Chance Encounters

Marks POV pt 1

As summer drew to an end I quickly realized that I was going to be a senior in highschool. It seemed like not to long ago I was with my step dad hunting and fixing my car. My buddy Larry came up the driveway, quickly shutting off my record player and spraying some air freshener in my room. Hopefully my mom didn’t find my stash of joints. Meeting Larry at the front door he looked as if he had something to say. “What’s up Larry?” I looked the red head up and down, his green eyes glinted like he’d just seen a prototype car driving by. “I know neither of us are Ford fans,but I can’t help but notice a pretty red truck is parked three houses down from me, it’s on jacks and Jack stands so obviously someone is doing some major work to it.” I rolled my eyes,leave it to him to notice new neighbors by the cars that are around. “Larry,if that’s all the news you’ve got for me then scram I’ve got to get ready for a date with May. Larry rolled his eyes at me. “Yeah,yeah whatever,oh by the way,don’t forget to send in your draft papers.” I sighed. “I suppose if you are going to stay,at least come inside,before my dad gets pissed for leaving the door open.”

I sat at the foot of my bed while Larry took my desk chair. “So Mark when are you going to quit the casual scene and try an actual relationship?” I shook my head at Larry, “Look I love ya like a brother,but you are getting on my last nerve. I don’t really want anyone and you know this.” I seen the look on his face. “Look,Larry, you want me to hook you up with a chick let me know. Also how’s the Covair running?” Larry nodded, “Fantastic no hiccups or anything.” I nodded, “Well if you don’t mind I have to be leaving soon.” I shut the door behind him as I went and got in my car. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little intrigued by what Larry said,nobody had a truck that was worth keeping hell, maybe we could become friends.

I went and picked up May from cheerleading. She was with her best friend Dawn. Wonderful past and present here to haunt me. They heard my 442’s exhaust and turned to face me. I rolled my eyes as I waved. May took her time climbing in to the passengers seat. “You hungry?” I asked she shook her head, “Not really,but I could go for a milkshake or ice cream Marky.” I nodded,”Fine by me.” I gripped the steering wheel looking ahead. May looked at me, “Mark are you ok?” I nodded, “Yeah,May,I’ll be alright.” Mustering up a grin I started my car.

Did I feel like going on a date,no, however I had no choice. I was more or less doing this as a favor for my little brother,he was dating June (May’s younger sister,go figure.), and he told me that May liked me plus it would earn him some bonus points with his girl. I squinted into the sun as I drove us to a little ice cream place. My brother owes me a solid favor for this.

I got out of my Olds,I admired the candy blue paint job I did. Snapping out of that train of thought was May,apparently she was used to guys letting her in and out of their car. I walked over to the passengers side,probably better I let her out anyway so my new paint didn’t get ruined. She got out,the obnoxious white and blue cheerleading uniform glittering in the sun. “Get whatever you want,obviously I’m paying.” I grumbled. The record store not pay me nearly enough. The stand had a bunch of people ranging from young to old, couples, families and even alone people. Erma’s served the best ice cream and they close after Labor Day.

The line moved decently fast considering we got there at one of the worst possible times. The lady at the counter smiled, her curly white hair contrasted the bright emerald that her eyes were. “What a fine looking couple, what can I get for you two today?” She said in the typical grandmother voice. “I’d like a black cherry cone,but in a cup.” She looked at me, “And for you young man?” I groaned,I was kind of hungry,but I’ll suck it up,Larry’s mom is probably cooking something anyway. “I’ll take a small chocolate shake.” I said. She nodded and went into the back. We moved to our right where I waited for our ice cream, and paid. I groaned,why did I have to suffer like this. “Hey May why don’t you go get a table and I’ll wait for our ice cream?” I asked, praying to anything with ears that she would get away from me. “Good thinking Mark, I’ll go find us a seat!” She exclaimed. I smiled to myself because I didn’t think it would be that easy.

“Here you are young man, enjoy it.” The till lady smiled at me handing me my shake and cup. Scanning the tables I seen May was talking to one of her friends. “Hey May,enjoy.” I handed her the ice cream as I sipped on my shake. “Marky what do you want to do out of highschool?” I shrugged,I’ve had a couple ideas. “Either a mechanic or a millwright,not sure which.” She nodded, “I’m going to be a model.” She smiled, “My father says blue collar workers are the downfall of this country.” I shrugged. “What can ya do. I don’t have the brains for a white collar job not to mention it would get boring.” She sighed. “I suppose,anyway Marky, what are your thoughts on marriage?” Oh great she wants to play twenty questions, I would have been happier if we finished this in silence. “Uh I don’t have one I guess. If she came to me than I guess,but I’m not going out of my way.” She huffed,clearly not the answer she was looking for.

