Feral

by Teagan Kade

  What’s he saying?

  “Well, you’re my family, you’re my world, and I’m happy where I am. We’ll go see the doc today, he’ll check your cholesterol, and hopefully we can change these meds. Won’t that be great? I think this new prescription is really going to make the difference for you. Now we better get going, so go on, eat up.”

  He smiles at me, a strange expression in his eyes, but doesn’t say any more.

  After a slow walk, one uncomfortable, bumpy bus ride, followed by another short walk, we’re finally at the clinic Dr. Harrington shares with two other physicians. It’s a tall brick building in downtown Bakersville sandwiched between a college coffee house and a strip of trendy boutiques.

  We sit down in the waiting area, a small white-walled room with a bubbling blue aquarium in the middle. Jerry and I settle in, prepared for a long wait.

  A minute later, “Jerry Conry?” The medical assistant with her mocha skin and caramel twisted hair beams at Jerry as she comes over, helping him up.

  That was quick.

  “Good morning, Jerry, how are we feeling today?” she asks.

  “Like I could run the forty-yard dash,” he says sarcastically.

  I start to walk back with them, “Oh, sorry, miss. Dr. Harrington just wants to see Jerry today.”

  “Sorry, Jeanie dear, but Maisie’s the boss,” Jerry calls as he walks to the door leading down to the exam rooms.

  I don’t like this.

  “Oh... Alright if anything changes, if you need me at all, I’ll be right out here the whole time.”

  The door closes and I’m left in the silence of the waiting room. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, shuffling through the pages of National Geographic, trying to distract myself with the perfect, glossy photographs.

  An hour passes and I’m still sitting there alone wondering what could possibly be happening behind those doors. Maybe they’re just talking over the new medication. I know they’ll have to do bloodwork to check his cholesterol levels before starting the new meds. Maybe it’s just taking a bit.

  No need to worry.

  There are hardly any other patients in the waiting room, but maybe they got delayed this morning. My mind is reeling, working to find justifications for the long wait. I ask the receptionist, but she has no news other than Jerry is in the room with the doctor.

  Another forty minutes pass and I’m getting restless. Finally, the door opens and Uncle Jerry is standing there with an expression on his face I can’t quite read.

  “Thank heavens. I was getting worried,” I say as Maisie helps Jerry into a chair.

  She looks down at him kindly. “I’ll be right back with the paperwork.”

  Jerry sags, his face set in grim thought.

  Maisie motions to me with her head discreetly and asks a little loudly, “Ms. Conry, do you want to collect the paperwork for your uncle?”

  What am I missing here?

  “Uh, sure. I’ll be right back, Uncle Jerry.”

  He doesn’t answer, so I walk to the front desk with her.

  “Is everything okay? What’s going on?” I ask in a frenzied whisper.

  “Sorry, Ms. Conry, only your uncle can give you the details of his appointment, but I wanted to let you know that Dr. Harrison is having me call a cab for you two. The clinic will cover the cost. They’ll be here in about fifteen minutes.”

  “A cab?” I ask, feeling like an echo.

  “Yes, your uncle should avoid any extreme exertion right now. Here you go.”

  She’s handing me a file. I’m tempted to open it, but I can’t bring myself to invade Jerry’s privacy.

  “Thank you,” I say, hurrying back to Jerry, who’s having a coughing fit.

  “You okay?” I ask, rubbing his back.

  “I’m fine.” His voice has an edge to it, but I don’t press him just yet. “Let’s get going, sun’s not gonna wait for us.”

  “Actually, the doc called us a cab. It’s on him.” I’m expecting an argument, but instead he just nods looking out the window.

  I’m starting to get really nervous here and Jerry’s telling me nothing. The cab arrives sooner than expected. We climb in, riding in virtual silence.

  I wait until we get to the house. He still hasn’t said anything and I can’t hold off any longer. Something strange is happening. I deserve to know what’s going on.

  “Okay, are we going to talk about this or what?”

  “I’ll go with ‘or what.’”

