That One Ride

7. Past Problems Fixing I

"Dad, I'm late for work, I don't have time for this." Hunter told his father as he went for the garage. He was late for work, but just not as much as he told his father. He just didn't want to start his day with a fight, especially after last night. He was too tired to argue with him.

"Hunter, this is important." Stewart said, following Hunter.

"Your definition of important and mine, are very different. Just like everything else is." He replied, mounting his bike, and grabbing his helmet.

"Just one minute Hunter. One minute." Stewart pleaded and Hunter sighed, stopping his attempt to put on the helmet. Seeing that Hunter was going to listen to him, Stewart continued. "There is an event that I'm organizing that will take place next Friday. It will be held in a local firm, and on this event, some deals will be made and concluded. I'll also have to finish some things as well that will benefit the city. But, there will be some other important people there, that could help us with the town issues."

"And where do I fit into all of that?" Hunter asked, not understanding all of this.

"Well, I was thinking, that you could come as well." Stewart blurted it out, not knowing how else to say it.

"Why? You know as much as I do, that I'm not that good at parties. Especially the ones that include suits and business men." He asked, skeptical.

"Well, I just thought, since you're my son and all, and since you're pretty well known around town, and..." Stewart stuttered, unusual for a man his size.

"That it would show the people you need to impress that you have support from your family?" he asked what Stewart seemed not to have the guts to say.

"Well...yes." Stewart said, rubbing his palms together, a habit he did when he wasn't that sure about something. Hunter sighed, inspecting the helmet in his hands. He looked at his watch, realizing that he really was going to be late now.

"I'll think about it." He told his father, hoping it would be enough for him at the moment. It was, for Stewart nodded and left the garage. Hunter sighed again, putting on his helmet and turning on the engine. He was in the shop in the matter of minutes. He greeted some of the people that worked there as he entered the main building, finding some guys working on a few bikes and cars. It looked like Tom wasn't there yet. Nothing new about that. It was a miracle if Tom showed up before him. He walked over to Gobber's office, knocking before coming in, not even waiting for  permission. He saw Gobber with a stack of files, probably things for equipment and parts.

"You've developed a bad habit of comin' in whenever you want, do you know tha'?" Gobber asked, but there was nothing judgmental in his voice. Hunter just shrugged his shoulders, taking a seat in front of his mentor.

"Have you heard of something happening next Friday?" Hunter asked, cutting right to the case.

"Why do you ask?" Gobber asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Can you just answer the question." Hunter replied. Gobber watched him for a few moments before relaxing into the chair.

"As a matter of fact, I did. Somethin' about a party happenin' in the firm in tha east part of town. People in business suits. Why would you be int'rested in tha'?"

Hunter sighed. "Dad wants me to come with him. To show the people in the right places that he has family support." He wanted to say it with at least a bit of interest, but his body wasn't listening to him, his mouth especially.

"And I'm guessin' tha' you 'ave no idea if you should go or not?" Gobber asked with a chuckle. He would never admit it, but he loved watching the young man feel uncomfortable. But, then again, it wasn't hard to notice that he did. It's just, the kid grew a lot colder over the years, so he enjoyed the moments when the scrawny, sarcastic and awkward fifteen year old appeared every now and then.