Chance Encounters

When was the last time?

I rolled off the cot I slept on and got up. The month of September was coming to an end along with the summer. Frank was sitting at the kitchen table eating bacon and eggs as I made my way to make some tea. “You know huntin’ season is coming. Duck and deer.” I nodded pouring some water into the kettle. Cam looked up at me as I was pouring the bacon grease into a coffee can. “I’ll be working don’t worry.” He smiled, “No,you won’t. Go see some of your family in the U.P. Go hunting enjoy yourself Kidd.” I shrugged. The rest of senior year would be a blow off after already finishing up the major testing that was required. “Yeah,but it’s almost harvest time.” I said blankly. Squirting a bit of honey in Cam’s mouth. She gratefully licked the sticky substance around her mouth. “Kidd,look four days isn’t going to make a difference,besides they probably want to see you after you know…” he trailed off and picked up his paper to continue reading it. “Take Mark with you,I can tell that’s what you want. Besides…” he paused eyeing Cam as she wasn’t supposed to be in the kitchen. Then eyed me, “Busting your ass isn’t the only way to have fun.” I smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Frank.” I said then glancing at the clock on the wall I noticed the time was 6:00. “Oh s**t I’m going to be late!” I yelled quickly finishing making my tea and bolting out the door in a work uniform.

On my way to school I noticed a screeching noise coming from my tires. “Damn it, I need to replace my wheel bearings.” I muttered while the song Purple Haze played in the background. I looked like a mess. I was driving with one hand on the wheel and the other was holding my bagel I stole from the kitchen. I wasn’t paying attention to driving and caught some air going over railroad tracks. Slamming down on my suspension I heard it creak and crack. If that wasn’t bad enough my bagel went flying. Today wasn’t starting off all too strong. I scrounged the floor of my truck with my hand;keeping one on the wheel and my eyes half paying attention to the road I found it and continued to eat it. My tea,luckily enough didn’t fly all over the truck or out of the thermos as I drank a sip; scalding my mouth. Great.

By the time I got to school, my coveralls were stained with cream cheese as I wiped my hands off. Glancing at the clock it was 6:45,twenty minutes to spare smoking a joint before class. Mark and Larry pulled in next to me. Larry opted for his GTO today which was unusual unless, he was going to fix it up in shop class. Mark hopped into my truck,taking the joint out of my mouth and planting a kiss on my lips before he took a hit. “Morning baby.” He said putting his arm around me. His ocean eyes were bright and full of life. “Hi darlin’.” I said in response. Larry rolled his eyes taking the joint from Mark and taking a hit himself. “The GTO is practically done,now I’m going to sell that Corvair as it’s taking up space and I can have a different project.” He smiled, as he glanced around my truck. “Hey this thing has been cleaned out.” He said sounding excited. “Yeah,it sure has.” He nodded appreciating the work it took to make it not look like a rolling dumpster.

I took Mark’s hand as him and Larry walked with me to the auto shop. “Hey, Jason. I need some wheel bearings and new struts for my truck.” The teacher glanced up seeing it was us and handed me a work order. Ah yes the perks of having a shop class was free parts. “They will be here by the time class starts.” He said sipping his coffee. His eyes looked drained of dealing with kids in his class. “You three are the best I’ve got this year. Do you guys want to go to a competition at the end of the year? I’ll hold practice for it during class if you guys want.” I glanced at Mark and he glanced at Larry. Both Larry and I wanted to do it. I nodded, “Absolutely I’ll do it!” Larry agreed and Mark shrugged, “I suppose it couldn’t hurt,probably would look good if we get anywhere with it.” Jason sat up crossing his fingers into each other setting his elbows on the desk in front of him. “Alright, well there’s three categories to choose from. Electrical,Breaks and suspension repair and new car prep. I will decide as we go which of the categories you three will compete in.” He said handing us each a packet of information. “Study all three just to be ready.” Then he added, “It’s been at least five years since I’ve had anyone serious enough to compete so I am looking forward to it.” We all nodded and grinned. Offers like this don’t happen all to often.

