Enticing Disaster

Chapter 4 - Andrew

Extra shifts. I barely get time as it is but now i have extra shifts to make up for not charging Emma when she brought her car around.

I finish at nine today. Nine at night. As much as I want to say I hate this, I kind of brought it on myself.

"Andrew, my man!" Philips shouts. "The car's making weird noises again."

I smile. "Park it by the side, I'll take a look at it."

I smell like oil and look like a complete mess. I wipe my hands against my pants as I grab the key from Philips. It takes me less then two minutes to figure out why his car is making those sounds. "Your brakes are loose."

"Damn it, man," he says. "I just got new ones."

"I can tighten them up if you want."

Philips nods as he places a hand on my shoulder. "Yea, that would be nice dude."

He sits by the isolated wood bench on the left corner of the garage as I get to work.

By the time I'm not, not only am I tired and restless but I'm sure I look worser than I feel.

Philips hands me a hundred and fifty dollars and leaves and that's when I notice her. Emma. The new girl. The interesting one.

She parks her car by the side of the garage and leaves walking in my direction. Now is not the time I should be looking like a mess.

"Hey," she says with a smile. "I need some help."

I nod. "I'm all ears."

"I want to surprise grandma and get her car fixed. You think you can do that."

I smile. "Of course. That's kinda why I work here."

She scans me up and down before looking back at my face. "You look like a mess," she says through giggles.

"Ahh," I say. "The benefits of working in a garage."

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," she says quietly.

I almost have to catch it because she says it so quietly. "Of course not!" I say. "Company is nice."

Did I really just have to say that? Way to go, Andrew. I watch her but she gives no reaction.

She leans against the car as I open the bonnet of an old car needing to be fixed. "This looks so complicated. I don't know how you'd know what is what."

I smile. "It takes time and a whole lot of practice."

When she flinches I pull my head away from the bonnet and turn to see what happened.

"Grandma, what are you doing here?" Emma asks her grandma who has popped by the garage.

I smile. "Lucy, so nice to see you."

"Oh, Andrew!" She says. "I've missed you dearly."

Lucy faces Emma. "What are you doing here, dear?" She asks, her face has a mischievous grin as if there's an inside joke between them that I don't get.

"Nothing grandma," Emma says.

I notice the blush that forms on her cheeks. I hope she's not embarrassed being seen here with a guy who works in a garage. I know that back home she probably hangs out with super rich and successful people and therefore might not like being seen with me.

"What are you doing here, grandma?"

Lucy smiles. "To see Andrew of course. Didn't expect to see you here."

Emma raises an eyebrow. "Andrew. You visit Andrew? What is this?" She says as she laughs. "Like grandma you're too old for him."

I laugh at that joke. "She actually does," I say. "In fact she often brings about her lovely apple pies or choc chip cookies."

Emma looks back and forth between us.

Lucy smiles. "I might be old for him, dear but Emma you're not old for him."

I cringe at that and I notice Emma does too. She grabs her handbag off the ground and turns. "I'm going home."

Lucy smiles and Emma hops in her car and drives off.

Lucy grabs my hand. "Emma looks so happy here."

I nod because I have nothing else to say.

"Do you like her?" She asks.

I pause because the question is so sudden. I didn't expect it. I hope it's not written all over my face or it's not damn obvious.

She watches me but continues to speak when I don't answer. "I've missed her so much. My son-in-law and daughter have made their life elsewhere and although their daughter, my precious Emma is happy in Williams Square, I think she'll be more happy here."

I look at her in confusion. "Lucy, why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't want her to go. My daughter changed and Emma is young. She still has time to grow and she'll eventually become like her mother if she stays at a Williams Square."

I watch her. I have no idea where she's going with this.

"My daughter is merely a trophy my son-in-law shows off at fancy parties. She has no voice for herself. Nothing real about her anymore. She forgets I even exist. She's become this dull person with no personality and I hate to say it because she's my daughter but I don't want the same for Emma," she says. "I can see it in her eyes. It's been a matter of a few days and she's already changing slowly. She hated this place when she first came but now slowly I see a difference in her."

I nod.

"I think you can help her out. Convince her to stay."

I shake my head. "I don't think I can do that. I barely know her."

Lucy frowns. "Don't lie to me young boy. I know you like her, I can see it in your eyes. I think you can be good for her. She needs a guy like you in her life."

"Lucy..." I say before she cuts me off.

"She had this guy back home. Many guys actually. All rich but they had no personality. They'll change her if she chooses them. She'll turn into her mother. I've always loved you, dear," she says. "You're a good boy and come from a good family and I knew your parents. I know how hard working you are. You're sweet and honest and she needs that."

I tilt my head in confusion.

"Think about it, dear," Lucy says before leaving and never turning back.

My head spins in utter shock. Am I really that transparent? She thinks I'm right for her granddaughter. I turn back to face the car and shut the bonnet.

All that chatter and I realise it's nine. I wash my hands by the sink and then leave.

When I get home, the rusty door creaks as I pull it open. I walk over to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of water making sure I avoid the hole in the wooden floor that's been there since my parents died.

I take a deep breath. The image of Emma flashes before my eyes. Why did Lucy say what she said? And why to me of all people?

I'm sure Emma could find plenty of great men in Williams Square, in fact she could find plenty here in Algard. I could never keep her happy. I could never give her the life she needs.

I shake my head. "Woah, Andrew! You're thinking too far," I tell myself. I grin at the thought of it all.