Page 38 (1/2)

"Aw, kid, I don’t have thea big job over in Brockton" He gives the hood a hearty thump "I need this baby with me every day this week Just do the patch for now"

"You sure? Because you’ll have to co it now"

He dis one uht Besides, it’s not like his tires are going to explode in the next few hours It’ll still be a long while before the tread is coht I’ll do it now It should only take about ten nment on this Jetta first So more like thirty You wanna wait in the office?"

"Naw, I’ll walk around and slares at me "And for the love of God, we need you on the ice Thursday nights, kid Think about it, okay?"

I nod again, but we both knohat my ansill be Every year, the Munsen Miners extend an invitation, and every year I turn the to even consider It’s just a re from a Division I team to the Munsen Miners Yup, I’ll be the star player of an aue, on a team that’s named after an activity this town isn’t even known for There are no mines in Munsen and never have been

Less than a es from the office and limps over to me His hands are blessedly devoid of any alcoholic containers At least he has better sense than to drink in front of our customers

"The fuck was that?" he de like crazy and swaying on his cane, and suddenly I’ht

I stifle a sigh "What are you talking about?"

"Where was the upsell?" His cheeks are flushed in outrage, and even though I’ve been back hoaunt he looks It’s as if all the skin fro an incredibly unflattering beer belly that protrudes beneath his threadbare T-shirt Other than the paunch, he’s skinny as a rail, and it makes me sad to see hier, and I can’t deny he used to be handsome And I have memories of him when he was sober When he was quick to sh Imiss him sometimes

"A thirty-buck patch job instead of four new tires?" he fule to control my temper "I recommended new tires He didn’t want them"

"You don’t recommend You push it on them You shove it down their fuckin’ throats"

I sneak a worried peek in Bernie’s direction, but fortunately he’s all the way at the front of the driveway, sucking on a cigarette as he talks into his phone Jesus What if he’d been in earshot? Wouldthis kind of shit in front of a loyal customer? I honestly don’t know