Healing Hands
Chapter 2
Breath in. Breathe out. Breathe in. And out. That was about the only thought on Essence Morgan's mind as she stared up at the open doors of Halliwell Restoration. She had–true to her word–dropped her keys at the other hellhole of a job a mere thirty minutes before . . . and now she just had to get a grip on herself and actually go into the new one.
It couldn't possibly be any worse than what she just left. She'd gone in to the store to find the racks in disarray and stock laying everywhere while two of the other people she was supposed to work with talked and flirted, letting the third try and run the counter all by herself. And even though she'd felt bad about abandoning the third she wasn't about to stay in that mess. Not when someone was willing to pay her over twice what she was making there.
She shook herself, straightening her shirt and pants as she stepped away from her Torino and towards the doors. Now she just had to go inside and see what she'd gotten herself into. As she moved to the garage she took her time looking over the other cars resting near the entrance. Most were classics or vintage cars-and in very different stages of repair and restoration- but the one that kept drawing her eye was the practically preening GT500 sitting closest to the entrance. The body had apparently been damaged and repaired-attested by the Bond-o gray and the sanded patches- but she could tell that as soon as it was primed and painted the car would be gorgeous.
She shook herself, pushing through the one open door as she looked around; trying to get a feel for the shop. She really hadn't had the chance to look around much the day before and now that she had a spare moment she knew she needed to familiarize herself with her new workplace. And what a workplace it was. All of the bays were tucked away from the central portion of the garage, partially hidden by either hanging plastic from the large wooden and sheet metal doors or even the support beams and concrete joists of the building. The tool boxes and work benches had obviously seen better days but she could tell they were well cared for. Even if some of them did look like they'd exploded all over the place.
She turned, watching the grease and dirt covered workers bustle about in their areas before a sound behind her caught her attention. She glanced back, relaxing once she saw Otto moving towards her with a wide smile on his face . . . until she realized that the closer he got the more nervous his smile looked. But why would he be fretting already?
"Oh thank you God, you made it. Kid you have no clue how glad I am to see you. Have any troubles with the other job?"
Essence shook her head, reaching up and pushing her hair out of her face as she tried not to snort. "If they had a problem I really don't care. I've had enough of their crap."
Otto laughed, seeming to relax slightly as he grinned at her. Smoothing his burgundy leather apron straight over the dark blue mechanic's shirt and his jeans. He reached into the front pocket of the apron, tugging out a pair of fairly thick wire rimmed glasses as he held his hand out towards the back of the garage.
"Now that's the kind of attitude I like to hear! C'mon kiddo. You're going back this way."
She laughed, nodding as she moved to follow him. But the deeper into the garage they went, the more conscious she became of the attention she was garnering. She knew she'd probably over dressed but she knew you only got to make a first impression once. So the fitted black pants and black blazer over the white button down shirt might seem a bit odd for the new garage secretary. But any discomfort she'd suffer would totally be worth it . . . besides she didn't want to seem too comfortable or people might get the wrong impression.
Otto moved up a set of rusting and shadow shrouded steps, stopping in front of two frosted glass and wooden doors as he turned to her. He pointed to the one on the far left, almost casually informing her as he pulled a massive set of jingling keys from his pants pockets.
"That's the private office kiddo. No one expects you to do a damn thing in there so just ignore its existence. But this one," he motioned from the door marked Private to the one labeled Office. "This is all you."
He turned back to her, grinning sheepishly as he pushed the key into the lock.
"Now I just wanna remind you of what you're getting yourself into here . . ."
Essence smiled, reaching up and running her fingers through her slightly waving hair again as Otto stalled for time. She knew that whatever was behind that door couldn't possibly be that bad. But she would humor the kindly mechanic and try not to patronize him.
"I remember, Otto. I can actually appreciate this a lot more than I could my old job. Especially with how much you're going to pay me."
Otto chuckled ruefully, turning back to unlock the door as he shook his head. But as soon as the grimy and dusty door swung open Essence knew she'd been wrong. What was behind the wood and glass was as bad as Halliwell was making it out to be. Actually it was worse. She took a tentative step inside, looking over the disarray and clutter. The filing cabinets seemed to be bursting at the seams, oceans of paper and carbon copies overflowing into the floor while teetering stacks of what looked like invoices were settled haphazardly all over the room. She turned back to Otto, blinking before she gathered herself.
