CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

-:- JIG -:-

I love my life… I didn’t think I’d be saying that a couple of months ago, or less even. My life wasn’t bad, but it was certainly lacking something. I thought Lena was going to fill that void, but she showed her colors when we were taken to task by Axel. She dropped me like a hot rock to save herself. That’s not the sort of woman I want in my corner.

As soon as I started to get to know Kenzie, I knew she was the one for me. Fortunately, she felt the same way, and the rest is history, as they say.

I’m glad she's quit the doctors’ practice. We spend almost a third of our lives at work, and to be unhappy for that time just isn’t an option for me. She needs to find something that she enjoys, something fulfilling and with a sense of achievement at the end of it. Listen to me, I’m a life coach now.

I’ve got another evening of working on the Jeep tonight. That should have it back to ninety percent completed. There’s some welding I need to do, but I’ll speak to Grease about getting that done at the garage. I doubt he’ll mind if I can make the time to get it in without affecting paying jobs.

Raven and Cora asked if we’d thought about a date for the wedding, they are sure excited about it. I’ve never known those two to be so wrapped up in a ‘girlie’ thing before. Don’t get me wrong, they are both beautiful women, but they have never struck me as feminine types. That could be because I only see them as mechanics, I rarely see them as ‘women’, I suppose. I’d better not think that out loud.

I had a message from Web earlier. He thinks he may have found a trike for Kenzie. It’s not the Mustang base that I was hoping for, but if he thinks it’s worth me looking at, I will because I trust his judgement. He’s done well in the past, the bike he found that Paisley had converted to a trike was a steal. It was exactly what she was after.

As it’s almost lunchtime, I think I’ll slip out and see what it is he’s thinking of. Going out through reception, as I pass Maggie, I let her know where I’m going, and with the promise of pastries when I come back, she gives me a wink. Now I’m damn sure Maggie isn’t in Star’s social circle, so where has she got that from?

Picking up the pastries on the way over to Web, I know I’ll forget otherwise. I push my hog as much as the speed limits allow, plus ten percent or so.

Finding Web in his office, I give him a chin lift and he starts tapping at his keyboard. “Check this out, brother. I think it’s just what the doctor ordered. Oh, sorry. Poor choice of words there. I heard she was quitting that place.”

“No offense taken, brother, I love the blue and white two-tone color scheme. Very retro on a new-style machine, but I think that works well. If you told me over the phone, I wouldn’t have pictured that at all, I like that. They’re not very ‘bike-like’, so I see why you thought it would appeal to her. It’s a low-driving position, so it’s more sports car than motorcycle, too. It’s a bit like sitting in a car but with handlebars instead of a wheel. Hey, I know I’m stating the obvious to you, but I’m more thinking out loud.”

“So far, you haven’t said anything different to me. I think some of the dyed-in-the-wool Hog brothers will have something to say about the choice, but when it starts and growls, they’ll soon shut the hell up. This baby has a Hemi V8 engine. The guy that’s selling her builds these because he loves that side of things. When it’s built, he sells it to finance the next project. He has an old V12 engine that’s going into his next project build.”

“So, it’s street legal and ready to go, as is?” I’m amazed that Web has found this thing.

“Yep. This guy knows what he’s doing. He’s built dozens of things from off-road buggies to hogs with turbos. He can build damn near anything.”

“If you’re sure about him, let’s do the deal. Sort out the finances and I’ll come over and make the payment when it’s sorted. Thanks, Web. I owe you, brother.”

“No sweat, Jig. It’s what I do.”

Riding back to the garage, I think how easy that was. Now all I’ve got to do is keep it quiet and plan a surprise trike-giving party. Arriving back at the garage, I give Maggie her pastries. Her smile alone would have been worth it.

“What did you want with Web?” Grease asks as soon as I enter the break area. Sticking my head back out the door, I shout to Maggie, “Traitor… I thought the pastries bought some sort of loyalty.”

“For pastries, I look the other way. For loyalty and silence, we’d be talking cream cakes, and lots of them. You’ll know next time, honey!”

Laughing, I dive into the bag on the table and only manage the last pastry. Man, these guys don’t hang around where food is concerned. Grease gives me a questioning look and I blank him completely.

“Okay. I’ll ask him next time I see him.”

