Page 32 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

“Absolutely. Anything I can do to help.”

“Knock yourself out, then. Sing out if you need anything.”

I donned my protective gear and spread the drop cloths on the floor, then got to work. Two hours later, I had just finished applying the first coat of paint to the last section of the wall, when an unknown number flashed on my phone.

“Is this Ellie?” A friendly voice rumbled from the other end. “I’m Mike Chang, the mechanic who picked up your Honda the other day.”

“Hey, Mike. Did you find out what was wrong with it?”

“We did. When was the last time you serviced the car?”

My stomach sank. “A while ago. Close to a year, maybe.”

“No wonder your engine failed.” There was a low chuckle. “The level of oil in your car is practically nonexistent. Alec told me you’ve just driven it across the country?”

Oh fuck.“Yes.”

“When the oil is low, it damages the engine. You could have avoided this if you had serviced it regularly. Sorry to tell you this, but you’ll need to replace the engine.”

Another point to add to my parents’ list on how I couldn’t survive on my own. How many disasters had I notched under my belt in less than a week?

“Sure.” I pressed my thumb to the bridge of my nose, mentally preparing myself. “How much would that be?”

“Around eight to ten thousand. I could also rebuild the old one for half the cost, so about four to five. You’ll get better gas mileage out of a rebuilt engine, and it can usually last as long as a new one.” The low chuckle returned. “Just don’t forget to service the car.”

A headache began to pound at the back of my head.Eight to ten thousand.That would throw my budget way off and stretch my already thin account balance to its very last legs.

“Or you could look at buying a secondhand car and sell your old one for scrap metal.”

I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, because even though he meant well, it was the most absurd suggestion I’d ever heard. The only way I could afford a secondhand car was to sell one of my kidneys, or other non-vital body organs. Plus, the CR-V was my first-ever car, and I’d learned how to drive in it. It had scratches and dents, and it wasn’t perfect, but getting rid of it would be like saying goodbye to my own beating heart and letting go of the last tangible reminder I had of my Engkong and Emak.

It was clear: I wasn’t parting with the car, or my heart, or any of my kidneys. I had to save money somewhere else.

“Did you say rebuilding the engine would be cheaper? Let’s go with that.”

After agreeing on the cost and timeline, I hung up and looked around the shop with exasperation. In a few days, I’d be at least four thousand dollars poorer. A few minutes ago, I’d been pleased with the progress, but right now, the self-doubt came back in full force.

Am I biting off more than I can chew?

No.I steeled myself. This was only a minor setback. All I had to do was readjust the budget, and things should be back on track. The clock was ticking, so I had to dust myself off, stop the moping and the pity party. The only option was to keep pushing forward.

Abandoning the paint, I picked up my phone again and scrolled through my emails. Rob had sent me a list of materials and estimated costs for the work, so I made a mental note to chat with him to see if we could substitute some things around.

Just then, my phone pinged with a reminder that I needed a dress for this weekend’s function. I’d donated all my fancy party dresses before I left home, so unless I wanted to turn up wearingthese dusty, paint-splattered overalls, I had to find a presentable (and affordable) outfit in less than forty-eight hours. The thought of spending what little amount I had in my bank account on something so frivolous plunged me back into the deep, dark well of gloom and dread.

“Hey, neighbor.” There was a rap on the front door, and Kim strolled in with a grin. “You want to grab dinner together later?”

“Sure. What do you have in mind?”

“There’s this awesome Japanese fusion place over at the Plaza’s rooftop area called Ocha Izakaya. They have the best sushi tacos and sake in the city. I’ve been flat-out busy at the shop, so I need to unwind and chill out tonight. My housemate Jenna is coming, too.”

“I’m in.” An idea popped into my mind. “Before that though, can I steal you for an hour? To help me find a dress for an event?”

Her face lit up. “Hell yes. Absolutely.”

“Great. I’m broke, so something not too expensive. If you could also recommend a good hairdresser, that’d be awesome.”

“Consider it done.” Kim rubbed her hands, looking excited. “I know the city like the back of my hand. You, my friend, won’t even recognize yourself when we’re done.”

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