GB96 s2 - Adulthood Part 2

Gurlberg’s not so bad at night. It’s a small town, but it doesn’t have big rural vibes as long as you’re in town. There are plenty of streetlights and the large number of college students keeps the bars open and rowdy. The edges of town and the surrounding swamp are another story.

Your little VW doesn’t have the strongest headlights, but it gets you to the Gibson shop, where you’re only a little surprised to find Stef’s truck. The light is on inside. You aren’t sure what to feel as you put the car in park. Relief that Stef is here? It means that she’s thinking clearly. Tension because you don’t know what to say to her? It’s not like Mr. Gibson is dying or anything. It’s not great. Heart problems are scary for sure.

You’re stalling. You get out of the car and head inside to find Stef underneath a Taurus.

“Don’t freak out,” you say.

“Jesus. Don’t sneak up on me.”

“What did I just say?” you ask.

“What are you doing here?”

“Same thing you are. I was going to call everyone for tomorrow.”

There’s a pause, then Stef rolls herself out and sits up. With a groan, she rises to her feet. She’s wearing a beige set of coveralls. It’s cooler at night, so she’s wearing them properly instead of tied around her waist. There’s no horniness or distraction on her face, which is slightly smudged with dirt. She looks focused and serious as she absently wipes her hands on her rag. There are no words for how attractive you find her like this. When she’s not being a dumbass. She has no idea how this makes you feel. And this would not really be the time to tell her.

“Thanks,” she says finally.

You shrug at her.

“Let me think for a second.” You follow her to the door, where she looks at the lot outside. “I can handle this one. And that one.” She points. “We should call the other two and let them know that they have to wait.”

“Are you sure you’re OK to be doing this? You aren’t him,” you tell her frankly.

“I’ve been doing this since I was twelve. I can change brake pads. I can tell people when they need a new battery. I can change oil. I can’t fix a transmission, though.” She runs her hand through her short hair, leaving it spiky and ridiculous. She doesn’t look ridiculous. She looks reliable.

“OK,” you say. “I’ll do the calls.”

“Thanks.” It might be the first time that she’s said that and sounded as though she really means it. You head for the office as she returns to her work. The feelings that you’re having are strange and they make you feel guilty. You aren’t happy about what happened to Mr. Gibson, but you can’t deny that it’s nice to have a quiet moment with Stef where she doesn’t seem to be thinking about other girls.