Chapter Three
Ian
“Man, what a long day. I can’t believe how busy we’ve been. But you see, Chris? We did it. We might’ve have worked our butts off, but we got through the last of the bunch. What are you working on now?”
“Actually, I’m all done.”
“Could you help me? It’s just this last one, and then we can go. I knew we’d get through them. You see, my father just has to have a bit more faith in us.”
Chris laughed. “You’re determined not to let him win, aren’t you? Well, we might have gotten through all the work, but it wasn’t easy. And it was only because two of those bikes barely needed anything done. I think the one guy just pretended like something was wrong, because afterward he asked if I could polish it when I was finished looking at it. I checked, there was nothing wrong. I think he just wanted a shiny bike to drive around. So that took like, half an hour. But if we had more demanding clients, we’d be pulling a twenty-four-hour shift.”
I looked at him and sighed. “Oh, you have no faith. Come on, we’re good at this, and you know it.”
“I never said that we weren’t good at it. I just said that we needed some extra help around here.”
“So, you’re still agreeing with my father? Even though we clearly got through all the work today.”
Chris shrugged. “Ah, I don’t care either way. I enjoy this work. I don’t mind working hard. So if you’re not going to get anyone else, that’s fine by me.”
I smiled at my best friend. I liked it when he agreed with me. “Good. I knew you’d come around to my way of seeing it. Although I must say, I’m pretty glad we’re on the last bike. I’m freaking exhausted. Hey, are you still going to the gym these days?”
“No way,” Chris laughed. “That was a stupid idea. I mean, how would I find the time or the energy for it? And I signed up for a whole year. They reeled me in with promises of rock-hard abs. But all I can think of now is having a cold beer and a burger. Why do you ask?”
“I was thinking about it the other day, but I don’t think I could be bothered to join. We work hard enough as it is here. I figure, a day at the shop is like four hours at the gym or something.”
“I like your way of thinking. So, are you buying me a beer after this, or what?”
“Yes. Let’s finish with this bike,. I also just need to go and talk to my father. And then we’re good to go. I think he’s still in his office. Have you seen him?”
“Yep, I walked past there not so long ago. He was there talking to someone, but he’s probably all done now. You know your dad, though; he won’t be going home. That paperwork is always perfect.”
“I know. I don’t know how he does it!”
“I agree with you there, Gunner. Office work sucks.”
I was not much of a paperwork kind of guy. I liked working with my hands far more than I enjoyed working with numbers. But I knew that it was an important part of the business, and every now and again I’d sit with my dad while he went through the figures with me. Thankfully, today was not that day, and I could concentrate on doing what I enjoyed. I finished up on the bike with Chris and marveled at how much quicker it went with two of us working on one. Of course, this just made Chris bring up the fact that things would always go so quick if we had someone else working with us. But I let that one slide. I was happy working with Chris. We’d been working together for such a long time that we both fully trusted one another. I wasn’t sure if I’d feel the same about anyone else, especially not some stranger.
Once were done, I washed my hands and packed away my tools. Then I made my way to my father’s office. I walked in and saw that he was busy with a customer. I was just about to hurry out when my father stopped me.
“Ian, don’t go. Let me introduce you to Wesley. You worked on his bike this morning. He dropped it off when you weren’t here, so the two of you didn’t get a chance to meet.”
My father described the bike, and I nodded. I knew exactly which one he was talking about. It was one of the bikes that we’d worked on a bit longer than all the rest, and I’d been happy with the outcome. I was hoping Wesley wasn’t here to complain about anything, but judging by the look on his face, he seemed pleased.
“Ian, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I was a bit confused at first, because I thought your name was Gunner. But your dad told me that’s the nickname that’s going around for you. Anyway, I’m here to pick up the bike, but I thought I’d come in and just say thank you. I had a look, and it’s perfect. And trust me, I’ve taken my bike to a few other places before. Nobody has treated it as well as you guys have. I really appreciate it.”
