6. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Noah
I slept like the dead—I slept through the alarm I had set. I’ll take the few hours left in the morning to organize what I need to do. I video-chatted with my mom and Dad to show them the place when I got semi-settled. They loved it. My mom is already making lists of things I need. I did some research last night and need to call the 502 Center in Carmel, Indiana, to see if I need to take the bar here to practice. I don’t want to be a lawyer, but it’s better to keep it since I spent all that money becoming one. I never know who I might meet who needs a lawyer.
“Groceries.” I pull out my phone and make a list. I looked at my cupboards and decided I needed to buy a lot. I shower and head out to get what I need, but I need food first. I’m locking up my door when I hear someone coming up the steps. I turn to see this brown hair woman stomping and muttering to herself. “Hi.” She startles, and death glares at me.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to scare someone?” She huffs, walking toward door three.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Noah, your new neighbor.” I hold out my hand to her.
“Listen. I know Arthur gave you the speech about how we help out the old fogies downstairs, but that’s not me. I go to work, come home, and go out with my friends. I live here and don’t need more people, okay? I have parents. So don’t bother me.” She slams the door in my face and heads down the stairs. I get to apartment number two, and a man puts a list on it.
“Oh, you must be Noah.” He holds out his hand. “Don’t mind, Sally. She’s a bit of a loner. She has her friends. I’m Donald, and my wife is Charlotte.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Do you need groceries? I’m heading there after I find myself some breakfast. I can get them for you.” I smile as he hands me the list.
“I’d appreciate it. If you are looking for a place that sells breakfast all day, head to the Dinner Bell Restaurant. They serve the best breakfast menu around.”
“I’ll do that. I will try not to be too late on your groceries either. I must stop to get bowls, plates, and all that fun stuff.” He tells me to take my time. He doesn’t go to bed until eleven. He likes to be a rebel and stay up late. Donald winks as he closes his door, and I walk out to my car. I put in my GPS for the Dinner Bell Restaurant and headed for food. Donald wasn’t wrong; their breakfast menu was delicious. If I’m not careful, I’d add about two hundred pounds. As I checked out, I asked the hostess where I could get groceries. I thanked her and then proceeded to head out to run my errands.
I see a hiring sign as I head home after getting the groceries for Donald and myself. I pull into the parking lot. I enter the garage's customer waiting room because all the bays are closed.
“Hi, can I help you?” The woman behind the counter asks with a smile on her face.
“I saw you’re hiring sign on the billboard. I want to talk to someone about it.”
“Sure. Let me see if the owner is available to talk with you, but while you wait, please fill this out.” She hands me a generic application. I start filling it out. It feels weird to do this, as I’ve never had to do it. My first job after law school was handed to me. I finish it and look over it again. The door opens, and a man with the woman from before walks to the counter. He comes around to stand next to me.
“You’re looking for a job? Have you ever worked on cars before?” He looks me up and down.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover. I went to law school and became a lawyer because of my Dad. It was a do-as-I-say type of career. My love has always been cars. I went to a trade school at night to become a mechanic. My grandfather and I would worked on cars before he passed away.” I handed him my application so he could see what I was saying was true.
“My name is Tanner, but everyone calls me TJ. I own this shop.” He looks at the woman, and she nods as she walks away. “This is a unique shop. We have a contract with a local motorcycle club so we do a lot of maintenance there. There is another garage in town, but they’re not as busy as ours. They try to poach our customers and my mechanics. It’s one of the reasons I’m hiring.”
“Got it. I’m new to town and would love to work here. The smell of grease and oil feels like home to me. I’m used to working on old cars, and I tinker with my car a lot. I’d love it if you give me a chance.” TJ sighs and looks over the application.
“Okay. Let’s start you on a trial basis.” I hold out my hand to him, and we shake. I start filling out the new hire paperwork. He told me to be here tomorrow morning at eight.
“You live in Smitty’s apartments?” I nod. “He’s a good dude.”
"Yeah, he is. I appreciate everything he’s done for me so far. I’m grateful for it.”
“When you get here, if you don’t see me, ensure you find Ruby. She runs my day-to-day operations.”
“Thank you for giving me this chance. You won’t be disappointed.” I tell him, shaking his hand again.
“I do have an off the wall question for you.” I nod for him to continue. “Are you still a lawyer?”
“I’m looking into transferring my license to practice if I make friends here and they need my legal help. It’s more like a legal aid for those who can’t afford the shark. A shark trained me, so I know how to handle myself in a courtroom.”
“Sounds like you’re a good man.” TJ smiles at me. I head out and drive back to my apartment. I smile because this new life I chose for myself is working out.