by Liza Brown
“I thought this was his cell phone number,” I said.
“It is, however he left it with me. I’m his secretary.”
“He left town without his cell phone? Is that normal?”
“Yes ma’am, he keeps his business phone with him when he goes out of town. He rarely takes his personal phone with him.”
“Is that normal?”
“I’m not really sure what normal is, ma’am. It’s just the way Mr. Brothers does business.”
“Can I reach him, please? This is about the team.”
“I can send him a message and he may get back to you. Can I let him know what this is about?”
“This is Mae Rogers. I have Carl here.”
“Carl? Carl Wickerman?”
“Yes,” I said. “He’s here at the shop claiming he needs copies of the storage contracts from the cars of the players that I have stored here. I want to make sure that’s what he’s supposed to be doing.”
“Why does he need them?” Diane seemed confused.
“He says someone told him to do this.”
“I can’t imagine why,” said Diane. “Can I speak with him?”
I passed my phone to stinky boy and reminded myself to disinfect my phone at a later point.
“Hello?”
I quickly regretted not putting the phone on speaker. He turned his head so all I could hear were the mumbled replies to the unheard other half of his conversation. He finally handed the phone to me and I realized that the phone call had been ended. “Well?” I asked him.
He stood with a huff and started to say something. His face was turning red. “You…” He leaned on my desk and got within inches of my forehead.
Millard placed a hand on Carl’s shoulder. “What have you been told?”
Carl looked at Millard, then at me. His darting eyes told me he was nervous now.
“What? What has he been told?” I asked Millard.
“To leave you alone.”
“Who told him that?”
“Mr. Benjamin.”
“He has no right to tell me how to do my job. He’s just a player.”
“Just a player?” I yelled. Again, Bonnie was startled from her work in the customer area. “You wouldn’t have a job if he was just a player!”
“Yeah, but he thinks he can come in here and tell me what to do. He doesn’t have that kind of pull.”
“What did Diane say?”
“It’s none of your business. But, I will be leaving.” He looked at Millard. “You know, Elsu probably doesn’t pay you enough, does he? What, with having to put up with this all the time,” Carl motioned to me with his greasy head.
“Leave,” demanded Millard without movement.
“When Elsu is with the team you’re off the clock. It must really suck you have to keep working when he’s gone. Especially…well, you know.” Without another word, Carl left the shop.
“What is he talking about? I don’t have any secrets. Elsu knows more about me than most people do. I don’t know what Carl is talking about, I swear!”
“He’s just trying to get under your skin, Miss Mae. Just ignore him.”
“So he’s paying you for your time here? With me?”
“Mr. Benjamin? I’m salary. I get paid no matter what I’m doing.”
“If it weren’t for me, what would you be doing today?” I asked him.
“Well, originally I was going to fly out to see the games. I really do enjoy them. But I’d just have been a part of the crowd. Not ‘working’.”
“I’m sorry, Millard.” I sat back and looked to the floor.
He leaned over my desk and spoke quietly. “Miss Mae, I have worked for Mr. Benjamin for over four years. I have been with him through a lot. He is my employer, but I’d also call him my friend. With that, I can guarantee that you are something special to him. When he started dating that bitch I just had a horrible feeling about the whole situation. She was manipulative, bossy, controlling, nagging, mean-spirited, rude, possessive…I could sit here all day and rattle off adjectives and not one of them would be positive. You ma’am, do something to Mr. Benjamin that she never could. You’ve made him happy. He talks about you when you’re not around. He asks what I think you would think when he and I are alone together. He questions everything he does in life now because he wants nothing more than to make you happy and to be certain that you’re safe. As his friend it is my honor to help him do that just to see the joy you’ve brought to him.”
I wanted to reply to his unbelievable words, but the work phone rang.
“I’m going to go check on some things in the warehouse,” said Millard then silently stepped out of my office.
“Grandpa’s Chop Shop, this is Mae speaking,” I said mindlessly as I went back to my work.
“I’m calling about the ad for the shop assistant’s position,” said a man’s voice into the receiver.
“Yes, did you read the ad?” I asked. I hated hiring new people. If you can’t follow the simple instructions in 5 lines of text in a want ad, you weren’t going to get hired by me.
“Yes ma’am,” he said. “I worked for a small business that recently went under and I’m sure I’d be perfect for this position.”
“What is your name?” I asked.
“Bo, ma’am.” He said confidently.
“Well Bo, here’s how I see it. I am very picky about who I hire here at the shop. This place is my baby. I require few things of my employees but one of those things is the ability to follow simple instructions.”
“I understand ma’am,” he said.
“Do you have the ad in front of you?” I asked as I continued working.
“Yes ma’am, right here on my computer screen,” said Bo.
“Can you read it for me?” I asked as I stopped what I was doing to hear what he was about to read.
“Yes ma’am.”
Part time assistant to the manager position available. General automobile knowledge a plus. Hours vary per week, drop off résumé and references to Grandpa’s Chop Shop between 9 am and 5 pm, or email them to the address listed…
“Ok, so can you see why I’m no longer interested in hiring you?” I asked.
“I’m sorry ma’am, I missed that small detail,” he was now sounding nervous.
