Teaching
Modern AU
(This was a story requested, and there will be more added later that were also requested.)
I own nothing
Audra Barkley walked to the garage where she saw her brother, Heath, under the front of his old truck, "What's going on with it, now, Heath?"
The youngest Barkley brother slid out from under the motor, oil covering his hands, and smudged on his face.
"Just changing the oil, sis. You have to do it every 3,000 miles, or you're gonna have problems."
The only daughter crossed her arms, and leaned against the tall, red tool box next to her, "Rodney does all our cars, Heath. You don't have to do it, you know?"
Wiping his hands, the blond grinned and tapped her nose as he went to the tool box, "I know. But for me, working on my truck is therapeutic. And if I can do it myself, why would I pay anyone to do it?"
Audra couldn't fault him for that way of thinking, as she understood that working with her hands, sewing or knitting, helped her, as well.
"So, what are you doing next?"
He looked at the tire next to him and the almost bald tire on his truck, "I'm going to change my tire, and then the wipers. Maybe wash it, and detail it."
"Can I help?"
And so it was, that was how Heath Barkley taught his 19 year old sister how to change the tire on her Jeep, and change the oil.
HB
Alaina Matthews sat in the passenger seat of Audra's Jeep, and was laughing at something she had said when Audra pulled smoothly to the shoulder and turned on her hazard lights.
"What's going on, Audra? Why did you stop?"
Getting out, the blond pipes her trunk and pulled out the reflective orange signs that Heath had bought her, and her jack.
"We have a flat, so I'm changing my tire. Heath can patch it when I get it home."
Alaina looked at her phone, "We don't have any service. How are you going to call the tow truck? How are we going to get home?"
Audra patiently looked at her friend, as she rolled up her sleeves, "Alaina, I need you to get out and stand over here with me. I'll have us home soon. I just need to change this tire."
HBHB
Heath had several sacks of feed in the back of his truck, and had the windows rolled down, feeling the air and sunshine. He saw his little sister getting in her Jeep, so he pulled up alongside her, "Hey, Alaina." He said, acknowledging his sister's friend, not working about the dirty look she shot him. "What's going on, little sister?"
Audra smiled, "I changed my tire. Looks like a nail got it, so you'll have to fix it for me."
Heath grinned, "That's my girl. I'll see you at home. Mother's making pot roast tonight and I can't wait."
HBHB
Audra came down the stairs later that evening and put a small box by the door, "Jarrod," she said, addressing her oldest brother, who happened to be a lawyer.
"Yes, Audra?" He said, sipping his drink.
She turned to him, "Make sure Alaina Matthews gets this box. I never want to see her again."
Raising an eyebrow, Nick looked at her, "May I ask why you don't want to see your best friend from first grade?"
" Because, if I want to change my own tire, I can. I don't need anyone's permission, and I don't appreciate someone making disparaging remarks about my family."
Jarrod nodded, "I'll make sure of it, Audra."
Nick crossed his arms, "How did you learn to change your tire? I never taught you."
Heath came in the door at that moment, wiping his hands on an oil rag he stuffed in his back pocket, " Fixed your tire, sis. Good as new. And it was a nail you got."
Audra nodded her acknowledgement, before turning to Nick, "Heath did. And I can change my oil as well. Next I'm going to learn how to change my spark plugs."
Nick sputtered, "Girls shouldn't be learning that stuff! That's why you have the mechanics in town. Heath you had-"
"Every right to teach Audra," Mrs. Victoria Barkley stated, coming into the room. "Frankly, I'm not sure why I didn't think of it myself. You never know when you will need to do it on your own."
Nick looked about to argue, "Nicholas, I don't want to hear it. Your sister was on the side of the road today, with no service. Who knows how long it would have been before someone stopped, or even if they would. You should be thankful that Heath showed her."