Mikey walks them to the reception desk and rings them up before letting the kid pick out a toy car from a bin behind the desk. She asks Mikey a bunch of questions about what type of car it is, how it runs, what she needs to do to fix it if it breaks, and Mikey patiently answers every single one with a smile on her face. The mom thanks Mikey again, and they walk out the front door.
“Mr. Lee, Patrick is replacing your brake pads and should be done soon,” Mikey addresses the guy in the polo.
He just grunts in reply, not looking up from his phone.
I watch as her shoulders slump, and her hands ball into fists at her sides, like she’s frustrated. Her customer service smile never leaves her face, though, as she turns to the couple. “Before I came in here, I started letting the oil drain, so it should only take me about ten minutes to finish up, then we can get you on your way.”
The couple nods, letting her know they’re happy waiting.
Then, her attention is on me. Her smile softens, and her teal eyes flash with something I can’t name. “I’ll take a look at your van as soon as I’m done.”
“Take your time, Mikey. I don’t have anywhere to be.”
Her pretty lips pop open like she wasn’t expecting me to say that. “Okay,” she breathes. “I-I’ll be back.”
I’ll be waiting.
Three hours later—apparently,polo man’s car was more complex than they thought, and Mikey needed to assist with the repair—the lobby is empty save for me and Merv.
The shop closes in half an hour, and Mikey came rushing in twenty minutes ago to let me know the issue is with my fuel pump fuse, and she just needs to replace it. She assured me I’ll be out of here by closing.
I’m not concerned. Merv, though a little odd, is good company. He’s been randomly instigating conversations, asking me questions about myself and feeding me little tidbits about Mikey.
I feel bad learning about her from someone else, but I’m also greedy for any information that might help me in my quest to ask her on a date.
Merv informed me Mikey has worked here for a little over four years, and she’s the best mechanic he’s ever had. He raved about how she’s quick as a whip with diagnosing a problem and finding a solution and knows a carburetor like the back of her hand.
He praised her customer service skills and made it a point to tell me she’s tough, but she’s got a soft heart. He grumbled something about an ex-boyfriend who was a piece of shit and made her feel worthless, and if he ever shows up at the shop, Merv’ll put a tire pressure gauge in his eye.
I don’t think Merv was supposed to tell me so much personal information about her, and I don’t know why he did, but the conversation left me with a lot of questions I don’t have a right to know the answers to.
Is she still single?
Does shewantto be single?
What made her ex a piece of shit?
Did he hurt her?
Did she love him?
The last two made me feel things I definitely don’t have a right to feel. Mikey’s a strong, capable woman who doesn’t need a total stranger up in arms over an ex. Nor does she need the unreasonable jealousy I feel.
“Ya ever been in love, Saint?” Merv asks out of the blue.
“I think so, but?—”
“Nah, ya’d know if ya were. No thinkin’ about it. Wanna know how I know?”
I was going to say I think I was in love but not the kind of love meant to last forever.
“How?” I humor him.
“Because your soul will never be the same.” He gets a faraway look in his eyes, like he’s lost in a memory. “Findin’ the love of your life, the other half of your soul, is like takin’ that first sip of a good bourbon. Sure, others may be palatable after, but nothin’ll compare. You’ll remember that first sip forever and compare the taste to everyone else. Savor that bourbon, Saint. And don’t waste time bein’ scared to go after what ya want.”
The metaphor is a little out there, but I get what he’s trying to say, and I can tell it’s coming from a good place. “Got it.”
“Good. I’m gonna go check on Mikey.” He shuffles through the shop door, and I think about his words.