Raven punches Grease on the arm. “Seriously, Grease? You want to do that? I don’t know what’s got into you lately, but if you try to go behind Jig’s back and speak to Web, me and you are going to have a problem. I can’t believe you even uttered those words. You need to take a good look in the mirror when you next see one. You’re an asshole at times, but lately you’re abusing even that privilege.”

Grinning at Grease’s discomfort, I finish the pastry and go back to work. I get two jobs completed before it’s the end of the day. One of the jobs was like the things you see on the internet, ‘Customer states’. It came in because the right indicator wouldn’t stay on. When I got into the driver's seat to try it, there was a small fancy bag for garbage hanging off the stalk. Sure enough, when I put it into right turn, the weight of the bag pulled it back to the off position. How do these people get themselves out of bed in the morning?

Keeping my work gear on, as I’m working on the Jeep tonight, I head home and see that Kenzie’s home early as the Jeep’s already outside. Once in the cabin, there’s no Kenzie, though. Dropping her a text to see if she’s okay, I get a reply to say she’s at Bitty’s.

Now that’s odd, as they’ve never struck me as friendly toward each other, whereas Bitty and Amelia go way back. The Three Stooges take no prisoners, you hurt one, they all bleed, and they all come after you. I think it was Kya’s mum that found that out when she ended up with green hair, and BS’s ex-wife, Lilac. She went through the wringer with them when she wouldn’t sign the divorce papers. I hope Kenzie knows what she’s doing, and what she’s getting into.

Cracking on with the jobs on the Jeep takes a couple of hours, and just as I’m wondering if Kenzie is okay, she pops her head under the Jeep. “There’s fresh coffee ready when you are, Handsome.”

“I was just thinking of you, Beautiful. I’ll be there in two minutes. Just finishing up.” Clearing away the tools and the old parts that I’ve replaced takes five minutes. By the time I’ve washed my hands, the coffee is on the table and I have to say, I’m ready for one. Standing next to Kenzie, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close. Enjoying the simple contact, and my coffee, the peace is shattered when the back door flies open and bangs against the kitchen cabinet.

“You stay away from my best friend. Don’t think you can just turn up and spoil over sixty years of friendship with your bluster and flattery.”

“What are you talking about, you old witch? Bitty and Sybil can choose their own friends, and if they choose some that are younger than you, that’s their choice,” Kenzie snaps.

“Why, you young whippersnapper, you! I have got a good mind to take my stick to you and teach you some manners.”

“Go ahead and try it. I’ll snap that thing in half and you won’t have anything to fly home on.”

“Don’t be thinking just ‘cause you wiggled your skinny ass, you’re gonna be taking over my cabin neither.”

Kenzie lunges towards Amelia, and I grab her and hold her back. What the hell has got these two so mad at each other I don’t know?

“There you see that?” Amelia screeches at Kenzie. “That’s my boy looking after me. He’s all for me when it comes down to it, and ain’t that the truth.” Spinning around, she slams the kitchen door shut behind her, and the whirlwind that is Amelia is gone.

“He ain’t, isn’t, your son!” Kenzie shouts at the back door. Then in a perfectly normal voice, she asks, “I don’t have a skinny ass, do I?” Turning her back to me, she wiggles it, looks over her shoulder and raises her eyebrows at me.

“Hell, no,” I say, wondering what to do about this, or if I should even get involved at all.

“You think it’s fat, is that it?” Wiggling it at me again.

“Hell, no,” I say again. “It’s perfect. Just how it should be on you. Just as I like an ass to be.” I think that my life, the one that I thought was so perfect this morning, is descending into lunacy and chaos.

“What just happened?” I look at Kenzie for an explanation.

“What, Handsome? That was nothing. I think she’s losing her marbles, the old coot. She’d make a good queen at a mad hatter’s tea party. She could run around shouting, ‘Off with her head, off with her head.’ I’d make a good Alice in a little striped blue dress, a white apron, and white knee-high socks. Wouldn’t you like to see me like that?”

“Erm, yes. You’d look stunning. I need a shower. Have we got anything for supper?” I’m babbling now. I’d probably be the mad hatter. I need to get out of here, just for a few minutes. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me.” Darn near running up the stairs, I think I hear Kenzie snort with laughter. It’s sure not going to be a boring marriage, if this is anything to go by.

I need to speak to Richard. I wonder if he’s spread any Star-type DNA around that could explain Kenzie? I’m beginning to think maybe they didn’t break the mold when God created Star!