Page 13 of Smitty

A lump formed in my throat. Not because of the garage or the memories. But because I wouldn’t be sitting here next to Goose if that old man hadn’t given me a chance. That was all it had taken to change the course of my life. Goose gave me a nudge and asked, “You wanna go check on him?”

“Yeah,” I answered, and for the first time since we’d pulled into that parking lot, I smiled. “I do.”

With that, we both got out of his truck and started across the street. As we approached the bay doors, Goose smirked, “You gonna get all sentimental on me?”

“Shut up.”

“I thought so.”

I rolled my eyes and opened the door, and the second I stepped inside and smelled the dirt and grime, more memories came rushing back. I took a quick look around, and it came as no surprise that the inside hadn’t changed, either. The concrete floors were still cracked, the old Coke machine was still busted, and overhead lights still blinked like they were about to give out at any second.

For a second, I felt eighteen again. Broke, scared, and pretending I knew what I was doing when I didn’t have a clue. I was taking it all in when I heard, “Well, I’ll be damned. Look what the wind blew in.”

“Hey there, Cyrus.” He was wearing his legendary jean overalls with a short-sleeved plaid shirt and a cap that looked older than he was. He looked a bit older and more tired than I remembered, but that spark in his eye was still there and bright as ever. “You’re looking good.”

“Wish I could say the same about you.” He wiped his hand on a rag and started toward me. “I was beginning to think you’d dropped off the face of the earth.”

“Sorry about that. I kept meaning to come by, but you know how it is… Time just kept getting away from me.”

“I get it. I get it… I’ve been busier than a dentist in a trailer park, but busy is good. Keeps the head clear, and the heart going strong.”

Before I could respond, Cyrus wrapped me in a rough, one-armed hug and smacked me on the shoulder. The force of the hit nearly knocked the air from my lungs, and somehow that made me smile even more. “Good to see you, too, old man.”

“Old man?” Cyrus stepped back, looking me over. “Best remember who you’re talking to.”

“I remember all too well.”

“I bet you do.” Cyrus chuckled. “You could use a haircut.”

Goose barked out a laugh behind me. I shook my head. “Not you, too.”

“He’s just stating facts,” Goose teased.

Cyrus finally noticed him, and his scowl returned. “This is Goose.”

“Nice to meet ya.” Goose stepped forward and shook his hand, and Cyrus obliged. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”

“Appreciate that.” He glanced down at his vest, and recognition flashed across his face. “You’re one of Preacher’s boys.”

“Yes, sir.” Goose motioned his head over to me. “Your boy just patched in.”

“No shit?”

“It’s one of the reasons I haven’t been by,” I admitted. “I was prospecting.”

“Heard that can be rough.”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“Glad to hear it. Known Preacher for a long time.” Cyrus turned his attention back to me. “He’s the reason Fury is what it is.”

“Damn right.”

“Makes me feel better knowing you landed somewhere decent.”

“Wouldn’t have stood a chance without you.”

Cyrus’s eyes settled on me again, and for a moment, neither of us said a word. Finally, Cyrus nodded and said, “You did good, son.”