Joey

I’d been up half the night researching. After only a few minutes, I’d found information about my cousin. Intrigued by him, his club, and the thought of finding a relative of mine, I read everything I could find about him and his father.

There wasn’t a tremendous amount of information available about the club, short of one news story and a video about a botched bank robbery where a member of the MC took a gun from a bank robber.

Involvement in miscellaneous toy runs, fundraisers, and charity events led me to believe the members of the club were good people, and I was eager to find out more.

I’d woke up rather anxious, and came to work a few minutes early. Just before they unlocked the front door, Albert walked into the parts department.

Crap.

“Where’s Blane?” he asked.

“I don’t think he’s here yet.”

He looked at his watch and then shook his head. “Have you got a minute?”

His face was stern.

It was always stern.

Oh my God.

Don’t fire me.

Please.

He was the owner of the dealership, and the general manager. In his late fifties with closely cropped gray hair and always wearing a few day’s growth of beard, he was a tall and very intimidating man. He rarely came around the employees, and when he did, it was never a good thing.

I swallowed heavily, nodded, and inhaled a short breath.

“Just got last month’s figures done,” he said “You hit your sales goal, and then set a record. You’re quite a salesperson.”

I exhaled. “Thank you.”

His eyes narrowed a little. “Where’d you learn about Harleys?”

I held my shoulders high. “My father was Billy The Snake Schreiber, enforcer for the Hells Angels. He started it all. And, I’m friends with a few of the members of MCs here in SoCal.”

He chuckled. “The Billy Schreiber?”

I nodded proudly. “Yes, Sir.”

“But your last name’s--”

“I was adopted.”

His eyes widened. “I see.”

He reached into his back pocket, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to me. “That’s your monthly bonus check, and another check for setting a new sales record. We’ll add a plaque on the wall for you back there.”

He motioned to a row of bronze plaques in the hallway. I found the thought of being added to the hall of fame humbling.

“And, you’ve earned two weeks of paid vacation,” he said. “Whenever you want to take them, just let me know. One week at a time, though.”

I accepted the envelope. “Oh. Wow. Thank you.”

“You don’t have a college education, do you?”

I set the envelope aside. “No, Sir.”

“According to your file, you don’t have any management experience. Is that correct?”

“I don’t. No.”

He glanced down at the floor, let out a sigh, and then looked up. “I don’t know what else to do.”

I had no idea what the problem was, but he looked worried.

“About what?” I asked.

“Big Hank’s going to have to be operated on, and the recovery is going to be a tough one. Long story short, he won’t be returning. I need a new manager for this department, and I always like to hire within. I’ve been crunching the numbers, and making the purchases, but I can’t keep it up. Not forever.”

My heart rose into my throat. “I can. I can do it. Give me a chance. Show me what needs done, and I swear, you’ll only have to show me once. I’m a whiz on anything computer related, and I’m a walking calculator. I swear, if you give me this chance, you’ll never regret it.”

He folded his arms. “You’re twenty?”

“Twenty-one in a matter of weeks.”

“You are great at sales.”

“I love Harleys and the people who ride them.”

He gave a nod. “It shows.”

“Please?”

“The Snake’s daughter, huh?”

“I sure am. But, I don’t want the job because I’m someone’s daughter. I want it because you think I’m the right person for it. And, I’m the right person for it. I really am.”

“It’s a tremendous responsibility.”

“I’m a responsible woman.”

He cocked his head to the side. After looking me up and down for a moment, he checked his watch. “I’m going to have that kid’s ass.”

“Back to what we were discussing,” I said. “Your thoughts?”

“Panhead model was made from when until when?” he asked.

“1948-1965. It was replaced by the Shovelhead, which was manufactured from 1966-1984. A few Shovels leaked into 1985, but not many. The Evolution, or Evo, replaced the Shovel, and it ran from 1986-2000. Twin Cam followed, coming out in late 1999 in some softies, and it’s still made today, although there’s been some fairly significant changes since the first model.”

“Damn.” He chuckled. “Walking dictionary, too?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He put his hands on his hips. “Who founded Harley-Davidson?”

I proudly recited the story as best as I could remember. “In 1901, William Harley and his friend Arthur Davidson had a dream. Through their friend Henry Melk, a machine shop owner, they developed the first engine. It took two years to complete, but in 1903, the first Harley-Davidson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”

“Impressive,” he said. “Six-month probation period. If you meet the goals I set, you can have the permanent job. If you don’t meet your goals, you can go right back where you were as a sales clerk.”

I cocked a playful eyebrow. “Should we discuss wages and benefits first?”

“Fifty-five thousand a year plus monthly bonus, a 401-k that I’ll match, Blue Cross health insurance, and two weeks paid vacation.”

Fifty thousand dollars?

Despite the fabulous offer, I wanted him to know I was a good negotiator. I folded my arms over my chest, took a step back, and studied him. “Make it sixty-five.”

He let out a laugh. “Sixty.”

“Seventy.”

“Sixty-two-five.”

“Seventy-two.”

“Sixty-five it is,” he said with a laugh.

Holy cow!

I clenched my fist and held it between us.

He looked at my fist, clenched his, and grinned.

With a racing heart, and a prideful smile, I pressed my fist to his.

And, just like that, we made the deal.