“Don’t worry about me, I’m more than good.” He gives me a wide grin, and I’m inclined to believe him because he looks almost giddy.
I turn the key, and the engine rumbles to life. Every time I hear the sound, grief pinches in my heart. I worked so hard to get this thing in working order, and it hurts my dad never got to see it run. I know the first time the engine sputtered to life he would have cheered like a maniac. He loved this old truck and swore he’d get it up and running again one day. His full-time job as a field mechanic for a local excavation company kept him busy, so by the time he was home, he was too tired to work on it.
On the weekends he’d take me out and teach me the different aspects of the engine. He’d show me what spots could be repaired, and what parts needed to be fully replaced. He waxed poetic about how we’d take it to the coast and have dinner in the bed while watching the sunset over the ocean when we finally got it working.
When he died, I considered selling it, but I couldn’t bring myself to part with the reminder of him. Restoring it was something I did to feel close to him again and make him proud.
One day, I’ll take the truck to the coast. Maybe I’ll take Kelly or go by myself.
Maybe you can take Saint.
I bat the silly idea away.
“So, do I just follow Highway 45?” I turn out of the parking lot and onto the main road. I’ve never been to Cupid’s Cove, but I looked it up to see how far it was.
Just in case I needed to visit for some reason.
“Yeah, pretty much. It’ll lead you up and back down the mountain, and then there’s a turn, but it’s easy to spot.”
“Simple enough. If you want to connect your phone and play some music you’re welcome to.”
“I’d rather spend the two hours or so getting to know you better.”
“What?” I laugh nervously. “Why?”
“I’m going to take full advantage of uninterrupted time with you, Mikey. When else will I get this opportunity?”
“Well, I don’t know, but…”I’m not that interesting. Why would you want to get to know me?
“What if we make it a game?”
“Like, twenty questions?”
“Sort of? I have a rule, though.”
“Okay…”
“Total honesty. No lies. No half-truths. All the nitty gritty details. I want to know all of you, even the parts you might think I don’t.”
I roll to a stop at the light, glancing over to the baker next to me. His hazel eyes are intense and serious as they meet mine.
Stern Daddy Saint isn’t messing around.
I swallow my protest. “Okay. Total honesty.”
What’s the worst that could happen?
We’re halfwayto Cupid’s Cove, and I’m starting to wonder if I should have listened to Merv and packed an overnight bag because the sky is moving with thick, dark gray clouds. The trees were already shading our drive, but now the sun is barely existent. It feels like it’s almost nighttime already, instead of afternoon. I don’t want to be stuck in Cupid’s Cove, but mountain roads can be deadly in a storm. How the hell did Merv predict this? The sky was clear when we left.
Hopefully, the storm passes quickly, and I can make it home tonight.
We’ve taken turns asking questions, and I think we’re each up to four. We agreed follow-up questions don’t count towards the twenty, so when he wants more in-depth answers, he doesn’t hesitate to ask.
“What’s your last name?” Saint’s decided to start out easy, apparently.
“Snowe,” I answer, watching as a grin stretches across his face. “Do you have a middle name?”
“Nope. Just Saint Valentine. Where did you grow up?”
