CHAPTER FOUR
In today’s shop conversations, I heard Jameson say to Rory about Juan… In this world there are smart people and good people. Your brother is a very good guy. That’s one of the best backhanded compliments I think I’ve heard.
~Text from Ben to Kimbra~
Ben
It’s been a hell of a week, and it’s only Thursday morning.
After an amazing weekend where Kimbra and I got to spend it alone and exploring each other, our week turned hectic.
She had a booked week and had to cover some appointments for a doctor who was out with the flu.
I’ve been at the shop all week because the flu bug has gone through the kids, and now Mario and another tech are at home sick.
I’m just finishing up an oil change on a vehicle when my phone rings.
Wiping my hands clean, I look at my phone and see it’s Kimbra calling me, which immediately has me on edge as she only ever texts during the day between patients.
“Hey, you. What’s going on?” I can hear the panic in her voice.
“Bentley got into trouble at school. Apparently, he hit a kid because they were bullying a girl who’s his friend.
He’s been suspended for the rest of today and tomorrow.
I already have patients and am beyond overbooked, Brian’s got two surgeries, and Ms. Elenore is out of town.
I don’t—” I interrupt her. “Can you call the school and tell them I’m going to pick him up?
He can come back here and work in the office on schoolwork, or we can get him cleaning or something.
I mean, if you’re okay that he’s with me.
” I hear her take a deep breath. “He’s met you and knows you, and I’m fine with you getting him.
I trust you.” That goes straight to my gut.
“Doc, you saying that means more than you know.” We work out the details, and she tells me she’ll text me when I’m good to go pick him up.
As soon as we hang up, I go into the office and look for Pres.
I find him going through paperwork at his desk.
“You know, I thought with Kierstie working a couple days a week and Shandy working here, paperwork would be a thing of the past, but I’ll be damned if I can’t get away from all of it. Is there something I can do for ya?”
I nod. “Yeah, Kimbra…Dr. Hargrave just called me. Her middle kid, Bentley, got suspended for hitting a bully and defending his friend. She is slammed and can’t go get him, same with his dad.
Her usual daycare option is out of town, so I told her I could get him.
I also said I could bring him back here to either do schoolwork or clean in the shop.
If I misspoke, then I’m gonna have to take the rest of the day off.
” Jon shakes his head at me. “You can bring the kid here. Hell, if he was defending a friend from a bully, maybe we need to buy him a burger for lunch. How old is he?” I look at Jon and smile.
“He’s nine, but he’s super smart. I’m pretty sure he’s a little genius.
” Jon smiles. “Good, maybe he could teach some of the guys out there something. You and she must be getting serious if you’re getting to know her kids.
” I nod. “Yeah, I’m serious about her. She’s something special, and her kids I’m getting to know, but they are all pretty fucking awesome.
” Jon gives me a grin. “Good thing you’re bringing them to family day then ‘cause you know if you didn’t, Jane would hunt you down and question you for hours.
” He ain’t wrong. My phone buzzes with a text.
Kimbra: School is all set for you to pick him up. Thank you again. I know you might want to spoil him, but he needs to learn not to turn things physical at school.
Me: Doc, what he did was what a good man would do. You know that.
Kimbra: Fine. Don’t spoil him too much, though, please? He can’t keep getting suspended like this.
Me: I won’t. Pres said I can put him to work next to me here.
Kimbra: He’s going to like that. Okay, but no ice cream or treats! Thank you, Mathis.
Me: Anytime, Doc.
She sends me a text with the details and the address of the school. I head out to my truck to go get my assistant for the day.
**********
When I arrived at the school, Bentley was sitting in the principal’s office.
Once the secretary had checked my identification and confirmed I was good to pick him up, she led me to the office.
The second I enter the room, I swear the principal turns her nose up at me when she sees my tattoos and work shirt.
“I’m here to pick up Bentley. His mother called ahead.
” She doesn’t make any effort to move from behind her desk.
