Chance Encounters

Family ties

Helping me out of my truck and into my bedroom window. “Sorry for asking Mark.” I whispered to him. He laughed under his breath. “It’s alright I wouldn’t have traded this night for anything.” I wiggled my way through the gap in my window.He stepped on his toes to kiss me one more time before he went back to his car. The sound of his 442 was the last thing I remember before passing out.

Morning time was brutal. Worse than before, due to coming in so late I passed out in my work clothes. Figuring I was late anyway,might as well take my time and shower. It would be a lie if I said the warm water didn’t feel amazing on my body. I sighed when the hot water ran out. With a sigh I threw on a clean work uniform. I didn’t feel like changing. Especially if I was going for one single hour. I grabbed a cup of ice and water, a few spoon fulls of sugar and some tea bags. Cold sweet tea isn’t bad,but it doesn’t feel as good in the morning as hot tea. I hopped in my truck and took off towards school. The radio made no noise and I didn’t want to be reminded of the vietnam conflict,almost hard to anyway. I

Larry and Mark were there before me which was truly not a surprise seeing as I almost fell asleep on the way thank the lord for rumble strips. Parking in the middle of them I took off my hat, put it over my face and drifted off. It was a decent day and the sun heated up my truck to a comfy temperature with the added blanket. Mark and Larry must have attempted to wake me up at some point because when I woke up around the regular time I would leave for work I noticed my blanket was pulled tighter around my shoulders. Sitting up and rubbing my eyes I pulled out of the school lot and made my way to the shop I paused, thinking about Mark and all of what he and Larry are up to. I’ll end up seeing them at home plus I have a project I am currently wanting to start. With a sigh I pulled into the shop lot. Giving my tea a good shake, I gulped most of it down. I finally got out of my truck after hitting a roach I left in my ashtray.

Frank was in a pretty good mood as I walked in the shop. “Hey there! Grab a work order and start working, any questions come and find me.” I yelled back to him that it was fine. Rather happy with his decision of independent work I shuffled through the work orders. I found one for a simple lug nut and ball joint replacement. In brackets it said replace any other suspension parts that are broken. For the most part farmers took decent care of their equipment and it shows. Everything came off and went back on with the help of some WD-40. Most of the parts were easily accessible as it was designed to be fixed in the field should something happen to it.

I took a look at the Steiger, it was a rare find. With some research on my own I heard they were designed in Fargo North Dakota and had 238 horsepower to all four wheels. I looked the green monstrosity up and down and seen the cracked lug nuts and broken ball joint. After taking the tire off I noticed that the control arm was shifted inward. So after replacing the two suspension pieces I replaced the lug nuts. After doing my normal fluid check I finished the work order. Frank and I met as the day drew to an end. The shop was starting to thin down on the work which meant Frank and I worked at a great pace and by the time the first harvest rolls around most if not all will be out and done. Then it will be something else for the winter time. Frank came walking up towards me. “Do you need any time off soon?” I nodded, “I do indeed plan on going up to the U.P. for some duck hunting, but if you need me I don't mind missing a season and helping you out.” Frank nodded, “Well, you still are young and you need that time off, plus it'll give me some time to get more work in, not only farm equipment but construction stuff that needs to be done by spring.” The thought of working on heavy machinery made my brain think hard. Not only will I be learning agricultural equipment,but also construction machines. Frank truly was one of the best learning experiences I could have ever ask for.

A loud exhaust broke our conversation. Peering out the window, he grinned seeing Mark pull into the shop lot. “I think someone likes you.” I shook my head, “Nah, he's a good buddy of mine it isn’t anything more than that.” I spat out. It wasn’t that far off the truth. Frank laughed, “Poor kid you don’t have the slightest idea.” I growled a bit underneath my breath. Mark should have still been in class what the hell was he doing here. Or at the very least I’m sure he had a date to go to. Larry and him were talking about one. The 442 turned off. The candy blue gleaming in the sun light. With a quick flick of his arm Mark shut his door and walked into the shop as Frank greeted him. “Hello young man, here to see her?” He asked, Mark’s face lit up like a tree on Christmas morning. “Uhh yeah, I suppose I am,more or less fetch her because of Larry.” Frank laughed and turned to me,”Go clock out and enjoy the rest of your day.” I looked at him nervously,”You sure?” I asked, he nodded and pointed to the door, “You worked hard,enjoy the rest of your day.” I clocked out and took a rag to the remainder of my dirty tools. “Can I ask why you are really here? I thought you had a date?” Mark shrugged, “Nah, plus what the hell are you doing that for? They are supposed to handle oil and grease.” I glared at him as I organized my tools. “Just because they can handle it,doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try and keep them nice. Why make the tool work harder?” I asked and let him ponder it. As we walked out of the shop I got the ‘follow me’ hand. I started my truck,which looking around I was going to clean out,but I guess it’ll get pushed back another day.