I went to home room, and the teacher was again chewing me out for not being on time. “Your permanent seat will be next to me.” He said. I grumbled underneath my breath. Ever since I came to this school he held a grudge against me. There was twenty minutes before I could go to auto shop and fix my truck. “Pull out homework and start working on it,no talking.” He said. I shrugged and slumped in my seat,putting my head down with my arms crossed on the desk. I’ll take a twenty minute nap. Unfortunately,that was not the case. I abruptly got disturbed. “This isn’t nap time. Work on something.” I shrugged glaring at him from the corner of my eyes, “Look I’m a work credit student,the only class I have is auto shop. I don’t have anything to do and you said not to talk.” He grumbled,yet left me alone as he couldn’t find any other excuse to yell at me.

The bell rang and it was off to auto. I went outside to bring my truck into the bay. “Thinkin about skipping?” One of the officers asked as they seen me walk out the front door. I shook my head, “I’m bringing my truck into auto shop.” I said. With a nod I continued on my way. Jason had my parts sitting on his desk. I snagged them and started to get to work. Mark was helping Larry with the rear end of the GTO and I was busy replacing my wheel bearings. Jason was observing us three as we worked. I got the first one out and it looked partially melted. I snorted as I seen what it looked like. That would have definitely been the screeching sound I heard. Larry came over as I was shoving the second bearing into its spot. His emerald eyes darted to the old ones. “Damn Skye those are smoked.” I nodded, “They’ve been on here since the beginning of this truck’s life.” He smiled, “You notice Jason eyeing us?” I nodded, “He hasn’t stopped since he mentioned the competition.” I grinned. “I’m excited for it,not often we would do something like that as a group.” Larry nodded and walked back to his project. The strut was a challenge, my normal ratchet wouldn’t break the bolt loose. I frowned, I went into the tool area and grabbed a torch and melted the bolt down. Carefully avoiding my paint and other metal I turned the flames light so just the strut would come off.

It took a total of an hour and a half to get everything done. Which in a mechanic’s work is making pretty good time. Jason pulled us three into the class and discussed with us the rules for the competition which is called Skills USA. He handed us each the rules. “Look it’s a lot,but watching the three of you I am confident that we may make it to states. Now, I’ll teach you how to use a rotor lathe.” He walked us over to a machine that was sideways. A bit was in the chuck and he demonstrated how to crank the wheel to line it up with the rotor. Then he explained how to measure with a caliper to see exactly how much metal was taken off. “It’s important for you guys to know this, besides they will test you on it at Skills.” I nodded, just another tool in my box of knowledge.

Mark hugged me as I went out to go to work. “After work how about we go out to dinner with my parents,I’d like you to meet them.” I nodded. “Sure,it’ll give me some time to clean up and make a decent impression on them.” He smiled, “My dad will like you, it’s my mom I’m worried about.” I shrugged, “It’s alright I’m used to it.” I stated getting into my truck.

I was in a relatively good mood. Jason noticed how hard we’ve been working and as a trio we could compete against other kids our age. I cranked up the radio which was playing some Junior Hendrix. My windows were cracked open as I was cruising on down to my work. The smell of freshly cut hay fields flew into my nose as it was now officially harvest season. Parking my truck next to Frank’s I walked in with a grin. “Hey Kidd,I have something for you.” He said in awe of my good mood. Handing me a jacket with the company name and my name on it, “We are going to do some field calls so you need to look semi professional and be warm.” I put it on. It fit loose enough to move in. “Hell yeah thanks Pops.” He shook his head laughing. “Here’s the address and road, go load up some tools and go there he’s got a cultivator that died in the middle of using it.” I nodded and went to the shop to fill up a travel box.

All the basics went into my box, a ratchet of 3/8 and 1/2 inch and a set of sockets for each along with an adjustable crescent wrench, a portable propane torch and a pry bar. I snagged two screwdrivers as well. I waved at Frank and walked back to my truck. Yup,I could sense it in my bones that this machine would be.

Reading the chicken scratch Frank gave me it looked like it said OMO road. Oh good so definitely not anywhere near the shop. I slugged the rest of my now ice tea and drove to the field. Being surrounded by nothing besides fields my next move was to see if any large equipment was frozen still in one. Lo and behold I did find it. It was a big Farmall tractor pulling it. “Thanks Frank..” I muttered pulling to the side of the gravel road,pulling out my tool box and walking into the field.