"Wow . . . now I know why the other two quit on the spot huh?"
Otto ran a hand over his silvering hair bashfully, leaving a dark smudge of either grease or oil in his white tresses before he nodded. She sighed, stepping completely into the room and dropping her purse into the ripped green leather office chair. Before she grimaced at the mushroom cloud of dust and dirt that stirred from the simple movement. God how long had it been since someone had cleaned up in here?
She turned, hands on her hips as she started to make a mental list of what would need to be done. Other than just setting everything on fire and starting over fresh. That was her fool-proof failsafe should the surely lurking dust bunnies plan a counter strike. She shook herself, smiling to Otto as he shifted on his feet. He still seemed like he expected her to cut out at any second.
"Alright. I guess I need to get started. But first I need to sign that contract."
Otto sighed in relief, pushing his glasses onto his nose as he rolled his eyes skyward. His lips moving in a silent prayer before he tugged a rolled cluster of papers from his back pocket. Correction: a greasy cluster of papers from his back pocket. Oh she was going to have to do something to fix all of this . . . or at least remember to never wear white again.
"Oh thank you Jesus. Right here kiddo. And you have no idea how much this means to me."
Essence glanced back around the room skeptically before raising a brow at him as he searched for a pen that worked. He moved to the almost completely hidden desk, shoving a towering pile of papers to the side and unfurling the contract before he signed his portion. His scrawling signature taking up a good portion of the bottom page. He handed her the pen, extending it to her like he was handing her a life grenade. She laughed, neatly inking her signature beneath his one both copies before tucking her–or the less greasy–copy into her purse to take home.
Otto laughed, shaking her hand happily as he continued to thank her. The shit eating grin never leaving his face even as she practically pushed him out of the office. She sighed, closing the door behind the odd man before looking over the warzone she had to fix. God where in the world did she need to start? Taking a deep breath she had decided to stack the papers in their proper individual places…painstakingly going through each one.
By mid-afternoon Essence had finished the stacks of papers upon the desks and filing cabinets–which was a surprising in itself from the amount of paperwork–and had started on one of the filing cabinets. She had opened all the windows to let out the musky and stuffiness of the room, turning on the lone fan as well as shedding her jacket. Essence even went as far as to fold back her sleeves up to her elbows.
With her iPod on full blast, the young woman blocked out all the noise from the garage, working at a steady fast pace. She always did work better and harder with her own music; it was her own rhythm to help her work. Not to mention it placed her in a world of her own. By late afternoon Essence turned on the lights but kept both the blinds and windows open as there was still the stuffiness inside the small room as she went through another filing cabinet. The dust was all over the place, Essence wondering if she should wear a mask next time as she couldn't seem to stop from sneezing.
Oh, what had she gotten herself into?
Atley only came to talk with Memphis about the list they were to be doing, not babysit some grown ass woman that could possibly be a cop. But, oh no, Otto had cornered him before he can leave to go back to his apartment to watch the woman who continued to work nonstop in the office since everyone had left to go home. Why couldn't Otto just tell the woman it was time to go and make her go on her way? So here he was outside by the open painting docks smoking his–or what it feels like–hundredth cigarette, wishing he had another pack with him as he only had one more smoke left.
Sighing, he flicked the bud away from anything that can possibly be flammable and blow the whole damn building up. Only then will Otto literally kill him, bring him back from the dead, and kill him again. This shop was his life that held so many memories, not just from the days of when it was a chop-shop but also when he went legit...then back again to the illegal world. Otto was a smart man, how was it possible that he couldn't see that this woman could possibly be a cop and be a threat not just to them but also to the business that they have gotten into after the whole incident with Memphis' kid brother.
Walking back inside Atley closed and locked the large doors to the paint docks, knowing that he wasn't going to smoke when he didn't have another pack in hand. He then walked towards the front of the garage, looking through the glass windows of the office to watch the woman continue to work away without even bothering to look up. One thing he can say about the mysterious woman was that she was indeed a hard worker. She's been at that fast pace nonstop for the last thirteen hours, too engross in fixing that damn office that Otto let slip into a hurricane disaster after his Goddaughter had cleaned and put some order to it a few years back. It was a wonder just how much this woman got done without so much as a five minute break for herself.
