that car for as long as I can remember.” Mom’s hands were plastered on her hips. “I don’t believe it. Instead of ordering a tow truck and moving that heap out, you’re moving a derelict in!”
“Look, Liz. I’m not moving anyone in without your agreeing to it. You’re a sensible woman, but you don’t know anything about him. Please, hear me out.”
Mom’s shoulders dropped and her eyes narrowed. My father is known to be a diplomat. I used to think that meant he worked for the president and we would all get to go to Europe or some really neat place. But now I know it just means he can calm nutty people down. He gets lots of practice with my mom.
“I’ll tell you what I know, Matthew.” Mom started the finger counting thing. “Number one” She stuck her forefinger up. “Madison and Grandpa found him which is a very bad omen. Number two. Madison’s been visiting him in the hospital and thinks she’s found her latest rescue project. Number three,” she said without taking a breath, “she undoubtedly put you up to this. And number four, she’s standing in the hall.” She pressed her fingers against her temples. “Madison, get in here!”
Dad sat down on the chaise lounge, and I slid in next to him. Mom paced a few seconds before she perched herself on the edge of the bed and crossed her arms.
“Can I say something?” I asked. Dad raised his eyebrows. Mom just stared at me.
“Look, Mom. I admit it. Fixing the car was my idea. I know how much it bugs you, and all my life I’ve heard Dad talk about restoring it. It’s his dream. So, I just thought fixing it would make you both of you happy.” I smiled. “Dad told me that Vette is what got him his first date with you.”
Mom let out a sigh and looked out the window. Then her gaze shifted back to Dad.
He grinned. “That’s right, Liz. Remember? Listen, I’ve checked Oil Can out thoroughly. You know the hospital routinely runs tests for drug or alcohol abuse. He’s clean. Relax. I’m not a man that takes foolish risks.”
“That’s fine, Matthew. But tell me. Just how does one go about doing a background check on a bum named Oil Can?”
“Medical records. He has a social security number and while it might be hard to believe, he has a rather stable employment history over the last twenty years. He worked at a convent and school in Memphis from 1985 to 1995. He was a janitor, but there’s no disgrace in that.”
“How touching. And why did he quit? Or was he fired?”
“Neither. The school had to close. Lack of funds. Seems he’s been working odd jobs at gas stations off and on since then.”
“Have you personally talked with any of his so called employers?”
“Actually, I did get a hold of one. Worked for a Texaco station in Little Rock for nearly a year. Even rented a room from the owner’s mother. Never a problem. Then I had Bill Hardy run a police check. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. In fact, Grandpa’s going to take him out to Earl’s to see if he can line up some part time work. He’s safe Liz. Just needs some help to get redirected.”
Mom glanced at her watch and picked up her purse and her laptop. “It’s two o’clock. I have to leave. It’s a three-hour drive on the weekend. At least it will give me some time alone to think things over. I’ll call you when I get to campus.”
Mom shook her head and left. I gave Dad a thumbs up. “Good work, Dad.”
Fourteenth Chapter
Earl’s gas station looked like something straight out of pictures of The Depression I’d seen in my history books. His two rusting white pumps had faded red flying horses painted below the windows that showed how many gallons you’d get. There were only a few reasons Earl sold any gas at all. A banner stuck to the front of the building promised cold drinks, coffee, and the best sandwiches in town. The best sandwiches promise was questionable. However, Earl’s may have been the only station left in the state where there was a live body to pump gas and clean the windshield. Old people and ladies with manicured nails liked that.
The repair business had dwindled to practically nothing. Earl was so cranky he couldn’t keep help. High school kids usually quit the first time he’d snatch the earphones plastered to their heads. So it was the coffee, sandwiches, oil changes, and an occasional brain-dead attendant that kept Grandpa’s old friend in business. It was the perfect place for Oil Can Henri.
Grandpa and I stood inside while Oil Can waited outside. “You owe me, Earl,” Grandpa said. Anyone new in town, I tell them Earl’s is the only place to do business.”
“’Preciate it, Layton. But I need dignified people workin’ for me if I’m gonna’ stay in business. That guy standing out there looks like he just got out of the loony bin. Good Lord. What’s he wearin’? Looks like a hospital gown and a pair of sweats that are three sizes too big. How’d you get messed up with him?”
Don’t matter. Just give him a couple of hours in the morning, when you have a rush. You can take off fishing.”
I had to hold in my laugh. A rush at Earl’s would be a customer at each pump.
“You must have emptied your brain, Layton.” Earl pulled out a yucky handkerchief and blew his nose. “For all I know that character could be an ex-con. I’m liable to come back some morning and find everything but the pumps gone.”
It hurt my heart to think Oil Can could hear everything Earl was saying. I know he could, because they were talking in their old men voices and every time Earl fiddled with his hearing aid he talked louder.
“Grandpa will take full responsibility for Oil Can,” I said.
Grandpa shot me a horrified look.
“Well, getting Oil Can a job was your idea,” I said.
Earl peered outside. Oil Can was leaning against a pump, his arms crossed.
“Looks like a fruit cake,” Earl said. “Man dressed like that will scare the customers away.”
“We’re on our way to Wal-Mart,” I said. “We’re going to get him some nice clothes.”
Grandpa grinned. “Say, Earl. Remember that Fourth of July celebration back in sixty-two? Still ain’t never told your wife about all the fun we had.”
Earl scowled “That’s dirty pool, Layton. But go on, bring him in. You understand, though, he’s gonna have to fill out an application. I ain’t hiring no illiterates.”
Grandpa waved Oil Can in and Earl handed him a wrinkled application and a pencil. “I ain’t got no desk for you to write on,” Earl said. “Clear a spot on the counter.”
“Thanks,” Oil Can said, then licked the pencil point and began.
I wanted more than anything to see what he was filling in, because we hadn’t had our first interview yet. I didn’t have to wait too long. He set the pencil down and said, “This is making me nervous. Gotta go to the bathroom.”
He took the key attached to a paint stick and went outside. Grandpa and Earl were glued to the checker game so I casually eased close to the counter. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw what Oil Can had written.
