Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: DEVOTED (02/04/21)
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TITLE: Harold meets Allie | Previous Challenge Entry
By Francie Snell
02/11/21 -
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in front of the shop. In fact, he knew it better than most. It was
partially because of that engine that he had landed his new job.
His boss, Harold, usually a slow mover, jumped from the chair in his office and inspected himself in a mirror, then stepped out the door and yelled across the shop. “Hey Sam, I think your mom’s here, excitement in his voice. He pressed the sparse strands of
hair sideways over the bald spot on his head as he rushed out to meet her.
She cut the engine and pulled off her helmet, then swung her leg up off the motorcycle. They faced each other as Harold gawked like she was some mystical creature. “Allie?”
She ran her fingers back through her silvery grey hair and spoke in a raspy voice. “Hi Harold, heard you hired my son. Says he really likes it. Hope he’s doing a good job.”
“Yeah, I'll say he is. He's doing a great job, and we got plenty of work for him. The boy catches on fast.”
Good, you like Pizza?” she said, unstrapping a pizza box from her bike. Thought I’d bring some lunch.” Again, he rubbed his hair to the side. “Pizza, I love Pizza. You like coffee? Just made some. Come on in. Been a long time, Allie. It’s great to see you again.
Sam says you’re cleaning houses these days; bet that keeps you busy.”
She sighed. “Yeah, very busy. I’m exhausted. But a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do. How long you have your shop? she said gazing around the place.”
“Oh my,” he said, rubbing the stubble on his chin. It’s been about 25 years or so.
“That long? Hmm, high school doesn’t seem that long ago. Ever marry?”
“No, the shop is my wife.” He rested his hand on his hips and stared at the floor, then looked at her with a boyish grin. “But she doesn’t cook very well, too much grease.”
He chuckled as Sally stared blankly; confusion appeared on her face. Then slowly she broke into a smile. “I get it, too much grease.”
Sam, a lanky young man, walked towards them holding a rag, rubbing grease from his hands. “Sounds like he’s trying to tell you some of his bad jokes?” he said kiddingly, nodding to Harold with a smile. “Come on, Mom, I’ll show you around, let you meet some of the guys.”
As they strolled around the shop, Sam introduced Carl, Shawn, George, and Lester to his mother. A friendly group of guys, all of them had worked in the machine shop for over twenty years.
She slipped her hand in the crook of Sam’s arm as they moseyed on. “So you think you can stick it out here with these guys?”
“It’s a good job, Mom, and not bad pay. I’m starting out now at base level but hopefully, over time, it will give us a decent income to support Lisa, me, and the baby.”
“So, that’s your plan? Sounds like a good one. Glad your thinking ahead, son and have your mind on the future. Wish your dad were here to see you. He’d be so proud of you, and so am I.”
Harold poked his head out of his office and called out. “How do you like your coffee, Allie, cream and sugar?"
Sam chided quietly. “So, looks like you already have a coffee date with the boss. Watch out, next he’ll be offering you a job. Think he’s looking for an office manager.”
Allie chuckled. “Oh, my, now wouldn’t that be something.”
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