Jumpin down from the truck, Abel stretched, his back sore from the days work.
" Bring it inside, we need to check the rear bearings " Opie called out from the garage bay, and few moments later, his boss guided Abel over the pit.
" I need you tomorrow, can ya make it? " he asked. " Ryan's leg is still fukt up, so he's gonna need some help. "
Above the shop desk was a row of cubby holes, labeled PM , Parts Ordered, Completed, and Metal Shop
" All of em?" Abel pulled out a large metal ticket book, with" Weekly Fleet Maintenance" pasted on the front, and opened it. " I'ma need more copies, there's only three in here"
Opie flipped up the desk lid and handed him a fresh pad. " Get a close look at the hydro lines, we had two leakers just this week. Maybe Ryan needs another pair of eyes "
" What about the puddle jumper?"
Opie glanced at the truck. " Nah, its not goin out for awhile...so..." he grinned slightly, " Congratulations on your kid "
Abel was caught off guard momentarily.
" Dad didn't waste time.."
" It wasn't him, it was your mom-she told Donna "
" Since you know, I wanted to ask if I can come on full time. I'm not sure about health benefits an shit, but I dont want Mom n Dad helping . Plus I'ma quit n do the g.e.d. thing.."
Opie studied him for a few seconds. " I can always use fresh blood. You're a good climber, n a good basic mechanic. Your talking about the baby, right?"
" Megan too, medical expenses n all that. "
" They know your plan?"
" No, I wanted to get with you first. Gotta cover my Family.." Abel looked his boss straight in the eye.
" That's what having a kid will do for ya, " Opie answered, " Its about walking thru your fears- it aint about you anymore, its about your legacy- your family, an doin what a Man does for them."
" Thanks " Abel was too relieved to be grateful. " You gonna lock up now?"
" After I tie up a few loose ends, I'll be rite behind ya. "
Abel's messenger chimed.
" Megan's still at the theater so I'm heading there- Thanks, Ope"
" Be here by 7:30- N lemme know what your Dad says " Opie grinned. " he probably wouldn't a passed anyway..." he muttered to himself, as Abel disappeared around the corner.
Bloody Runs ancient theater was a few buildings down from Opies shop across the street. Built in 1923, it was temporarily closed after the boys watched a JAWS movie marathon about seven years ago, when the roof leaked into the lobby, and Mikes Bar next to it. Arguing against demolition of the movie house, Bloody Runs Historical Society won its preservation, but Mikes Bar wasn't as lucky.
Abel walked past the vacant lot where a few Theater members hid in darkness getting baked, stopping short of the ticket booth, its small wooden cash till still visible. They made people smaller back then he thought, looking inside. It seemed a cramped space to sit and take money, even for someone his size.
The lobby had a small concession counter, and steep narrow stairs leading the balcony against each wall.
"Test...test...Yo, lets get high..." he heard Tommys voice crackle over an aging sound system from the stage.
" Alright, come on, lets get serious.. Tommy, quit playing with that- "
" Its gonna sound better when I link with your laptop, but I cant find your music files -"
" Anyone spare a couple more speakers, we can use with bluetooth?" someone called out.
" Everyone, I need your attention , please- ATTENTION ... I need three more bodies, for the last spirit scenes..." Miss Baker called out ...
Megan was holding a script by the stage with a few others when she saw Abel.
" What did he say? Did you ask him about more hours?"
" Yea, I got em. I told em about leaving school too."
Her expression dropped a bit. " I was hoping you wouldn't.."
" Theres no fuking way I'm gonna work forty plus hours, then bust my ass trying to keep up at school, when I'm hardly passing anyway- I'll get the GED on my own time, an my way...our family is more important..."
Megan sighed. " I guess it will be easier, I think you can even do it online. I can help some, but im not doing it for you!" she gave him a warning look.
" I got this !" He grinned, and pulled her close.
" Bruh, get a room, or go make out upstairs." someone yelled .
" I need someone for the last spirit, any takers?" Miss Baker announced, her voice echoing above everyone else. " Abel Teller, how bout you?"
