Chapter 3: Home Sweet Home

Lenny was sitting in the small cell, his head in his hands, when Wayne Unser came into the cell room.

“The guy you pushed, is willing to forgo any charges, if you're willing to replace the pants you wrecked when you pushed him down.”

Lenny raised his head and looked at Wayne, his expression one of disdain.

“The fucker wants me to pay for his pants, after he gives me a week to find a new place? Is he out of his fucking head?”

Wayne looked away, not wanting to give away his own feelings on the matter. He was more or less on Lenny's side, knowing the notice had been given in an underhanded manner. He had seen the notice come in and saw who was issuing it. Jacob Hale had finally put together a group of buyers for the old property and he had no thoughts of what it did to anyone by its issuance. He was supposed to post a public notice first, which he didn't and he was supposed to give prior notice by way of letter, before posting the notice, which again, Hale didn't do.

“I'm just passing along the message he gave me. I think it's BS, just like you, Lenny, but I have to do my job. It's either that, or see the judge and see what he wants to do with you.”

Lenny looked at Unser, realizing he was venting his anger to the wrong person and apologized to him. Unser could see Lenny was at his wits end and took pity on him. He couldn't in his heart of hearts, act so harshly on a fellow serviceman, especially one who was being mistreated in such a shoddy manner.

“I'm going to do something I'll either regret later, or it'll come back to benefit me, that'll be up to you. I'll pay for the guy's pants. I know you ain't got the money to buy them and I'm not going to keep you in here, because you can't, that's not right in my book. Maybe one day, you can find a way to pay me back.”

Lenny looked at Wayne with new eyes, ones that weren't so biased towards him, because of the uniform. Wayne unlocked the cell and opened it for Lenny to leave. Lenny walked out of the cell, but before he walked down the hall, he turned in the privacy of the cell room and looked at Wayne.

“I really appreciate this, Wayne. I won't forget it, promise.”

“I just hope you can find a place by the end of the week. No way I can help you out with that, sorry”

“Yeah, me too, but hey, you've done enough and I appreciate that. You're alright, Wayne.”

Lenny held his hand out to Wayne and after a brief moment looking at it, took it and shook his hand. Wayne walked Lenny back to the front desk, where JT and Wally were waiting for him. Cheers went up, when they saw him, happy this part of the ordeal was over. Lenny had no belongings to claim, so he came through to his friends and was greeted warmly with hugs. Wayne looked on, disguising his envy at the camaraderie, as he turned and went back to his desk, to call Mr. Neeson about his pants. He liked feeling he was part of the gang back then, even though he was more on the fringe, than an actual part of it. Seeing his old friends, brought back memories of happier times, when life was a lot simpler to live.

The trio headed out to the car and Wally pulled out of the station, noisy muffler and all, to the disgruntled looks of some officers coming into the station. They cheered the good fortune Lenny had received from Unser and asked about him and what brought him to do that. Lenny gave them a new perspective he had for him and felt Wayne could be a good ally to have, if they could convince him he was more or less a part of the gang again. JT laughed at the mention of it, but understood how it could benefit them later.

They pulled into Lenny's driveway and Lorraine was out back waiting for the car to stop. Lenny got out and Lorraine hugged him, tears still coming from her eyes. Lenny hated mushiness, but understood why Lorraine was like that and hugged her close and comforted her.

“Okay, let's get inside and roll a joint. I need a big, fucking, huge one after that shit.”

They went in and sat around, discussing the situation and what solutions they could come up with. JT and Piney were willing to find another place with two bedrooms and share it with them and that became the most plausible solution. Wally said he could talk to the owner of the motel and ask if Lorraine could work the desk, giving them some possibilities of making money and a place to live.

With no other ideas to go on, the subject was put aside in favour of lazing about and what they were going to do about dinner. Once again, Chico came to the rescue and offered to buy dinner for everyone, handing over twenty dollars to Lorraine. Wally was called upon for driving duty, while three of the girls volunteered to do some shopping. Ann-Marie, Cindy and Lorraine piled in with Wally and they took off for the downtown area, to some merchants who sold locally grown produce.

Wally waited outside and leaned against the fender, having a cigarette, while the girls went inside to shop. His mind was always on making a buck at something and something just made itself known to him. He noticed the real estate office a few doors down and walked to the window and looked at the residential and commercial properties available for rent. He went in and took a list off the pile on the counter and walked back out, before anyone had a chance to ask him anything.

He ran down the list of places available and crossed off the residential ones that weren't possibles. He was left with four places he could show Lenny when he got back and hoped one was what they were looking for. The girls came out with several bags of food and piled in the car again with Wally, heading back to get started on the cooking.

Wally pulled in the driveway and noticed all the guys were hanging around the bikes talking. The girls got out and kissed their partners, then joined the other girls inside, while Wally joined the guys. He found out the talk was about finding a place for a clubhouse and Wally quickly took out the list he picked up. They went through each place and marked off possibles and crossed off ones the guys knew to be unsuitable for their purpose. One that stood out from the others, was one that garnered the most attention. The big Quonset building on Jake's property was up for grabs and tomorrow, they would be heading there to work and to see if Jake was in possession of their new home/clubhouse.