  “Come on, you don’t need to tell me everything, but you were in there for almost two hours, Uncle Jerry. I’m worried. Just tell me what’s happening.”

  He sighs as he lowers himself into his recliner. Jinx leaps up, snuggling into him.

  When he doesn’t answer immediately, I continue. “What on earth could possibly have taken so long? Did they do chest X-rays or something? Is it pneumonia? I promise I won’t freak out, just tell me,” I am practically begging, my voice getting more and more emotional.

  He’s petting Jinx, looking down at her fur.

  “Well, it’s not pneumonia.”

  Thank God for that.

  “Before I tell you what I went over with doc today, I need you to know a few things. When Lola and I couldn’t get pregnant for years and years, we gave up on ever having a child. That is, until the day we were blessed to call you ours. You know, I see Lola in you every day, and I like to think that you get some of your spunk from my influence. “

  What’s he saying?

  I feel my throat getting thick, tears prickling at my eyes.

  “I just want you to know you have been a cherished gift to us, and even when I’m gone, Lola and I will be looking out for you, just like your mama has been all these years.”

  My breath is getting faster. “Uncle Jerry, you’re scaring me here. What are you talking about?”

  “I’ve been to see the doc a few times over the last couple weeks while you were at work. The last time they ran my cholesterol he said something showed up, so we had to run more tests. We went over the results today.” He pauses before speaking again. “Jeanie, it’s Stage IV liver cancer. They’re not sure, but I’m pretty certain it’s spread to my lungs as well. They’re going to start me on chemo soon, but… at my age, and because it’s already so progressed, it doesn’t look good.”

  The wind rushes out of me. Tears stream down my cheeks but I fight to stay in control.

  “What? What does that mean exactly? ‘It doesn’t look good’?” I ask, hugging him, my tears falling onto his shirt front.

  He strokes my hair. “Jeanie…”

  “You can’t leave me, you have to fight this. You’re all I have!”

  “I know, dear. I don’t want to leave you either. It’ll be okay. People fight cancer all the time and win, right? If the Korean War didn’t take me, I’m sure as hell not going to let some damn cancer take me out without putting up a fight.”

  He’s soothing me, but I can hear the doubt and fatigue in his voice. The news has taken its toll on him too and I feel selfish for forcing him to comfort me when he is the one who has the hardest path forward.

  I’m drying my eyes. “I think I just need to go get some air, get things straight in my head, and you look like you could use a rest.”

  He doesn’t argue with me on that.

  I help him to his bedroom and kiss him on the forehead. “I love you, Uncle Jerry.”

  His eyes are already closed, his breathing slowing, but as I reach the door, he replies, “Love you too, sweetheart.”

  *

  I’m walking aimlessly. It’s late afternoon and the streets are as busy as they get for Silver Springs, shadows playing out pleasant scenes as they stretch across the pavement.

  My cheeks are splotched and my eyes raw from the tears that aren’t stopping. Behind my Aviators I’m hiding my appearance and trying to block out all the everyday happiness around me.

  Wildly, I’m grasping, searching for some straw of sanity, something steady to hold on
to.

  I see a car come out of the car wash and think about the GTO. If I can get it fixed for him, maybe it’ll give Jerry something to hold onto. If not that, at least it would be one less regret to weigh on him.

  Finding something to focus all this energy on, a mission crystallizes in my mind. I have to fix the GTO… but how?

  I don’t want charity from Mason and, even after what he said at the diner, I still don’t want the idea I might owe him something more than payment to be on the table.

  I’m lost in thought, steps eating pavement, and before I know it, I realize I’m standing in the shade of the awning across the street from The Crank & Wrench.

  What are you doing? You can’t just go back in there and act like the other day didn’t happen.

  I’m about to turn and leave when I see Mason through the large paned windows. He’s at the front desk, looks to be counting out his till, probably getting ready to close down for the night. One hallmark of Silver Springs is that, aside from the Diner, the Drive-In, and the Silver Canteen, not much stays open after about 6pm.