“Yes. I hope his mother understands that we don’t tolerate physical violence of any kind, no matter what might be fine with her outside of these walls.
We have rules for a reason.” I know it’s not my place, but apparently, my mouth didn’t get the message.
“And do you have rules for bullying? Seems to me if you did, then things wouldn’t have gotten physical.
Might be something to look into.” I put my hand on Bentley’s shoulder. “Let’s go, kid.”
He’s quiet until we get into my truck and head out to go back to the shop.
“Is Mom really mad at me? Do I have to go home and sit in my room?” I glance over and see him gnawing on his bottom lip, just like his mom when she’s nervous.
“No, I don't think she’s really mad. I think she knows you were trying to defend your friend, which is good. You just can’t be physical at school.
I’m not going to say I don’t understand why you did it and that you were wrong because I don’t think you were.
You just have to learn to follow the rules at school, okay?
” He looks down and nods his head. I know this kid is even smarter than I think.
“And you’re not going home. You’re coming to work with me for the rest of the day.
I’ve got a car I need to do a tune-up on and one I need to figure out why it’s got a knocking noise. ”
“Mom said I could work with you? On engines?” I have to hide my grin at his excitement.
“Yeah, she did. You’re going to have to listen to what I tell you or what my brothers tell you to do.
You going to listen?” He nods, and about a minute later, the questions start.
“What kind of car are you working on right now? Is it a diesel or gas engine? You said your brothers. Those are the guys in that club you’re in that you told us about, right?
How many work at the shop? Do you rebuild engines there or do basic maintenance? Do you work on sports cars?”
I pull into the shop parking lot and try to remember each question he just asked since I think he might have asked at least twenty.
“Right now, I just have a Toyota Camry on my rack, and it's a gas engine. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a Camry that was diesel.
Yes, the brothers I work with are the same guys I’m in the club with.
You’re going to meet them before your brother and sister.
I can’t remember what else you asked me, but if you ask me while we’re working, I’ll answer them.
Let’s go inside and meet everyone, okay?
” Bentley pushes up his glasses while he nods and opens the door to get out of the truck.
The bay doors aren’t open since it’s been raining cats and dogs all morning, so he can’t see that they’re all full and being used.
“Do you guys do a lot of work?” I nod as we reach the door to the office and waiting room.
“Yeah, we do. The doors are closed since it’s been raining all morning.
” He opens the door, and I follow him inside.
I introduce him to Shandy, who’s working the front desk today.
His cheeks redden when she reaches out to shake his hand.
He smiles and tells her it’s nice to meet her.
Shandy looks up at me. “I’m gonna run over to the parts store later, and they’re by that gas station that has the good chicken and Jojos if you want to order lunch.
” I tell her I’ll check with his mom and let her know.
I know she doesn’t want him to be rewarded with lunch, but I know he has to eat.
Bentley follows me down the hallway, and right before we get to the door to the shop Jon and Rory come out of Jon’s office.
Rory speaks up first. “And who do we have here?” Bentley sticks his hand out to shake Rory’s hand.
“I’m Bentley. I’m nine. Ben said I can work with him today since I got in trouble at school today, though I still don’t get why when I defended my friend like a good friend is supposed to do.
” Rory being smart doesn’t comment on Bentley’s getting into trouble.
“Well, good to meet ya. Ben knows a lot about cars, so I think you’ll learn a lot. ”
Bentley holds his hand out to shake Jon’s hand.
“This is Jon. He’s our club president and our boss here.
” Jon stares him down and then gives him a smile.
“Nice to meet you. You do good work, and you’ll be welcome here anytime, got it?
” Bentley, looking completely serious, nods his head.
“Yes, Bossman.” I think Pres just got a new nickname.
“Well, we better get to work, don’t you think?
” Bentley nods and follows me out to the shop.
I think this is gonna be more of a reward than either Kimbra or I realized.
Somehow, I think she’s gonna be okay with it.
**********