The Mechanics of Us

Chapter 26

After the vulnerable evening spent with the Mechanic, neither one of us has gone more than an hour without messaging one another. Every morning since I wake up to her texts. She must get up when the sun does because I get them at 5:30 AM on most days. This particular morning she sent "Goodmorning, Gorgeous! I hope you slept well and had sweet dreams. I can't wait to see you today." I woke up feeling like the embodiment of the sun.

Our messaging is constant, and now I understand why most teenagers have their heads buried in their phones. The way we connect with someone is through our expressions of emotions towards one another, and this takes many forms, such as verbal affection, physical affection, acts of kindness, and many others. While I am a verbally affectionate person, I am keenly aware that the Mechanic is not. I can tell it frustrates her that I send these length paragraphs of nuances that can encapsulate every emotion I have for her, and all she can manifest is a short sentence or two. It is strange how, after some time of knowing a person, their tone of voice translates into virtual messages. Nevertheless, I can empathize with her frustrations.

Even I sometimes struggle with finding the right words to use that could correctly convey my emotions while upholding their intrinsic value. Words are not perfect, they are used for surface level communication, and while they are reliable, they are not prone to failure. They tend to fail to communicate precisely what a person is feeling. It is as if when they are conveyed verbally, they lose their potency and intimacy. The transactions of words still hold worth, and both partners get value from it, but the process is still unfulfilling. There is no satisfaction in exchange when there is nothing to be physically gained.

Due to this dilemma and the increasing frustrations from the Mechanic, I recommended setting up another date. The Mechanic delightfully and entirely joyously accepted and told me she would plan it. She sent me a slew of questions as to what time, where I would feel comfortable going, what I enjoy to do, all the basic questions that go into planning a date. From my answers, she then proposed a date-time at 6:00 PM. I happily agreed.

***

At 6:00 PM sharp, I anxiously wait in the lobby area of the apartment complex, my fingers fidget at my side, and I sway back and forth on my heels. When the familiar rev of an engine comes roaring down the street, I leave the building, my hair sweeping across my face as the Mechanic drives up to the side of the curb. I take in all her beauty and admire her outfit of choice, it might just be her simple work attire, which even had a grease stain on the khaki jumpsuit, but that coupled with her rolled-up sleeves that nested in the crook of her elbows, and her windswept hair with its wavy streaks of red and light earthy tones which melt into the dark shades of black. An actual goddess.

"Sorry, I didn't have time to get changed. Long day at the shop," she hops off the motorcycle and slips her hands in her pockets as she strides over to me.

"You look beautiful" my mouth is slightly agape in awe, and my mind is blown away at how effortlessly she makes herself look. Everything about her, the beauty she possesses at that moment, how strong she looks, how confident she portrays herself. I am blown away.

"Take one to know one," she counters, and soon she towers over me. Blood rushes to my cheeks and I know I am blushing profusely. When she stands in front of me I notice the distinct height difference, it's at least a good nine inches, and when she wears her work boots like she is now, almost a foot taller than me. My neck crain's upwards so our eyes can meet and a joyous energy pulses through my body when our eyes lock onto each other. Her eyes are so beautiful. She claims they are brown, but to me, they're hazelly. There are streaks of dark blues and forest greens that radiate outwards and in the middle, caramel brown that glows like embers in the sun. How lucky am I to have met someone who is the embodiment of light.