Max laughs and points at me. “I might be starting to like you.”
"Good because I'll be working when you need me to. Well, outside of seven to say four, so I have time to eat dinner beforehand."
“Bring dinner. I’ll pay you during your dinner break.”
“Thanks, Max.”
“We never did discuss payment, did we?”
We talk about that until another car comes in to be dropped off. I haggle with Max, but honestly, he’s not trying to rip me off. He’s been working by himself all of this time, and it seems like he has a decent enough pool of customers, but maybe now that I’m here, we can try to expand on that. The garage can handle more since we’re both working.
How best to spread the word? Flyers would be cheap. Could plaster the town with them. Or maybe radio ads? Do places still do radio ads? Might be too expensive. Yeah, we can try flyers first. I can go to the library during lunch again on Monday and work on designing a flyer. I’m not sure it’ll be any good, but it’s worth a shot, right? I’m willing to do what I can to help Max out. He took a chance on hiring me, and I will not let him regret it.
By the end of the night, I am exhausted.
“Want a lift?” Max asks as he locks up the place.
“Nah, I’m good.”
“You’re so tired you’re stumbling. Looks like ya a drunk.”
“Geez, thanks,” I say dryly. “Don’t want you to be late to see your girl.”
“Not tonight. She has to work late,” he says.
“What does she do?”
“She’s a real estate agent.”
“Here in California? She has got to be making a pretty penny. Why is she with a guy like you?” I tease.
“You watch your mouth, doll,” he snaps, but he’s fighting a smile. “Believe me. I’ve asked myself that same question a hundred times before.”
“It’s because you’re a big ole softie.”
“You don’t know me at all.”
“Sure I don’t. See ya tomorrow, Max.”
“Bright and early, brat.”
I laugh. “Of course, you ole geezer.”