The months following my fathers death were tense, unnerving at times, and painful. I took a week off work to see to pops affairs. Finding the proper casket, a nice plot, and a headstone that would suit him. And to get my head in order.

The whole town came to the funeral. Friends, customers and acquaintances. He will be sorely missed in this town. Almost everyone that attended told me in some way, how my pop affected their life.

I needed to hire someone to help me in the garage, I was getting backlogged and not getting much sleep. I ended up hiring a guy with a wrecker service, so he could help me in the garage, and have a better location for tows. A match made in heaven? Hardly. It was out of necessity. But we did work well together, and it allowed me to work on the business side of the shop.

I get a call, out of nowhere, from Mollie.

"JPT, this is Nigel" I said as I picked up the phone.

"Hi Nigel. How are you doing these days?" Mollie. My one true friend.

"Hi Mollie. What day is it today?" I asked her.

"Very funny, it's Thursday." She laughed out.

"In that case, I'm doing ok. What are you up to?" I grinned, not that she could see it.

"Just checking on a friend. You have any plans for tomorrow nite?" She asked, a little concerned.

"You should know that I don't have a life, of course I'm free." I think she could hear my frown this time.

"Good. We're going out for dinner and talking. Is that ok with you?" I knew she wouldn't take no for a answer.

"That would be great! I need a night out." More like a month, I thought.

"Nice, we both need it. Does 7 sound good?" She asked, cheery.

"Yup, my place or yours?" I asked.

"I'll pick you up. We'll make a night out of it."

"Sounds good. I'll see you then." I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Will do, bye Nigel."

"Bye Mollie." I said as I hung the phone up. Smiling.

Well, that made my day. We've talked some lately, but no serious heart to heart talks since pop passed. I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. We breeze through the rest of the day, and get prepped for Fridays arrivals.

Once I was home, I tossed something in the microwave, then settled down in front of the TV. I'm not sure how it came to me, but, I haven't set foot in pops room since he went to the hospital, but that time is getting nearer, and I was dreading it. Going through his things, what to keep, what to donate. Good thing he wasn't much of a pack-rat, or I'd be in there for weeks. Maybe I'll do that this weekend.

I had that dream again. It's been a while since I had that dream. It was becoming more clearer now. The face and body were more visible. He had longer hair, not mop-like, but nice. The car was looking better too, but I still can't make the license plate out. There were visions from some race track and from my house again. There was a quick glimpse of my dads car, that has been under a cover for at least a year. I haven't looked at it in ages. Maybe this dream is getting closer to becoming reality, but I never believed in that stuff.

I thought Friday was supposed to be a good day. Too bad nobody told the pile I had to work on the news. I had the most cantankerous car come in. No rhyme or reason why it was doing what it was, shifting erratically, or not at all, but it was doing it. It took all day to trace wires and such, to finally discover that the computer was fried. Once I got a new computer for it, it drove perfect.

Another shitty day in paradise.

"JPT, This is Nigel" I said, as per my usual routine.

"Hi Nige, am I still picking you up tonight?"

"DAMN!! Hi Mollie, yeah that would be great. I almost forgot." Actually, I did forget.

"How could you forget?" She came close to scolding me.

"Day from hell, or more like the car from hell." My nerves were still in a bundle.

"Ok, I got ya. I'll see you in a couple hours, ok?" I think she understood me, knowing what I do for a living.

"Sure thang, darling. See ya soon." I said happily.

"Bye, handsome." She cooed.

"Bye" Then I hung up.

How could've I forgotten tonight?? Oh well, chalk it of to a S.N.A.F.U. Time to call it a day. With everything done and outside, we clean up and close the shop up.

On the entire drive home, I was trying to figure out what to wear tonight. It was supposed to be casual, but how casual? That was my only thought the whole trip home. That, and spending the evening with my best friend, of course.

Once home, I bypassed the kitchen and went straight to my room to sort through my clothes, hoping to find some fitting for the evening. Even being gay, I still had no fashion sense. I settled for a nice sweater, black dress pants and cowboy boots I rarely wore. Now, I just had to hop in the shower and get ready for a well deserved night out with a friend.

Promptly at 7pm, Mollie pulls in my driveway, and gives the horn a toot. I grab my jacket and head out the door.

"Nigel, you look like hell. Have you been getting much sleep lately?" Her voice was filled with concern.

"Enough, I guess. Do I look that bad?" I felt good then, but probably looked like death warmed over.

"It shows. I have a nice evening planned. I think you'll enjoy it." She smiled and patted my leg.

"Thanks Mollie, I don't know what I'd do without you." I told her, and smiled.

"Good thing it hasn't come to that then. Lets get going, shall we?" She put the car in gear, and we were moving.

"Yes. Where are we headed?" I asked her.

"You'll see." She said, with a evil smile on her lips.

She pulled us out of my driveway, and drove back to town. I didn't recall any nice places in this area for dinner, but I also knew she wouldn't budge on the location until we got there either.

As I looked around, the scenery was looking familiar.

"Are we going to your place?" I asked, after I figured it out.