" Fuk no- I mean- sorry Miss Baker, but no way!"
" Babe, why not? " Megan pleaded. " You dont have any lines, all you do is point and kinda float. "
" Abel, be a good sport and participate. Have something positive to remember about being young, and take a risk...Please? "
"He'll forget his lines n fuk it up !" his brother taunted from the stage.
" Man, shut the hell up or i'll -"
" You'll what ?"
The place fell silent, everyone anticipating another clash between the two brothers, when Abel remembered what Opie said about having balls.
" Ok, I'll take the part, " he decided then looked directly at Tommy. " an I'll beat your ass later.." he threatened. and noticed the band instruments. "Whos are these?"
Abel opened a clarinet case. There was also a harp, a cello, and an acoustic guitar cluttered next to the battered piano.
" thats Trevor's clarinet, Brittany's guitar, an I don't know who else. Miss Baker wanted to add some live music, " Megan pointed out.
" Can't she just use whats on her laptop?" she wondered.
Tommy was scrolling scrolling through it already. " Maybe, unless we can find some goulish opening for each ghost...an we need skeleton hands!" He added, inspired by macabre holiday images.
Over dinner at Skillets, Jax could sense his friends excitement as he come thru the restaurant entrance, phone in hand.
"Check this out.." Opie suggested, pressing send. "Didja order for me ?" He asked Donna, shaking snow off his jacket.
" A guard rail truck?" Jax looked closer at his phone.
" Yep- We're bidding on a contract down in Maryland, just one county tho."
" Can we afford that?"
" Rigs gonna be at least a hundred fifty K. I found two for sale outta state, but I'm thinking bout new. Wanna come with me?"
" How long will you two be gone?" Tara asked.
" Couple days, maybe three..I'm bringing Kenny, he seems a good candidate for this crew..."
" I'm in " Jax grinned.
" Do NOT sign anything until we have our bid accepted!" Donna warned, her hand suddenly gripping Opies forearm.
" But it's new, a new toy, babe. I want one!" He answered, his face grimaced sadly.
" After they accept the bid and we have the contract, you have enough toys to play with right now." She patted his cheek , then kissed it.
Skillet appeared with his plate.
" I heard you're doing posters for this play !" She asked Tara, setting Opies dinner on the table with a heavy thunk.
" I was, but I got a text from his teacher earlier. Said Tommy and Zenith already volunteered."
" Freddie meets Scrooge. This oughta be interesting.." Jax shook his head.
" I don't know anyone named Freddie, but I hope they come up with something nice!" Skillet muttered, leaving.
" Plenty blood n vomit, for sure .." Jax shook his head.
" Abel wants to work full time." Opie interrupted.
" He can have all the hours he wants , till after New Year's." Jax dismissed the subject.
" No, I mean he wants full time now. Benefits an all that shit for their kid!"
Tara looked up from her dessert, suddenly understanding, and watched her husband's expression.
" He's got school, that won't leave him enough time for..." Jax trailed off, looking at Opie, who slowly shook his head no. " He say something about quittin school?"
" Sounded like it "
" Not happening! Nope, no fucking way!"
"He wants to take care of his family, sweetheart.." Tara tried to calm her husband, seeing the familiar twitch in his jaw.
" Come on bruh, he said something about his GED, an taking pressure off you two. He's really stepping up rite now. "
" Geezis, I spend most of my time kicking his ass to stay IN, babe, an the other times I'm chased ratchets away before he knocked them up...he won't get anywhere without a diploma, and now he's got her pregnant! Damnit !" Jax shoved his plate away.
"Shes not a ratchet babe." Tara corrected him
" Jax...give em some credit, he's pretty serious about being a Dad. He wants to cover his family expenses and get his diploma when he's ready. I know you've been a good dad n hovering all the time, but I'm on his side with this. " Opie hoped he hadn't crossed a boundary.
" Jax, it's like when Kenny joined up. We all have the OH SHIT moments when they do exactly what we don't want them to...!" Donna gently added.
