Rocky Point Reunion by Barbara McMahon Page B

That and the experiences he’d racked up.
    They reached the large warehouse that housed Joe’s restoration business. The breeze blew from the sea, a ruffle of whitecaps in the distance. Inside a radio played, and the sound of men talking could be heard.
    â€œWant to come in and look around?” Zack asked the teen.
    The way his face lit up, Sean didn’t need to answer, but did respond with an enthusiastic yes. “Maybe you can give me some pointers here,” he said.
    â€œKnow your way around engines?”
    â€œNot too much. I don’t have a car and my mom won’t let me mess with hers.”
    â€œI had mechanics working on my cars, but I always knew what they were talking about. A man needs to know all about the machine he’s driving,” Zack said.
    As the morning wore on, Zack showed Sean the cars that were being restored, showed him one of the engines and even let the kid do some of the work under supervision. Sean was delighted.
    Zack recalled the hours and hours he and his brother had spent during the long summer days when they were teens, first too young to drive, then older and able to drive the cars they worked on. Nothing more enjoyable than hanging over a dirty engine and getting it to purr.
    He glanced at Sean, filthy up to his elbows, a smear of dirty oil on his cheek. But the concentration was admirable. The kid picked up things quickly.
    â€œYour mother know where you are?” Zack asked. He shook his head in disbelief. Watching Jenny was changing him. He would never have asked that a month ago.
    Sean looked up. “Not exactly. She knows I hang out around town. She’s at work, she won’t worry.”
    â€œGive her a call. We’ll take a break and grab a bit of lunch—it’s after one.”
    Sean hesitated a moment and then shook his head. “I can take off.”
    â€œAfter lunch.” Zack pulled back and went to clean up, calling over his shoulder, “My treat.”
    Naturally he headed back to Marcie’s café. Maybe one part of his plan should include a daily meal at her restaurant. The food was good and he could always hope the owner would come out to check on the customers while he was there.
    The café was about half-full when they entered. They were seated and their orders taken. Zack recommended the shrimp po-boy, but Sean opted for the mushroom burger with fries. They both had iced tea to drink. Zack looked around while they waited for their order to be filled.
    He was surprised a minute later to see Marcie comefrom the kitchen with a large plastic tub on her hip. She began clearing a table across the room. As if she could feel his stare she looked up. For a moment he wasn’t sure if he saw a welcome in her gaze or not, but she looked away and continued her task.
    When the waitress brought their orders, he asked if Marcie had a minute.
    â€œShe’s working, but I’ll ask.” It wasn’t the woman from that morning. This one was older and definitely not in a flirtatious mood.
    â€œYou’re taking the support-your-local-business bit too seriously,” Marcie said a minute later. She had the plastic tub on her hip, empty now.
    â€œGood food. What’s not to like?” he asked. After introducing Sean, he asked, “What are you doing?”
    â€œI’m shorthanded. I had to fire one of my summer hires—too lazy. Until I find someone else, I’m filling in.”
    Zack scrambled around for something else to say so she wouldn’t leave. “I thought I’d offer to look at your dad’s car if you like. I know he got it fixed in Portland, but I could give it a checkup, make sure it’s in tip-top condition.”
    She studied him thoughtfully. “Now, why would a big fancy race car driver want to do that?”
    He shrugged. “Just to be neighborly and all. Seeing as how I’m moving back.”
    She flicked a glance at Sean then looked back at Zack, a