2. Chapter 1
Richard
4 years after graduation
Pete came around the corner in the garage and smiled at me. “Wanna go to lunch?”
“You buyin?” I laughed.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I wanted to talk to you about your plans.”
I went over to the sink and scrubbed the grease from my hands. Pete and I had been friends since kindergarten, actually all my friends were that old.
“Plus, the guys’ll be there too.” He added in as I walked closer to him.
“That One Place?”
“Always. Can’t beat their burgers.” He chuckled, and we slipped out the bay door and into his car.
For being a rich kid, you wouldn’t know it by what he drove or even his house. Pete was down to earth and easy-going.
“Any news from Coop?” He lowered the radio as he drove to the diner.
“Still in the sandbox. Still seein’ the world on Uncle Sam’s dime.” I looked out the window and shoved down the misery that rose up my throat.
Our dad was a mean SOB. I left home right after graduation. Jeremy left at seventeen and finished school outside of Port Stella. Cooper? He joined the Marines and left the morning after the end of school bash.
About a year ago, we learned Dad was sick. Jeremy moved back home to help Ma take care of him and I filled in where I could.
Pete cruised around the town square and pulled it to the diner.
James and Chase were strolling over to the door and held it open for us.
“Hey guys, quiet day?” Pete smiled at them as he got out of the car.
“Don’t jinx us,” James laughed.
“Hey guys!” Gene waved us over, and we all sat at the table next to them. “How’s your dad doing, Rich?”
Eugene came from a family who cared about each other. And they were the first ones to jump up and help Ma out when she needed it.
“Fucker’s still breathing.” I snarled. “Jeremy moved back home to help Ma during the night. I do my best to be around when she calls.”
“What happened?” Henry looked at us.
“Cancer.” I shrugged. “He’s collecting a whole set.”
“Damn.” Ethan shook his head.
“He’s a bastard. Don’t even feel bad.” I sighed. “Once he’s gone, Ma won’t have to deal with his shit anymore.”
Edie brought over more water and menus for the newcomers, and I waited for her to head back to the counter before I pulled out the ring box hidden in my pocket.
“So, uh, I’mma do a thing.” I flipped it open, and Ethan scowled.
“Nobody likes a show-off, Walsh.” He huffed and took a drink of his coffee.
“You sure about this, man?” Dexter eyed the ring.
I couldn’t help laughing. “Dude, he’s been pining for her since middle school.”
Pete nodded. “I remember that.”
Chase chuckled. “Man, if she makes you happy, I say tie that knot.”
James nodded in agreement. “My grammy is in the long-term care and Miranda is her favorite nurse.”
“You? Endorse marriage?” Chase snickered softly. “Your divorce was brutal.”
James gave a shrug, nodded to guys and drank his water.
“I can see that. She’s an amazing mom.” Glancing down at the ring, Henry smiled. “You planning to make an honest woman outta my cousin, Ethan?” he teased.
“Fucker.” He flipped him the bird. “Not until after this one comes into the world.”
Edie came back around to get our orders and we spent the rest of the time bullshitting and catching up with each other.
James had his eyes locked on a couple having lunch across the diner.
“See someone you know?”
He turned to me, his face flat. “It’s her.”
Tilting my head, I looked across the diner and noted the woman. She was dressed in business casual attire and laughing at something the man across from her said. Not a gentle laugh either, it was a full-on Pez dispenser laugh that made you want to know what was so funny.
“You left her?” I kept my voice down.
“I cheated.” He sighed. “And she walked.”
I gave him a shrug. “That sucks.”
“Yeah.”
“You could try to make it up to her.” I took a drink of my coffee.
He barked out a laugh. “I doubt she’d do that.”
“If it was one time.” I shrugged. “Why…”
He sat beside me, shaking his head. “I’m a colossal asshole.”
The diner filled up fast with hungry customers. Being the good big brother he was, Gene went to help Edie while we ate our lunch.
We were about done when James watched his ex-wife walk through the diner and out the front door.
“You look like someone kicked your dog.” I partially whispered to him.
“Nope. I am the dog, and I deserve that kick.” He let out a sardonic laugh as we all stood up and threw money down on the table.
When we got back to the Yacht club Pete went his way and I went mine. I’ve been working here since I was in high school. It’s decent pay, honest work and I get to work on motors.
