Chapter 19
Myles
I’m excited about how things are working out at the garage. The sign is finished. Brad has just packed all his equipment into his truck and given us the go-ahead to check it out.
Standing out in front of the garage, it’s clean, and the sign is classic. No gimmicks at all. “I like it, Brad. It’s damn good.”
“Yeah, I do too. The doors will be on next week, and then it’s gonna look like a business that means business,” Clem states with all seriousness.
“You don’t want to put shit on signs that isn’t needed.
Too many are putting on icons, and it just makes the thing look cheap.
I reckon this shows you are a reputable business, and shows you look after the place.
Which shows you care not only about the business, as in vehicles, but your tools and the building itself,” Brad adds.
I somehow don’t laugh at the multi-colors of paint he’s wearing on his coveralls as I reply, “I think it’s spot on, Brad. Anytime you need us you know you only have to shout out.”
“Okay, I’m off to my next client. Take care, y’all.” Brad is in his truck and gone before we can say spit.
“Come on, let’s get moving. It’ll not be long before lunch break, and it’s Cassian’s turn to get it.” Clem grins as he walks back into the garage.
Lunch came around, and Cassian came back carrying McDonald's. Rubbing my hands together, I think of the burger I’m going to eat in a minute. My stomach growls loudly, which makes Clem look at me right before he rolls his eyes.
“What? I can’t help being hungry. I’m a growing boy,” I joke.
After eating and drinking the soda that I had been handed. I look at Cassian when Clem asks if he’s coming to the hockey game with us.
“Yeah, I’m comin’. Wife is working, so it’s just me if that’s okay?”
Dan appears carrying the leftover packets from his, Banner and Conroy’s McDonald’s. “Me and mine are coming,” Dan adds as though he’s been here all the time.
“Should we get a small bus?” I ask and look around at everyone.
“My mate’s got a small bus, don’t worry I’ll get that from him,” Banner adds as he walks into the office, which is now cramped full, with Conroy leaning on the doorframe.
“Okay then, this is gonna be good,” Clem laughs.
Back working, with my head under a hood I look up when a customer walks into the garage. Cassian wanders over to him talking about his vehicle, what needs repaired, and my eyes follow them as they go into the office.
Clem slaps my shoulder as he passes and grabs a clean rag to wipe his hands. “Got ourselves a real helper by the look of it, Myles.”
Chuckling, I agree, “Yeah, looks like it, and you know we said we’d find him a job.”
“Yeah, he can be our ‘Gofer’, you know go fer this, and go fer that…” I laugh along with Clem, but the idea has more than a small amount of merit.
“I didn’t realize it would be so noisy,” Maylee says as we take our seats to watch the game.
It’s not freezing, but it is cool. We are right up at the front, so it’s colder than if we’d had seats further away. But Maylee wanted Oren to have the best experience, so here we are.
We all have plenty of warm clothing on, so it’s all good. Although I notice Maylee’s nose looks a little red. Checking Oren, he looks fine, but I’ll watch them both because I don’t want them turning blue.
The game is amazing, and though the team is not a top team, they are on the way up in the league.
Sanderson, their star player, is sucking up all the attention he’s getting from everyone.
Oren is shouting and jumping up and down.
Twice he’s nearly run through and onto the ice.
Once I grabbed him, and the second time Dan did as Oren was passing him.
Dan’s sons keep laughing at Oren’s enthusiasm, and I’m sure the shits would encourage him to do something reckless.
No sooner had that thought crossed my mind than Oren was gone. Through the gate and onto the ice. He is skidding and sliding but determined to get to Sanderson.
Thankfully, the players saw what was happening and made sure Oren wasn’t run into by a team member.
The referee notices and is able to stop play.
But I’m struggling to get over to him. My feet are not holding on the ice, and I’m going to do the splits if I’m not careful.
“Oren, get back here!” I’m shouting, but he’s taking no notice whatsoever.
Looking at Maylee, who is now screaming Oren’s name as she’s panicking, and Whitney is stopping her from joining me on the ice. Clem, Cassian, Dan and his boys are laughing so hard they are clinging to each other.
I’m watching the referee as he makes a grab for Oren, Oren drops to his knees and slides between the referee’s legs. The referee overreaches and falls flat on his face. One of the players tries to hook Oren with his stick, but Oren grabs the stick and pushes. The player falls on his ass, laughing.
Falling flat on my own ass for the third time, I am given a hand up by a team member. “You okay?” he asks, and I nod but don’t stop the curse that erupts. “Sanderson has your boy,” the team member states and as I look up, I’m astonished to see Oren sitting on Sanderson’s shoulders.
“Oh, fuck’s sake…” I throw out, not able to hold it back. The team member chortles, finding this whole thing amusing. The stadium is laughing and shouting Sanderson’s name one minute and Oren’s the next.
Skidding and sliding towards the gate I leave Oren with Sanderson because honestly, he has more control over his feet than I have.
Skidding again, I grab a player that is near and sadly spin him around as he was unaware.
We both stagger, and before I can stop myself I’m going down yet again, and taking him with me.
I land flat on my back with the wind knocked out of me. I turn my head and look at the player. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, takes more than that to get to me. Now come on, let’s get you off the ice.” He is on his skates, has me hauled onto my feet and out the gate before I can say ‘Jack shit.’
“Are you…” Maylee starts to ask, but I cut her off. “I’m fine, I’m fine…”
We stand at the glass and watch as Sanderson skates around the ice, encouraging Oren to wave at everyone. People are taking videos of it on their phones, and it’s on the big screen. What is so obvious is the delight on Oren’s face. He loves every minute. Now how can you be angry at that?
“Your son’s a keeper, Myles,” Banner laughs, which earns him a clip around the ear from Synthia. But I notice she is smiling at the same time.
Dan pats my shoulder. “It’s okay, Myles, this is nothing. There is worse to come.”
Finally, Oren is handed back to us, and the gate is closed. Sanderson ruffles his hair and hands Oren his stick and gloves before skating away. Oren is glowing, and I’m not going to spoil that memory. I hold my tongue, and give Maylee a look that says I’m defeated on this one.
“It’ll be okay, Myles,” Maylee coos at me, as though I’m a teenager, but the quick kiss she gives me soothes the sting.