There wasn't a rental price listed, but going by the ones that were posted, it would be far more than they could afford.

As day turned to night, talk of the Impala came back into question. They knew they had to take it back to Lodi and park it in the same spot, or close to it. After a round of joints, goodbyes were said and everyone that was going to the motel to sleep, piled in Wally's car.. They pulled into the motel lot, to find several police cars still at the office. Not wanting to draw too much attention, Wally killed the engine and coasted to his parking spot in front of his unit. No one came out to them, as they got out and went into Wally's unit. JT, Piney and Wally all went to the office to get the key for next door, going with the ruse that the clerk made an error in registering them.

They walked in and they were immediately set upon by the officers.

“Stop right there, come no further. This is a crime scene and you're not allowed in it. State your business.”

JT told the officer he needed his key for room eleven. The officer looked at the sign in book and couldn't find his name listed. Wally gave him his name and it was present.

“We came in at the same time, officer. We've been here all week and maybe next week, as well. I know the clerk had been drinking when we signed for the room, so maybe he goofed and didn't write him in, but he's been in the room beside mine all this time. What happened anyway? Where's Harold, he'd know.”

“I'm sorry, but he's down at the station for questioning, along with his cousin.”

“Is old man Henderson around? He knows too.”

The officer looked at them, turned to his fellow officers, then dropped his voice to a whisper.

“It's Mr. Henderson who was murdered. Seems he lost it on Harold and Lorne bashed his head in with a bat. We're trying to piece it all together, but it's looking like manslaughter, but he could get off, because of the circumstances.”

That had the guys look at him in wonder, Wally remembering what he said earlier in that regard. JT motioned the officer closer to keep whispering.

“So how do I get in my room now? There's four of us in that room.”

JT looked worried, doing his best to convince the officer of his situation. The officer looked at JT and the others and then back to the other officers, making sure they didn't see what he was going to do. He reached into the docket and took the key for room eleven, handing it to JT.

“Just stay to your rooms and avoid the office. The owner said someone will be here in a day or two to work the desk.”

JT took the key and thanked the officer, walking out and looking at the key in his hand, smiling. They got back to the room and showed them the key, receiving cheers for their accomplishment. JT and Wally took off in the cars, heading back to Lodi to drop off the Impala, hopefully without being seen. He pulled onto the street the lot was on and spotted the flashing lights of a police car in the lot, the officer talking to a man in a suit. He drove past and pulled over on the side of the road, out of sight of the lot. He quickly wiped down the car with his sleeve and left the keys in the ignition. Wally pulled up beside it and JT jumped in, leaving the scene unnoticed. JT kept looking back and no one approached the car, while he could see it. Once they turned the corner, they both breathed a deep sigh and smiled.

“Did it, Wally. We're free and clear now. Time to head back and get some sleep, big day tomorrow, man. Best bring your car around after lunch, give us some time to work on what's there first.”

“That's cool, JT. I have to see a guy in Stockton about some cigarettes and another guy in Lodi about some radios, so I'll be there some time after lunch.”

They pulled into the motel lot and went into Wally's room, where everyone was still waiting. They relayed the news that everything went well and after a quick smoke, they were heading to their room and sleep.

The sun came streaming through the thin curtains, making its way along the wall, to shine into JT's eyes and made him wake up squinting. He peered through slits at the cheap clock on the nightstand, noticing the time. At first, it didn't mean anything to him, that it was seven thirty nine, until his head caught up and he realized what today was. As fast as he could get out of bed, he was waking Suzy, Piney and Gloria, letting them know the time. Piney realized quickly what the time meant and he wasted no time in getting dressed, In less than five minutes, they had relieved themselves and kissed the girls goodbye, telling them they'd see them later on. The girls happily went back to sleep, nothing else was on their minds.

It was three miles down the road to Jake's and they walked quickly, half running the distance to make it on time. They were a few hundred yards down the road, when Jake's bike came up the road towards them. Jake got off his bike to open the gate and heard JT and Piney calling to him. He turned and saw them, waving and motioning with his hand and arm to hurry up. They did a short jog to the driveway and walked the rest of the way, once they reached the gate. Jake parked his bike at the side of the office and opened it up. He flipped the switches and all the florescent lights flickered and buzzed, as they came to life. The bay doors opened and JT and Piney looked at their future, for the next week at least.

“Okay you guys, the work orders are in the rack, so take the top one and work your way down. I have to finish this overhaul and get it the hell out. If you have any problems, give me a shout.”

“No problem, Jake. What about parts? Are they here, or do we order them?”

“Most of the parts are here, but if you need a part, the number for East Bay Automotive is beside the phone.”

Jake looked at them to see if they had any more questions and then went to the rack and put on his dirty overalls. JT and Piney put their overalls on, Piney's being a bit short in the legs and getting some laughs. They took an order each and went to the cars they were for. Jake watched them go about their business and felt comfortable they would get the job done.

