CHAPTER 3

“I will need your help in a while,” Chase said to his son the next day as he checked his phone. “We’re getting an old Toyota. Problem with the gearbox.”

Steve nodded as he carried a large box of tools in his arms. “Sure.”

After removing his glasses and placing them on the counter, Chase let out a sigh. He had his thin, dark hair pulled up in a ponytail, and he was wearing his dark-blue overalls over a faded crimson T-shirt.

Outside, the sky was a vivid blue, not a cloud in sight, suggesting that temperatures would plummet when the sun went down.

Steve set the box down next to five others by the wall of the auto repair shop, then wiped his hands on his jeans and met his father at the counter. He pulled up the sleeves of his gray sweatshirt.

Chase’s hazel eyes rested on his son. “You okay?”

“Sure. Why?”

Chase shrugged. “It looks like something’s bugging you.”

“Didn’t sleep so well,” Steve said as he took a notebook and pen from the counter and jotted down numbers and barely decipherable words.

Chase’s eyes flickered towards him, his expression suggesting he wanted to say something else. Then he looked at his smartphone, and as he tapped on the screen, a small, knowing smile spread across his face. “Hope that greaser friend of yours is not getting you into any trouble.”

Steve scowled at him. “Wow, Dad, you really are the living image of tolerance, aren’t you?”

Chase chuckled and raised his hands. “Okay, okay, sorry. It was just a joke.”

Steve nodded. “I know,” he said as he went on writing. “And it was hilarious. Kevin is a nice guy, Dad. He’s a good person.”

“I’m sure he is. I’m just a bit, you know, old-school, if you will.”

Steve’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned. “I love how you avoid using the word ‘racist,’ Dad.”

“Oh, come on, give your old man a break. I am not racist.”

“I know, Dad,” Steve chuckled. “Just busting your balls a little.”

Chase smiled and rolled his eyes. “Hey, listen, why don’t you take a break? You look tired. I’ll handle the Toyota.”

“Ain’t happening.”

Chase let out an exasperated puff of air and then shook his head.

“Somehow I knew you were gonna say that.” He rubbed his face, a weary sigh escaping his lips.

“Shit, I know you don’t like me to say this, Steve, but I dunno what you’re doing here, with me.

This is not your place. You should be at college right now, not destroying your back.

” A serious look settled on Chase’s face, and his voice became hushed. “Steve, we’ve got the money…”

Here we go again, Steve thought. A visible tension spread across his face. “For the millionth time, I’m not going to college.” He smirked. “Might as well accept it, Dad: you and your old bones need me, whether you like it or not.”

Chase laughed. “God, where did I get such a stubborn kid.”

Steve offered a smile, but his heart was heavy with a sense of pity for both himself and his father.

Sure, he would have liked to go to college, but they did not have the money for that, no matter what his father said.

And even if they had the money, Steve doubted he’d go to college.

He was determined to help his father, finding it difficult to imagine his dad handling all the repair shop’s tasks alone or hiring someone in his place. He wanted to help him himself.

His phone buzzed, and he glanced down at the screen. Alisa had sent him a text message. A weird feeling washed over his body, a blend of anxiety and hope. He’d been texting her all morning, apologizing, desperate for her to say something, anything. But she hadn’t replied.

And now that she had, he wasn’t sure he wanted to read it.

Would she accept his apology, or would she let out her anger through hurtful insults?

Warily, he tapped on the message and read it: Hi, honey, how are you? Please come see me after work. I’ve got a surprise for you! Love u : )

The message left Steve speechless, his mouth hanging open in disbelief; he had not been expecting this. It sure looked like she’d forgiven him, but the message seemed awkward, out of place, as if the unpleasant episode from the day before hadn’t happened.

He pondered, the feeling of uncertainty a heavy weight on his mind. In the end, curiosity got the best of him, so he answered back: Hey! It’s great to hear from you. Yeah, sure, I’ll go over to your house after work. I can’t wait to see what it is. Love you too : )