I awoke the next morning feeling like I had a new lease on life-revived. I lie in bed for a little while, thinking of fate and wondering if things do happen for a reason, things like, my car breaking down where it did. Maybe I’m just thinking on it too much. Well, if I stay in bed any longer, I'm going to do something I haven't done since I was three. I rolled over and as my feet hit the cold wooden floor, I finally woke up.

After taking care of my morning routine, I went downstairs to the kitchen, to get breakfast going. Nigel stumbled in a few minutes later, still with his bed-head, and goes right to the table and lays his head on the placemat. I do a quick chuckle and continue burning stuff. With breakfast ready, I walk up behind Nige and start rubbing his shoulders, after a few minutes of his 'Ooh's and Ah's', I tell him it's time to eat and to get ready. He mumbled something I didn't quite catch but got started on his plate.

With clean-up out of the way, and since I was already set to go, I gave Nige a kick in the pants so he could get his shit together. We left for the garage, and along the way, I asked him how he came to be driving the wrecker that day when he had a full time guy already. His normal driver needed to be away that day, so Nigel needed to handle it that day. I, for one, was glad he came to my rescue. Does that sound cheesy or what? But that's the way I saw it.

We arrive, and see it's going to be a busy day today as there were several cars sitting there. He goes to the office while I go to the key drop-box, retrieve the keys and return to the office where Nige is preparing repair orders. He separates the R.O.'s in two stacks, oil changes and light work, and another for heavy diagnosis. I get to work off the first stack. Oh joy! Well, we get busy as I'm learning my way around the garage and all the cars that'll be coming in. Nigel inspects everything I have in before it goes out, to make sure I didn't miss anything or overlook some important details.

We're humpin’ along at a pretty good pace, getting the cars diagnosed and repaired, when lunch time arrives. I seem to have a knack for this wrenching bit. I run down to the “burgers from hell” joint and procure two more of the biggest burgers around.  It still trips me and the price is cheap, considering how much you get. No wonder the place is always busy. When I get back, Nigel's talking with a customer about her car and what was done to it. He introduces me to her. Her name is Molly and she's a friend of Nige's, as well as a good customer. As she leaves, I get lunch ready and we knock that down in short order. As busy as the day has been, we haven't had any time to talk about what's going to happen once I settle my things back home and move here.

Back at it in the garage, we go at it until quitting time, lock up and head to the house. We were talking about when I was going back, and how long I was going to be gone. As we pull in the driveway he asks if this is really what I want. I wanted to end his and my doubts, so, I did the only thing I could think of. I took his hand, pulled him in close and gave him a kiss. Not just any kiss either, time seemed to stop. Fireworks went off, and by the time we separated, I saw a new light in his eyes-a light that could have blinded anyone else. It made me see him as my, um...boyfriend. It feels strange actually saying that and having it apply to me.

Once inside the house, we settle in the living room, making idle conversation until it turns to my departure and return. I'd leave on Sunday morning, taking all day to get home. I’d have the whole week to get my affairs in order and hopefully return the next weekend with a full truck. That would give me two whole days with Nigel before I’d have to leave. Too bad one of those days is a workday. I ask him if living and working together will end up being a battle, with most of our waking hours, and non-waking for that matter, being together. Nigel thinks it's a non-issue, but I'm not so sure.

After dinner, we get settled on the couch and watch the TV. There was some interesting shows on that night, one was a team that had a certain amount of time to build something totally off the wall on a budget. Of course, it involved cars, so we watched those till we were yawning too much to make the show interesting anymore. Calling it a night, we adjourn to our rooms and I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

*******************************************************

Waking the next morning, I feel something poking at my back. I slowly turn over, and seen a sight that brought tears to my eyes. Nigel was sleeping behind me, on his side facing me. I laid there for a while, just watching him, until he awoke. He noticed I was awake and smiled, then yawned again and with a grunt, he moved an arm and propped his head up.

"I hope I didn't freak you out but I wanted to sleep with you last night. You were out when I came in to ask, so I just climbed in behind you. I slept better last night than I have in a long time."

"I never even knew you were in here until I felt something poking me in the back,” I had to grin when I said that. He blushed too but didn't deny anything, “And actually, I'm glad you did. I felt secure last night."

He got up, gave me a peck on the cheek, and strolled to the toilet.

I decided to make breakfast, something simple this time-a bowl of cereal. Nigel returned all chipper and ready for work. When he sat back down at the table he just stared at the bowl. A confused look crossed his face.

