Chapter 64 Parts
sixty-four
Parts
“Shot,” Tyler says, “shot, shot, shot, and almost shot.” He’s pointing out the parts of the Nag’s engine that need to be replaced. “I need to get an entirely new engine.”
Jess is leaning against the workbench like she’s bored. “Why don’t you get an entirely new car?”
Tyler looks at her like she’s an idiot. “And give up a body like this?” He touches the side of the Nag reverently. This car is vintage, Jess. You aren’t going to find anything better.”
“I already found something more reliable,” she says.
Tyler gives me a look that says, She doesn't get it.
Jess wanders away to the other end of the shed. She’s looking out the window through the rain. “Is that your old car, Jake?”
I walk up behind her and put my chin on her head and look at the canvas-enshrouded lump that used to be my car. “Yeah,” I say.
“Dad lets you keep that hunk of junk on our property?”
“Ouch,” I say. “Have some respect for the deceased.”
“Sorry.” She turns around and wraps her arms around me. “It’s just not like Dad. He’s usually so into keeping everything neat and junk-free around here.”
“He likes me. He said I was a good man.” I kiss her nose.
“He also told you not to hurt me.” She touches my lips. “You’d better listen or that car will go straight to the dump.”
I look into her eyes. “I would never hurt you, Jess.” I lean down and kiss her.
“Arhhhh,” Tyler throws down the wrench he was holding. “I liked it better when you two hated each other. How am I ever supposed to get this thing running if you two are kissing all the time? Jess, you’re banned from the shed. Go read or find something else to do.” He gestures towards the door.
Jess walks over and hugs her brother. He ducks and pulls away. “Please, can I stay?” she pleads. “I’ll stay out of the way, I promise. I won’t distract Jacob.”
He pulls back and shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t know where I’m going to find a new engine for this, even if I had the money for it.”
“Does that thing out there have an engine?” She gestures towards the corpse of my car.
“Yeah,” I answer. “But it was probably messed up in the crash.”
“It wasn’t damaged,” Tyler says. “I checked. The roof is all caved in, but the engine is intact.”
“So put that engine in the Nag,” Jess says, like it’s a simple thing.
I shake my head. “Changing out an engine is a big deal. There are all sorts of conversions involved. Besides, it's a different make. I don’t think there's any way that engine would be compatible.”
Tyler walks over to the window and looks out at my car. “I don’t know. I might have to do some research on that.”