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10
MATT
Iglance at the time and see that it's pushing one o’clock. Normally I’d ignore lunch and keep working, but I can’t remember if Lenore brought food or not. Double checking that I don’t have any appointments scheduled, I slip off my coveralls and use the orange-scented soap to get most of the dirt and grease off my hands.
When I push open the office door, I find it empty, and most of the junk I’ve let accumulate is gone. I step further in. The space looks bigger without the stacks of paper and magazines everywhere. Curious, I pull open a drawer and see everything filed and in, what I assume, order. I've never developed a good organizational system.
Stepping over to the bank of lockers, I pull one open at random and find her purse tucked inside. It's a good thing it's not the giant one she had yesterday, or it never would have fit. There’s no lunch box with it, so I’m guessing my hunch was correct, and she forgot it in her rush to leave this morning.
I head out to the front to see where she is. The register area is empty save for a sheet of neatly written questions and a handful of sketched maps of each aisle, carefully labeled with what they contained. Compared to my own scrawl, her handwriting looks elegant and refined.
I scan over the questions she’s noted, most of which relate to the computer system, but the last one catches my attention. “Ask for a crash course on most sold products.”
I know what I usually recommend, but I’m shockingly not confident that I could name our ten most sold products. I think there’s a report function in the inventory that knows. It seems like something I should know, though, and make a mental note to check on it later today.
I hear humming in one of the aisles and follow it like a siren song. I think it’s a newer pop song, but I couldn't tell you the words since the local station usually only plays country music.
I find her in the aisle where I keep basic car parts that get replaced regularly. She’s got her phone with her, and she’s looking up each part to learn more about it. I stop at the end of the aisle and watch her. When she’s not burdened with worry, she looks happier, and the stress that tightened her shoulders and neck yesterday has noticeably lessened.
Working in a local garage was probably not on her career path of choice, but she’s dived right in. I wonder what she planned to do after graduating high school. Probably went to college based on her mom’s expectations, but I remember she mentioned not graduating. I want to find out what she would have wanted to study, what her major would have been, and what happened that she dropped out. I’m quickly compiling a mental list of my own questions for her.
“Hungry for lunch?”
She squeaks and almost falls over from her crouching position.
“Sorry about that.” I hurry forward to help her stand, but she brushes me off and sits back slightly.
“For a big dude, you’re awfully stealthy.” She brushes herself off and then stands. “I mean, not that you’re fat. You’re just so tall.” Her face is turning bright red. I suppose I am tall to her, but I’ve always considered myself average. She’s petite and whip-thin, like a sprite, and I know I’m not overweight; I’m in good shape, strong from working all the time, but not chiseled either.
“And yes, I’d love some lunch. Do you have a recommendation? I forgot to grab food when we left this morning.”
“We can go to Steve’s restaurant. It’s low-key during the day.” And I knew he’d make room for us even if it was busy.
“Steve?”
“Friend of mine. We grew up together, and he knows Al and Annie too.”
“Sounds perfect.” She smiles at me. “I promise I’ll remember to bring lunch tomorrow. My brain’s been a bit holey since yesterday.”
“I surprised you this morning. Don’t worry about it.”
She takes the out I give her and goes into the office. She walks out with her purse slung over one shoulder and rejoins me by the back door. I’ve already flipped the sign on the front door to show we’ll be back in an hour and lock it before leaving.
I turn and find her waiting, eyes roaming the neighborhood.
“I’ll get a key made for you too.”
“Thank you. You don’t have an extra already?”
“I seem to like living life on the edge.” I wink and usher her over to the truck.
The drive to the restaurant is quick, and before long, we’re standing in front of my best friend as he grimaces at something behind the hostess station. He must not have heard us come in. It’s quiet, as I’d hoped it would be, and we’ll have our pick of tables. Steve keeps a limited lunch menu and focuses mostly on the dinner rush. He works most of the shifts and keeps a few other staff on hand to help. His only other full-time employees are the chef and one waitress who’s been working with him since he opened.
“Hey Steve,” I call as we step through the doorway.
Steve startles and looks up, stepping out from behind the stand and sweeping me into a tight hug. I can also now tell he was looking at his reservation list for this evening.
“Who’s this that dragged you away from the shop?” He smiles warmly at Lenore and holds out a hand, wisely not trying to crush her too. Spying my hand on the small of her back, he glances quickly back to me with a raised eyebrow.
