“I appreciate this, Emma Jean, but I know you’ve got stuff to do.”
I saw that look in his eye. The one he always gets when I’m going to be gone. “It’s only a few days, Pop.”
“I know.”
Another reminder that I was all Pop had made me wish Mrs. Elwood had shown after all. Before I could say anything he spoke again.
“Can I say something?”
The expression on his face was enough for me. “Not if it’s what I think you’re going to say.”
“Emma Jean, I’m worried about you.”
“You don’t need to be. Everything’s fine.” I sipped my soda and stared at a tree swaying in the breeze. A tiny bird sat on a thin branch riding up and down with the blowing wind.
“I just want you to be happy—and I wouldn’t mind being a great-grandpa someday, either.”
I turned my attention back to him and smiled. “I am happy, Pop. But right now I can’t think about anything else but the magazine.”
“Seems like that’s all it’s been for a long time.”
My smile faded, and my shoulders sank. Pop’s disappointment was something he didn’t show often, but it was a lethal weapon when he chose to use it.
“And what about Howie?” he continued. “Is he happy?”
“Yes, I think so. I don’t know. Can we not get into this now? You know I’ve got a huge couple of days ahead of me.”
“All I’m saying is that you two need to get your priorities straight.”
There was nothing more I could say, so I did the only thing I could think of. “And what about you?”
“What about me?” he said, brushing crumbs from his hands.
“You like being alone?” My raised eyebrows told him I now had the upper hand.
“I do all right. And besides, I’ve got the boys.”
“Do they cuddle with you at night too?”
“Well, sometimes Lou does. But he snores.” He bit down on his straw and feigned innocence.
“I’m serious, Pop. I know you stayed single for me. But I’ve been out of the house for a long time.”
“First of all, don’t give yourself too much credit, Missy. I went on dates when you were younger. Not many, but I did go. Just haven’t met the right girl.”
“Well ….”
“Well, what?” He cocked his head as if he had no idea what I was talking about.
“What about Mrs. Elwood?”
“She’s a sweet old lady, but she’s got no interest in someone like me.”
“What do you mean, someone like you? She’d be lucky to have you.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a tiny squeeze. “I know I was. Let’s go, huh?”
We walked arm-in-arm to the car. But when I got in and turned the key, it wouldn’t start.
Chapter 12
It was obvious the battery was dead. How dead was another story. Pop had a little experience with cars, so he took a look. He was one of those stubborn types of men that think they should be able to fix anything. Wait, wasn’t that every man? Actually, in Pop’s case, that’s what usually happened. I remember one time when I was about seven years old. I dropped my Buzz Lightyear toy gun in the toilet. Yes, I played with guns when I was little. He was shaving next me, snatched it in two seconds. But it didn’t make the cool shooting noise any more. Pop took the whole thing apart, blew dry each piece, and reassembled it. He became my hero that day as I ran through the house shooting everything in sight and reveling in the joy of that high-pitched shooting sound. I’m sure it drove him nuts.
But on this day, Pop was stumped. “Not much we can do at this point except try to get a jump and see if that works,” he said.
If it didn’t, we’d be SOL, since Howard was probably still at the airport. He had taken Emilia, who was going to visit their parents. Knowing Howard, he’d wait until he saw her heading down the runway toward the plane. Maybe Emilia would talk some sense into their father while she was there.
We went back in the church to find Jayne and Mr. Humphries. I didn’t know which one of them had driven. Geez, who knew if Mr. Humphries had a license. I pictured him driving one of those scooters with Jayne riding on his lap.
We stopped in the doorway and scanned around the room. “There’s Jayne,” I said, pointing to a corner of the room. From where we stood she looked like she was watching paint dry on the floor. We headed in her direction, and as we got closer, I saw what she was staring at. Not many people surprise me, but lately one person has suspended my disbelief on more than one occasion. Guy and Mr. Humphries sat at a small table against the wall playing chess. Mr. Humphries had his elbow on the table and propped his chin on his fist. Guy had one hand in his lap and the other suspended over the board as if the next move would win the World Series of Chess. He spotted us, gave me a tiny wink, and then moved his piece. That small gesture lit a spark in me, causing goose bumps to form on my arm. I hoped no one noticed.
