“How long have you been wanting to ask that?”
Sean shrugged.“I don’t know.Probably since I got to know you better once we started working here.”
That meant he’d been holding onto that question for two years.Most of the other mechanics who knew Esther was his best friend hadn’t taken very long to ask him that same thing.“Why didn’t you ask before now?”
“If you haven’t noticed in all the years we’ve known each other, I don’t make friends easily, so I didn’t want to blow this.”He motioned between the two of them.
Ah, yeah, that made sense.Sean was a touch awkward at social things.He always had been.Fred shrugged.“She’s Esther.”That was his normal answer and usually, that was enough.
“So, you don’t find her dating material?”
Of course, Sean wouldn’t leave it at a simple answer.Fred blew out a breath.“You can’t tell anyone this, okay?”
“Okaaaaayyy?”Sean agreed cautiously.
Fred leveled an I’m-deadly-serious-about-this look at Sean.“This puts you at the top of the red seal certification for friends.”Red seal friends were a step above just regular friends but not quite on the same level of his twin Eddie or his true best friend, Esther.But almost.
“I see.”Sean stood with his arms crossed, waiting.
“I tried that and got shot down.”There.Someone besides Eddie and Esther knew about him asking her to the Halloween hayride when they were in grade eleven.
“Oh, wow, and you’re still friends?”
“Can’t help myself,” he said with a shrug.
“Oof.Unrequited love is the worst.”
“Tell me about it.”He shook his head as an image of Esther and Steve popped into it.“It’s especially hard once the other person starts dating,” he grumbled.
Sean held up his hands defensively.“I’m not planning on asking her out.”
Fred chuckled.“I didn’t mean you.There’s some guy at her school named Steve with a daughter who worships the ground Esther walks on since she’s the kid’s favourite teacher.”He sighed softly.“But if he’s the guy for her.”He lifted one shoulder and let it drop.“Then, God’s got someone even better for me.”
Or so he hoped.Not that he could think of anyone better.He had tried to date other girls – many times.He was no quitter after all.But as of this very moment, he still hadn’t found anyone who could surpass Esther in his mind and heart.
“I don’t know,” Sean said.“That God you worship doesn’t seem very great if He lets your heart get trampled like I know from personal experience it is.”Sean and Stephanie had dated for a year before Stephanie had broken it off and started dating someone else.She was on to a second boyfriend since Sean as of last weekend.So, Sean did, indeed, know what it felt like to watch the person you love move on without you.
“Yeah, I see where you’re coming from,” Fred admitted.“But real love means being given choices.And choices mean the possibility of disappointment.”
“I suppose, but still, if a person is going to give up every Sunday and however many other days to do things for their God, then, it only seems right that they should get some good stuff in return.”
A crooked smile tipped Fred’s lips at Sean’s take on what a commitment to God was.A lot of people saw it that way, but not Fred.To him, it was more than Sundays and a few other times.It was a whole life, but now didn’t seem to be the appropriate time to mention that.Especially since, from his vantage point as an unbeliever, Sean had a good point.
“I’m not going to disagree, but I do have good stuff.This job, great friends, a new house, a pretty awesome family.There are blessings all around us, Sean.We just have to look for them – and no, before you say it, it’s not just luck.Those blessings have a source – even for those who don’t worship God.He’s pretty cool that way.”He tapped the side of the car.“I’d love to have you come to church with me sometime to hear more about Him, but you know me.”He held up his hands.“I only mention the possibility and leave it there.No pressure.Your choice.”
Sean laughed.“Because you loooove me,” he said in a teasing voice.
Fred laughed along with him.“In a bro sort of fashion, yeah, I do.”He waved and made his way towards the store.
Half an hour later, Fred was just putting shampoo in his hair when his phone played its Esther tune.
“Answer,” he called out to the phone.“Hey, Esther.”
“Are you in the shower?”
“Yep.Just got home from work a bit ago and thought I’d clean myself up while supper cooks.”
“You’remakingsupper?”
