Bound To You (The Grabber FanFiction)

Cherry Red

Albert
Frank Dean was buried amidst the shelves of the automotive section, he  seemed to be deep in thought. Although I hadn't known Frank very long, I knew him well enough to know he was not... very handy with cars. The puzzled expression was the clear cut sign that he was clearly out of his element.

"Hey there, Frank," I called out, approaching him cautiously.

"Huh?" Frank grunted, snapping out of his daze. As he lifted his head, a resounding thud echoed through the aisle as his skull made contact with the shelf above. He winced and rubbed the back of his head.

"Albert," he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face as he recognized me. Frank scrambled to his feet and a red hue formed on his cheeks from embarrassment.

"Watch your head there," I chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "I don't need it spreading all over Galesburg that Frank Dean left my store with a concussion."

Frank laughed loudly. He was about my height, but I had him beat by two inches. He was also younger than me, but not by much. I couldn't help but notice his nervousness, by the way his hands were fidgeting in his pockets. I knew his palms were surely clamming up by now. It was a reminder of his tendency for uncomfortably long handshakes; the thought alone made me shudder.

"How's it going, Albert?" Frank asked, extending a trembling hand, which I opted to evade with a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"You know, same shit, different day," I replied with a shrug, checking my watch out of habit.

Frank's laughter boomed once more, though I couldn't discern what was so amusing. He reminded me of a giddy school girl forcing smiles and batting their eyes.

"Looking for something in particular?" I inquired, gesturing to the array of automotive supplies surrounding us.

"Automotive paint," Frank blurted out abruptly, his eyes scanning the shelves. His eyes shifted left and right, but he hadn't a clue where he was looking. Frank even turns his body just enough to gaze at the shelves behind him.

"Hit me." I grinned. "I'm sure I got, and if I don't I can get it."

Frank closed his eyes and thought long and hard. "My mechanic, told me the serial number but it's escaping me."

"Ah, a shade of red, right? For the Chevrolet outside?" I raised my brows.

"Yes," Frank nodded.

I looked out at the window best I could from where we stood. I squinted my eyes, "Hmm... Bright Red no. 75?"

"Yes! Yes that's it!" Franks eyes widened. "That's the one."

"Chevrolet, huh? That's a nice car."

"Yea, I just bought it 78 Camaro." Frank smirked.

"Big spender."

I looked at the array of paint cans, and plucked the bottle off the shelf. I handed it to him.

"Worth every dime..."

"What happened to the 55 you have in the garage?"

"Oh, the Camaro isn't for me."

I nodded slowly.

"Ahh, I see. Birthday gift for the little girl, huh?"

"Yeah, my wife says I spoil her too much, but Abigail is priceless."

"First car?"

"Yes sir," Frank nodded. "I figured she needed something of her own. No young girl wants to be seen in her father's old truck."