"Yes. We needed some quiet time, and I can whip a nice meal up when I'm inclined. Is that ok with you?" She played.

"That's fine, great actually." I squeezed her hand while it was on the shifter.

We pulled in her driveway a few minutes later. After getting out of the car, Mollie comes to me, taking my hand, then giving me a tight hug, telling me that we both need tonight.

"What smells so good??" I asked, my belly rumbled.

"You like?" She rubbed my belly playfully.

"Yes, I like, now what is it?" I quizzed her.

"Honestly, I don't have a clue. It use to be some kind of meat." She said, trying to deadpan it, and failing miserably.

"Yeah, right." I cocked a eye to her.

"Ok, lets go see what it turned into then." She took my arm and dragged me into the house.

"Sounds good, I could almost eat the tire off the car, I'm so hungry."

"We can't have that, I need those to get to work." This time, she got it right deadpan, that is.

We get inside, and I see the table set up for a quiet evening, candles and wine chilling. After getting settled in, we made small talk until the meal was ready.

Did I say she could cook?? The steaks were perfect, baked potato's, sautéed mushrooms. I couldn't help myself. I ate like a man possessed.

"BURP ! ! !" I tried to cover my mouth, but I missed it.

"Why, thank you. I did my best." She happily smiled.

"That was beyond your best, you took it to a new level, it was excellent." I couldn't get another crouton in my gut if I tried.

"Thanks Nige, glad you enjoyed it. It was my pleasure." She patted my back.

We adjourned to the living room, and put a movie in, what ended up being background noise, as we talked instead.

"What's on your mind Nigel?" She always knew what to say to get things going.

"Where do you want to start?" I asked.

"What are you thinking about now?" As she snuggled up to me.

"You. I love you to death, but I wish it was as a girlfriend. Your the best friend I ever had, and there is something in my head that tells me that it will never be, you being my girlfriend. And I don't want to hurt you if we ever got to that point. I still have that dream. Pop said if you wish for it long enough, it will come to you. I don't ever see it happening." I said, kind of sadly.

"I love you too. Your the best friend and brother any girl can ask for, we've been through almost everything together, and it tears me up seeing you like this. Pop was smart, it will come. You may never be my boyfriend, but I pray one will find you. Your too good not to have someone special with you." She said, rubbing my cheek.

We continued talking through the night, about everything. My life, her life, our hopes and dreams, until the sun poked itself over the horizon.

"Want to go for a nice breakfast, I'll buy?" I couldn't believe I was hungry already.

"Sure, just let me get changed." She dashed upstairs and put on something casual, then we got in the car.

We ended up at this small mom and pop restaurant, they had fried cinnamon rolls there bigger than a frisbee, no kidding. Cheap too. We got something more normal instead, along with more small talk. It's nice to go out with her, nothing fazes her, at least not yet.

After paying the bill and leaving a nice tip, Mollie dropped me off at my house, and she went home. I needed a nap.

Waking up late in the afternoon, I didn't feel like going anywhere, so I camped out on the couch watching the TV. After watching nothing special for two hours, I decided it was time.

Walking up the steps to the room I haven't seen in several months, I turned the handle and went in. Damn, this was going to be difficult. I started with his dresser, cleaning it out, sorting things, what I wanted to keep, what can go. The closet was next. In one box, I found an old picture, it looked like pop, my mum and me. I must have been two when it was taken, back in England. I took that picture and hung it in my room.

After spending several hours going through things, reliving memories, I had one place left to go through. Pops desk.

Going over the drawers, taking things out, sorting still, finding more treasures, I find myself going for the main drawer, in the middle. I was avoiding it. Once it was open, I started going through things, until I got to a envelope.....

                                To Nigel

                           From Pop

I was staring at a letter, wrote by my father, but when? I just stared at it for what seemed like hours, finally deciding I needed to know what was on his mind, I opened it.

Nigel

I know this is the last thing you would ever want to see, but I'll make it worth your while. You know I was never much for writing letters, so I'll keep this short.

I realize the old cliché "If your reading this, I must be dead" kind of applies here. So what? It's true.

As I write this, I just sent you off to work as I wasn't feeling well.

I know what's coming for me, and I'm not afraid of it. What I am afraid of, is you. I can read you like a book. Don't be scared of the future, it will come, regardless of what you may think. You turned into a great man, and excellent son. I am the richest man in the world, I have you to thank for that.

Now, for your life, as it continues. My wish is for you to find the man your looking for, and to be truly happy, like I was when I married your mother. Tis the man that wins your heart will be great indeed. You have my blessing. You will know what to do when the time comes.

As your well aware of, you are the sole hier to my fortune, being the garage and the house. You may have already found the folder containing my investments, use it in good health. There is not a lot there, but it will see you through the hard times.

I'm going to end this letter by saying that you are a someone any man would be proud to call his son, and I'll be watching you, so play nice. What you are looking for may just be around the corner, don't be afraid of your dream, live it.

Love you

Pop

I just sat there, not knowing what to do. Laugh, cry, or just shit. I just sat there, thinking of pop, and some wiseass comment he would be saying.

