CHAPTERFOUR
Danny
Sweat dripsfrom my forehead and along my forearms as I chug the Gatorade that’s been placed in my hand. One day, dad won’t need the help in the family landscaping business, I remind myself. One day, I’ll miss it.
That day can’t come soon enough. Although I worry about dad and my brothers doing it on their own. I always have, probably because of how I’ve grown up. I’m the youngest child of an immigrant father and the hometown girl he fell in love with. Although my mother’s family is well-known in Bradford Station, they’ve never claimed me, and they turned their backs on her as soon as she married Juan Ramirez. As much as my dad tries, he’s still got an accent and, for some people in this backwards town, that means something.
“Do me a favor?” He asks.
I run a bandana around the back of my neck, squinting up at the sun. “Yeah?”
“At lunch, can you go make the loan payment for me? I have to run to city hall. They want a quote on doing the new walking paths.”
Last year we bought some new equipment, including things that are weather adjustable, so we can do snow removal when it’s required. It was a leap of faith and the first loan dad had taken out in over twenty years of being in business. It was smart though. The ice storm we had in January managed to put a big dent in what we owe. “Sure. Want me to pay it from the business account or have you been hoarding cash?” I grin.
“One day, you’re going to learn that not everything can be done electronically.” He starts in on the speech he gives every time I give him shit about not putting all his money in the bank. “What if they go down? What if there’s a glitch and we lose everything? You have to think ahead, Danny.”
“Got it, bury my money in the backyard in case there’s an apocalypse.”
“You laugh.” He shakes his finger. “One day you’ll wish you’d listened.”
“Love you, dad. I’ll take care of it for you.”
“Thank you. I deposited the money last week. You can pay it out of the business account. Write the check for three thousand and get my balance, please.”
“I know how you like your paperwork. No need to worry about me.”
“You’re a good son.”
“Because I’m the only one working with you today.”
My two brothers work full-time with him. I do two days a week. That way, I’m able to still have two full days off and they also get their time off. Sundays with the family are an always thing, but there are days when I can’t make it because of firefighting. It’s tiring, especially when I’m busy with both jobs, but it’s worth it to help my family succeed.
“You’re the youngest. I’ll always have a soft spot for you.” He runs his hand over my hair.
I’m six and ten years younger than my two brothers. Word has it they thought they were done before I came along. Not only as a surprise but, I like to say, a bright spot in an otherwise boring family. “Yeah, yeah. You don’t have to flatter me. I already said I’d run by the bank for you.”
He laughs before pushing on my head. “Go ahead and get outta here.”
At least volunteering to go means I get a little bit of an extra lunch. Jogging over to my Jeep, I hop in, rolling the windows down and cranking up the music. Even though it’s a hot one, the sun is shining and there’s a bit of a breeze. These days are special. Here in the mountains, it’s a crapshoot. We can still wake up to snow one day, or it might stay like this until fall. We never know, so appreciating it is what I decide to do.
Traffic is light on this Monday and, since I’m in no hurry, I drive along with the flow. Turning into the bank parking lot, I’m thankful to see it isn’t packed. My stomach growls as I realize I haven’t eaten since shift last night.
Getting out, I knock some of the dirt loose from my boots, run a hand over my clothes to knock out some of the dust, and then head for the door. A woman is behind me. Like the gentleman I’ve been taught to be, I hold it open for her. She smiles and I nod.
Walking in behind her, I wait my turn. I haven’t been in this building in a while and it looks as if they’ve remodeled. There are a few things I would’ve done differently as far as fire safety goes, but the aesthetic is nice.
My gaze works around, smiling and nodding to all the people I recognize. It’s then my eyes land on someone I met recently. Very recently. Like within the last twenty-four hours. She’s standing behind the counter, paying very close attention to what’s going on in front of her. If I’m not mistaken, it looks as if she’s training.
I take a moment to observe her like I hadn’t been able to last night. Her blonde hair hangs in front of her face, obscuring most of it from me. What I can see is her mouth. Full, pink lips move as she speaks, before curving into a smile. They finish with the customer in front of me.
“Hey Danny,” the teller says as she sees me. It’s Janie, and she’s worked here probably since before I was born.
“Hey.” I give her a little wave. Dorkiest thing I’ve ever done.
“His is easy,” she tells blondie beside her. “You do this one and I’ll watch.”
I’m face to face with her, much like I was last night, only this time closer, if that’s possible. She looks different, obviously because she hasn’t been fighting a tight lug nut for the better part of an hour. This version of her is put together, not nearly as flustered as she was on the side of the road. I think I like her somewhere in between.