“Hey, what are you two doing back?” Jayne said.
“Our car won’t start. We wanted to see if you could give us a jump.”
“Sure,” Jayne said. She smiled and then turned to Mr. Humphries. “Okay?”
I guess he hadn’t been to the Scooter Store after all.
Guy popped up from his chair. “I’ll do it. You two have dinner reservations, right?” he said to his new best bud, Mr. Humphries.
Jayne’s mouth fell open. She waited on me for direction, but I shrugged. Too much to process.
I didn’t know what threw me more—the fact that Jayne was going to dinner with Mr. Humphries, that Guy was instant friends with Jayne and Hugh Hefner, or the thought of Guy having to come to my rescue. “I, uh.”
“Thanks, Guy,” Pop said. Then he stuck out his hand. “I’m Ed.”
“Great to meet you, sir.” Guy said.
The moniker seemed genuine. It made me smile as the two shook hands.
We all said our goodbyes, and Guy and Mr. Humphries exchanged cell numbers. Then Guy followed us out to the parking lot. He said his experience with cars consisted of driving them and one summer in high school working as a lot boy. He jogged across the church’s parking lot and got in a charcoal gray Ford F150—not what I’d expected. I popped the hood while he pulled around. Then I got out to let the men be men.
Guy hooked up the cables, jumped in his truck, and started it up. Pop got in my car, a light gray Mazda 3, and turned the key. An annoying clicking that sounded like hundreds of dollars emptying from my bank account ensued. The two got out and huddled at the front of my car.
“Why didn’t it start?” I asked no one in particular. I started running through options for getting home in my mind.
“Good question,” Pop said. He shook his head and stared down at the engine alongside Guy.
“Could be the starter, alternator, or maybe the battery is so drained it won’t jump,” Guy said.
“I thought you didn’t know anything about cars?” I said.
“I’ve had a few problems of my own, and I catch on pretty quick. I’m not just a computer geek, you know.”
“I never said that.”
“So, do you have a habit of leaving your lights on?” he asked.
Pop’s eyebrows shot up, lips pursed. He backed away, didn’t want to become a casualty. “I’m going to sit in the car while you two figure this thing out. I’ll call Howie and see if he’s home yet.”
Pop’s voice faded as I homed in on Guy. “Do I seem like the type of girl that leaves her lights on?” My arms folded.
Guy sucked in air as if he had words to let out, but I continued.
“What do you think, I’m some idiot that doesn’t know the difference between on and off?”
Guy shook his head in quick motions like a dog flicking the water off his fur. His deflated expression softened me. I wasn’t normally a defensive person, but on the other hand, I didn’t like to be talked down to.
“I never said that,” he said sarcastically, mimicking my earlier sentiments.
<
br /> I reminded myself that Mr. Do-gooder was only trying to help, but the damage from my spewing was already done.
“Hey, sorry about that.” I joined him at the front of the car; the still-open hood shaded us from the setting sun. “I guess I’m a little stressed because we’re leaving tomorrow, and I don’t need this to deal with, too.”
“No worries. I can give you two a lift home.”
I closed my teeth around my bottom lip, wondering if that was my only option.
“Pop?” I called. What did Howard say?”
Pop stuck his head out the window. “Flight was delayed. He’ll be home late.”
“Figures,” I said more to myself.
Guy turned to face me. “I don’t mind, really.”
He never seemed to mind anything. When my eyes turned down and noticed the bottom of his shirt sporting a huge grease stain on it, I hoped that was true. It must have brushed up against the engine when he turned.