"Don't want to stress yourself huh,” he asked.

I just looked at him, grinning and nodding my head while mouthing the word 'No'.

"Ok, Cap'n Crunch it is,” he replied as he grabbed his bowl.

The way he said that was cute. I loved his slight accent. I guess I could add that to the list of things I loved about Nigel. Actually, I remembered that I had never asked him how he got to America.

“My father and I moved to the States when I was about 6 years old,” he began, “Not long after my mum passed away. Eventually, my dad settled us here. This house and that garage…he wanted his part of the American dream and he got it, as did I. My dad liked the American sports cars, and he had his share, but, the Corvette in the barn was his favorite. I, on the other hand, had an eye for the cars from my homeland, so precise like your BMW, a driver’s car."

I wasn't sure I agreed with him on the last point yet, the Vette seemed like a driver’s car to me.

We finished up breakfast and then drive to the shop. We only have a couple cars scheduled for the day so far and I think that just maybe I'll get some time in to work on my own ride. I'm still not sure if I want to put Nige’s engine in my car or not. Mine worked well for what it was. I called the machine shop to check on the progress and I was informed that my cylinder head was toast. A lot of bent valves and also a couple cracks can't be repaired too easily or cheaply. That helps me reach a decision and I asked Nige, repeatedly, how much he put into the engine but he stays mum on the subject-all day. All he says is ‘later’. We worked through the appointments for the day, plus a few that walked in, and we called it a day.

Back at the ranch, we change out of our work duds and into something a bit more comfortable, shorts and t-shirts. After he’s changed, Nigel pulls out a grill that would've made my dad drool. He puts a couple steaks on it and potatoes to bake, looking like a regular chef. The only thing missing was the funny hat. As he starts charring the mammal flesh, I go inside to get the 'extras' for dinner like plates, utensils and such. I could almost feel my gut growing just by the smells coming off the grill. A short time later, we practically inhaled the meat and taters, eating in virtual silence except for the occasional lip-smack or slurping sounds.

Reclining in the lawn chairs on the deck, letting the food settle, Nigel lets out the most outrageous belch I've ever heard. I swear, I heard the windows rattle and a seen a couple plants wither that were in his range. That set me off, laughing like never before, falling off the chair, onto the deck. All I could do is laugh, but no sound came out but a wheeze. Nige just sat there grinning like he just won a medal or something. Once I recovered, every time I looked in his direction, I had relapses, but those soon ceased.

Taking a walk in the back-forty, looking at the landscape, we talked, about everything and nothing. After a while, I asked him about the importance of that engine.

Nige sits on a old stump and let’s out a long sigh.

"That engine was the last project me and my dad did together. We built that thing from the ground up. Every little piece was checked and re-checked before it was put in that engine. That engine is perfect. About a month after we got it ready, dad was beginning to not feel well, and after a while, he couldn't do anything. I took him to the hospital to see what was wrong, it took a couple days, but we found out."

Nigel needed a couple minutes to compose himself and I had a feeling where it was headed. Continuing, he went on, "We found out he had cancer, in his pancreas. It was something they could do nothing with. The doctors gave him a month, maybe. He deteriorated fairly quickly, but the doctors kept him drugged up enough so he couldn't feel any pain. He went on like that for about three weeks. In the meantime, I still had to run the shop. One day, the hospital calls me saying it's time. I closed up as fast as I could and tore ass to his side. When I got there, he was barely breathing, but he noticed me there, and in a voice I could hardly hear, he said 'I love you, son'. I told him he could let go, be free again. He squeezed my hand slightly, and left."

I fell to my knees and hugged the now hysterical Nigel. Huge sobs came from him. I held him there for a long time.

Eventually, his crying eased and I walked him back to the house, putting him on the couch. As I settled next to him, he started talking again.

"I don't have any family here, and not much back home, but at his funeral, most of the town showed up, with their condolences. Seems my dad was very popular in that town. Always fair, he always helped someone out no matter the day. The car and the engine were things that he lived for. He could drive that Vette, nobody could touch it. And that engine will be the same. I want to share everything with you".

I'm thought to myself, 'that's commitment'.

I was never really that close to my own dad, and wanting to share a part of his dad, speechless was about all I could be.

I took him to bed later, and helped him get ready as I got changed along side of him. He got under the covers and gave me that look, pleading. I told him not to worry, that I was right there and then I climbed in behind him and cuddled alongside until he fell asleep.

