Chapter 31
On Friday, two days from his decision to buy Jace”s house and Grace agreeing to move in with him, Sid opened a checking and savings account at the local bank. He worked with the personal rep there to transfer his money from his bank back home, to this bank. He”d go back in a week or two, give notice on his condo, and pack up his belongings. He”d need his furniture here and he and Grace would figure out what pieces to keep and what to get rid of. They”d decided some of the pieces of furniture Grace had would fit in the house and they”d be making that move soon.
Leaving the bank, Sid headed straight to the Garage. A biker was already in position, but Sid nodded and waved at him before nonchalantly entering the garage. Coop was sitting behind the counter in the reception area, writing on a note pad.
”Good morning. You”re hard at work at something not car or truck related I see.” He quipped.
”It”s car and truck related, but not physically. I”m writing down all the vendors I work with. The missus said I should do this and if you or Grace can email these folks and let them know you”re the new contact here, that would help you out.”
”Thank you, and thank the missus for me. That would be helpful indeed.”
Coop laughed. ”She”s the brains of this operation.”
Sid chuckled. ”Any bricks tossed today?”
”Nope, but the day ain”t over. And, I heard that the grocery store had another issue. A couple of them bikers decided to bring their motorcycles into the store and rev the engines. They filled the place with exhaust and left a few black marks on the floors on their way out of town.”
”Why did they do that?”
”Apparently the store doesn”t carry the kind of beer they like.”
Sid shook his head. ”They”re pissing everyone off around here. If they don”t like it here, they should move on.”
”My feeling exactly.” Coop’s faded blue eyes stared into his. ”Don”t let them win, Sid.”
”We”re working on something to get rid of them.”
”Good.” Coop closed his notebook. ”I”m going to let this percolate today. I”ll remember more as the day goes on.”
”Thanks, Coop.” He started toward the garage area but stopped. ”I”m buying a house.”
”A house?” Coop barked. ”Well aren”t you settling down!”
”That I am.”
Sid felt light as he assembled the tools for the Knucklehead. He turned to Coop, who had followed him out here. ”I suppose I should start working on vehicles as they come in.”
Coop laughed. ”I was wondering when you”d get there!”
Sid laughed. ”Next one that comes in is mine.”
Coop chuckled and started working on an old farm truck brought in for new brakes. Sid carried his tools to the Knucklehead and started working.
His mind raced to Grace, the house, the stuff he had to do to close up his place, the Garage, all the things. But, he didn”t feel overwhelmed. He felt excited.
A motorcycle pulled into the driveway, then a second one. The bikers got off their bikes and strutted toward Sid. He stood and waited for them to approach. The first man, who reminded him of Grizzly Adams - full beard in need of a trim, long hair, in need of a wash, burly build covered in tattoos and leather. That part wasn”t Grizzly Adams, but the rest of him was.
”You the owner?”
”Yep.”
”That so?”
”Yep.”
”I hear you won”t work for us exclusively.”
”That”s correct.”
”Why not?”
”Because this garage has been part of this town for more than seventy years. It”s a staple for the local townspeople and farmers. I”m not turning anyone away because I have to be exclusive to you or anyone else.”
”I can burn this place to the ground.”
”I can rebuild it.”
They stared at each other for some time. He refused to back down. These assholes needed to be taught a lesson. They”d do it legally first, then if need be, he”d do it physically. They weren”t going to ruin his new little slice of heaven.
”We”ll be back.”
Sid nodded but said nothing more. He waited where he was, staring at them as they prepared to leave; they backed their bikes out of the driveway and onto the street. As soon as they took off, he pulled his phone from his back pocket and called Grace.
”Hi,” she cheerfully greeted.
”Hi, yourself.”
”What”s up?”
”Two bikers just came here to intimidate me. I”m warning you they may be coming down by you, I saw them turn that way.”
”Yes, I hear them now.” She took a deep breath and whooshed it from her lungs.
”Do you need me to come down there?”
”They”ve stopped and are speaking with the biker watching my place today.”
He took a deep breath and started walking toward the footpath that led across Jace”s place. ”Grace. Do you need me to come there?”
”I...um...I”ll just make sure all the doors and windows are locked up.”
”Honey, I”m on my way. I”m taking the footpath, get ready for me at the back door.”
”Sid, you don”t...”
”Back door, babe.”
He ended the call and began jogging. As soon as he arrived at Grace”s he”d call Jace and let him know what was happening.
He knocked on the back door to Grace”s place. Chiefy barked and Grace shushed her, though she barked again.
The locks clicked and he saw her face. It was nothing short of a shot in the arm. She always made him feel stronger.
He stepped inside. Turning he locked the door then walked to the front of the house and looked out the window. There they all sat. Three of them to scare one little woman. It pissed him off.
Grace stood back a few feet watching him. He turned and grinned at her. ”They came to the Garage and threatened to burn it down if I didn”t agree to be exclusive with them.”
”Oh my god they are getting worse and worse. What did you say?”
”I told them I”d rebuild it.”
Her smile said it all. ”Good for you.” She stepped closer. ”How do you feel?”
”Strong. Determined to see them run out of town.”
”Okay. Me too.”