If I'm home, I just want to enjoy my home. I don't want to work all the time, so I kept the Garage. But, what I realize is time is short. I'm old enough to be your father. My kids are grown and gone and my grandchildren are grown and gone too. All of them off doing something they want to do for a living. I have great kids and grandkids. None of them have been in trouble. All of them got good grades and played in sports."
He stopped a moment and as Sid was about to respond, Coop continued. "I've done good in my life. It's time someone else did good in their life. I'm offering for you to buy this place, Sid. The land, building, and everything in it. I'll give you a good deal and I'll even stop by once in a while and have a soda with you."
Sid stared for a long time. "You want me to buy the Garage?"
Coop nodded. "I do. I think you like it here. You straightened up my mess of tools, you sweep up every day and I've not seen anyone as good as you with a wrench in a long-damned time. I think you'll make a good living here. I have. I've filled a bank so to speak. Expenses are low, I don't have to advertise, and if you're good to people in town, they'll be loyal to you. I've seen you. You're loyal. Your friends are good friends and you've all been through a lot together. I know they'd love to have you here permanently."
Sid grinned. "You've been speaking to my friends?"
Coop shrugged. "Gotta know who I'm offering my garage to."
Sid took a deep breath and looked at the garage. He tilted his head up and looked at the faded sign - GARAGE. He chuckled.
"You could change the name of course. But, people will likely still call it the Garage. It's been that way for more than seventy years."
Sid looked at Coop and grinned. "You aren't that old."
"No. My pappy owned this garage before me. I grew up here though."
"What would you do about your wife nagging you to do things?"
"I'll just ignore her."
Sid burst out laughing. Coop chuckled a bit too.
His heart hammered in his chest. He liked it here. He felt at home here. He had friends here. And Grace. She was here. He'd met an amazing woman here.
"Can I speak to Grace first and let you know?"
Coop smiled. "You can."
He moved closer to Coop and reached down to shake the older man's hand. “Thanks, Coop. I appreciate that you're willing to sell this place to me."
Coop laughed. "I didn't even tell you what I want for it."
Sid laughed. "No, you didn't. What would you like for it?"
"I'd like you to pay me ten thousand dollars. And, always have a place for me to putter around if the little woman gets on my nerves."
Sid's eyes rounded. "That's not much for all of this, Coop. Your tools are likely worth more than that."
Coop shrugged. "Yeah. But, I told you I've made money. When I bought this place from my dad I paid ten thousand dollars. Granted ten grand back then was different than it is today. But, as I said, I've made money here and done good. I just want my investment back and a place to hide once in a while."
Sid nodded. He filled his lungs with air and tried to stop his body from shaking. This could be a game changer for him.
A squad car pulled into the lot and Sid turned to speak to the police officers on duty today. Then, he was going to beg off and go talk to Grace.