He tossed and turned throughout the night, and the only thing I thought of, was old memories. I didn't get a lot of sleep but my love for him grew by leaps and bounds that night. I wished that I could've met his dad, though. In a way, he was, right there next to me as his offspring, the man I loved.

*******************************************************

When we woke up Saturday morning, we just lay there in bed, staring at one another, when, all of a sudden, the bed shook as a trumpet sounded. Nigel curled up, convulsing in silent laughter while I was gasping for air. I tried to get up and away but couldn't because I was being held down, forced to breathe the toxic fumes coming from under the covers. Some kids never grow up and paybacks are hell. I would plot his demise.

After a nice breakfast, which I made him cook, we got comfy in the living room and discussed what we were going to do, as this was our last day together until I got back. I ended up looking through the paper looking for something, and I wasn't disappointed either. What I found, was an ad for a car show being held not too far away. I asked Nige if we could dust off his dad’s Vette and take it to the show. Without saying anything, he gave me a smile and a hug as he got up, picking me up along the way to the barn. We start with pulling the cover off and looking it over. All the fluids were checked, and he got the vacuum out to make the interior more eye friendly. While he did that, I tended to the glass. When we finish that part, he lights it off and brings it outside so it can be washed. This thing is a whole different animal in the daylight. Out come the bucket and the bubbles and I think we got more suds on each other than the car, but hey, it was a Saturday. With the car detailed to within a inch of its life, we head inside to change clothes.

On the road to the show, Nige gets a look on his face like he's looking back in time. I debate on asking, having an idea what is on his mind, but being the nosey bastard I am, I ask anyway.

"My dad and I use to do this when I was a kid, cleaning the car and then going places. I'm just happy right now".

That was a given, looking at him. When we finally get there, the place was about half full, and cars were really coming in behind us. He gets us parked and we register the car for the show. We get back to the car, put the registration card in the window and clean the car up some more, mainly road trash, but it's sparkling in no time and we make our rounds to look at the other cars there.

I was in awe, looking at the pristine cars there, most years and from factory stock, to totally insane. I should've brought a towel...I was drooling like a madman at points during our walk. At one point, an older guy comes up to Nigel and they start talking.

"Nigel, how are ya?"

"Doing good, now."

“Great! I see you brought your dads car, how is it doing?"

"The car's perfect. Dad would come back and shoot me otherwise" The older guy laughed as they chatted for a bit, and then, they parted with a short, 'goodbye'.

"Shit!! I forgot to introduce you. That was Wally, one of my dad’s better friends".

I tell him it's cool, but if he did it again, and I'd have to cut him off. He gave me a funny look, but he did his chuckle and we moved on. This goes on for most of the day, looking over a lot of the cars, and getting ideas for mine. You'd be amazed at the tricks from a Honda or Ford that you can apply to a BMW.

When the time came for the presentation of the trophies we went over to the stage. There were tables of trophies, each for a different class. As name after name was called, we’d clap until, Nigel’s name was called. A trophy for ‘Best Stock’ was awarded to him and I wanted to hug him right there, but, decorum wouldn't let me. He came back and as we were admiring it, his name was called again. He now won the ‘Participants Pick’ trophy, I got a dazed look and I push him onto the stage again. This one was a bit bigger and more detailed. As I held the one he won first, and he’s holding the bigger one, more classes are called. Now, it was down to the last, 'Best Of Show'. This trophy was at least 3 feet tall and beautiful. There were a lot of top shelf cars there, and a lot of competition. After a dramatic pause the MC comes to the mic getting ready to call the winner.

"Nigel Scribb, Come on down!"

He almost dropped his Pick trophy and just stood there, looking at all the people looking at him. None seemed upset at call, not in the least. Nige, looking nervously, walked back onto the stage, shook a few hands and took the trophy in both hands as he continued over to the mic. He looked up to the sky and said, "Thanks Dad."

On the way home, nary a word was said, just basking in the glow of the afternoon. We parked the car back in the barn and covered it up before going inside the house. I carried the two, smaller trophies while Nigel carried the big one. He arranged them in the living room, setting each of them in a prominent place.

"I wasn't going there for any awards, just wanted to show the car and be with you,” he said softly.

I heard a sniff and walked up to him, giving him a big hug.

“You deserved it, your dad too."

With that, we got something to eat, and then settled on the couch, watching nothing and loving life, finally.




To be continued...


** I dedicate this chapter to my dad, ever the consummate hot-rodder. I'll see you again some day.

-LUGNUTZ