  My mind a mess, I compulsively cross the street and walk into the shop, making the tinkling bells jingle. Mason looks up, bewildered when he sees me.

  The phone rings before I can say anything. He whispers a quick, “Give me just a moment,” as he answers.

  I put my sunglasses on my forehead and walk around the store. It looks like he’s gotten a number of deliveries that are stacked up by the door, haphazardly. Receipts and invoices are scattered on the desk. The small tools and parts for sale in the retail space are chaotic and disorganized.

  I’m not much of an eavesdropper, but it’s a little hard not to hear that he’s talking about scheduling a tune-up or some such. He’s scrambling to find his schedule under the swamp of carbon copies on the desk. Suddenly, an idea dawns on me.

  He hangs up the phone and looks up to me. “Sorry, about that.”

  “It’s fine,” I answer, not quite sure how to broach the subject.

  “I have to say, I wasn’t expecting to see you here again.”

  “I had no intention of coming back, but things have changed…” I feel myself start to crack and curl my hand, stabbing my nails into my palm to steady myself. “I have a counter offer for you.”

  He looks surprised and a touch amused “Oh? I’m all ears.”

  I tilt my chin up, determined. “I’ll pay you what I’ve got now for the work on my uncle’s car. I’ll work for you here in the storefront to cover the rest.”

  He sighs. “I already told you, you can just make payments over time. You don’t need to work it off like some kind of indentured servant.”

  “I’m not interested in getting any favors from you. Now, look, I’m a hard worker, I’m neat, I’m organized, and you need someone to straighten this place out.”

  “Oh, so now you’re telling me what I need?”

  “Hey, a fact is a fact. Trust me, in this town, you don’t want people thinking you’re a slob.”

  “Slob? That’s a strong word.”

  “Do you disagree?” I ask, looking at the room.

  He narrows his eyes. “Besides the point, I’m not entirely sure I want someone who is going to be pecking at me and ready to jump down my throat at the slightest provocation. What’s changed all of a sudden that you want to cut a different deal?”

  I take a deep breath. Keep it together, Jeanie. “I’ve just realized time is precious and…” I can feel my eyes prickling again. “Maybe we can just start over… please. I just really need to fix his car for him... He doesn’t have a lot of time left.”

  Mason looks a little unsettled by the emotion I can’t seem to control. I wipe my eyes and take a few steadying breaths waiting for him to respond.

  “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have someone managing all this for me…” he starts, before I jump in, eager to lock in a deal and get out of here.

  “Good, so it’s settled. Here’s my number and address, in case of emergency,” I blabber, scrawling it out on a scratch paper. “I’ll be here tomorrow after I sort my schedule at the diner. Would you rather have me in the morning or the afternoon?”

  I realize how that sounds after I’ve said it.

  He takes a moment to answer before clearing his throat. “I suppose the morning would work better, since I’ve been getting the most customers about that time.”

  “Great,” I reply, short. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  MASON

  Well, this’ll be interesting. I’m a little stunned and wondering what in the hell I just got myself into as I watch Jeanie slip her sunglasses back on and glide out in a pair of skinny jeans that are helping my imagination out in ways I’m fast trying to block.

  Looking around the retail space, though, she is right. I need help. Besides, I was already planning to hire help once I got on my feet.

  Now I’m on the good side of a few of the biddies in the Women’s Guild, I’m suddenly getting flooded with calls. For a bigger shop, it might be fair to middling, but for a one man operation, it’s a good start to a healthy customer flow.

  I’m also noticing that having the large viewing windows right beside my work station in the garage seems to help business. I try not to think about it too much, but I can’t help but notice how some of those older ladies who accompany each other for oil changes and tire rotations like to line up and happily peer at me through the glass pane. Acting as a bit of eye candy isn’t the worst thing I’ve done for work, I suppose.

  Now Jeanie will be there in the retail space, I wonder if that will deter them.

  Or maybe she’ll join them.