I grunted in reply and shoved my hands in my pockets. I was never very good with compliments. Although, I was starting to wonder if I was any good with people at all. I liked being in the shop with the bikes, without having to deal with the customers. I usually let Chris or my father take care of that part. People seemed to respond to them a lot better than they did to me. Wesley was smiling at me as if he was expecting me to say something in reply. But what could I say?
“Son, isn’t it nice that Wesley is so happy?”
“Uh, yeah. Listen, I better go. When you guys are done here, let me know, Dad. I’ll be waiting in the shop.”
“Bye, Ian. Or Gunner. I’ll spread the word about your great work.”
“Uh. Cool.”
I walked out feeling annoyed at myself. I could see that my father had been embarrassed to have me there in the office with him. But why should I worry so much? That wasn’t part of my job. He’s my father; he knows what sort of personality I have. I’m not a people person, and I never have been.
Chris told me that he’d meet me at the pub down the road while I waited for my father to finish up, so I fiddled with a few things in the shop until he was done. There was always something to do in the shop, even if it was just putting tools away in the right place. You’d probably never expect it just from looking at me, but I liked everything to have its place in the shop. In all other respects of my life, I was a mess, but the shop was my pride and joy. I liked it to be organized, and I knew exactly where everything should be. That was another reason why I didn’t want someone else working with me. I was making a mental note of all the things I came up with to tell my father if he ever brought it up again, and this seemed like a valid thing to add to the ever-growing list.
It didn’t take long for me to get lost in my work, and I started when my father came up behind me.
“Ian, that wasn’t very nice of you, you know.” His voice was loud and stern. No wonder I’d jumped up in fright.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, you were so rude to that customer. And he was singing your praises right to your face! Goodness, I was so embarrassed. You really need to start acting a bit friendlier toward the customers. Otherwise, they’re not going to want to come back. And the last thing that we need is for him to go around telling his friends that the people at Maxwell Motorcycles are rude. Our reputation is important, Ian.”
I sighed. “Oh, that’s not true at all. You heard the guy. He loved what I did. It’s way more about the work than it is about anything else. They don’t care whether or not I’m friendly. They just want me to get their bikes running in top condition, and that’s exactly what I do. Anyway, isn’t that more your job than it is mine? My job is here in the garage, and I think I’m doing a pretty good job at it these days.”
“A little pleasantry never hurt anyone, Ian. Just think about it.”
I was tired of my father telling me to think about things. “Also, as you can see by the now-empty shop, Chris and I managed to finish all the work. It was a busy week, but we got through it. So there’s definitely no need to get someone else in to help. We did well.”
I watched as my father surveyed the garage. His reply was a nod. Not a ‘thank you,’ or an ‘I’m proud of you.’ Just a nod. Sometimes I wasn’t sure what my father thought about me. At times I could swear that I saw a smile coming my way, but when I prodded for more, I never got anything back. He was a tough man who believed in tough love, but after a long week of work, I wasn’t in the mood for it. I made my way to get my backpack when he stopped me.
“Anyway, Ian. Before you go, I just wanted to tell you about a fundraiser that we’re doing.”
“A what? Why would we do that?” I asked. We weren’t exactly known for taking part in fundraisers.
“It’s for Charles.”
“Charles?”
“Charles. The big guy, with the long white beard. Come on, you know him. He’s in the motorcycle club. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. He’s one of the older members, and his wife has cancer. The whole club is going to get involved in the fundraiser for her. Isn’t that nice? Poor Cynthia. The whole thing came as a huge surprise to the family. Apparently, her sister had cancer too, so the family is in a bit of shock right now, as you can imagine.”
“Uh huh.”
“Well, I just wanted to let you know, seeing as though you’re part of the club. Let Chris know too, why don’t you? I’ll let you know the details when we hear more.”
I nodded, grabbed my bag, and walked out. As I turned the corner, I heard my father let out a loud and exaggerated sigh.