Almost Too Late

By

S.G. McKinley

Almost Too Late

Copyright 2012 S.G. McKinley

Published by Sharon Watson

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter 1

Chance Jameson pulled into the driveway of the local garage. Getting out, he smiled and entered through the large open doorway and looked around. Immediately, he heard the sound of cursing from a disturbed woman.

Laughing to himself, he ventured further into the work area, raising his voice and calling, “Hey, Mel! Where the hell are you, girl?”

A voice rang out, “I’m in the back. Where else would I be? Watch out for falling objects! I am so damn mad right now. Just come on to the back if you want to talk to me, Chance. I know it’s you.”

Chance yelled back, “Yep, it sure is. You need to simmer down. It sounds like you’re having a time of it today.”

“Today? Try all week long! Jacob Summers brought his truck by. This is the fifth time he blew the motor. He needs to either trade the truck in or buy a new motor, and quit trying to get me to rebuild this one.”

“Well, you know as well as I do that he won’t do that,” Chance said as he made his way through grease rags, oil spots, and vehicle parts. “Have you ever thought about cleaning this place up? It’s a little hard to walk through without touching something dirty.”

“Well, if you don’t like the shape of my garage, then don’t come in to see me! I’ll clean it up when I have time. It normally gets cleaned each week, but I’ve been busy and so have the rest of the guys. Besides, I know just where everything is, including the clean stuff. What do you want anyway?”

Sighing, Chance finally made it to the place she is working. Her legs were sticking out from under a 4X4, and she was still spitting out foul words.

He stood in one spot for a few moments, then shook his head and told her, “I came by to tell you to come by my house tonight. There’s a group of us wanting to let down and relax, maybe drink a little. It sounds like you might need it, too. What do you say, kid? Will you join us?”

The work stopped, and the figure of a girl wearing baggy overalls and a plaid long-sleeved shirt scooted out from under the truck. Grabbing a dirty shop rag, she haphazardly wiped at her hands and threw it down with the others.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt. It has been a long week for me. What time do you want me?”

“Around six. It will give everybody time to get clean before we start. You know… my usual once a month thing, only earlier this time because a lot of the gang wanted it that way. A few of the guys already told me they want to forget their jobs, personal woes, and some other problems,” Chance told her.

Melinda thought tonight will be a great time to have a night out. The group talks, dances, or only lounges around and drinks until time to go home. Smiling, she nodded. The party meant a lot of people, but everyone knew each other.

Melinda is a good mechanic, and she’s been working hard, repairing the motor for the Ford F250 truck. She felt the urge to get drunk tonight. The gang who will be there knows she’s a loner, but they all like her and want her there.

“Sure, Chance. I’ll be there. I might even shut this place down early. You know where I’ll want to sit.”

“Yep, your spot is always either at the bar or the table.” Chance walked over to her, leaned down, and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re coming, Mel. See you there.”

He turned, walked out and climbed into his truck to go get the drinks, and set things to going at his house.

Melinda closed the shop early, after letting her other workers go home, and drove to the small liquor store she preferred to shop, getting four cases of beer. After she went home and cleaned herself to be presentable, she put on some jeans and a clean t-shirt, and combed her hair, leaving it down.

Melinda left her house and arrived at Chance’s a little after six o’clock, making a few trips to get her beer inside. Once she carried the last case in, she saw where the other people are gathering.

Chance happened to be in the kitchen area.

“Hey, Mel! Glad you made it! I’m using the large aluminum tub in here to chill the beer like I normally do. Want to help me fill it with ice?” Chance asked her.

Melinda gave him a half-smile, saying, “Sure, I can help.”

Chance is used to her personality, especially since he’s grown up with her. She noticed he had stacked bags of ice on the cabinet, and she walked over and picked up two. Chance also picked up two, and while they emptied ice into the tub, he saw that she would be timid tonight. It didn’t take long for the two to fill the large container with beer, along with putting ice around to the rim of the tub.

“Thanks, Mel. Grab a beer and have a seat! I’m going to see if everybody is okay outside. You know where everything is.”

“Yeah, thanks Chance. I’ll drink mine at the table like always.”

“Okay, Sweetie. If you need me, all you have to do is yell.”

The guests know Melinda doesn’t mind pitching in for these get-togethers like this. After Chance grabbed a couple of cold beers for his girlfriend and himself, Melinda pulled out one, chugged it down without stopping, and then opened another, rubbing her eyes as she slowly drank the fresh one.

The action let them all know she’s had a rough week. It also meant the slightest provocation could make her lose her temper. Nobody wants that.

“Melinda, did a motor drive you nuts?” Jacob asked when he noticed her in her chair.

Melinda turned and scowled at him. “The next time you bring that damn truck into my garage, I’m going to blow it to smithereens! You have been warned, Jake. I can’t do much else with the thing.”