  Something about that last thought induces an unexpected reaction in my pants. I shift uncomfortably, my cock already hard.

  Don’t go thinking about her like that. There’s nothing but trouble there. So maybe she’s hot—a right hot pain in the ass most likely.

  I make a quick call to the only tow truck around. If she’s going to work the cost off, I need to figure out how much it’ll be and I can’t calculate that until I see the car. Really, the sooner I can get her out of my hair —and head — the better.

  Rather than call her to okay the tow, I text Jeanie. The way she was getting worked up and our past interactions in mind, I figure it’s probably better to be as straightforward as possible.

  “Sending a tow @ 9am tomorrow, that work?” I message her.

  “Yes,” comes the reply.

  Getting her response, I have a sinking feeling in my stomach that haunts me all night.

  What the hell have you gotten yourself into here, Mason?

  *

  I’m under the hood of a minivan changing out a battery, yawning from a sleepless night, when the tow pulls up.

  I jog out and wave Dan over, directing him towards the second bay of the garage. He lowers the spectacle lift and jumps out, the two of us pushing the GTO into the bay and up onto the blocks.

  “You need anything else?” he asks, wiping sweat off his brow.

  I shake my head, “Not for now, thanks.”

  “No problem, man, glad to have a shop in town again… We’ve been needing one since Trent got crushed under that car he was workin’ on. Bad business that was.”

  Charming.

  We shake hands. As he walks back to the truck, I see the passenger side door open. Jeanie jumps down and starts towards me. She’s backlit by the morning sunlight. I realize the black button-up blouse she’s wearing is sheer.

  Trouble, trouble, trouble…

  “Good morning,” she says.

  “Hi,” I manage to get out.

  “Right, well, you’ve got me ’till 3pm Mondays to Fridays, so I’m going to just dive into things in the shop. I like your music, by the way.”

  Before I can answer she’s striding past me and into the shop, leaving me alone in the garage once more, The Rolling Stones’ Start Me Up playing overhead

  I guess it’s a start. She doesn’t seem much
warmer than before, but at least she’s in the storefront and I’m in the garage. Maybe we can just get through this by keeping to our spaces.

  I finish up the battery change and hear her moving around in the storefront, but I’m trying to block that out. Instead, I go over to the GTO and pull off the cover.

  “Let’s see what you’re hiding under this thing, old girl.” I say, talking to the car since no one else listening.

  Moving around the body, I let my hand softly glide along her sharp lines. The vinyl seats are cracked, one of the side mirrors is damaged, and the paint could stand a fresh coat, maybe with a metal flake or a pearl finish. Still, she’s a beauty. I can tell she’s got stories to tell. This is what I envisioned when I bought the shop.

  Sudden movement catches my eye. I glance over at the window into the shop only to see Jeanie passing by, moving boxes around.

  She’s got an edge to her, but the fact that she’s doing all this, going through this much trouble when she clearly doesn’t want to be anywhere near me, speaks to how much she cares for her uncle. It’s actually pretty sweet she’s doing all this.

  Maybe I’ve misjudged her. It was pretty obvious her uncle’s health is suffering, and people can act pretty crazy when it comes to illness. Maybe I should cut her some slack, even though I’m not the one with the attitude problem.

  The song changes and shifts my focus back to the car. I take my time looking under her hood, examining components and getting an idea of all the parts I’ll need to order. Jotting notes down as I go, getting to the end of my initial assessment, I look over at the clock and realize it’s already lunch time.

  I look over to the window and see Jeanie at the desk, concentrating hard as she sorts through paperwork. My mouth feels dry. It seems like a good time to take a break, maybe make a little peace.

  I walk into the shop, wiping my hands on a rag.

  “Hey, I’m getting hungry. You want to go get some lunch? My treat… that is, since it’s your first day.”

  She doesn’t look up as she answers. “Sorry, I haven’t got time.”

  I set the shop rag down on the counter. “Technically, I’m the boss, and I deem this acceptable… just this once,” I say, trying to joke.