“Uh … you’ve got some—” I pointed down at his shirt, remembering he’d said he had only one other nice one.
“Aw, crap.” He lifted the hem as if he needed a closer look.
“I’m really sorry about all this,” I said.
“It’s not your fault.” Guy shook it off pretty quickly. “C’mon.” He gave me a little nudge back with his forearm and closed the hood. “Let’s get you two home. Guess you’ll have to get this towed to a garage or something.”
Pop said he and Howard would work it out, since I’d be leaving early the next day. I hadn’t noticed before that Guy’s truck only had a front seat, and the three of us piled in with me in the middle. We were so close, we each had to raise a butt cheek to let the other buckle in. With my arm pressed against his, I dared not move. Through the corner of my eye I saw him looking down at me, but I kept my gaze forward and willed him to start the car.
As we headed toward the freeway, the awkward silence poked at me like I was a caged bear. Pop was no help—he just stared out the window and turned to smile at me every few minutes.
I glanced around the truck, checking for old beer cans and pizza cartons, but found nothing but an air freshener dangling from the cigarette lighter. The interior was almost as clean and organized as the inside of my house. A case housing cds was mounted under the dash. As I scanned the selections I noticed something. First came Beatles greatest hits, Bob Marley, Chris Daughtry, and Green Day. Then an empty space, followed by more bands, and ending with Pink and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Nice selections, but what impressed me even more was that they were in alpha order. I suppressed a smile, thinking how Guy couldn’t decide if he was a nerd or ladies man. He wore them both well, I decided. When I turned and glanced down at the grease on his shirt, I couldn’t hold it back any longer. A laugh that sounded like a suppressed sneeze escaped me.
“What?” He flipped his head my way for a second.
I glanced away, hoping he didn’t see me staring at the stain.
“So you think it’s funny my shirt got stained?” His tone was playful, but his expression stayed serious. “What … is it payback for the suit?”
“I don’t think so.” Especially since I didn’t grab his ass.
“Seriously, though. Is this gonna come out?”
“How am I supposed to know?”
“Well ….”
“Oh, because I’m a woman I’m supposed to know how to get stains out?” Maybe I was sensitive because his uncle had those same views of women.
“I just figured since you were married, maybe ….”
Pop finally found his voice, but showed up for the wrong team. “Ha.”
“Oh, so we’re not a laundry gal, huh?” Guy asked.
When he looked at me for confirmation, I turned away. I didn’t want to go there, but it seemed I was trapped. I stared straight ahead, felt him peering down at me.
“Keep your eyes on the road, please.”
“What? Nothing to be embarrassed about. You both work, right? So what, he does the laundry and you do the cooking?”
Another sound shot out of Pop that sounded like he choked down some whiskey.
“Pop!” I elbowed him and folded my arms.
“No cooking, either?” Guy said. I didn’t need to look at him to see the smile smeared across his stupid face.
“How did we even get on this conversation?” I asked. My eyes narrowed to slits when Pop shot a glance my way. He shrugged and turned back toward the window.
Thanks for the support.
“I’m sure you contribute in your own ways,” Guy said. He kept his gaze on the road, white-knuckled hands gripping ten and two for dear life. “Marriages are very different these days. Not that I’d know anything about it.”
That’s the first thing he’d gotten right in the whole stinking conversation. He had no clue about me—or anything in my life, for that matter. Howard and I both had our strengths and weaknesses. We’d been through some serious ups and downs, but there’s one thing that hadn’t changed since the first day we met. We always, and I mean always, have come through for each other. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him and vice versa. We’d both proven that over the years. So I wasn’t going to sit there and defend myself with a resume.
“Times have changed. And not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I do my share.”
I could see the wheels spinning behind Guy’s eyes as he glanced over with a feigned smile. “So, are you all ready for tomorrow? It’s going to be pretty crazy.” He turned down the main road that led to Pop’s place.