“See, it’s a small detail to you, but it’s rather huge to me. I have six positions I’m filling over the next few weeks. Can you see how that would cause a headache if six positions worth of applicants were to all start calling me?” I asked as I stood to file some papers, tucking the phone into my neck.
“Yes ma’am, I apologize. I understand completely! I am currently working and it’s hard for me to get anywhere between nine and five.”
“I understand, Bo. However all you’d have to do is drop off the application. Or even slipping it in the drop box that’s attached to the building would be better than calling me. Or of course, emailing me the information would have worked as well. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to deny your request for employment today,” I said as I hung up the phone and looked up to find Max.
“Well aren’t you a breath of fresh air,” he said as he helped himself to a seat.
“Sure big brother, have a seat. Even though I’m still pissed at you,” I said as I sat back in my chair.
“Your boyfriend called me at the butt crack of dawn this morning. Told me he wasn’t giving up on you and him and if I didn’t like it I should lump it or some sort of crazy talk. I can’t remember what else he said. It was like 5:30 in the ever loving morning, Mae.”
“And you’re here to tell me this why?”
“Because I still don’t like it. I want to keep you from seeing him, but apparently you two idiots have made up your own minds.”
“If it were any other guy, would you feel the same way?” I asked.
He paused and rubbed his neck. “I guess so. But these attacks, Mae. I would be much more comfortable if they would stop.”
“Really? I was beginning to
enjoy living my life in fear at every turn, it’s been a real bag of shits and giggles from my end.” I rolled my eyes at him and started doing some more work.
“I came to apologize for yesterday, sis.”
“You’ve got a really funny way of apologizing. Insulting me and Elsu, yelling at me because he called you, and chastising me for how I handled a phone call. None of those seemed to include the two words that would make for an apology, Max.”
“Wow you’re a bitch when he’s out of town!”
“And still no apology,” I said as I finally found the bottom of my work tray and sat back in my seat.
“You’re done for the day?” he asked.
“No, I have to run through the warehouse and the garage. I’ve got someone coming in to have us look at his 66 Nova at eleven.”
“Isn’t that Steve’s job?” asked Max.
“Yes, but I’d like to look at it. I need a new car, in case you hadn’t noticed,” I said as I pointed toward the door to the shop.
“For a lack of sounding like mom, why can’t you buy something from this century?”
“I’m not answering that, Max. Besides, he might not even be selling it. But I always like to put my feelers out if it looks good enough. I could use a new project.”
“You don’t have time for projects. You’re about to become a basketball groupie. I can’t believe you’re actually going to follow him around the country just because he wants you to,” said Max as he looked at the schedule hanging on my bulletin board.
“Maybe I want to. Ever think of that? Maybe I want to spend time with my new boyfriend!”
“So when you stay the night, he’ll come to your hotel room and get a bootie call in with your visit?”
“Leave, Max. I’m done being ticked off at you right now.”
“I’m sorry, sis. I really am. But I don’t want you to get hurt by this maniac or by Elsu. I’m assuming you’re still a virgin by what he said yesterday. You’re going to give it up to the first guy that comes along?”
“Oh my God, Max! You sound exactly like a mom right now! And you know what I feel about the one I have!”
“Ok, that stings,” said Max with a nod.
“Tell me I’m wrong!” I demanded.
I saw a number of men step into the customer waiting area and talk to Bonnie.
“Who are they?” asked Max.
“They are here to start working on Millard’s security project.”
We both watched as they stood looking around the room nervously. “Funny looking bunch, huh?” asked Max.
“Funny? I don’t know, they seem fine. If Millard hired them, I’m sure they’re ok.”
Millard appeared quickly and guided them toward the warehouse. “So how is security at the apartment building going?” I asked.
“Everyone has their pin number to get in the front door. Almost all of the buzzer intercom systems are in. It will take a little longer for the monitors. The elevator should be done by Thursday.”
I nodded. Steve appeared at my door and stepped in.
“Hey Max!” The two men shook hands. Steve was my oldest employee. He had worked for my grandfather from the time he was a teenager until now. He and my father were best friends. “Did Mae show you the new ‘rods in the showroom?”
“No! I didn’t even know they were in there until yesterday.”
“When I took Mitchell out there yesterday he kept saying that his daddy needed to see them. Come on out when you get a chance!”
“Let’s go look, then,” said Max and we stood and headed outside and toward the showroom.
“Why are there only six?” I did a mental inventory. “Where’s Casper’s red Corvette?”
“He never brought it back after last week,” said Steve. “Someone said he’s been using it as his every day car.”
“He’s driving a like-new ’69 Stingray Corvette around town?” I was horrified.
“He must really like it,” said Steve.
“Oh dear lord!” Max started laughing at me. “You can’t stand that someone is driving their car?”
“He doesn’t understand its value. It’s worth fifty grand minimum! There were only about thirty thousand miles on it! Do you understand what he’s doing?”
“He’s enjoying a nice car?”
“He doesn’t deserve a nice car.”
