Chance Encounters

Opportunities and New Horizons

We ate the sandwiches up. Honestly I think I deserve a small pat on the back for thinking this far ahead. Mark and Larry were stretched out on the blanket soaking up the sunlight,when I went to my truck and turned the key. 11:40 the time read. “Mark and Larry,I have to go to work,if you guys want I’ll meet you back here after?” Larry nodded and Mark got up. “Absolutely babe,we will probably be going back to Larry’s to work on his GTO.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him,then he pecked me on the cheek as I got in my truck.

The drive to the shop was cut in half solely for the reason of being on county line already. My sweet tea was now half water as the ice melted, I sighed taking a gulp of the liquid. My mind was racing,Frank mentioned he had a surprise for me at the shop. I focused on avoiding the holes in the gravel road,hitting one at 55mph wouldn’t be good for the front end suspension. Making my way around the bend ,I turned into the parking lot. Frank wasn’t there yet,but he gave me a key so I suppose I should put it to good use and open the shop myself.

I hopped out of my truck shutting the door a little to hard weather out of nerves or not paying attention. I sucked in a breath of air as I unlocked the front door. Flicking on the shop lights I noticed that the desk has a mountain of work orders. I smiled,I like a challenge. Shuffling through them I decided on picking a big Massy Harris 26. The work order claims that the shoot is stuck closed and one of the axles needs replacement.

I was out in the yard when I heard Frank walking out back. “Hey youngin! I see you have successfully opened the shop!” I set my crescent wrench down,wiped my hands on my shirt and hopped off the combine. “Yes sir.” I said, I could feel the sweat heading down my back and neck. “Well I’m sorry I am late,but come with me.” He motioned for me to follow him. Matching his stride I walked back to the front of the shop. He pulled off a blue tarp from a box. A brand new Snap-On tool box filled with new ratchets and sockets, wrenches ,screwdrivers and pry bars filled the box drawers. “I trust that my investment in you will be a wise one, I have enrolled you into a class down in Ohio,to be specific the University of Northwestern Ohio. They have an agricultural program. If you are interested in staying with me for a few years.” He held out a contract. It was three pages long and notarized, it was a pretty serious offer. I didn’t hesitate in saying yes. With a big grin I hugged Frank. “Thank you sir,for everything.” I said,choking back tears. Frank chuckled putting one of his big arms around me. “I am happy I took that chance on you,now get back to work,I’m grilling shrimp for lunch.” I nodded,before I smiled,and walked over to my new toolbox. The drawers slid in and out with ease. Compared to my previous box, which had so much sand in the tracks they get stuck. My I set my old ratchet down,picking up the new Snap-On one. It was satisfying listening to the fine teeth click as I put a new socket on it.

Walking around back to the combine I was working on,I frowned,on one hand Frank essentially gave me a full ride scholarship to an amazing tech school,but on the other hand it’s in Lima Ohio,a three hour trip, which isn’t awful if Mark and Larry still wanted to hang out with me after highschool. I decided to tell them about it when I see them tonight. I still have to sign the contract,but the education is priceless.

After a lot of WD-40 and some persuasion I managed to get the combine shoot to open correctly and close at the right time, I shut off the machine grinning like a fool,wrenching to me is like one big puzzle,once the diagnostic step was completed,it was all about seeing what made it work and reverse engineer it. Frank was busy answering the phone and grilling lunch,so I decided to find another work order and attempt to finish it before my dinner and his lunch.

After being unsuccessful at finishing the work order before the food was done, I scarfed down at least ten to twelve shrimp,and a bunch of chicken fried rice. The last thing I ate was a sandwich and some chips; which,we great,but it was a real treat when Frank decided to make lunch. “Slow down *Kidd, hell you are eating like a pirate,there’s plenty more for the both of us.” Frank said as he was taking smaller bites than me. “Frank,I’m sorry,it’s been a few days since I’ve had a real meal. It’s fantastic,love how you made the rice.” I got up and got myself another helping of rice. The phone rang and I got up to answer it,Frank waved his hand, “I got it Kidd.” He got up and answered it. I noticed how he was furiously writing something down,glanced at me and then finished up his call. Frank walked back to his desk and sat down. “That was a call wondering if we do on site work. I told the guy I’d ask my mechanic if she would like to do it.” I felt like jumping up and down Frank really did trust me to do work just like if I was a man. “Of course I’ll do it,I have a truck that can tow just about anything.” He smiled as he took a forkful of rice. “Well,I’ll give you the address and tell him that you will be there Wednesday.” I smiled, “Thank you Frank.” He nodded.

It was six thirty by the time I was ready to leave. My new tool box looked mighty nice sitting next to my work bench. “See ya Frank!” I yelled as I started my truck. He waved at me before going back into the shop. Mark and Larry were probably thinking I was going to ditch them,hopefully they didn’t think that way especially because I was excited to tell them the news. I heard about UNOH through a magazine,and supposedly they are one of the best mechanic schools around. Thank god I was only fifteen minutes away from where we hang out. I decided to skip a shower and go straight to the hang out spot.

I pulled up next to Mark’s 442 and Larry’s GTO which appeared to be in primer. Mark walked up from the barn,seeing my truck he started to walk faster. “HEY! LARRY! SKYE IS HERE!!” He yelled obnoxiously as Larry came from the barn. I threw the parking break on and got out. I stretched out as Mark threw his arms around me. “We got his car all in primer,all the panels are lined up and we got the carburetor all tuned up.” I smiled, and kissed him on the cheek, “I’m glad you had a good day babe.” He smiled,Larry came walking up behind him. “So tell us about your day, I’m dying to know.” Mark stepped back, “I’ll be glad to tell y’all,let’s go spark a joint.” Mark chuckled and Larry nodded.

We walked back to the barn, the boys had moved the blanket in there and even added three more blankets,along with what appeared to be a whiskey bottle from a parent’s liquor cabinet. I sat down, Mark wrapped his arm around me as I hit a joint. Over a couple shots of whiskey I explained the opportunity Frank was giving me by paying for schooling for me. “Yes,it’s not exactly what I want to do but the experience and school will come in handy,plus with me being a female I need to get my foot in the door any possible way I can.” Mark frowned and furrowed his brows together. “I don’t want you to go,but honestly I would come and visit you,there’s got to be cool cars down there.” Larry smiled,”You’ll come up and see us,especially when it’s summer. When do you start?” I shrugged, “I have to check with Frank,but I believe next September through July or August,it’s only a nine month class,but if I want I can take even more classes,he said he would pay for them as long as I get no less than a 3.5 in my normal class.” Mark pulled me against him tighter,”I’m sure you’ll do amazing.”

We had a mini bonfire. I emptied my truck bed that was full of two by fours and branches. Larry had some wood as well, I threw some oil on the wood and lit a match. I didn’t want to admit it,but I was cold. The temperature dropped ten degrees by the time I was out of work. “So are you two goin steady?” Larry asked. Mark and I were caught off guard. I shrugged, “It’s up to him,I’m just enjoying the time we spend together.” Larry shrugged, “I think you two would be a cute pair.”

We sat around talking,the fire cackling as we watched it burn. We decided that it was time to call it a night,finishing the rest of the whiskey we walked back to our cars,life sure had an interesting way of working it’s self out. Sometimes opportunities come out of no where.