Chapter 2

What Serena didn't know was that Darien unofficially had two jobs. After finishing his shifts at the mechanic shop, he would go to the park and play his guitar for tips. After picking up his guitar from home, he rode his bike to work and stopped at the window of a jewelry store where a specific necklace got his attention weeks ago. He stopped to stare at it for a moment. It was a simple golden chain holding a golden heart locket with a small red rose in the center of it. He found out after asking the manager that the heart could serve as a charm on a charm bracelet. Darien planned to get it for Serena's charm bracelet for Christmas because he knew that the bracelet meant the world to her since it came from her mother who died a few years ago. The only problem was that his savings still came a bit short. After today, I'm sure I'll be able to get it. He looked at the store sign and noticed that the shop would be closing at 6pm. I should have plenty of time after the park. He looked at his watch and gasped in surprise when he realized he needed to get going or else he'd be late.

*******

Darien arrived at the mechanic shop and clocked in just enough time before his shift started. "Shields!" Diamond Carson, the owner and boss of the shop yelled. "You're late!"

"I-I'm sorry, sir," Darien said apologetically. "I-I was helping my pregnant wife get to work and, and, and…"

"And he's already clocked in," Andrew Crown, another employee, finished for him. "You check for yourself."

"We'll see about that," Carson said with disbelief. "If I find out you're lying, you're fired." He walked back to his office.

Darien breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Andrew," he said gratefully. Andrew was Darien's best friend on the job. They found out that they had a lot in common since meeting on Darien's first day and were inseparable ever since. Even though they only knew each other for a few months, it was as though they knew each other for years.

"Any time pal," he said clapping him on the shoulder. "I wouldn't want to see my best friend get fired because he has a problem stuttering, especially on Christmas Eve."

Darien smiled as he got his tools together. "Are you and Mina doing anything special with the kids for the holiday?" he asked as they walked to the garage area.

"Nothing fancy," he said opening the hood to one of the cars. "We're going to watch Rachel and Jonathan in the school play. Then both our parents should be arriving tonight so we all can spend Christmas day together."

"Sounds fun. When's the play?"

"Tonight at 5pm. I wouldn't miss it for the world. How are Serena and the twins?"

"She's still nervous, but excited. I can tell she's ready for them to come out."

Andrew laughed. "I remember those days. It'll be here before you know it. Patience is the key."

They didn't have much more time to talk together because Carson allowed a flood of customers to come through at the last minute without appointments. All he cared about was raking in the extra money from everyone making last minute Christmas trips. By the time 3pm rolled around, Darien and Andrew were exhausted and tired of all of the impatient customers. They were about ready to end their shift as scheduled, but Carson had other plans for them. "Shields, Crown!" he yelled. "I'm gonna need you two to work until 5pm to take care of all these customers."

"But I have to get home to see my kids' play," Andrew complained.

"That's too bad. You either work longer or you're fired. They'll understand." Carson walked away and Andrew's body slumped.

"Rachel has the lead as Mary this year and Jon was so excited about being a shepherd," Andrew said sadly. "I know they're only 7 and 5, but it means so much to them."

"Then go," Darien said. "Leave when you need to and I'll cover the rest of your shift."

"Are you sure, Darien? There are a lot of customers."

"I'm sure it'll die down by 4pm or so. It won't be a problem."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Darien!" Andrew said happily. "I'll never forget this."

"Hey ladies!" Carson yelled. "Stop chit chatting and get back to work!"

Darien and Andrew continued working hard to assist the remaining customers and as Darien predicted there weren't a lot left at 4pm. Andrew got ready to leave. "Thank you again for covering for me," he said gratefully. "I owe you one."

"Don't worry about it," Darien said as he wiped his hands. "Get home to your family. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you too," Andrew said before waving and running off.

Darien had no problem keeping the customers under control and served them as best he knew how. The last customer was an elderly man with his wife in the car. They requested an inspection, but unfortunately Darien found more problems than they originally thought they had with the car. "You need your brakes fixed and your oil changed," he said matter-of-factly. "It looks like you might need a couple of new tires or else you won't be able to make the rest of the trip without any problems."

The man frowned at his wife. "We don't have enough money for all that right now," he said sadly. "We would if we didn't have to pay up front."

"I'd hate to burden Mi and all the kids and ask them to pick us up all the way out here," his wife responded. "but we might not have a choice."

Darien sighed. "How much can you afford right now?"

"Probably enough for the brakes and oil change," the man said.

"It's Christmas so how about I fix the brakes and do the oil change for half the price and I give you 2 new tires for free."

"Are you sure you won't get in trouble?" the wife asked.

"I'll worry about that later. Let me get to work." Darien worked on the car for half an hour with as much diligence and accuracy as possible. "All done," Darien said proudly after the last tire was changed.

"Thank you so much, sir," the man said as he started the car.

The woman handed Darien some money. "It's the rest of the payment for the brakes and oil. Keep it as a tip."

Darien looked at the money in awe. It was just enough to buy Serena the necklace. "Thank you so much. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you too, young man!" Darien waved at them as they drove off and turned around to face an angry Carson. "I-Is something wrong, sir?" he asked nervously.

"I saw what you did," he said angrily. "Hand over all the tips you made today to cover the free work you did." Darien pulled out all of his tip money and gave it to his boss reluctantly. "Thank you, now you're fired! Scram!"

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Carson," Darien said before walking away dejectedly.