I followed Mark out to the usual barn where Larry was already parked. “Good to see you made it Skye, you seem tired, more so than normal.” I shook my head, “Nah, I had my nap and I am good to go now.” Larry laughed. “Mark and I went to wake you up,but you were snoring and drooling so lover boy over here pulled up your blanket.” I nodded, that explains a lot. We sat and passed around joints for the next few hours talking about life and everything underneath the sun. Larry got up, “I need to get home, my old man will kill me if I dont go and help him finish up the guns he’s working on.” Larry got up and left. His Corvair sputtered, which meant it was about to rain soon. I looked over at Mark who seemed to be deep in a thought, “What are ya thinking about?” I asked putting out the roach on the bottom of my boot. He shrugged, “Well, how would you feel about meeting my parents? I’ve met your mom and aunts so it's only fair right?” I was shocked to say the least. “Uh sure sounds like it will be a fun time, but now it's my turn for a question. How would you like to go to the U.P. and duck hunt with me?”He smiled, “Sure why not, maybe my dad will let ya come deer hunting with us.” I smiled. It has been a long time since I was accepted into a family, or had a friend that considered me family.

I sat in my truck. Honestly I did not want to meet his mother. His father I was more likely to have a good conversation with or at least piss him off. Either one is entertaining. However, the mother will be the issue for me to get along with, she will think I’m doing a mans job and that I have absolutely no business doing it. The other thought, was if we were not together than why did he want me to meet his family, was it because he wanted them to think I was a steady date or was it something else. I sighed, as much as I wanted to show up to a dinner in a work uniform I probably shouldn’t.

I drove home and thankfully beat my aunts home. My priority’s are majorly screwed up if I’m seriously thinking about meeting a boys family. I glanced at the kitchen table and there was an envelope sitting with my name on it. I shook my head and continued on my way to the bathroom, whatever it was could wait,right now I have a date to catch. Rushing out of the shower was a rare sight for me,unless it was to conserve water back on the rez or if it was to make it out on the opening day of duck season.

Scampering across the house with added towel around my waist for effect, (I swear my life writes it’s self.) I found a halfway decent blouse and pair of jeans. I groaned as I walked out of the house, my mother went to question me and I threw up my hand,it wasn’t the time to argue or play 20 questions. Mark pulled into the driveway he had the same idea of jeans,but his black button up shirt made his clear blue eyes pop. With a sigh I pulled open his car door. “I hope this is enough,I don’t really own any other type of dress clothes.” A smile danced across his face, “Yeah it looks plenty good babe.” He said putting his car into reverse.

He pulled into his driveway and noticed the small issue of his father not being home. “Uhg the old man must be either working late or bar hopping with the guys not sure which.” I breathed a sigh of relief with this news. “Not gonna lie,I’m actually kind of glad.” He shrugged, “Sorry I thought he would be home.” We sat in his driveway and pondered our next move, “Well how about we go somewhere decent? I mean I got some joints on me, and some cash from working all week.” He nodded, “Alright,that sounds fine by me.”

We pulled into a parking lot to a semi formal restaurant. I reached into my boot pulling out a ziplock bag and a lighter. “You want to smoke before we go in?” He nodded,”Yeah that would be nice,too bad Larry isn’t here I’m sure he would enjoy a meal.” Mark shrugged taking the joint from me. “Larry likes to help his father out, weather it’s a project for GM or a gun smith project.” I nodded, I knew where Larry was coming from, when my dad would wrench or build things I was right there doing it along side of him.

We walked into the restaurant and sat at a table. The white table cloths were mildly stained,but the whole place seemed like it was going for barley above fast food. The waitress handed us two menus. I glanced at it,but something was distracting me. His blue eyes were looking at me, “What’s up Mark?” I asked. He smiled, “Well,I was kind of admiring how nice your shirt fits and how much I enjoy seeing you dressed up.” I blushed, “Oh stop it Mark.” I weakly said.

We ordered,both of us opting for the fish and chips. “Wow! Someone else will eat fish with me!” I exclaimed. He nodded, “Yeah I will order fish and chips any day of the week if I don’t know what else to get.” The batter flaked off the cod as I shoveled some into my mouth. “So,if you are hesitant about going up north with me I understand.” He shook his head, “Has nothing to do with that, I want to go I just don’t know if I can.” I nodded, his family probably wouldn’t be too keen on a hunting trip with a girl who they haven’t even met yet.” He nodded, “Kind of, plus if we do decide to keep hanging my nosey parents will want to know who you are.” I nodded again,”It’s not a problem just let me know a time and place, I’ll show up.” He smiled and told me that he will let me know what ends up happening.

I drove home smiling,Mark was an amazing guy who could spend time with someone so much more deserving. With the night still being quite young,I cleaned out the mess of my truck. The mtn dew bottles were sticky from having the sticky soda in them. The roaches in my ashtray were overwhelming my nose, I dumped them into a ziplock bag. I’ll re roll those when I have the chance. My hunting bag still underneath the seat, checking to make sure my twelve gauge was in there still I shoved it back underneath the seat. My glovebox looked like a folder threw up in it. I went through some of the paper work, Splash’s AKC registration, my truck title and insurance info, and some pay stubs, everything else got tossed. The cup holder and every other crevice got some soap and water to rinse out anything else that was sticky. Feeling proud of myself and proud of actually having some friends I walked in the house.

The kitchen table had some mail on it, I flipped through the envelopes. Two of them were for me. I seen the first one this morning and now there was another one. “Oh s**t I forgot to open this, this morning. It’s from vietnam.” I mumbled. I shook my head. I’m nervous to open these letters by myself. Taking them in my hand I walked out the house. First I’d get Larry and then I’d get Mark.