As always, many thanks for the reviews. And on with more of my wild speculations regarding Bobby and Alex's early loves. This chapter--Alex

Chapter 2

Tom Wexstein surveyed the class in front of him with a weary and experienced eye. In the three years he'd been teaching this auto repair class at the community center he'd encountered several examples of the four young men standing in front of him. All appeared to think they knew more than their teacher and attempted to view the large engine hanging in front of them with a blasé attitude. Tom considered it was highly unlikely that any of the four had ever seen anything like it, and he hoped that the engine would at least stay in one piece for the first class. He glanced at the clock; one other student had registered for the class, and the session was due to start in less than a minute.

The door at the far end of the garage opened and shut, and a small figure dressed in worn but clean jeans, heavy work boots, and an ancient, oversized flannel shirt over a T-shirt approached. For a moment Tom thought the figure might be a young boy, but he realized that it was a young woman. She stood much taller than her height, and he sensed she was older than she looked. "But she'd almost have to be," Tom thought. "If she's as young as she looks she couldn't even drive a car." Her blonde hair was tied back from her face with a red bandana, and she carried a formidable looking red toolbox.

"Sorry I'm late," she said.

One of the other students called out, "Get lost, sister?"

Before the others could snicker or Tom comment, the young woman turned.

"I'm not your sister—I already have three brothers," she said quietly, a flame briefly blazing in her eyes. "I was fine until a man gave me the wrong directions." She turned to Tom. "I'm Alex Eames."

Tom liked Alex Eames, and he liked her more as the first class progressed. In spite of the warnings sent with the class registrations, she was the only student dressed to get dirty and possessing the right tools. It quickly became clear she knew more about the inner workings of a car that the other four students put together, and Tom frequently struggled not to laugh as Alex handed the right tool to one of her classmates or pointed one in the right direction. His feelings moved to outright affection when at the end of the class the four males, more than a little embarrassed by their showings, fled while Alex stayed to help clean and pick up.

"You know," Tom said. "I'm not sure you need this class…you seem to have a good grasp of the workings of an internal combustion engine already."

Alex tossed several greasy cloths into a barrel and smiled. "Yea…we went over the basic stuff tonight…my ignorance will start showing soon…I want to know how to take an engine apart and put it back together, if only to hold my own with my brothers…and one of my brothers is helping to fund his way through college by fixing cars…if I get good enough—and we get to a point where we can work together without killing each other—I might be able to help him. Besides," she said as she carefully placed several wrenches in a toolbox, "I really like doing this."

Throughout the next weeks, Alex proved to be a knowledgeable and skilled mechanic, and an intelligent and eager student willing to admit and make mistakes. By the end of the course, the four would be car jockeys were listening to and treating Alex with respect. More significantly, Tom thought, they treated Alex exactly as they treated each other—she was one of the guys. It was another reason for Tom to like Alex Eames, and he didn't need another reason to like her.

It was the last night of the class, and the teacher and five students happily assessed their work. A fully restored Stingray glowed in the middle of the garage. There was no question of who would get the honor of being first behind the wheel. Alex slid into the car and revved the engine.

"Need a pillow there, Eames?" one of the guys asked.

"If she does," another said, "I'm volunteering."

Alex poked her head out the window. "IF I needed a pillow," she said with a grin. "You would not be my choice."

"It's a beauty, guys," Tom told the class after each had taken a turn behind the wheel. "Frankly, I didn't expect to finish this by the end of the class."

"What's going to happen to it?" a student asked.

"I promised the Community Center we'd auction it off to help fund more programs." Tom smiled. "Although, I really didn't think we'd have anything to auction."

"Didn't count on our skills, uh, teach?" another student laughed.

"Nah," said the first. "He didn't count on Eames."

Alex reddened slightly. "Well," she said with a smile. "You guys did the heavy lifting."

Alex and another student were technically too young, but the group managed to sneak into a local bar for a celebration. Tom squeezed next to Alex in the booth; she smelled of a mix of oil and lavender, and he found his mind drifting into dangerous territory.

"No," he firmly told himself as he watched her sip a margarita. "I'm at least ten years older than her…technically, she's a student…I'm not exactly free…"

The party broke up long before any of its participants were near an intoxicated state. Tom walked Alex back to the garage, although he sensed she welcomed his company more than she needed his protection.

"I've been thinking about offering a class on auto repair for women," Tom said as they neared the garage, although the idea had just popped into his head. "For those who don't have brothers to teach them and compete with."

Alex smiled. "That would be a good idea. Guys try to intimidate women when it comes to cars."

Tom nodded. "We get a lot of women in our shop saying that."

"It's one of the things I like about you…I know you were expecting a guy that first day…and you barely blinked when I turned out to be a girl…didn't even complain about cooties…"

"I had good examples…I inherited the shop from my dad and mom…my mom is still as good a mechanic as my dad…better with some cars…" Tom unlocked the garage door. "Would you…be interested in helping with the course? You'd be a good example…but mostly because you know your stuff….I could work out some salary…"

Alex considered the offer as she gathered her tools. "It's an attractive offer," she said and smiled. Tom's insides turned to goo. "It might help with the bills…"

"I remember those days," Tom said. "Trying to pay for college…my parents helped a lot…but I spent a lot of hours working…"

Alex nodded. "Yea…I'm from a big family and we're trying to make it on a cop's salary…I've got a scholarship, but it doesn't cover everything, and I don't want to take out a bunch of loans." She hoisted her backpack on her shoulders. "It was a great class, Tom. I learned a lot. Thanks."

An unfamiliar panic gripped Tom; he saw Alex Eames walking out of his life forever. "Listen," he said, hoping that his voice didn't betray his feelings. "About that class…don't forget…and I could always use a good assistant mechanic…especially one that's willing to work weekends and evening."

Alex's hand was on the door knob; she turned. "I'm tempted to say yes…but could you give a couple days to check my schedule and stuff?"

Tom's heart took an unexpected leap. "Sure," he said struggling to keep his voice even.

They walked the few stops to the parking lot. Alex stopped a beautiful, sky blue Mustang.

"Wow," Tom murmured reverently. "'64, or '65?"

"Both, actually," Alex laughed. "It's the family's ongoing project…my dad and brothers hope to have original parts on it someday."

Tom continued to his car; he heard the beep of a horn. He turned to see Alex; she slammed on the brakes, and then peeled out.

"Don't tell my dad!" she yelled and waved.

"Oh, damn!" Tom thought as he watched her drive away. "She's just a kid…and I've got it bad…"

END Chapter Two