There's Always Second Chances

Chapter 29

That last week that Andrea and Søren were here, we went out for food, fooled around at the beach and I was surprised that Naomi grew fond of Andrea so quickly. When they left, it felt dull again. Before Andrea left, I got her to tell me about how her grandmother came to believe that everyone had second chances. 

Andrea told me that it was because her grandmother's husband went missing in action during the second world war and months later, when everyone kept telling her that he was dead, he turned up on her doorstep, covered in bandages, holding her favourite flowers. Andrea's grandmother married him the next month. 

That story's been with me every since. I suddenly bumped into someone, Naomi's toy rabbit falling off of the pram and onto the floor. I felt horrified. I'm not normally this careless when I got shopping. 

"I'm so sorry," I quickly apologised to the woman I bumped into. "It's okay," she responded and bent down to pick up Naomi's toy. She handed it to me. I finally got a look at her face. Beautiful. Blue eyes, ginger hair, nice smile. "Is she yours? How old?" she asked me, looking down at Naomi with a grin. "Yeah, she's nearly 3." I responded. I watched as the woman made the bunny dance, making Naomi giggle, before giving it back to Naomi. 

"She's cute, what's her name?" she asked. "Naomi." I responded. "Oh! I'm late. I hope we see each other again soon," she said before dashing off. Naomi and I got on with our shopping. I didn't even get to know her name. She was certainly eccentric. 

I went back home with Naomi and decided to have a nap while Naomi napped. For some reason I couldn't get that woman I bumped into earlier out of my head. Maybe if I went to work, that'll probably make me think of something else. I waited until Naomi was up, said bye to her and left for the garage. "You weren't scheduled for a shift today," remarked Aaron leaning on the car. 

I stood up from my position over the bonnet of the car. "I just needed to think of something else," I muttered. He nodded. "I'll log this as overtime and I always appreciate the help Adrian," he spoke and patted my back before walking back to his office. Aaron's a good boss. Flexible shifts, doesn't mind when I say I need to look after Naomi. It was weird though, having him as a friend too. I would've thought that he'd be serious like he is at work but no, he's actually funny and laid back. Different to how I remembered him, at least before I left for America. 

The day passed quickly with the afternoon glow of the sun turning into the blue shades of dusk. Aaron and I were closing up shop. I slung my small tool box into the trunk of my car and stood waiting for Aaron to lock everything up. 

A car pulled up and to my surprise, the lady from earlier got out. "God damn it, I mixed up the timings again." she declared in defeat. "Sorry love, garage is closed," Aaron smirked. It was almost as if he knew her on a more personal level to make such a remark. "Aaron, I know. Thanks for being captain obvious." the lady declared walking over to where we were standing. 

"Do you think you can look at my car? It's been making noises and I don't want it to conk out." she pleaded with Aaron who just raised his hands. 

"Aaron please," she pleaded again. Aaron just laughed. "I can't do that Nat," he spoke. Nat, who I now know the name of, just pouted. So cute. Aaron looked over to me. "While I can't, Adrian could. I'm sure he'll help you out," Aaron spoke. I took a quick, baffled glance at Aaron. What the hell is he doing? "Twice in one day? Must be my lucky day!" Nat said when she turned to look at me. 

Aaron strolled over to his motorbike, he turned round only to hold up his thumbs. I shook my head. Is he trying to set me up with this Nat woman? I turned back to the woman who looked pleadingly at me. "I'll help, just show me what the problem is." I responded to her look. I followed her over to her car, making sure to grab my tool box, and waited for her to start it up. As soon as I heard the noise, I knew what it was. 

Nat, started conversation up while I went about fixing the problems. "I didn't get your name," she murmured sitting on the pavement. Wasn't that uncomfy? "Adrian Lawson," I responded. How did this car not fall apart with this many loose bolts? 

"I feel like Nat is too personal for me to call you right now, so what's your name?" I asked wiping my greasy hands onto my shirt. At least this was my work shirt and would be washed so a little grease never hurt anyone. "I'm Natasha Rivers. You're fine to call me Nat or Tash or whatever you want." Nat said. 

I pointed out the problems to her as she stood up. "Who fixed your car?" I asked. I needed her to avoid going back to whoever it was that messed this thing up. She mentioned something about her uncle and sheepishly apologised for not taking it into a garage sooner. 

"How much for the repairs?" she asked as I closed the bonnet of the car. "No need. It's a favour." I responded packing away my tools. She rocked back onto her heels and suddenly looked a little shy. "Can I at least ask you for dinner sometime?" she suggested. I was wary. I wasn't ready to date yet. I know it would make everyone happy if I started seeing someone, even if it didn't work out. What's the harm in one dinner? 

"Okay," I responded simply. Natasha grinned at me. "Here's my details, I'll leave it to you to decide when you're ready," she spoke. She thanked me again for the repairs before pulling out of the street. It only hit me when I made it home that I got asked out on a what I could presume was a date. "Sorry I took so long," I mumbled standing in the doorway of the living room. "It's fine. Naomi's always a little angel. You looked troubled, is something wrong?" Mum never failed to miss anything that was wrong with me. 

"I got asked out to go to dinner," I said. I hoped that I wasn't dreaming this up. Such a seemingly sunny person like Natasha asking me out to dinner seemed far fetched to me. I didn't know if I should cancel and just tell her it'd didn't matter about repaying me or what. 

Mum smiled softly at me. "You should go, one dinner isn't going to harm you." Jess coaxed. I nodded. "I will, soon." I responded and went to the bathroom, to wash up and change.