" Son of a bitch.." Jax sighed, deflating a bit.
" I think he'll be fine, babe." Tara pulled him close.
" He's on his way, dude, an he loves doing what he's best at!"
" Yea, climbing trees n still tearing shit apart, like he did in second grade!" Jax kept focused on his coffee cup.
" The big difference is he can put together everything he takes apart! " Donna smiled. " He's gonna be alright!"
Opie noticed Wes parking just past their window outside.
" Hey Skillet, get this man some pie or something, he's having a rough day.!" he called across the restaurant.
Moments later a slice of peach cobbler arrived along with Sheriff Gartland.
" I can't handle this!" Jax muttered, hacking into it, and greeted the deputy " Hey, Wes. The boys are at the theater if you got a warrant!"
" Shut up and eat your pie " Tara cut in. " How's your wife, Wes? " she asked, smiling sweetly.
" She's good, got back from the doc n said the kids due
June or July. So Jax, you're gonna be a grandfather soon? " The bearded deputy grinned broadly.
" Yea, but don't worry, your time will come!"
" Yea right", he laughed softly. " This isn't for your boy, but I wouldn't mind asking him a few questions. "
" What about ?"
" His buddy, Skeeter."
" Abels been at the site with me till maybe a half hour ago, what's up?" Opie added.
" What's wrong?" Tara knew Skeeter, who she liked , even tho she thought he was an idiot.
" Got a warrant for him, child support."
" Some a the others at the theater probably know.." Donna suggested.
" I'll ask around then , you guys have a nice evening!" The deputy smiled and quickly left .
All four sat silent for a minute, until Jax sighed , watching Wesley head towards the movie house.
" I can handle this...!" He said , his mouth full.
Snow was already coating Main street when they left for the theater.
" They can handle the garage for two days " Jax pocketed his phone. The factory and sales division was in Alabama, a good twelve hours or more south of Bloody Run.
" I pretty much know what we need, but I wanna get a closer look at the rigs- I guess Cummins is the best bet...Kenny likes workin on those." Opie trudged alongside him , then stopped. " I wanna try one more time !" He grinned.
" You're gonna loose like you always do, " Jax laughed, " You go first tho."
" If you fall, I'm not helping you to the toilet!" Donna warned. " Please be careful !"
"Will they ever grow out a this?" Tara asked.
'Not till one of em breaks something.."
"Bet I'd take ya for a ride in my wheelchair!" Jax smirked at her under the street light.
They watched both men set a line and crouch. Tara thought of Abel at track practice.
" Where we start?" Opie asked.
" Curbside past the road-" Jax pointed. " count a three- one-two- three!"
It was a slippery start, but they gained traction, and landing on the opposite sidewalk, each one tried to outdistance the other , as they slid thru a feeble two inches of snow.
" Yea, I won !" Jax was triumphant. " Check it out, almost three feet !"
" I just remembered i still got my work boots on!" Opie realized. " Rematch tomorrow...same place "
"The sidewalks will probably be salted .." Jax turned to observe his tracks.
"They got the Marquee lit, check that out!" Tara pointed ahead.
"Well , almost..." Jax added, laughing. Out of the two dozen or more bulbs , there were only seven lit.
"Progress, not perfection !" Donna claimed, and opening the door, a familiar tune greeted them.
"Sound system is better!" Jax observed with a satisfied expression.
" You helped her with that too?" Tara asked . " I thought it was the lights or something!"
" Nah, I just hung the two stage lanterns, an set the other up on the balcony. Tommy n Zee are doin the rest."
" Is he still stuck on that art teacher?" Donna was curious.
"He's probably had a few wet dreams already..." Opie suggested.
" She's half my age, Babe. Besides , why would i need her, I got you, n that's enough!"
" So you dont want the threesome?" she innocently asked, watching Donnas eyes grow wide in surprise.
" We can talk about that later !" her husband answered, " But I'm not letting you two tie me up"
" You're no fun anymore !" Tara sulked, but her expression changed when she saw their eldest son with a guitar on stage.