Who: Maxine, open to all
Where: Marchese's Texaco
What: Maxine gets her car fixed
Maxine considered herself quite self-reliant, but there were times she had to admit that a professional was needed. She could change her own oil, but when the car started making knocks and pings it was time to bring it in for service.
The car hadn't been new when her and Joe bought it, but it was gently used. And they'd tried to keep it in good condition. After Joe died, Maxine had kept the ol' girl going on her own. She'd considered upgrading a time or two, but she couldn't bear to let go the car where her and Joe had gone for drives together and made plans for a future that would never come to pass.
She pulled into the lot of Marchese's Texaco ,the knocks and pings continuing a moment even after she turned off the key. "That can't be good," she said to herself as she got out of the car. She patted the car affectionately. "Don't worry, they'll get you fixed up ol' girl. They always do."
Maxine headed in to the service area, hoping that they weren't too busy to fix things today.
Where: Marchese's Texaco
What: Maxine gets her car fixed
Maxine considered herself quite self-reliant, but there were times she had to admit that a professional was needed. She could change her own oil, but when the car started making knocks and pings it was time to bring it in for service.
The car hadn't been new when her and Joe bought it, but it was gently used. And they'd tried to keep it in good condition. After Joe died, Maxine had kept the ol' girl going on her own. She'd considered upgrading a time or two, but she couldn't bear to let go the car where her and Joe had gone for drives together and made plans for a future that would never come to pass.
She pulled into the lot of Marchese's Texaco ,the knocks and pings continuing a moment even after she turned off the key. "That can't be good," she said to herself as she got out of the car. She patted the car affectionately. "Don't worry, they'll get you fixed up ol' girl. They always do."
Maxine headed in to the service area, hoping that they weren't too busy to fix things today.
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
"Hey there-- I'm bringing my old girl in for service again. I hope you aren't too busy today."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Maxine cleared her throat, and made an aproximation that sounded like "Ping-ping-ping-CLUNK".
"And it's continuing after I turn the key off, just for a second. I think she's idling a little high, too."
Max looked over at the engine Eric had removed from some hapless vehicle, trying to see what the problem was. "What happened to your patient there, hm? Looks like it's missing a few vital parts."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Max smirked when Eric mentioned the guy not wanting to get his gloves dirty-- she knew the type. All the bigwigs at the factory were like that.
"Well, if Mister High and Mighty's engine doesn't have a rush order, can you have a look at my girl?"
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
The car, a 1938 studebaker coupe, wasn't in bad shape for her age really. But she did have these moments where parts broke down. Maxine kinda felt like maybe her and the car had that in common- advancing years, more things not working quite as good as they used to. Such is life.
Max slid into the front seat, and turned the key. "See, you can hear how she's idling, Eric-- it's not her usual purr. And once I start driving her, there's the rattle-thump-clunk I described to you."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Maxine drove her ol' girl into the left bay, and sure enough it made the noise she described. She let the motor run a while longer after she had it in there, then turned the key off.
The noise continued a moment longer before ceasing as well. "See what I mean?" Max asked as she got out of the car. "Poor baby."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
"Can you have her up and running smooth by Christmas? The nieces and nephews will pitch a fit if I don't make it for the celebrations. Probably they'll miss the presents more than me, mind-- but still I don't want to disappoint them."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Maxine pondered a moment, looking Eric over. She supposed most of his family was in England, and it hadn't occured to her to ask before, but now she was curious.
"What do you do for Christmas, anyhow?"
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Maxine chuckled.
"Well, if the Marcheese-es don't have holiday plans for you, you could come with me to my family's dinner. They're used to strays-- they put up with me every year, after all."
She watched Eric as he selected the proper tools from his box. "And I'm not just saying that to get a free ride, Lancaster. It's no good to be alone at the holidays. Believe me, I know."
From:
no subject
He'd definitely heard the invitation, but it took him a few minutes to answer, "And, well, of course I wouldn't mind an opportunity at a free meal for the evening."
From:
no subject
She got in the car to turn the engine over, and smiled when she heard him respond to her invitation.
"Alright good," she said, before turning the key ,considering it a done deal.
Her stomach did a little flip-flop along with the turning engine, but she mentally chided herself for being silly.
This certainly wasn't a date she'd just made, and besides that-- she was a married woman. Never mind that Joe had died over ten years ago now.
"How's that sound?"
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
"I don't mind if I've got to leave her a few days, really. You always do a good job with her. Keep her moving along."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Kathy was the best cook of the family, really. Maxine could make a serviceable meal, but Kathy's food took the proverbial cake. "And my brother Tim and his wife Alice and their two kids, Timmy and Mikey will be there. My nephews. They're great."
She smiled. "And then I usually stop by Joe's little sister's house, and visit her and her husband and my niece Patty- she's adorable. Just turned two."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Maxine gave him the address. "You don't have to dress up nice or anything- we haven't had a fancy dinner since our folks died. It's just a casual, friendly sort of thing. Good food though- turkey and all the trimmings. Pumpkin pies."
From:
no subject
Eric smiled.
"So do you have time to stick around and chat, or do you have places to be? I don't mind chatting while I work, but I know sometimes it's possible to overdo the sociable thing around here."
From:
no subject
She parked herself on a convenient bench, moving aside a few tools to do so.
"If I start distracting you from your work, just send me on my way."
Max grinned. "Otherwise I might stay here all day and talk your ear off."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
She paused a moment, looked down at her feet. "Some of the guys on my shift giving me a hard time at work. There's a new guy who's got that whole 'Women belong in the kitchen' attitude, and he's stirring up some crap. Doesn't want to take orders from a woman and all that."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Maxine made a face to show just what she thought about that. "Then when the big bosses come in for an inspection, or they tell him to do something, he's all yes-sir, right-away-sir working his tail off. Most of my guys have been with me a long time, and they're alright. But we've had some people transfer in from another shift, and I don't want them to start emulating this new guy. That's all I need, half the line slacking off. Then that makes me look bad."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Max was the only woman supervisor at the bearing factory.
"Either that, or he'll finally push things too far and one of the bosses will notice and dicipine him for it. Anyhow-- other than that bit of work trouble, things've been alright. Mostly finished my Christmas shopping, such as it is. Going to pick up some cat treats for Ozzie's stocking."
She chuckled at how much she indulged her cat.
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Max hoped she wasn't the only one silly enough to think of her pet as family. With Joe gone, Ozzie was her only companion at home - and it was easy to think of him as the child they'd never had a chance to have.
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Maxine sighed a bit. "It's hard around the holidays, isn't it? Being apart from people you loved. I'm missing Joe a lot every year around this time. How about you-- do you have family over in England still?"
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
"I'm sorry," she said, feeling bad that she'd brought it up.
A bit of awkward silence as she watched him work, unable to think of anything to add to that. She knew how terrible the ache was, losing someone who meant so much to you. Even so many years later, it still could feel like a fresh wound whenever poked at.
From:
no subject
He looked up. "The good news is, as longwinded as that sounds, catching it early means it's much easier to take care of. If you'd had to bring her in via tow after she'd already blown, well, that'd be a different story."
From:
no subject
Maxine gave Eric a small smile. "Thanks for taking a look at her right away. I know it's silly to be so attatched to a car, but I really do worry when she's not running right."
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
"And I know-- you've got good hands. I mean... you're good. With cars. I trust your hands."
She coughed to hide her embarassment over the wording of that.
From:
no subject