It's Jason, Ernie's son. He is two years older than I am. That makes him twenty-six years old now. We grew up together and were best friends throughout our childhood. I was three grades behind him. When Junior High and High School hit, we drifted apart. He became more interested in girls and partying in High School.
Since I've been away, we've talked here and there, but I haven't seen him in a while, not even when I'd come home during the holidays. Jason looks a tad different than I remember. He no longer has his Troy Bolton hair from the theatrical production High School Musical. Now, Jason is clean-cut, sporting the latest men's hairstyle, and is no longer a string bean. He's still cute, quite handsome now.
"Alicat, it is so good to see you! I see you haven't changed since I saw you last," Jason says while looking me over before giving me a huge bear hug.
I forgot that I pulled out some old clothes from my closet. I'm not wearing what I usually wear nowadays.
"Oh my Gosh, Jay, it's so good to see you!"
I ignore the comment about my current attire.
"I heard you graduated on top of your class and were offered a professional job right out of college?"
"Yea, I did. The city has so much to offer. I love it!" I beam.
The city does have a lot to offer, and I do love my job. However, I miss the countryside, cars, seeing these guys, and my dad. Even though my dad isn't here, these guys—Ernie and his family—are like my own family.
"Where are you working these days?" I make small talk as I kick the gravel underneath my boots.
I am trying not to look over at the hot shirtless guy bent over under the hood of my car.
"Here. I am still working for your da—" he looks at me with pain in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry about your dad, Ali," he says softly. "We all miss him a lot around here. He was such an amazing man and like a second father to me."
"Thanks. I miss him too," I reply, trying to hold back my tears.
I do miss my dad, something fierce. Being here is tough, but, at the same time, almost therapeutic. It's weird being at my father's shop without him here. I can still feel his presence. I'm glad to see that it's still running smoothly without a hitch. I know my father wouldn’t want it any other way.
"What are you up to tonight? We need to catch up. It's been a long time," Jason smiles.
"I don't know. I’ll probably be hanging out at my dad's and watching TV."
"I'm having a small get together with some friends if you want to drop by. I'm sure the gang would like to see you. Please try to make it. It will mean a lot to me," Jason begs.
The gang? Am I the only one who left this place? Maybe they came back to attend my dad's funeral, but I don't remember seeing them there. I was sort of off in my own world yesterday; I must not have noticed them.
"Yeah, that sounds like fun. At your parents, then?" I ask.
He laughs and says, "No, I live with a few buddies out past highway fifteen. I will text you the address. Come by around eight."
"Okay, sounds good," I reply.
It will be good for me to hang out with Jason and the others who I haven't seen in so long. It will be way better than being alone at my dad's place, thinking about the fact that he is gone. It will be a nice change of scenery and a worthwhile distraction. I've missed Jason.
Chapter Three
I see a bunch of guys walking out the garage. A few of them are carrying lunchboxes and thermals. They look so young. There are a few older gentlemen, but most look around my age.
How could I not have known about all these young workers? Did my father not tell me, or was I that consumed in my new life to pay attention to his?
"It's lunchtime!" one of them blurts out.
A few of the guys head over with Ernie and Luke to where my car is parked One of them comes over by Jason and me and jumps up to throw him into a headlock.
"Dude, don't mess with my hair," Jason demands, with a broad smile while fixing it in the way any girl would.
"We going to Mary's today?"
"Where else would we go, man," exclaims Jason.
They still go to Mary's Cafe every day for lunch. I love this. My dad and Mary's daughter had a little crush on each other and spent a lot of time canoodling while I was in High School.
"This is Rob's daughter Ali. You may remember her from High School," Jason tells the guy who joined us.
"Yea, I remember her. You were a few years behind us, right?" he claims.
I do not remember him at all. I should, shouldn't I? High School ended only six years ago, but I've been too focused on college and my job. I have blocked out a lot.
"Hey, you should come to Mary's with us. It will be like old times," Jason smiles.
"I'm there, and I'm hungry," I shout.
Mary's Cafe is a small restaurant that has been around for as long as I can remember. I would frequently dine there with my dad. The best home-cooked meals come out of that little place.
Walking across the street with Jason and a few of the other guys, I cannot help but look around for Luke. He and Ernie are no longer near my car. Ernie goes home every day for lunch and spends that time with his wife. I assume he is still doing so, as he is nowhere around.
I overhear Jason and some of the other guys’ talking. They're discussing the party at his house tonight plus what alcohol they're planning to bring and