I eventually finished by work in that room for the night and went to the kitchen for dinner and some TV.

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks began to pile on themselves, but nothing has really changed. I still go to work every day, feeling depressed, alone. My dreams begin to fade and become less frequent. Was my mind just conjuring something for my amusement? I try not to dwell on it, but I still think about it once in a while.

Going through the backroom at the garage one day, I stumble over something covered up. I pull the cover off, and remember. It was a engine pop and I built for a car neither one of us owned. Why did we bother doing it? The engine we built was for a 80's vintage BMW. BMW's fascinated me, you could beat the crap out of them and they wanted more. I remembered the time we had building it, nothing but the best parts were put in it, bigger camshaft, injectors, more compression. We had it put on a dynamometer once it was finished, and it pumped out approximately 450 horsepower. We were floored. Once we got it back to the shop, it was put on a stand and covered up. How I forgot about it was beyond me. I covered it back up and pushed it under a shelf.

My only sanity came from the visits I had with Mollie. We could talk for hours about nothing and come out smiling. With my head going in too many directions, she was the person who kept me grounded. Sane.

Wow. It's finally Friday. Not that it's any different, because it isn't. With one exception. I had to take the flatbed this weekend because of prior commitments with the regular driver, not a big deal, it wasn't the first time. I take his mobile phone he uses for the tow, and went home.

Another boring evening. I got a call late, and handled that, then went to bed for the night.

I had that dream again, more vivid than I ever remember. I see the car, the scenery around us, but when the driver turned to me, I wake up before I can make his face out.

"WHY TOY WITH ME????"  I said to nobody as I sat up in bed. This was becoming too much.

Getting out of bed, I stumble to the bathroom, splashing some water on my face wakes me up some more, then I look in the mirror.

"This has got to end, one way or the other. Dreams don't come true." I look through the ceiling "Dad, I can't take this anymore, I'm losing it. I want to be with you again." I fall to the floor, with by back to the wall, pulling my knees to my chest, and cry.

Eventually I get up and get ready for the day. Must press on, even though I'd rather not be in this realm at all.

Saturday was a drag, maybe one service call all day. Rummaging through the kitchen for dinner, I find something then head to the couch. TV sounds good.

If Saturday was bad, Sunday was worse. the phone didn't ring all day. As I was fixing a late lunch, the phone finally rings.

"Just Passing Thru"

"Hi, do you tow?" The voice on the other end says.

"Yes we do, where are you at now?"

"I'm on Highway 20, by the intersection of Polk and 112th Ave"

"I know the area, I can be there in about a half hour."

"Sounds great. You can't miss me. I'll be the only guy out here in a red BMW."

"Hehehe, sounds good. I'll be there shortly." I told him.

"Thank you" The voice says.

RED BMW?!?!?

Nah. Can't be. Dreams don't come true. I put my lunch in the fridge, and head to the truck.

Driving down the road, I flip the radio on. A song started that I've heard several times, I hope you dance, by Lee Ann Womack, but never listened to it, I listened to it this time.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat, but you always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance

 

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

 

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking

Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out, reconsider

Give the heavens above more than a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (Time is a real and constant motion anyways)

I hope you dance (Rolling us along)

I hope you dance (Tell me who)

I hope you dance (Wants to look back on their youth and wonder where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one door opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it our or dance, dance

 

I hope you dance

I hope you dance (Time is a real and constant motion always)

I hope you dance (Rolling us along)

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their youth and wonder)

I hope you dance (Where have those years have gone)

(Tell me who)

I hope you dance (Wants to look back on their youth and wonder where those years have gone)

I had to pull over after hearing that tune. It made perfect sense. I'm going to dance. I sat there, parked for several minutes, gathering my composure, then continue on my service call.

I can see a ways down the road, and see where I'm needed, so I start slowing down, and as I get there, I flip my emergency lights on, and pull in behind him.

I climb out of the truck and take a look, what I saw stunned me. It was the scene from my dream. The car, the background, and .................... the driver.

The car door opens, and the driver gets out. As he turns to me, I can't help but stare. He comes up to me, and hold his hand out.

"Darren Reynolds, how ya doing?" I shake his hand.

"Not to bad. Any idea what happened with the car?" I asked him.

"No clue. It just quit." He said as he shrugged his shoulders.

I took a quick look, nice car. 1988 BMW 325. Finding nothing obvious, I get the car loaded up, and head to the garage.

As we are driving back, I look to the sky, and say a small prayer to myself. 'Pop, is this my dream? Is this what you were talking about?' Just then, a ray of sunshine peeks thru the clouds and into the truck. I smile.

I look to Darren and give him a smile and start making small talk..................

He smiled back.

The End

Just Passing Thru Chapter 2 is copyrighted ©2006 by Lugnutz. All rights reserved.

After writing the first 10 chapters of Mechanics 101, I decided that the guys needed to tell their own stories of their lives just before they met. Thanks for reading along. Look for more adventures of Nigel and Darren coming soon in Mechanics 101: Shifting Gears.

Please send feedback to jeffywrench@yahoo.com