I’m a gear head through and through. A friend of the family helped cultivate that in me and my brothers. He taught us everything he knew alongside his youngest girl, Olivia.
Slipping outside the bay door, I pulled my smokes out and lit one.
I’m a damn fine mechanic and all I’ve ever wanted was my own garage setup with my brothers.
Pop knows it too. Last night when I helped get him back into bed, he told me he planned to leave something for us to remember him by.
He’s too weak from the cancer to throw anymore punches. And knowing that filled me with a sadistic happiness.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot a text off to Olivia.
Hey libs
can you meet for coffee after work?
Sure can.
Diner?
Yep
I’ve got an idea and I really hope you can help.
I head back in and finish out my day, feeling like a weight’s been lifted off me.
Finishing up my day went quick, and I opted to use the locker room showers to clean up before meeting her.
She’s akin to the baby sister I never got, and she knows it. If Cooper would get his head out of his ass, she would be my sister. In law, that is.
Right now she’s dating an asshat.
I hope she leaves him at home.
I finish up and put on clean jeans and a tee before hopping into my 77 Ford truck. Olivia’s dad, Joe, supervised my rebuild on this baby. Every part, every mirror, even the dash, was a work of art to me.
The final step was painting her, and I chose midnight envy metallic pearl. Agatha shimmered in lights and was a cool green without them.
Her engine purred to life as I pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to the diner. We were meeting before the dinner rush, and I was glad we wouldn’t have to jockey for a place to sit.
I pulled into an open spot beside a piss colored Malibu and smiled, thinking I beat her here.
Walking into the restaurant, I saw her neon backpack on a chair, but I didn’t see her. Heading over to the table, I caught sight of her coming out of the bathroom and she smiled at me.
“Hey Richard.”
“Hey, Libs.”
“I already ordered us coffee.” She took a seat and then pulled out a notebook and pen. “So, while we wait. Tell me what’s up and what you need from me.”
“How do you know I need anything?”
“Because you never call me for coffee.” She gave me a duh look and clicked her pen, poised, ready to write.
“I want to open…” I lowered my voice and sat forward. “My own shop.”
“Go on.” Her eyes sparkled. “We’re talking about finally getting Grease Monkeys.”
Her excitement was contagious. I nodded and tried to give an aloof shrug. “Nothing massive. Couple of bays. Office, Customer waiting area.”
“Just you?” Her eyebrows went up.
“Well, I thought about my brothers, too. Who knows what Coop’s plans are with the military?”
I watch the happiness drain from her at the mention of Coop and she plowed through. “Well, there are a couple building that would work. I’ve been scouting for one since we were kids and you guys talked about doing this. I can set up appointments with the realtor and we can check them out and then once you have a place, you’ll need to decide where to get your loan through.”
“What’s up, Dick and Libs?” My younger brother kicked a chair out and took a seat.
“It’s good to see you too, ass.” Libby laughed and side hugged him.
“What’re we talking about?”
“I’m done working for people. I want to open a garage.” Lifting my cup, I took a drink of my coffee, watching my brother’s face.
“Alone? Or Can I get in on the action?”
“It’ll cost ya.”
“It just so happens I’m about to fall into some cash.”
I reached across the table and ruffled his hair. “Same.”
“What about Coop?” He smacked my hands away.
“What about him?”
“Think he’ll want in?”
Shrugging, I wave over Evi for a refill.
“Should I put on a fresh pot?” She cocked her hip and smacked her gum.
“I think so, Evi.” Libby gave her a smile. “Can you also put an order in for some fries?”
“Plain, chili, chili-cheese, cheese, or my favorite Irish nachos?”
“Irish nachos all the way!” Libby gave her a fist bump and then took a sip of coffee.
“Yo! Big E!” Evi yelled, walking back behind the counter. “Frog sticks and make ‘em Irish!”
“Got it!” He called back, flipping his spatula.
“I love this place.” Libby sat back.
“Libby.” I tapped the table. “Can we make it work?”
“Pfft. Hell yeah we can.”
Libby pulled out a small laptop and set it up and showed us the logo she came up with.
“When did you do this?” Jeremy’s jaw dropped open in awe.
“When I was in the hospital.” She shrugged. “It gave me something to dream about.” Then she pulled up the realty sites and showed me the places she found and her notes on each place.
Little by little, our plans take shape and we keep the food coming for a couple of hours while we dream. By the time we leave the restaurant, I feel well on my way to my dream.