Page 61 of Pages of My Heart

Charlie

For the second time in a week Charlie hops off the streetcar and crosses the street toward Jimmy’s Garage.

He’s dropped in a few times over the last couple of months to see Jimmy and the boys, although there aren’t many old faces left since so many have either enlisted or now been drafted.

Still, it’s nice to catch up with Jimmy and keep his old boss updated on the progress of his arm.

But today is different. Charlie can feel it in his bones.

For one, Jimmy has asked him to come in, and two—well, Charlie just thinks he deserves some good news.

They buried Richard a week ago. Charlie wanted to be a pillar of strength for Evie, but instead he’d completely fallen apart as soon as they’d started the three-volley salute.

He hadn’t heard a gunshot since returning home, and he hadn’t been at all prepared for his reaction.

Thomas had noticed the signs almost immediately and had led him away, doing his best to shield him from prying eyes as Charlie’s throat tightened up and his limbs were seized by fear.

When he had recovered enough to walk, Thomas told everyone he had taken ill and they would need to return home.

Even in his compromised state, Charlie recognized that Thomas’s behavior had crossed a line—the tone of his voice, the intimacy of his touches, the love and concern in his eyes.

Perhaps to most it would go unnoticed, but the confused frown on his mother’s face suggested otherwise. So far nothing has been said. Yet.

When he enters through the garage’s open bay doors, he puts his worrisome thoughts aside.

He heads straight upstairs to Jimmy’s office, greeting the boys as he passes them on the garage floor.

He finds Jimmy sitting at his desk, mouth full of sandwich.

The big man is about as good a boss as one could hope for—firm, but fair.

He’s thick around the middle and his hands are as rough as sandpaper, but his warm smile reaches his eyes.

“Hey, boss,” he greets, removing his hat. “Looks like Nancy made you a good one today.” He points at the half-eaten sandwich in Jimmy’s meaty hand.

“Charlie, my boy! Take a seat. And you’re damn right she did. Don’t know what I’d do without that woman.” He takes a final bite, brushing the crumbs off his overalls. Mouth full of ham and cheese, he asks, “You found yourself a girl yet?”

Charlie takes a seat. “You know me, Jimmy. There are so many fish in the sea, and I’d like to catch ’em all.” He completes the charade with a wink.

Jimmy laughs heartily. “You haven’t changed, Miller. But mark my words, one day you’ll want a little lady to cook and clean for you. Especially once you’re back at work.” Jimmy raises his eyebrows meaningfully, head tilted to the side.

“What? Are you . . .? What are ya sayin’, Jim?”

“I’m saying I’m about to make your day . . . maybe your whole bloody year. I’ve been thinking a lot about cutting back. I’m not getting any younger here.”

“C’mon, you’re not that old. What are ya? Forty-five? Fifty?”

“Damn near sixty-two! Anyway, no need to butter me up, kid. I’ve decided I’d like you to take on the role of manager. I’ll still drop in once or twice a week to check up on things, but I’ll teach you how to do the books and manage all the young louts. Whad’ya say?”

Charlie can’t believe it. “B–but . . . what about my arm? My hand? I can’t do anything on the engines that requires a lot of strength.”

“You won’t be down on the garage floor. You’ll be in here doing all the boring jobs. But you can help the young boys if you’d like—teach ’em what you know. And the best part is it comes with a better paycheck. So, is it a yes, then?”

“Hell yes!” Charlie jumps up and shakes Jimmy’s hand to seal the deal. “Thank you, Jimmy. I won’t let ya down.”

“I know you won’t, kid. Now get the hell outta here and let me finish my lunch in peace. You start at eight o’clock tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

Charlie all but runs the twenty blocks to Thomas’s school, too impatient to wait around for a streetcar or to walk a block in the other direction to catch a bus.

He forces himself to slow down when he gets there, but he’s still breathing hard when he walks into the main office, earning him a dirty look from the old bat sitting at the front desk.

He rarely visits Thomas at work, and he shuffles impatiently while she picks up the phone to check if Thomas will see him without an appointment.

Before she even puts the receiver down, Thomas pops his head out of his office and beckons him in.

Once the door is safely closed behind them, he pushes Thomas up against the wall and kisses him senseless.

When he finally releases him, Thomas gapes, dumbfounded.

“Charlie, have you lost your mind? What the heck was that for?”

“Jimmy offered me a job. I’m gonna be the new manager.”

Not a second passes before Thomas’s face breaks into a brilliant smile, and then he’s kissing Charlie hard around his own matching grin.