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“Yes, the rock star. I’ll see if we can keep Amber’s car for a while.”
“Oh yeah, your truck’s still fucked up,” I recall. “It’s fine. We can Uber or something. Just make sure you have the address.”
“I’ll meet you back at my place in a bit.”
Once we hang up, I realize Isaac is watching me. “What?”
“Her truck’s messed up?”
“Yeah, something with the brakes. She’s going to buy a new car, so she’s been bumming rides for the past month. She hasn’t had time to shop around.”
“Where’s her truck at?”
“Parked back at her place.”
“I’ll take a look at it while we wait on her.”
“That’s really sweet of you.” I move to my feet. “Let’s get moving. If we’re going to dinner with a rock star, I’m going to need a nap first.”
“A rock star?”
“Yeah, Ava’s client is like, world famous. She’s coming to get us for dinner with him.”
“Me too?”
“Oh, I assume so.” I shrug, leading him out of the Second Chance Café.
“And a nap is necessary?”
“A nap is always necessary.”
* * *
Three hours later, I wake up refreshed and ready to go, but I find the apartment empty. I check my phone, but I don’t have any messages from Ava or anyone else. I head to the fridge and pull out the orange juice, then grab a glass from the cabinet over the sink. I sip it slowly, thankful that Ava is like me and prefers pulp in her orange juice. Greg hated pulp, and rather than buy two different kinds, I went without it most of the time.
After rinsing my glass out, I turn to flip the light in the kitchen off and see a receipt on the table. It’s from an auto parts store. Thinking back to my conversation with Isaac, I grab my coat and boots and head down to the parking lot. The February air is still cold but not as bad as it was this morning. Navigating the cars, I find Ava’s truck in her assigned parking spot, and sure enough, a pair of legs are sticking out from underneath it.
“Hey.” I duck down, peeking under the truck.
A loudthunkfollowed by a “Goddammit” comes from under the truck.
Isaac slides out from underneath the truck, rubbing his forehead. “Maybe give me a little warning next time.”
“For the record, I thoughtheywas enough of a warning.” I cringe at the red spot flaring up on his head.
“Well, it wasn’t.” He laughs, shaking his head at me. “I was just finishing up. I figured I’d change the oil while I was here.”
“That was so nice of you.” My voice cracks with emotion. Goodness, you’d think it was my car. “I know this will mean a lot to Ava. She’s been so busy.” It’s just really sweet to see him trying to help his sister out.
“Hopefully she won’t mind.” He collects all of the tools scattered around. “I borrowed the tools she had in the back.”
“I’m sure she won’t at all. If someone fixed my car, I wouldn’t care if they borrowed my tools.”
“I better get cleaned up before we go to dinner.” Isaac glances at his watch. “Ava should be here soon. She’s still got Amber’s car and is gonna pick us up.”
“Oh okay, cool.” We head back to the apartment building. “This elevator is always the slowest. You’d think they’d fix it,” I muse as we wait for it to arrive. “Normally, I take the stairs. But I’m feeling lazy this afternoon.”
“Hence the nap,” Isaac comments, smiling over at me as the elevator dings. Once we’re inside, I press the button for Ava’s floor and lean against the wall. “So, do you live near here?’
