Chance Encounters

Bronze and Gold

Jason introduced us to his two mechanic buddies. “Jim and Will,both own shops.” Jim pulled out a cigarette and lit it. “Jason tells me you took on the rejected one.” He nods towards me. I gave him a glare. Frank stood up,”Yeah,I did.” The glow of the fire raged behind him. Will walked up, “I regret turning her down,I see how much she’s helped you keep up.” Frank narrowed his eyes, “What is it that you two want?” Jason sighed and took a seat next to us. Jim sat down next to Frank and Will. “It’s less than a month away from skills.” Jason began to say,he took a swig out of his flask before he continued, “You three are the ones who will make it to nationals.” I looked at Mark,who looked at Larry and then we all looked at Frank and Jason, “I understand,but what does that have to do with anything?” Larry asked. Jason huffed, “You three have a late start, which is why I brought Will and Jim with me.” I glared at Will who was one of the first ones to tell me to give up on wrenching. Frank sighed and began to tell Jason the story of how I started to work for him.

Jim and Will fell silent. Jim inhaled and threw his cigarette butt into the fire. “Look kid,sorry for not taking you on,but it’s a good thing I didn’t,look at how well you help Frank out.” I shrugged, “Only pushed me to go further and wrench better.” Mark grinned, “She’s going to be a shipwright one day. Both of us will work on ships, I’ll be a millwright and she will become a shipwright.” Larry added in, “I’ll be the engineer on that ship don’t count me out.” Jason laughed, “Frank,when was the last time you seen a trio this strong?” Frank smiled, “Come on Jay,we weren’t a trio we were four i***t friends with similar dreams.” Jim laughed, and Will added, “You three are going to be our apprentices for the remainder of the time, well before the competition starts.” Jason cleared his throat, “These are the two other mechanics that I know. Jim,Larry is going to work with you,give him all the electrical knowledge you have. Will,you are Mark’s apprentice. Teach him to be able to do breaks with a hand behind his back.” Will nodded, “Sounds good to me.” Jim said. Jason explained that I would continue to work with Frank and that we will all will be working towards winning the regionals.

Last night was the last time we got to hang out as a trio. After auto shop Larry would go to Jim and Mark went to Will. I stayed with Frank. The only time we truly worked together was in class when Jason would watch us and what we studied. It was already the end of the month,Skills was a day away. Finally,regionals is here. Jason pulled us away from class,handing us each a badge and a shirt. A black mechanic shirt that had a Skills USA patch on it. “You guys are going to rock this. The amount of progress you three have made is astonishing. Now the building it’s being held in is Macomb community college. There will be signs and everything guiding you in. I’ll be there to walk with you three. Get some rest tonight I’ll see you three in the morning.” We nodded,feeling some type of pride as we looked at our badges. I gave Mark a hug telling him and Larry to meet me after their last day of training at Frank’s.

It was my last day of practice and Frank spared no time with work orders. He had a whole written test that he made and a broken tractor that needed new struts. I sighed and when it was over I went to smoke a joint. It was the second one I allowed myself since that Friday night. After a few deep breaths I went back to see Frank grading the test. He glanced up at me and nodded. “I take it you got your badge and shirt?” I nodded. He looked down and looked up sparing me the lecture. Larry and Mark pulled in. They walked in holding their overnight bags. Frank looked at the three of us, “I presume you two also had a “mock day” at work?” Larry and Mark nodded. Frank turned to us and smiled. “You three will do great,just remember to keep calm and do what comes naturally.” We nodded,Frank turned to see Splash and Cam running the goats into their pen. The window let what was left of the daylight in. Turning back and looking at us,”I’ve got a good dinner goin on the grill,after dinner you guys get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be here faster than you think.” We exited the shop and headed towards the house.

