Chance Encounters

Competition and Skills

We made it back downstate,two days ago to be exact. Splash was getting adjusted to living with Frank and Cam and I was currently in homeroom when my teacher got a phone call. He answered it and made a few nods and grunts before pointing at me. “It’s your lucky day,your auto teacher wants you.Something about a competition and practice.” I nodded and walked out. Thanking Mr.Jason for saving me. I ran into Larry and Mark who were also on their way to auto. It finally dawned on me, “s**t! I forgot that we have that Skills competition.” Larry and Mark turned to me, “Oh s**t,you’re right.” Larry said. Mark stuck his hands in his pockets. “Right.” He mumbled. I shrugged,deciding on asking him what his issue was later,I continued talking to Larry. “Meant to ask,how was the U.P.? Did y’all do anything cool.” I nodded and grinned, “I’ll definitely tell you about it later tonight.” Larry nodded and grinned.

All three of us walked into our shop class. Jason was sitting at his desk when he heard us coming in. “You three,come here.” We walked up when and he handed us each a packet containing our requirements and info we needed for entry. “Larry,be prepared to know every electronic component on a car. Mark,start learning every single pin and clip on a break system. Skye,as for you,learn what every spring and rod controls on the suspension system. Other than that you guys are going to be practicing this in class.” I flipped through my packet while he showed Larry a circuit board. Didn’t seem super hard,but there were some things in there that threw me off. Jason continued to set Mark up on the rotor lathe. He then turned his attention to me showing me the Strut and spring machine. It looked like death. I heard many stories of springs coming off of it and bouncing around. “Master this machine, this will be your friend and only friend until the competition.” I nodded and began to investigate how it worked.

By the time class started Mark had gotten the hang of the lathe and Larry was having fun solving the electrical puzzles Jason set up. I,on the other hand,was not having fun or getting the hang of it. Jason was growing frustrated as he watched me practicing. Larry attempted to talk to Mark,but Mark would only respond in short answers. “What’s his issue?” Larry asked me. I shrugged, “No idea. Honestly could be a plethora of things.” Larry nodded, “Well,you should try and see what his issue is.” I nodded,I agreed with Larry,yet I also needed to figure this machine out and go to work. “Hey,Jason,I’m going to work and by tomorrow I’ll have this machine figured out.” Jason grunted in agreement. I walked over to where Mark was, “Come up to the shop after work,you and Larry.” He nodded and continued with putting a rotor on the lathe.

I got to work and seen Splash and Cam running out in the back 20. Frank looked up and seen me walking in the door. “Hey Kidd. How’s it going?” I shrugged, apparently Mark’s mood rubbed off on me. Frank not satisfied with that as an answer continued on. “I see you have a packet in your hand, must be from school. Let me take a look.” He handed me some work orders in exchange. Disregarding all the notes I took on it he looked at me, “You need help with this machine?” I shrugged, “You don’t pay me to work on school stuff.” Frank cleared his throat and responded, “Well kidd,I’ll be more than happy to show you. It’s a wonderful thing you are considered to even be on the Skills team.” I set the work order down, “Yeah,well it’s embarrassing when you can’t even manage to figure out how to use that machine.” I spat, picking up my work order and going over to a tractor that needed a tire changed. Frank,picked me up by my arm and dragged me to the back of the shop. “I pay you for whatever I deem fit and today you are learning how to use this so you can do it blindfolded.” He growled uncovering a Spring compressor machine. “Now this is how you load it.” He mounted the spring and then placed the shock in. Next he tightened it down. I observed carefully then he took it apart. “Alright kidd,I’m gonna stand here and see if you can get it at least five in a row.”

By the time I was done with three I was getting faster and faster than the first time,by the time five came and rolled around I could do it blindfolded. I wiped the grease and oil on my shirt. Frank gave me a pat on the back, “There ya go.” I couldn’t help,but smile. With a nod to each other we walked back to where the dogs were. I heard the ever so familiar 442 exhaust pull in along with a GTO exhaust. I glanced upwards to see that the sun was indeed setting and it was now getting dark. I heard a car door slam and another one shut. Frank and I walked to the front of the building to see Mark storming off headed towards me. Now,his bad mood has turned personal. Before he could slam another door I walked up to him to give him a hug,but he dodged me. “Okay,what the hell is your defect today?” I asked. His blue eyes glaring at me. “You know what it is.” He flatly stated. I raised an eyebrow, “Actually no I don’t.” Larry stood behind him and shrugged. Mark took my left hand and held it up. “Why aren’t you wearing it?” He asked. It took me a few seconds to know what he was talking about. “I am.” I said. He shook his head, “You can’t even lie,it’s not there. Are you ashamed of it?” He asked. I shook my head, pulling out a chain that held my father’s friend’s war metal and the horseshoe nail. “How the hell am I going to wear it as a mechanic?” I asked. “If it gets caught my hand will as well,not to mention I don’t want to lose it.” I seen Mark’s face fall from anger to calm,his once stormy eyes were bright blue again. Larry and Frank each exchanged looks. Frank rolled his eyes, “Well,I’m sure that you two can explain over some dinner.” He said opening the shop door to check on the grill.

