“How’s the letter going, Jonah? How is your hand feeling?”
“Letter is wrapped up and the hand feels a bit tight, but not too bad.”
We wrap up the letters and I massage his hand a bit, then we have our treat. As we finish the last of his therapy for today and I’m packing up my stuff, both Ry and Linnea come into the room.
“We’re all done for today. He did great. Ry, do I need to call a tow or do you think you can get my car started?”
“Let me go out and look at it. I’m done helping Ma with what she needed. I’m not one of the mechanics in the family, but Pa did teach me some basic stuff. If I can’t get it started, I’ll call our shop and get someone to come tow it over there for you and look at it for ya.”
“That works. I’ve got a couple of hours before my next—” I’m interrupted by my phone ringing, realizing I never put it on silent. It’s the family of my next client.
“Actually, can you give me a second? This is a client’s family.” Ry nods and I step outside to take the call.
A few minutes later, I hear the front door open and someone approaches me.
“Jane, are you okay? You’ve been sitting here for over ten minutes since you got off the phone.”
Wiping the tears from my eyes and getting myself together, I say “I’m fine. It's been a very rough day, but I’ll be fine. Let’s check out my car.”
“Jane, stop. I’ve got sisters and I know when a woman says she’s fine twice in a row, she is anything but fine. I know you might not be able to tell me, but that phone conversation seemed to upset you. It’s obvious you’re having a rough day. I’ve got two ears, no waiting, if you need.”
I swear he knows how to make me smile. “You’re right, there’s been some shit today. Turns out my first client can throw a mean knee and now I’m down two clients. That phone call was from what has been my Monday afternoon client for the last few months. This morning, she had a medical emergency and is in the hospital. Chances are good, she won’t be coming home. The last thing my dad gave me is sitting at the curb mocking me. I know it’s time to replace her, but I just can’t seem to get rid of her.”
“Well, fuck, that is a pretty shitty day. Let’s go see if we can turn it around a little. Even if I can get her started, I still want you to drive it over to our shop so the guys can look it over. I don’t want you breaking down somewhere on your own.”
We spend the next ten minutes with him fiddling under the hood. He finally has me start it but it doesn’t stay running for long.
“Well, I think it’s best we call the guys for a tow, darlin’. I’ll have them come get it, take it to the shop, and assess it. They’ll give you a call when they know more. Let me go get Pa’s truck keys and I’ll give you a lift home.”
“Ry, thank you so much for helping me. I appreciate it more than you know.”
“No problem. I’m happy to help a pretty lady. You’re making my pa get back to himself and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. This ain’t nothin’.” He turns and runs into the house and is back just a few seconds later to give me a quick ride home.
Jon
I’m sitting here staring at the invoice, trying to interpret what’s written on it. I can’t wait for Kierstie to start working here so she can handle all the invoices and the ordering so I can fucking get back to working on my projects. My phone dings with an incoming text.
Ry: Send the tow truck to Ma and Pa’s. Jane’s car broke down there and I couldn’t get it started for her. I just took her home, so give her a call when y’all know what’s wrong with it. She knows it’s probably not worth fixin’, but it means somethin’ to her.
Me: On it. I’ll have Juan look at it.
A second text comes in with a stupid thumbs-up and her number. Why the fuck does it sit like lead that Ry knows where she lives and I don’t? Nope. Not going there. At all. Having had enough of the paperwork today, I head into the shop.
“Shane!”
“Yeah, Pres?”
“Head over to Ma and Pa’s with the tow truck and grab the Explorer in front of it. Bring it back here to the last bay.” I toss him the keys and he nods and heads out to the truck.
“What’s goin’ on, brother?” Juan, the nosey fucker, asks.
“Ry just texted me that Jane needs her car towed in to get looked at. She was at Ma and Pa’s for Pa’s session and it wouldn’t start. Ry couldn’t get it to turn over.”
Juan snorts at my last comment.
“Ry should know by now not to try and fix any engine. He’s cursed when it comes to engines, I swear. Besides, that Explorer looked like it was on its last legs on Saturday when she came over. It probably ain’t worth fixing.”
“Ry said she knows that, but that it means something to her. She still wants to know what it would take to fix it so she can decide.”
