Part 8:
Sarah grabbed Sophie’s hand. Come on, Sofh. Let’s make breakfast and let your dad figure out how to text like a grown-up. But I want to help. You can help by making sure the pancakes don’t burn. They left him alone in the bedroom, and Ethan stared at his phone for a long moment. The conversation sat there innocent enough, but Sarah was right.
There was something underneath it, a current he wasn’t sure how to navigate. He typed, “You can visit if you want. Fair warning, the shop is not billionaire approved. I’ve seen worse. Doubtful. Try me.” He smiled despite himself, then caught his reflection in the mirror across the room. Sarah was right. He did look weird when he smiled.
Doors open if you’re serious. I’ll think about it. Ethan set the phone down and headed for the shower. The hot water felt like a small miracle, washing away the dried mud and the ache in his muscles. By the time he emerged, Sophie and Sarah had destroyed the kitchen in the name of pancakes. “You used every bowl,” he observed. “Cooking is messy,” Sophie informed him as if this was breaking news.
“Aunt Sarah let me crack the eggs.” The evidence of that decision was splattered across the counter, but Sarah just shrugged. She’s learning. They ate breakfast together at the tiny kitchen table. Sophie chattering about a school project on dinosaurs while Sarah occasionally interjected with questions about Viven that Ethan deflected as smoothly as possible.
When they finished, Sarah started gathering her things. I’ve got to get to work. Sophie, you want to stay with your dad today? Yes. Sophie bounced up. Can I come to the shop? Ethan hesitated. Saturdays were usually slow, and having Sophie around meant he’d spend more time supervising than actually working. But the hope in her eyes made the decision easy.
Sure, but you have to stay in the office and do your homework first. Deal. They drove to the shop in comfortable silence. Sophie humming along to the radio while Ethan navigated the Saturday morning traffic. Georgetown looked different in daylight. less industrial, more workingclass neighborhood trying to hold on to its identity against the encroaching tide of tech money and gentrification.
Kohl’s auto repair sat between a Vietnamese restaurant and a furniture warehouse that had been closed for 3 years. The building was exactly as the Google reviews had described, small, cramped, desperately in need of a paint job, but it was his, at least for another few months. He unlocked the gate and raised the bay doors, letting morning light flood the workspace.
The shop smelled like oil and metal and years of accumulated automotive history. Sophie immediately claimed the office, a glasswalled box with a desk, a computer from 2012, and a filing system that could generously be called chaotic. I’m doing homework, she announced, pulling out a math workbook. I can see that.
Ethan flipped on the lights, checked the schedule. One oil change at 10:00, a brake job at noon, and a diagnostic on a Subaru that had been making a noise the owner couldn’t describe beyond bad. He was elbowed deep in the oil change when his phone rang. Unknown number. He almost didn’t answer, assuming it was another creditor, but something made him wipe his hands on a rag and pick up. Cole’s auto. Mr.
Cole, this is Patricia Morrison from First National Bank. His stomach dropped. Yeah. Hi, I’m calling about your business loan. We haven’t received this month’s payment, and according to our records, you’re now 60 days past due. Ethan glanced toward the office where Sophie was bent over her homework. He stepped outside into the small parking lot, pulling the door mostly closed.
I know, I’m working on it. I understand that business can be unpredictable, but we need to discuss your options. If you’re unable to make the payment, I’ll make the payment. When? Soon. I have some jobs coming in next week and Mr. Cole. Patricia’s voice was kind but firm which somehow made it worse.
We’ve had this conversation before. The bank can’t continue extending indefinitely. If you can’t make a payment by the end of the month, we’ll have to begin foreclosure proceedings. The words hit like a physical blow, even though he’d known they were coming. End of the month, 3 weeks. I understand, he managed. Is there family who might be able to help? a loan from a relative? He thought about Sarah barely making ends meet herself with two kids and a teacher’s salary.
No. Then I strongly suggest you speak with a financial advisor. There are options for businesses in your situation. I’ll figure it out. Thank you for calling. He hung up before she could say anything else and stood in the parking lot staring at the cracked asphalt trying to breathe through the tightness in his chest. 3 weeks.
The oil change customer arrived right on time, which meant Ethan had to shove the panic down and act like everything was fine. He finished the job, took payment in cash, and added it to the envelope in his desk drawer where he kept the running tally of how far behind he was. Not nearly far enough.
Sophie appeared in the doorway as the customer drove away. Dad, you okay? Yeah, kiddo. Just thinking about what boring adult stuff. She studied him with those two knowing eyes. Was it a bad phone call? It was fine. You’re lying, Sophie. You get this look when you’re worried about money. Your face goes all tight and you stop smiling.
