“Sure do.” The teen adjusted his glasses, the tips of his ears turning bright red. “I-I’m sorry about your tire. We’ll get it repaired in a jiffy.”
Harlow suspected the boy, no longer starstruck, had developed a huge crush on her. Or maybe he was still starstruck but only slightly. She found him sweet and endearing, a true gentleman who was mature beyond his years.
While she waited inside, he eased her bike onto the rack. Working quickly, he sprayed soapy water on the rim to locate the leak. “Found it. Just as I suspected. You have a faulty valve.”
“I remember hitting a curb kinda hard. I must’ve damaged it.”
Arlen plucked a sealed bag from the counter and removed a new valve. “Your tire will be as good as new.”
She bounced on the tips of her toes, watching as he swapped out the faulty valve for a new one. The last step was to air the tire. Arlen lifted it from the rack and set it on the ground. He pushed down, making sure both tires were properly aired. “You’re back in business.”
“Thank you.” Harlow glanced at the plastic bag, noticing a price tag stuck on the front. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“I don’t owe you for the valve?” Harlow stepped closer.
Anticipating the move, Arlen snatched it off the counter and shoved it in his pocket. “It was only a couple of bucks.”
“I’m pretty sure it was my fault and I damaged the valve when I hit a curb.” Harlow reached into her backpack.
He stopped her. “I-I want to do something nice, to help you. Please keep your money.”
“Thank you, Arlen. It’s very generous of you to fix my tire for free.”
“Now you won’t have to worry about having a flat and being stranded on the side of the road.”
She laughed out loud. “I would call a bike tow,” she joked. “Now, that’s a creative business to start.”
“Bike towing.” A slow smile spread across his face. “I’ll keep it in mind if I ever want to start my own company.”
“Speaking of jobs, are you planning on staying here and working at the bike shop?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m good at fixing things.”
“You are,” Harlow agreed.
“I was thinking about maybe a trade school.”
“Like an electrician or plumber?”
Arlen nodded. “I can complete it in two years. The school even has job placement. I could have a job as soon as I graduate.”
“It sounds like a solid strategy. You’re graduating from high school this year, so you’ll be leaving us this fall?”
He looked away and cleared his throat. “Like I said, I’m not sure. My plans are still kind of up in the air.”
“You don’t want to knock it out and finish school right away?”
“No. I mean, I do.” He shifted his feet. “I’m thinking about Northern Michigan University in Marquette.”
“I hope it works out for you.”
“Me too.”
Harlow grew quiet, watching the teen hop on the bike and pedal out of the building. He gave it a test run down to the end of the driveway and came back to where she stood waiting. “It’s fixed.”
“Thank you, Arlen. You’re the best.”