“Well, I don’t disagree on that. But if it’s his car he can do whatever he wants to it.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I stood and watched Max walk between the cars and peer in the windows. A few of the men who had come in to work with Millard were guided into the showroom. They gawked at the cars and the other things we had on display including my grandfather’s motorcycle collection. Millard pointed to some places he wanted the men to work and then left them alone. All but one smiled at me then went to work.
“Well, that’s it,” I said to Max.
“They’re nice, Mae. Do you have insurance for all of this?”
“I checked with my agent and he said it was fine as long as I keep the keys locked up.” I pointed to the lock box on the wall. “The owners have a code for the box.”
We walked back toward the office when I eyed the blue Camry again. “I think that’s my ride for the winter,” I said as we walked to the car.
“Oh, Mae. Elsu told me about this. He said he doesn’t want you driving it.”
“And I’m going to see if there’s anything wrong with it and drive it anyway.”
“Mae! Why are you so stubborn?” He popped the hood and we both looked inside.
“You want the key, Mae?” asked Steve.
“Yeah, do you have it on you?”
Steve left and returned with the key and I started it up. “It runs nice enough,” I said as I got out and watched the engine work.
“You know, Mae, when I brought Mitchell out here yesterday this car spooked him for some reason.”
“It’s blue, that’s why,” said Max. “The car that hit his brother was blue. So now all blue cars are the enemy.”
“Aww, well that stinks,” said Steve.
“Come on, Max, let’s take her for a ride.”
“Mae, did you promise Elsu you wouldn’t do this?”
“I didn’t promise anyone anything. I will not depend on his Escalade. Especially when he’s in and out of town all the time. I need reliability.”
“Driving a junker is not reliable, Mae. How many times has your over-winter ride needed work and Colette or Steve had to drive you?”
I ignored my brother and put the hood down and got behind the wheel. “I’m going for a drive with or without you!” I yelled out the window.
Millard came from between my two buildings. He was in panic mode. “Ma’am, Miss Mae, please! Let me go with you! This isn’t safe!”
“Then get in!” He got in the passenger seat, and Max got in the back behind him.
“Stop complaining, Max!” I said after he had slid to sit behind me. “It can’t be that bad!”
“Mae, there are pieces of metal sticking up though the cushions back here!”
“Ma’am,” said Millard beside me. I looked over quickly to see the seatbelt in his hand, but the buckle was still latched at his hip. “This isn’t safe.”
“I can fix that. I’m pretty sure we have a back seat for one of these in stock,” I said as I slowed down at a stop sign just quick enough to ‘pause’ and then slammed on the gas to avoid stalling and threw my passengers back in their seats.
“Mae!” Max yelled, startling me. “Stop this bullshit, now!”
I slammed on the brake and screeched to a stop at the side of the road. I yanked on the emergency brake and learned it didn’t do anything. “Shit!” I got out of the car and pulled open Max’s door. “Get out!”
“What?”
Millard got out on his side and came around to stand with his back to the car, looking at the cars that were driving by.
Max finally got out and guided me to the curb. “What is wro
ng with you?”
“ME? Nothing is wrong with me. What is wrong with you? I want a car to drive. This is no different than any other year.”
“It’s not? There’s nothing different this year?”
“No!”
Max grabbed me by my shoulders and faced me toward Millard who had put on his sunglasses and was still staring at the oncoming traffic. “If that is normal, then there is something wrong with you! You have at least two threats against you right now. You’re about to get your own bodyguard. You have a man who cares for you more than I think you even comprehend and all he wants to do is keep you safe. That’s something no man has ever done for you. Things are different. Now you need to change or you’re going to lose it all!”
“Max, get your hands off me!” I spun out of his grip and turned toward him. “You think you know so much about me, but you don’t! I am not changing for anyone because of Elsu or for any reason for that matter.”
“You are so damn stubborn, Mae! It’s like talking to a brick wall!”
I went back to the driver’s seat and sat down. “I’m leaving in five seconds. If anyone wants a ride back to the shop you better get in now.”
After a painfully quiet ride back to the shop, I told Steve to put the Camry in the queue to be stripped and went to my office. Max finally left, lifting the weight of stress on my shoulders by a significant amount. I knew he was right. I needed to stop being so stubborn but I’d created this bubble around myself so well that I feared anyone trying to pop it. I had already changed some. I went to two basketball games for crying out loud. There was no way the pre-Elsu Mae would have ever done that.
The shop was its normal busy, not Elsu-is-working busy, but busy. The Nova came and Steve and Greg agreed to do the restoration, but the owner was not selling. I helped Bonnie after I made my rounds and before I knew it, it was lunch time. We ordered pizza because Millard was needed to help the workers and to quote him: “unless you want to get me fired, there’s no way in hell you’re going anywhere alone.” So I stayed in and ate at my desk.
After lunch, I went to the once empty garage where the Nova now sat and pulled a ladder up to the wall to start cleaning the windows. Steve couldn’t work on the pretty car if the windows were filthy. I had finished the first one and the next one was almost out of my reach. I had to lean a bit to get to it, but I could just reach it. I was hanging a tad precariously when I heard the door open quickly and hit the wall with a bang. I jumped and like the klutz I am, let go of the ladder and fell to my ass on the cement floor.