As much as the rez had good food,Frank knew how to cook and it was always something good. He served us lamb chops and a baked potato. Of course loaded with goat cheese, bacon,and sour cream. “So are you two…??” Larry trailed off with a questioning tone. Mark and I smiled, “Well kinda I suppose.” I said. Frank looked at Mark, “It’s a very big step, make sure you are ready for that.” I tore into my lamb as Larry began asking about the concert. Mark and Frank were having a conversation all on their own. I smiled, “It was so f*****g awesome! I got to meet John and Jerry,hell even played with them. Then both bands signed my tickets and John’s guitar before giving it to me.” Larry grinned, “That’s so sweet man. I bet if you frame it like your Led Zeppelin tickets and cassette you have signed it’ll look sweet.” I smiled and nodded, “It’s going up next to that and my Jimmi Hendrix shirt and tickets that are signed as well. I’m going to have a whole wall of that stuff when him and I eventually get our first house.” I stopped after that last bit. It sounded weird to my ears, but I felt bad because Larry was the odd man out in the trio. He smiled, “Hey,when that happens you and I will play some bad ass music in a bad ass music room that you two build.” I grinned.

As the meal finished Frank handed out advice for skills. We followed him into the parts wash area. We set up an assembly line almost like Henry Ford. Starting with me handing them the plates and ending with Larry drying the silverware.“If you two need some extra practice or quizzing then head on over here. My buddy is an auto shop teacher and I’ve been through all the skills practice dozens of times.” Larry and I looked at Mark,we exchanged a glance then Larry spoke up, “Is his name perhaps Jason?” Frank nodded,getting up to go out to play with the dogs. Not realizing before us that it was indeed our shop instructor. I grinned, “So then Frank am I his first female to have in his shop?” Frank chuckled, “Sure are kidd. And don’t worry you guys have definitely made a lasting impression on him. It makes sense that he put you three as his Skills team.” He looked at Larry, “Jason has never had a more inventive crazy guy,in electrical and design in his life. Some of the stuff you do makes him wonder if you are Tesla’s long lost brother.” Larry was smiling ear from ear. “Mark,he’s never seen such an amazing Jack of all tradesmen. The ability to just pick something up and make it work is mind blowing.” Mark smiled,throwing the ball for Splash. He ran right after it while Cam sat next to me on the ground. Frank chuckled, “Kidd,he’s impressed by you as well.” He said walking back inside. Mark took my hand giving it a squeeze. I shrugged,I’m nothing to be impressed by. Larry smiled, “I’m happy for you two. Congrats Mark, man to man.” They gave each other a hug. “Thanks Larry. I’ll be sure to make you my best man when it does happen.” I smiled. Splash sat on my other side. I bent down and gave them both ear scratches. Frank came back outside with some rum and shot glasses. “You three earned these.” He said passing out the shots he sat on the ground. It was still decently warm down state. The breeze was still cool. I buttoned my father’s coat and then took my shot. “Kidd,Jason says that he’s never seen anyone as determined as you. It’s scary to see the extremes you do in terms of devotion and learning. You aren’t scared to f**k up and in the end you figure it out.” Mark added, “Let’s not forget,she is fantastic at perfecting it all. She wants to be the best and make a name, I think that’s what’s so amazing.” Frank poured us another round. I smiled and looked up at Frank. “Hey, Frank.” He turned from gazing up at the stars to me. “What’s up Kidd?” I swallowed, “Well,when Mark and I finally do decide that we are getting married,will you step in as my father?” Frank smiled,tears welling up underneath the moon light. “Absolutely Kidd.” Frank poured another one for himself. “Cheers to you three and the win in regionals.” We toasted and took the shot. Frank asked me about my father and the medal around my neck, I pulled it out. “Yeah the guy’s name was Larry Thorne, his son Dan lives in London. Him and I send each other music and that’s where I got my Led Zeppelin cassettes. When I told him I loved them he gave me a set of tickets signed by each member along with a shirt and a cassette all signed.” I said. Frank studied my medal. “Hey kidd, it’s the iron Cross. He was a German soldier.” I nodded, “Well,he did say he fought in three wars but wouldn’t tell me the rest. I’m sure my father would know.” Frank handed it back,not before looking at the ring. “I like the craftsmanship Mark, very unique.” Before putting it on I handed it to Larry. He examined it. “It fits your finger because I helped him. I also helped him create the rainbow effect with the torch.” I smiled, “Thank you Larry for helping him.” He smiled handing me back my chain. Frank took Mark and Larry’s keys not too long after he got the liquor. It makes sense it’s a Friday night,Mark and I got back on a Wednesday due to the bridge being closed one day. We heard a few people’s tires pull into the driveway.

Three cars pulled in,more than likely cops drawn to the big bonfire we had lit. Frank busted into a few different liquors and some chasers. Not to mention the stench of the grass I was currently smoking. Before the panic really struck we heard some voices. Jason’s was among them. “Frank!! Hey man!” Frank turned and looked,Jason walked up followed by two mechanics who turned me down for work. “Oh you three!! I forgot that she lives with him,usually we come here on Fridays in November. We honor the last month we had with our buddy Walt.” Frank smiled, “Well enough of that introduce us to your buds.” The two had already recognized me. By the looks on their faces they were hoping I wouldn’t notice.