Second Chance Addison

"A fresh interest? In someone? Recently?" Charlie was utterly dumbfounded. She couldn't think of anything that would suggest that she was interested in anyone. At least not romantically...

The gears in her mind spun rapidly, processing any and all information that could be even remotely relevant to her current predicament. In just a few seconds, she felt like something finally clicked but she shook it off.

'Surely he doesn't mean Nevada!' She thought to herself. 'There's no way. I haven't told a soul!'

"Well, since you've denied it. I can spread around that it ain't true to try to fix it. But I ain't got nothing to counter it with." Murphy said suggestively and c.o.c.ked his head to the side before adding, "I guess I'll see you later then, Miss Charlie. Until next time."

He gave her a polite nod, pushed his chair back, and started standing up to leave.

"Wait!" Charlie desperately grabbed his arm and looked him square in the eye. There was no way she'd sleep at night knowing that such a falsehood was floating around her own garage.

She decided to just follow her gut and to spill what she knew. She figured it would be better than leaving things as they were.

"It isn't a lover!" She shouted vehemently. "It isn't like that!"

"Oh?" Murphy sat back down, leaned forward, and set his forearms on the table. "What is it like then?"

"She's just a new mechanic! It seems like she doesn't want to work for me." Charlie looked dejectedly at the table and sighed.

"She? As in a lady mechanic? And she doesn't wanna work here?" Both parts of this bit of news were even more shocking than the boss finding a lover. On top of that, the boss was disappointed?

They had never successfully recruited another female mechanic. In the past, there had been female candidates that had lied about their mechanical proficiency and failed to demonstrate anything worthy of earning a spot in Charlie's garage. Each one had been swiftly dismissed and sent on their way.

As a matter of fact, the only other lady in the entire garage was Charlie's mother, Tweedy.

Tweedy was a master of organization and kept the front office running as smoothly and efficiently as humanly possible. Charlie was one hundred percent sure that there were two people that deserved credit for the success of her garage; Mr. Mack Lovewell and Mrs. Tweedy Mason.

To Murphy, the even more unbelievable news was that the newbie mechanic didn't want to work there. Getting a chance to even step foot in Charlie's garage was highly coveted and open positions drew hundreds, if not thousands, of applications.

Employment opportunities were insanely rare and limited. There was no mechanic in their right mind that would tell Charlie no, right?

"Yeah. She's still pretty young. The girl's finishing up her schooling and keeps using it as a reason to put me off!" Charlie g.r.o.a.n.e.d in exasperation and put her head down. "If she doesn't find another excuse, I can go get her in a week but... I don't want to wait that long!" She w.h.i.n.ed into the table.

"Why is she coming at all then?" Murphy wondered aloud.

"The new boss, Chance, talked her into it. He knows her or her brother from way back, I think. They have some kind of understanding involving his car. That's also why I haven't touched it yet." She continued to grumble to herself while Murphy tried to understand what exactly she meant.

"So, let me get this straight..." He waited to make sure she was listening.

"What?" Charlie sat up and gave her full attention.

"You met this mechanic girl's brother's boss. He recommended her so you met her. Turns out she's got talent so you want her. You offered her a job here and she doesn't want it but was talked into it by the new boss. She also demanded that she has to finish school, which ends this week."

"Sounds about right." She nodded to confirm.

"The guys are more likely to believe that you are taking in a lover."

"Noooo! I'm not! She is going to be an apprentice!" Charlie ran her fingers through her thick, curly hair.

"I know what you told me and I believe you. The rumor wasn't widespread to begin with but they'll never believe this."

She sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Whatever. Correct it. Don't correct it. I don't have the energy to care."

"I'll still correct it and spread the news about the newbie. They'll figure it out once she's here anyways." Murphy thought about Eddy and new he couldn't let the poor guy keep thinking the way he was.

"Thanks." Charlie felt reassured knowing that he would at least try. Most everyone listened to Murphy since he had been an employee at the garage the longest. His information network was the most effective means to squash any fallacious gossip that should round the garage.

"Let me know when you need me."

"Will do." She affirmed.

"Bye then, lil' missy. I'll talk at you later." He promptly stood up and headed out of the break room.

"See you around, Murphy." Charlie called after him as he stepped through the door, to which he gave a short wave before continuing on his way.