Of course, if she was a cop it's possible that she could be looking any sort of evidence that can link them to the stolen cars they've boosted since the whole Calitri incident. Then again she's only glanced at the information on the papers to put them in a certain pile that she has created, so she couldn't have found anything in that short ten seconds that it takes her, right? Atley sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. He was such at odds with the woman that he didn't know what to do or even think about her as of yet. But he certainly was keeping a close eye on her just to be on the safe side.
Looking down at his watch, Atley walked towards the office, thinking that midnight was enough time for her to work on that damn office and for them to get home and get some sleep.
Essence continued to work nonstop, not really paying attention to the time as she frowned at each and every piece of paper that she picked up. So far she had five types of piles she had sorted the paperwork into. One was paper worker over three years, the second was restoration continuing, third was supplies for the garage, the fourth was paperwork for under three years, and the last one was papers that have been badly stained with grease to the point that she couldn't read anything on it. She has been lucky so far to not run into any sort of trouble with the five stacks and prayed that it would stay that way.
She stood up with a small stretch, cracking her neck to relieve the tension that has been building up since she started in the office. Essence started when someone placed a hand on her shoulder, her heart racing a hundred miles per second. Taking out of her earphones as she turned, she saw a man she did not know looking apologetic, his hands raised in surrender. He was tall, six foot three inches maybe, with blondish-brown hair that was slicked back and hazel eyes that seemed to have seen too much of the world.
Essence felt bad for him, she almost wanted to hug him and tell him that everything was going to be all right as she gave him the world. Of course that could just be the motherly instinct within her and she would never embarrass herself that way whatsoever. Or even let him and others know of her precious treasure just yet.
"Sorry Miss didn't mean to startle you. But it's nearing midnight and everyone has gone home."
Essence flushed in embarrassment, looking towards the glass windows to see nothing but an empty garage. She kicked herself as she always did this. Whenever she was working on a project and had all her focus on it she never paid much attention to anything around her.
"Oh, Otto should have told me, I usually don't look at the time when I'm working this hard."
The man smiled, seeing just how flustered she was over the situation, Essence becoming even more embarrassed that he noticed. Of course Atley knew it wasn't her fault and shouldn't really stress over it. He would have to tell Otto to suggest an alarm of sort to let the woman know when she needs to take a break or when the garage was closing. Though, it's possible that Otto would have had let her stay all night to finish the damn office. Something he would be telling his wife in revenge of making him babysit. But when he took another look around the office and saw just how much more presentable it really was now. Maybe presentable enough to actually let customers wait in here from now on.
"I think he had rather you be working hard as you have been. His wife, Junie, has been on his ass about the filing and the cleaning of this office for a while now. Their Goddaughter had it cleaned and pristine at one point and Otto just let it all go to hell." he told her as Essence returned to her decent self. He thought of how he liked her better all messy instead of prissy. "The name's Atley Jackson, by the way."
Essence shook his hand, smiling shyly. "Essence Morgan; well, let's get you out of here."
Atley nodded, letting the young woman walk before him, who turned back into the room and closed all the windows and the blinds, muttering to herself all the while. Atley couldn't help but smile in amusement, making sure not to let the woman see that he was laughing at her as he noticed that she gets embarrassed easily. He then turned off all the lights on his way, noting Essence standing by as he locked the doors to the garage. He wondered if that was a habit to make sure it was locked properly or something else.
"Well, I'm sorry to have made you stay so late. Have a good night," Essence nodded before walking towards her car.
Atley smiled at the woman–not able to believe that she was driving that monster of a car and wondered if it was a cover up to get them to like her–nodding as she waved at him before backing out of her parking space. Perhaps she wasn't a cop after all, but one couldn't be too careful. If she was, however, that woman was definitely one hot cop.
The next day Essence packed a bag to take with her to the garage as she was to work third shift at the hospital that night. She only had to make sure to let Otto know of her leaving early so he wouldn't freak out and wonder where she was–and not to mention to set her alarm on her phone to remind her or else she would be working nonstop till midnight again. Entering the garage Essence bee lined for the office as she wanted to get a start on the filing before looking and speaking with Otto. She had disposed of her bags and jacket when someone knocked on the open door. Turning, the young woman smiled shyly at Atley, who was leaning against the door frame.
"Hey, you ready to work until midnight again?"
Essence laughed, blushing. She didn't know what it was, but something by the way the man looked at her was almost as though he wanted to see into her soul and bring her true self out on the open. She had a feeling that he might think she could be hiding something from him, but this was the first time she's ever seen the man in her life, so it couldn't possibly be that, right? Her asshole of an ex wouldn't send someone all the way here just to spy on her, right? Maybe it was her imagination; overreacting on things since the incident five years ago.