The sun started to set as I drove her back to her place. “Thank you Marky,I had a great time,maybe we can do it again.” She went to lean in for a kiss,but I ducked suddenly finding the floor of my Olds much more interesting. Quickly getting out of the car I opened her door and walked her up to her door. Her mom watched through the drapes as I told her good night,and hopefully good bye.

I had a plan,as soon as I get home my brother is going to hear an ear full. Something however distracted my anger. I drove by Larry’s house and saw the truck he was talking about. It appeared to be a late 50’s ford, pretty big too. Someone was underneath it wrenching. Throwing my car into neutral I watched in all curiosity as to what was going on. I probably would have watched all day had it not been for someone coming out of the garage door yelling. “Skye, if you don’t eat dinner I swear to god,how your father ever dealt with you is beyond me.” The other voice came from underneath the truck. “YEAH AT LEAST HE UNDERSTOOD BASIC MECHANICS!!” I seen someone push themselves up from underneath the truck and throw a tool at the ground, that was my cue to leave.

I opened my front door to my step father and my mother sitting watching the news. Ah go figure,it’s either about the election in the next three years or vietnam. “Hi. I’m home. Where is Matt at?” My mother piped up, “He should be in his room.” Matt was three years younger than I, and the total opposite of me. I pounded on his door twice then I resorted to just shoulder bashing it in until it gave way. “Hey what the hell Mark!” He yelled at me. I snagged his shirt collar and threw him against the wall, “Never,and I do mean never set me up on a date again that b***h was damn near insufferable.” I growled in his ear. “Please Mark,just two more times.Or at the very least one more time.” I sighed letting his shirt go. “Fine,but after that,please no more I can’t take it.” Matt’s eyes lit up. “Thank you big bro.” Rolling my eyes I took the bong off his shelf. “I need this after today.” I rummaged through his dresser until I found a little bit of bud. “Why can’t you smoke your own?” I glared at him, “Consider it payment for tonight’s bull shit.” I lit the bud and let out a giant puff of smoke. Making sure to blow it through a dryer sheet so it wouldn’t smell the house up. “Thanks Matt.” I dryly said and walked to my room.

The next morning I woke up and found a note from Larry taped to my door. My step father must have already left for work and my mother appeared to be gone as well. Opening the note I seen his handwriting. It was elegant cursive all spaced neatly and extremely legible. “A chicks handwriting this man has got.” I mumbled to myself. The note read; Hey come over to my house,we can work on your project you are hiding at my house, plus I think someone is working on that truck.” I sighed,leave it up to Larry to want to know everything.

Rolling up to his house I seen his father. Giving him a wave I walked into his garage. “Larry?” I called. I heard a laugh coming from the corner of the garage. “Oh dear god what electrical monstrosity are you working on now?” I said walking over to him. “It’s a hood ornament alarm.” I shook my head. “Why are you so interested in the truck that your neighbor has?” He smiled, “Because,Mark,” he began sarcastically,”who else do you know drives a truck that big and that nice looking to boot.” I rolled my eyes.

We were wrenching on my project VW beetle when I noticed we were out of oil. “Hey Larry,I’m going to run up to the parts store and get some oil.” He shot me a thumbs up, his head bent down fixated on an electrical schematics for my beetle. I shrugged, that was more than enough of a sign for me.

Rolling out of the driveway making a right turn,I seen someone underneath the truck. Goddamn it Larry,now you have me curious about this truck. I stopped and idled in their driveway. A pair of boots and oily jeans poked out of the bottom. Watching intensely as they got up and lit a joint. Nervous I yelled above my dual exhaust, “Hey what are you wrenching on?” To my complete and utter shock a girl turned around. I noticed the flannel had grease and oil on it too. She glanced over at me. Her honey colored eyes glistening behind her dirty blonde hair. “Just replacing the trans on this 57’ style side.” I had to try hard for my jaw not to drop as she went on to say, “Yeah I know not that impressive.” I chuckled, I can not believe that a female wrenches that’s so cool! Not knowing how to continue I pointed out, “You aren’t from around here, you’ve got a bit of an accent.?” She nodded, “I just moved in two days ago, I’m from the U.P.” I nodded, that would explain the near Canadian accent. “Well,my buddy lives three doors down from ya,maybe I can show you around the town.” She smiled and turned around. My cam sputtered as I floored it down the street to the parts store.