“Actually, no. Sounds pretty overwhelming to me. Turn right at the next light.”
When he pulled into Pop’s driveway, I decided it would be better to get out there. “I’ll wait here and have Howard pick me up on the way back from the airport.”
“Are you sure?” Guy asked. “I don’t mind taking you to your place.”
Pop bolted for his door, leaving me standing beside the open door to Guy’s truck.
“No, it’s fine, really. Gives me more time with Pop before we leave. Thanks for the ride. It was sweet of you.” Sweet? God I never use that word. I started to shut the door, but Guy spoke up again.
“Hey, don’t worry about tomorrow. Some of this stuff is new to me, too. We’ll just take it one day at a time, okay?”
“Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” I appreciated his saying that and didn’t take it as anything but a pep talk among co-workers. “I’m actually excited to find out about future possibilities for the magazine. It’s just the timing, you know?”
“Yeah. Well, I’ve heard you’re excellent under pressure.”
I smiled before I realized it happened and hoped I wasn’t blushing like some stupid schoolgirl.
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.” I shut the door and walked around the front of the car. When I reached the walkway, Guy’s voice caught me once again.
“Emma.”
There was something about the way he’d said my name just then. I didn’t understand why I reacted in such a way, but the hairs on the back of my neck raised. I felt a chill on my skin and a warmth in my gut. I turned to find him with one arm hanging out his side window. That darn wavy hair shining in the setting sun like a halo over his silly smile.
“Yeah?” I answered sounding a little too much like Sandy in Grease.
“I really like your grandpa,” he said. “He’s a cool guy.” Then he backed out of the driveway.
I stood there watching him drive off and wondering what the next three days would hold. It was going to be three grueling sessions of information overload. But there was one thing I found myself grateful for: the presence of Adam.
Chapter 13
I decided to meet Guy and Adam, who rode together, at the airport. Howard insisted on driving me even though that meant two airport trips for him in two days. I suspected he wanted some time to talk with me since we hadn’t spent but five minutes together since the night Jayne showed up at our door. There was an unfinished conversation that night
still hanging in the air.
But we were almost there and the silence that filled the car pierced my ears like a dog whistle. I glanced at Howard and smiled. He smiled back. I was beginning to feel like we’d stepped into the elevator of the tallest building in the world.
“So, you ready for this?” he finally said. He reached over and put his hand on my knee. “Sounds like it’ll be brutal.”
“Yeah, but it’s going to open up a whole new world of possibilities for the magazine.”
“I bet. Someday there might not even be paper magazines.” He returned his hand to the wheel and exited the freeway.
“I’m all for change and progress, but I hope that’s not the case.” I pulled the confirmation I’d printed from my purse to check my information. I wanted to make sure we pulled up to the correct gate, but I also had a habit of checking things over and over. I wasn’t quite at the OCD stage, but I was pushing it.
“Speaking of progress, I’ve been thinking about the pub a lot lately.” Howard flashed me some eye contact to gauge my reaction. “Kelly says there’s a great property for sale downtown.”
“Wow, I didn’t even know you were looking.” We hadn’t talked a lot about his pub dream lately, but I’d sensed Howard was getting antsy over the last few months.
“I wasn’t. Kelly brought it up at work.”
“So you too are buddies now, huh?” I didn’t mean to sound sarcastic, but it sure came out that way. I tried to recover by pulling the visor down and checking my makeup and hair in the mirror.
“Emma, I really think I’m ready for this. I don’t want to put it off any longer. It’s time.”
So, I lied. I’m not really all for change and progress. I was just fine with the way things were. There was safety in normalcy. You might think someone like me was used to change. I’d had plenty of huge transitions growing up. But that’s the thing; when it came to my personal life, change usually meant something bad.
“Can we talk about this when I get back?” I flipped the mirror back up, then checked my phone for messages. “Guy just texted me, they’re already checking in.”
The Tech Guy Page 9