"No, I actually have to work third shift at the hospital. Which I have to tell Otto, so do you know where he is?" she asked, thinking it would be best to find her boss before getting lost in her work.
"Yeah, follow me." Atley started walking further back of the garage. "So you work at the hospital too?"
Essence nodded, looking at all the classic cars that were being restored or fixed within the garage. She didn't really pay much attention her first day yesterday but as she followed Atley the woman wanted nothing more than to go up to one of these cars and touch them or sit inside for just a minute.
"Yeah, I'm a nurse slash paper worker; it was the only job I found that helps me more on my choice of career."
Atley raised a curious eyebrow at her, "Which is?"
"I want to be a psychologist." Essence shrugged, looking up at the taller man, even with her three inch heels he towered over her. Sometimes she hated being short. "The schools are cutting back, so a second psychologist wasn't going to work. So I use my degree and knowledge to help the crazies that we sometimes get in the ER, and when we're packed to the max, to calm them so we can get the area in order."
Atley looks at her with a piercing gaze, going over what she has said. "I can't imagine you being a psychologist."
Essence laughed, gaining the group of people in the painting dock attention. "Yeah, that's what I get a lot. I'm either a school teacher or–before I quit–in retail."
"Essence is Atley bothering you?" Otto teased, the man frowning and holding out his arms in a 'Why do you assume I'm bothering her?'
"No, Otto, he helped me find you. I just wanted to let you know that I have to leave at six tonight because I'm working at the hospital. I can bring you next month's schedule to let you know when I'm leaving early or staying here longer."
Otto nods, knowing that this was actually working on their favor. They had another list to get ready to do and he and Memphis were just talking about how to work in the garage around the woman so she wouldn't see them since all their work plans was there. Maybe it was time to move it to another location?
"Okay, that's no problem at all." he agreed with a smile.
Essence smiled in return, feeling grateful. She knew that Otto would be a great boss and be understanding, but she thought she might have some problems with certain issues with him when she tried to work in his office.
"Great, well I'll go back to the office and work as much as I possibly can today."
Otto waved a hand at her, smiling back at her. "Don't you worry your pretty little head, kid. Take all the time you need in that office and don't over work yourself now."
Essence nodded in return and waved at the group as she turned to go back to the office. She knew her own streak and taking her time was certainly out of the question. As the group watched her go, Mirror Man was the one to disrupt the silence. His words making the others roll their eyes as it made one man's blood boil with anger.
"Damn she has a fine ass! Almost as big as J-Lo!"
Atley glared at the short man, disgusted with his disrespect of the woman. Then the words that came out of his mouth not only surprised him, but also the others. Atley didn't know what possessed him to say the words but he did and he hoped no one saw the meaning behind them like he knew in his heart what they had meant but didn't want to acknowledge it. He just met the girl!
"Boy, you best respect that woman, or so help me I'll personally throw you into the ocean with an anchor to hold you down, got it."
Everyone watched in amazement as Atley walked away, angry. However, it was Memphis who was frowning in curiosity, looking after his best friend. Of all the years he's known the other man he has never seen him act that angry over something so small. Especially since he knows how Mirror Man was with most women. Yes, he would have given a cold look and even freezing cold words to the one who did the offensive, but he would never look so...angry.
"I think Atley has a crush on the new secretary." Memphis muttered in confusion, wondering if that's what he truly saw or it was just his imagination.
"What?"
Essence rolled her neck as she was finally able to finish two filing cabinets in time for her to change and go to the hospital. She hated the feeling of incomplete, because she knew that the office needed a lot of work but the hospital helps her a bit more with paying the bills. Not to mention she loved it and it helps her honed in what she really does love–and that was helping people by talking to them and listening when they feel that no one else would. Grabbing her bag, the young woman walked to her right and into the small bathroom she had seen earlier when Atley took her to find Otto. She doubled checked that the door was lock, grimacing at the how disgusting the small bathroom was or smelled but didn't complain much. This was a garage full of men. Shaking her head Essence quickly changed into her light blue scrubs as she exchanged her high heels with comfortable tennis shoes.