Dinner was a simple Chicken fried rice,and some homemade gravy. I went up and got three servings,the chicken was as juicy as ever and the carrots were nice and crisp. Frank pulled out an apple pie which we devoured. How this man managed to cook and work is beyond me. He left us to do the clean up as he went back into the shop to organize more parts. Larry took the first shower,then Mark and then me. We sat in my room listening to both sides of Led Zeppelin II. Larry sat up on the bean bag passing Mark the joint. “Hey,are we the bronze or gold team?” Mark shrugged, “What do you mean by that?” Larry inched forward and said, “Well you guys know how the gold team is the best and bronze is the best of losers. I mean,look at our class,not to many gold standards there.” Mark and I exchanged glances. “Well the only way to really find out what we are up against is to face it first hand.” Larry smiled, nodding. We all were nervous,but the excitement was there too.

We woke up to the aroma of bacon. Frank had some cakes on the griddle along with eggs, toast,and bacon. Cam and Splash were laying with us in the living room. We awoke when Frank sat down with his coffee. I was on top of Mark,next to Larry who had Splash on his chest and Cam on his left arm. “Morning you three. Breakfast is on the way. Coffee and tea can be made and help yourselves to a nice breakfast.” I jumped up,not missing a chance to have a home style breakfast. Mark and Larry got up and talked with Frank. I stacked three pancakes,two pieces of toast and eggs on my plate. Drenching it in a cascade of warm syrup. Larry and Mark made their plates. Mark chose to drink coffee while Larry and I drank two cups of tea. Frank had the morning news radio playing as we ate. It was mostly vietnam news and the false promises of bringing us home. Frank got up and joined us as I continued to make more pancakes. “You three taking the same car?” We nodded. Larry was driving which meant I got to take a snooze in the backseat. I folded a pancake in half and dunked it into the syrup. “Thanks Frank. This means a lot to all of us.” I said in between bites. It wasn’t wrong he was practically like our chosen dad. Frank grinned, “Y’all, go out there and make me proud.” We toasted to that.

We piled into his GTO. All of us wearing the black competition shirt and badge. Pretty soon we will greet Jason and go to our station. Larry picked the music going there which consisted of The Doors, it was fitting. The song Break on through to the other side played as we pulled into the parking lot. All of us with hats sporting our current car’s logo and cheep sunglasses we marched in attitudes matching the look. Jason took a picture of us when we first walked in. “What in the sam hell has gotten into you three?” He asked. We chuckled. “Nerves plus you said we should be able to do this blindfolded.” Jason gave a nervous laugh as we took them off folding them into our shirt pocket. We stood next to Jason as the other schools piled in. Most were giving sideways glances towards us because of me or because of Jason. The announcer began his speech. “You all are here to be tested for the skills you show as a mechanic. The most accurate team will be going to states. Electrical to the left,breaks to the right,and suspension stay with me. Instructors seat yourselves in the back room. Once the competition is over we will announce the winning team.” Mark,Larry and I gave each other a good luck before departing.

The suspension test was easy. Practicing with the heavy equipment at Frank’s shop has made moving the little struts that were on the cars. My counter parts were still struggling with the bolts by the time my turn for the machine rolled around. I strapped the strut in and began to coil the spring,doing every step Frank taught me. After finishing the technical portion it was now time for the test. It was a typical college room, I sat in the middle and fiddled with the ring and war medal around my neck. Hoping that Vulcan was willing to bless me with the answers. I worked through the test finding the multiple choice and fill in the blanks simple. It was the essay question that threw me for a loop. The question wasn’t about writing an essay it was drawing an accurate diagram of the front suspension on a car. I made a list of all the parts on the side and began drawing the tire which connected to the ball joint,going from there. Finally finished and handed it in. I was the first one done in my team. I sat next to Jason as we waited for Mark and Larry. He looked at me and gave me a thumbs up. “We’ve got this,states is within arms reach now. Larry has electrical in the bag and Mark is already done.” I shrugged, “Who finished first?” Jason pointed to Mark who was coming out of the bathroom. “I’ve had to go since we got here.” He said sitting next to me. “Does electrical take the longest?” I asked. Jason nodded. “Usually,but then again you two definitely got done quick,and if it’s done by your standards then fairly accurate too.” I picked up a Skills USA booklet. The only thing to do was to sit and wait for Larry.