Chapter 29

Merigold

There is something about Jesse that tells me he needs to be here. “ I could look up your file and find out about you. But I would rather hear it from you.” He looks at me for a minute before he decides to talk. “ Raider hired me just out of prison. I couldn’t find another job. He took a chance on me. And I wasn’t going to let him down. I keep my head down and do my job.” He looks at me like he is expecting judgment. He isn’t going to get that from me. Raider hired him for a reason. That is good enough for me.

“ So tell me. Has it always been like what I walked in today?” I ask. “ No. It didn’t get like this until about five months ago. Raider died and it was like the guys stopped giving a shit. I thought it would get better when his kids were supposed to take over. But I never say them. ” I can understand grieving and taking some time but to stop doing your job. “ Can I ask why you never said anything?” “ I couldn’t afford to be out of a job. So I just kept my head down.” I can respect that. I look at Viper to see if he has anything to say. He shakes his head letting me know it is my choice.

“ Jesse, I want to say that I’m sorry you felt like you didn’t have anyone to go to. I'm going to fix that going forward. If you are willing, I would like you to remain working.” I say. “ Just like that. No questions about my prison time. No checking my work to make sure I’m actually doing my job,” he asks. It looks very skeptical about what I said. I don’t blame him. Jesse doesn’t know me. “ Jesse, as long as your time in prison doesn’t affect your job, it is none of my business. I am going to check your work. I want to make sure that you know what you are doing. It also ensures you have everything you need to do your job properly. We are going to look at your current car together. You are going to walk me through it. Then you are going to tell me everything you need to get it done. Any questions?”

Jesse looks at me then at Viper. “ Thor said you guys were the owners. So you are Raider’s kids.” Viper answers “ Yes, we are. Merigold is right. We would like you to stay on. It may take a bit, but we will get this place running the right way again.” Jesse nods “ Yea, I’ll stay around. I like my job.” I smile “ Good. Thor is done with the trash. I’m going to lock up. Would you show me what you are working on?” Jesse nods and stands. “ This way little lady.”

“ Merigold before you go. I need a minute.” Viper said. “ Sure.” I turn to Jesse “ Give me a minute.” He nods and walks away. Thor speaks first “ I have the books ready when you are. I looked over your binder. It is really good. The decision is up to you and Viper.” Viper grabs my hand “ Merigold, I can’t rent you that space.” I pull my hand back and try with everything in me to hide my disappointment. They said they like the idea. And my presentation was good. So I don’t understand.

“ No, no. It isn’t what you think.” Viper says, grabbing my hand again. “ I can’t rent you the space because you own half of it. You can do what you want. It is yours.” I beam at him “ Really? You will let me run a small business out of it?” He laughs “ Yes. We can offer it as another service to the shop. And Thor is going to help get everything you need to set it up.” I can’t help myself. I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze. “ Thank you. Thank you.” “ You are welcome.” Viper says.

I find Jesse working on the same car he was working on when I saw him before. “ So tell me what you are working on.” He tells me about replacing some hoses and belts. It is overall just routine maintenance. “ And you have all the parts you need?” I ask. “ I have most of it. Thor is supposed to get me a fan belt.” Jesse says. “ I’ll check on that when I go over the books and let you know. Could write what it is just in case it isn’t ordered.” I handed him a clipboard I found on a nearby bench. He writes down the part, and the model I need to get. Jesse looks at me for a minute then says “ So you are Raider’s baby girl.” “I am. Though I didn’t know that until a few months ago.” I told him. Jesse gives a sad smile “ I’m glad he finally found you.” I turn my head and look at him curious how he knew about me.

“ Your father and I became friends and he would always talk about his kids. He would say how proud he was of his son. How he couldn’t wait to meet his baby girl. Even when he knew he was going to die he never gave up and the idea of finding you.” Jesse says. “ I um.” I had to stop and collect myself. I always feel like I have been punched in the gut when I know I didn’t get to see my father. I know it wasn’t my fault or Raider’s but it still hurts.

“ I didn’t get to meet him. I was contacted until about a month after he passed. I was never told about him. But Viper says that I was found just before Raider died and got to know about me and saw some pictures. I hope it helps him.” I look at Jesse.” I would like to hear any stories you may have.” He smiles “ Sure. I can do that. Thank you for giving me a chance.” “ Jesse, I said I believe in second chances when I think someone could use one. You have a clean slate with me. Just keep doing your job and you won't have any problems.” Jesse laughs “ You sound just like your father. I don’t know you but from what little I saw. I have to say he would be proud of you.” I tear up a bit. “ Thank you Jesse.”

I leave Jesse and go to Thor’s office. I look at the different piles of paperwork and shake my head. This is going to be a long day. I pull out my phone and call Anna. I give her a brief explanation of what is going on and see if she can watch the boys a while longer. Thankfully she says it isn’t a problem and that I can pick them up from the club. She is going to take them over to play in the games room later. I look at Thor and sigh “ Alright. Let’s get started. First we need to put up a help wanted posting. I want it in the local paper and any local hiring sites. Check with the local VA and see if you can put an ad on their site as well.” Thor looks at me like I have grown a second head. “ Is there a problem?”

Thor shakes his head “ No problem. I’m just caught off guard. You really know your shit.” I smile “ There are lots of things you don’t know about me, Thor. Yes, I know what I’m talking about. I helped Mac and Alaric start and run their shops until we could hire more help. As well as running my own detail business while raising the Jace and Jax.” “ Princess, you constantly amaze me. I know I don’t show it but I’m damn proud to call you sister.” he says. I can see the pride in me written all over his face.

“ You can show me how proud you are of me by going through these piles and returning this shop to a respectable business.” I go to sit in a chair in front of the desk when Thor hops up. “ Here princess. Take this chair and we will get started.”