Taking a deep breath, and shuddering it out through a shaky breath the young woman walked out and towards the office, clutching the handles to her bag nervously. Many of the men were staring at her strangely, Essence gathering her things quickly as she hated how they were staring. Almost like they were changing her scrubs to the nurse outfit from the fifties or something. Her thoughts were confirmed when they started to yell out to her and whistling as soon as she stepped out of the office.
"Hey baby, wanna play doctor with me?"
"You should have worn the skirt outfit instead honey!"
"Yeah, you might get more of a turn on from the men!"
Essence cringed, kicking herself. Why did she have to change into her scrub clothes here? Oh, yeah, because she wanted to stay later to clean the office up than having to run to the hospital and change clothes there. Then a voice startled her–and the men–looking up to her right. She would have thought that he would still be with Otto and the others, talking to them. So why was he here at the front of the garage?
"Knock it off assholes! Get back to work; Otto's already pissed off at you guys for being behind!" Atley yelled.
He stood in front of the blushing woman to keep her from the other men's view, glaring at the men with a hard cold stare he can muster. He felt the same sort of anger when Mirror Man had disrespected the woman when she was out of earshot, and it only confused him even more than when he yelled at the younger man. What was going on with him and this woman? It was like she was bringing something out in him that he never knew existed.
"Come on, we were only just playing around!"
They started shouting apologizes as the men knew that to be on the other man's bad side was a bad idea. Atley ignored them–grinning almost sinister–instead letting them think they were in trouble and to leave the woman alone the next time she comes in to work. He waited for her as she quickly gathered her other bag and sweater, only to usher her towards the entrance. Essence leaned into the man when his hand was pressed to the small of her back, the woman feeling comfortable with the contact from the man she only met yesterday. Once outside Atley smiled at the exhale Essence gave, smiling up at him with her cheeks still flushed. He smiled back in return, liking the innocent flush she was displaying.
"Thank you, I guess I should have changed at the hospital instead of here."
Atley shrugged, never losing his smile. "No problem kid. And if they continue to hassle you, let me or Otto know and we'll take care of it."
Essence forced a smile at the man calling her kid, but nodded with appreciation. She didn't know why but hearing him call her kid made her feel small and not in the same league. What league was that? She wasn't sure but wanted to find out. This man made her feel things she hasn't felt in a long time and it confused her, as well as it clouded her sense a bit when she was near him. Maybe it was best to just stay away from him? But how could she if he was long time friends with Otto, surely he would be coming around the garage all the time.
"Thank you, I guess I'll see you later?"
Atley frowned, tilting his head to the side as he watched Essence walk towards her car. He had noted the forced smile and wondered what he had said that she took offensive. He smiled as Essence gave him a small wave before turning the car around and driving away. Atley shook his head. He needed to clear his thoughts before the boost later that night–which is a good thing that the new secretary wasn't going to stay to midnight today–he didn't need any distraction at that moment, especially something so small...of course, he wasn't sure if what he was feeling was small.
As he went back inside with another quick shake of his head, Atley glared at the men still working on the cars whom quickly duck their heads with shame, working harder and faster. He headed into the back of the garage with the thoughts of the boost when he was taken aback by the suggestive smiles and confusion on his team and family members faces. He frowned at them, holding out his arms in confusion at their looks towards him, wondering if he had done something wrong. Or if they were blaming him for something that the younger kids have done...again.
"What?"
Out of all the things to come out of Mirror Man's mouth, the words that spilled out weren't the ones he was expecting. What in hell's name did he get that stupid idea in his head? He hadn't said a word about the woman or even glanced at her in a way that would suggest he wanted anything from her...right? Despite it, Atley could feel himself blushing, narrowing his eyes and glaring at the shorter man.
"In all of the year we've known you man, we never seen you had a crush on somebody!" Mirror Man yelled out first, "Especially a woman!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Donnie smacked the shorter man's head, who started to protest against him and everyone else that was glaring at him. "What? Man, I will kick your ass!"
"Nothing, now let's get started in how we're going to steal these cars tonight." Memphis says, changing the topic quickly.
He knew that it wasn't the time to have any distractions and made a point of letting the other's know with a glance. However, one thing for sure was Atley having a crush on a woman was sure damn funny to the group, and they couldn't wait to see what happens between the two adults.
A/N: Thanks to Chaosia Guadimus for being the first (and so far only) reviewer! Come on you guys, I know you want to review! It'll only take a few seconds to press the button and write something. :)