Reno and Weisz

chapter 2: reno hates judgemental people

chapter 2: reno hates judgmental people

~reno~

       "There," Dad says as he closes the trunk of the car. He grabs a towel and rips the grease off of his hands. "It should work now."

       "Right," I say. "Except you've said that every single time we've worked on the car, and it didn't actually work."

       Dad picks up the keys for the car. Since the hood is down, he only has to lean over the door to turn on the ignition. Dad and I have been working on this car for over a year now, so I expect it to do what it always does when Dad starts it; sputter a few times before shutting off. It's become sort of a routine every time we work on the car.

       However, this time, the car starts before actually staying on. It doesn't even show any sign of the engine dying any time soon. It seems like we're actually able to fix it.

       "Aha," Dad says before he turns the car off. "I told you it should work now." He tosses the keys towards me, and I barely have time to react and catch it since it was so sudden. "Why don't you take it out for a spin?"

       I furrow my eyebrows. "What, you don't want to? You're the one who bought it and did most of the work."

       Dad laughs. "Reno, did you seriously this car was for me? I already have a motorcycle. I don't need a car as well. I know I'm the one who bought it, but why else did you think I let you pick it out?"

       "Wait, so it's for me?" I ask. "It's my car?" Dad nods, so I smile and give him a hug. "Thank you!"

       "You're welcome," Dad says. "I thought it was time you got a car since you already have your license. And on the plus side, you won't have to walk to school and work anymore."

       "They're not far. It's not that long of a walk."

       "So you don't want the car?"

       "No, no! I do." I hug my dad again. "Thank you." I pull away and take my phone out of my pocket to check the time. "Perfect time. I have to go to the diner to meet up with someone for a school project."

       "How on earth did you convince them to go to the diner?"

       I furrow my eyebrows as I pick up my backpack, dropping it in the passenger seat since I'll need my class notes. "What do you mean?"

       "Reno, you work there," Dad says. "You know it's not exactly a hot spot for teenagers. Or for anyone except my friends, for that matter. You do know people avoid it as much as they can, right?" 

       I shrug before I got into the driver's seat. "Their loss. It has the best burgers ever." I buckle my seat belt before looking at Dad. "Thanks again for the car."

       "You're welcome," Dad says. "Drive safe."

       "I will." The garage door has been open the entire time Dad and I worked on the car, so I'm able to back out of it right away. As I drive to the diner, I realize exactly why Dad wondered how I was able to convince my project partner to meet at the diner. He's right; people do avoid it as much as they can because Dad and all his biker friends favour that spot.

       They're not there every day, but they frequent there enough for the townspeople to dub it the 'biker hangout'. Again, their loss. Not only is the food served there really good, but bikers aren't even scary people to begin with. I should know, I'm being raised by a biker.

       It doesn't take me long to get to the diner, even though I drive as carefully as I can. The diner being close to my home is one of the many reasons why it's my favourite place to go to. As soon as I get there, I park my car and get out, seeing Weisz waiting by the door.