Page 12 of You're All I Need

“I appreciate it, Uncle Gary. I know those foreign cars aren’t your forte or easy to fix.”

I was told they turn down a lot of jobs on certain models of vehicles. There are so many electronics and specialized equipment needed just to make the repairs, it’s not worth their time or money. Otto agreed to take my car as a favor to Gary, and then even took a big hit on the labor costs because Gary worked on it after hours a lot. I’m certain I wasn’t charged the full amount of time and resources needed to fix my Kia.

I considered upgrading it, now that I’ve found work and a place to stay, but without the repairs, my trade-in value was embarrassingly sad. And I really don’t want the car payment. Even though my Kia is only about eight years old and has low mileage, I paid for it outright by selling the Ford Edge that was gifted from my ex. The douche tried to get it back when we broke up, but my lawyer was able to negotiate for me to keep it when my life went toes-up and laced with embarrassment. I sold it to pad my account, not wanting any reminder of him.

He waves off my comment. “It’s fine. Just glad I could help you out.”

I shift back and forth on my feet after returning my credit card to my wallet. “You did. Thank you so much.”

He gives me a warm smile. “Anything for family. I talked to your mama the other day. She’s thinking of coming down for a visit,” he says.

My heart starts to beat a little harder with excitement. “She is? She didn’t say anything to me when I talked to her,” I recall. We spent almost an hour on the phone just yesterday morning and she never once mentioned a visit.

He winces, as if he knows he said something he shouldn’t. “Well, she’s still not sure when, so don’t go a tellin’ her I said something. She probably wants to surprise you.”

I can’t help but smile from ear to ear. “I won’t spoil the surprise.” Mom hasn’t been to Stewart Grove to visit me yet, despite wanting to. I know a big part of her holding off is to let me get settled in. She was the one who encouraged me to make the big move, insisting a change of scenery was exactly what I needed at that point in my life, and I didn’t argue. I just miss her; despite the fact we talk regularly.

“All right, well, I can let you get back to work. It looks like you’re busy,” I reply, taking in the shop area where there are three cars up on lifts and a few waiting in the wings in the lot.

“It’s fine. Leo is holding down the fort for me. Plus, Otto is taking care of the oil changes.” Otto’s has three full-time employees, Leo who works at the shop every day and helps with some of the tow calls, and my uncle. Plus, Patti. They have all worked for Otto much longer than my time here and seem to be more like family than employees.

“I know, but I need to get back to Stevie’s. We’re updating her kitchen and still have to apply a second coat of paint.”

He comes around the counter and gives me an awkward hug. He smells like grease and sweat, but I don’t mind. Growing up, I didn’t get to see my uncle often, so it’s been nice catching up with him over the last five months. He’s sort of a father figure to me, since I’ve never known my own dad. “Well, let me know if that car gives you any fits.”

“I will,” I insist, leaning up on my toes and pressing a kiss to his scruffy cheek.

“Love you, kiddo,” he mutters, his cheeks turning a deep shade of pink.

I watch as he returns to the shop, nodding to Patti as he goes.

“He’s so happy to have you here,” she informs me.

“I’m happy to get to know him better. We didn’t get to see each other much when I was growing up,” I tell her, even though she already knows.

“With Nana being gone now, he appreciates having family here. Even though he’s never said anything, I think he misses not having a kid of his own. He loves you and is happy to spend time together.”

My throat grows tight and my eyes burn with unshed tears. How long has it been since someone has made me feel appreciated and loved? Well, besides my mom and my nana until she passed away. Clearing the emotion from my throat, I ask, “How about dinner later? I’ve got a hankering for some chips and queso.”

Patti smiles widely. “That sounds perfect. What time should we meet you?”

“You tell me. You’re the ones working today.”

“Well, how about six? That gives us time to run home and wash the repair shop off our skin before we meet you.”

“That’s perfect,” I reply as the door opens behind me, signaled by the chime of a bell. “I’ll let you get back to work. Thanks, Patti.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. See you later.”

Grabbing my keys off the counter, I head out into the hot June afternoon and make my way to my car. I shake my head when I realize it’s been freshly washed, and the moment I slide into the driver’s seat, I notice it’s been vacuumed too. I sigh in appreciation of Uncle Gary, who probably found all kinds of hidden gems under my car seats, like nasty French fries and straw wrappers.

After waiting a few seconds for the air-conditioning to produce cold air, I pull out of the lot, heading for Stevie and Jack’s. I should have just enough time to help paint the second coat on the walls and go to the gym before meeting up with Gary and Patti. I go to the gym three or four times a week, and I can’t think of a better reward for today’s hard work than queso and chips, a burrito as big as my head, and a fishbowl-sized strawberry margarita.

Sounds like Heaven on Earth to me.

***

I change into my workout clothes and grab my earbuds before making my way out of the ladies’ locker room. There’s a yoga class, I like to take when I have more time, getting ready to start, but it’s not on my agenda today. I spent a little extra time helping Stevie reorganize some of the cabinets, so I’m getting a later start on my workout than I should. But there’s no way I’m missing chips and queso with Gary and Patti, and I’ll be in no condition to work out after gorging on Mexican food, so I’ll just have to squeeze in what I can.

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