Shane
StillthinkingaboutMelissa’scryptic text from earlier, I cautiously pressed the metal edge of the gouge against the wood spinning on the lathe.This was the fourth table leg I had machined today, and I moved with practiced efficiency, shaving away big layers of wood to get the approximate shape I needed.
As the shavings fell away, I brushed aside thoughts of Melissa’s text and focused instead on the dangerous piece of machinery spinning just millimeters from my bare fingers.I hadn’t had an accident in years, but all it took was one moment of carelessness to send me back to the ER.Knowing how much Melissa loved every bit of me, I wasn’t in any rush to scar up even the smallest part.
Movement in my periphery interrupted my workflow.I finished what I was doing and then back away from the lathe, making sure to keep my tool and hands clear.I glanced in the direction of the movement and found my new apprentice patiently waiting.I turned off the lathe and set aside my tools before removing my safety glasses and ear plugs.“Yeah?”
“You’ve got a customer in the office.”
I frowned and checked my watch.I had an appointment on the books for three, but that was hours away.I didn’t usually get walk-ins so it must have been something important.
I brushed wood shavings and sawdust from my arms as I crossed the shop.I wrenched open the door that connected my larger workspace to the smaller front office space.Joanna, my longtime receptionist, was still on her lunch break.She took an extra hour on Fridays to enjoy her grandkids, and I looked the other way when she came back an extra thirty minutes late.
When I walked into my office, I stopped short as I recognized my visitor.White hair.Deep brown skin.Thick handlebar mustache.Eddie Barajas.Melissa’s dad.
Well.
Shit.
“Eddie?”I greeted him with a smile and held out my hand.“Haven’t seen you around in a while.”
The older man gripped my hand like a vise.He had spent his entire life working on engines and cars, and his body showed it.Even nearing seventy, he was all muscle and meanness.Part of that was a holdover from his years in the Marines.
“The fundraiser for Mike’s grandkid,” Eddie said, releasing my hand.“You rode with us.”
I nodded.Like most bikers, I was part of the wider community and came together anytime someone needed help.“How’s that kid doing?”
“Really well,” Eddie said, his attention returning to the design on the draft table in the corner of my office.“He’s finished his chemo.He’s going back to school, but from his house.Homebound or something like that.Melissa explained it to me when I asked.”
At the mention of his daughter, I held my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.Eddie stared at the drawing of the table I envisioned in Melissa’s dining room, and I knew that he would recognize Melissa’s house from my sketch.There was no hiding it now.
“I’ve been telling her to replace that awful dining room table for years,” Eddie remarked, using his rough old hands to move the designs around and get a better look at them.“I’m shocked it didn’t come with termites.”
“I’m going to try to incorporate some of the salvageable wood in the new table.”
Eddie nodded.“That’s thoughtful.”He turned slowly, pinning me in place with that soul-burning dad stare.“It’s what I would expect from a boyfriend.”He let the word hang in the air.“Which I assume is what’s happening here.”
“It is.”There it was out in the open now.“We’re dating.”
“I thought so.”Eddie clicked his teeth.“Is there a reason you’re sneaking around with her?”
“I’m not sneaking.”I bristled at the insinuation.“I’m not hiding it, and neither is she.”
“That’s true,” Eddie allowed.“Your truck and bike have been parked in front of her house most nights this week.Her car has been parked in front of yours the other nights.”
I frowned.“Are you following her?”
Eddie huffed.“If I was, that’s my prerogative.She’s my kid.Myonlykid.”He ran his fingers through his full white hair.“I drive by her place on my way home.I usually stop in if she’s there, but she’s had company, so I kept driving.”
“Oh.”Guilt soured my gut.“Well, don’t let my presence stop you from visiting your daughter.”
Eddie made a face.“We’re both grown-ups here.I think you know why I’m not keen on dropping in unexpectedly.”
The tips of my ears burned.He had a point there.In fact, if he had any idea of the absolutely filthy things I had been doing to his daughter, he would probably drag me into my woodshop and grab the first heavy tool he could find to beat me black and blue.
“Is that what this is?”Eddie asked guardedly.“Just some fun the two of you are having?”
“Not to me,” I answered without hesitation.“It’s real for me.She’sitfor me, Eddie.The one.The only one.”