JT had his first car done in half an hour and parked it on the opposite side of the other cars, alongside the Quonset building. He took a moment to wipe a window and peered inside to see what it looked like, but it was dark and piles of boxes blocked his view. Piney finished twenty minutes later and parked his car beside JT's. By lunch time, Jake looked at the line of cars to be worked on and almost half of them were finished. He smiled to himself, glad he made a good choice in letting them work for him.

A lunch wagon pulled in the lot and blew the horn, letting them know he was there. The driver pulled up to the bays and stopped, getting out and lifting the side of the box up. JT and Piney had no money left and just sat on the ground in the shade, backs up against the fence. Jake looked over at them and called them over.

“We're okay, Jake, Thanks.”

Jake somehow knew they were broke and called them over again. They went over to him and the driver, who were talking about something, when they arrived. The Italian born man was very expressive with his hands as he talked, somethings looking like a choke hold and cutting a throat, that had the guys worried. The short, balding man had a big smile though and that came out easily, mellowing out their trepidations.

“Guys, this Franco. He comes every day at lunch and he's agreed, on my say so, to let you run a tab with him and I'll pay him at the end of the week for you both. If you keep working as good as you are, it'll be worth it.”

“Oh, hey, almost forgot. Lenny's coming in later to have his bike tuned again, it's running shitty and another guy is coming in later for exhaust work. Muffler is shot for sure, not sure about the pipes. Might have some more work later.”

Jake looked at them both and smiled with some pride in them.

“Give them what they want, Franco. On me.”

JT and Piney looked at Jake with admiration, his continued kindness, an unexpected event in their lives. They introduced themselves to Franco and he stood with pencil and paper, adding up what they purchased. They took their food and went over to the picnic table under the overhang at the back of the storage building. Franco closed up and tooted his horn at them, as he left. Jake unwrapped a sandwich and took a bite. He drank from his cup, but the guys could tell it wasn't hot coffee. JT got Jake's attention and nodded towards the cup.

“What's that you're drinking?”

“A little homemade wine. Franco makes a great tasting red, goes great with pastrami.”

The guys watched Jake enjoy another drink and a bite of his sandwich smiling, then JT nodded at the building beside them.

“So Jake, we noticed you have this place for rent. How much are you looking to get for it?”

“I'm asking five hundred a month. That's just for the rent, the utilities are extra. Why do you ask?”

“Honestly, we need a place to live, Jake. Someplace close, that is. Got a shit hole in Lodi, Piney and I live in, but it sucks. We have no way to get here every day and a friend just got an eviction notice yesterday and has to move by the end of the week. I said we could get a two bedroom for the four of us, but we have to find one we can afford. You know him. Lenny Janowitz. Rides a Harley, built like a small tank.”

“Shit, I know Lenny. Got evicted huh? That's the shits. Out by the end of the week, you said?”

“Yeah. Him and Lorraine, his girlfriend.”

“Yeah, I know Lorraine too, good girl.”

That made Piney and JT laugh out loud, hearing Jake say that about her, after what went down over the weekend.

“What's so funny?”

“Nothing Jake, it's cool.”

Jake wasn't going to let it go and asked again, pressing him harder. JT knew he wasn't getting off the hook, without an explanation. JT stumbled for the right words, unsure of how to say to Jake, that they played with Lorraine's tits all weekend. He looked at Piney, who shrugged his shoulders, finding no help with him. Beaten, he couldn't look Jake in the eyes, as he stared at his sandwich and told him.

“Okay, if you really have to know, Jake. Lorraine let us feel her tits and when we did, Lenny said she was a good girl, so when you said it, it reminded us of that.”

His explanation was simple and to the point. Jake looked at him and then to Piney, then laughed.

“Yeah, she has got great tits, doesn't she?”

JT and Piney were aghast by Jake's mention of her breasts, something unexpected and completely out of character. Talking about about a war time memory was one thing, but to talk about someone they all knew was different all together.

“Don't look so surprised guys. Last time they were here, getting the carb set, I believe, Lorraine decided on sunbathing on this very table and took her top off and laid here getting a tan.”

That had the guys agog with amazement.

“Are you shitting us? She laid right here, on this table we're sitting at and went topless in front of you?”

Jake smiled happily at the memory, nodding vigorously, as he chewed his food.

“Yeah, I stood there for at least ten minutes, just staring at them. Yup, she's a good girl.”

JT and Piney laughed hard, almost bringing up their food. They calmed down and JT tried to get serious, but just had to look at the expression on Jake's face and he would break out laughing again.

“So where was I? Oh yeah. You want five hundred for this place, right?”

Jake looked at him with a more serious expression, helping him not laugh anymore.

“Hoping to get it, anyway. Might take as low as three fifty. The place is full of crap inside and there's only that part of the yard to use. They come in the same gate, but they have no parking along the side here. This railing divides my side from the rental side.”

“You said you'd take three fifty?”

“If I had to go that low. I'm hoping to get more, naturally.”

JT looked at Piney, who looked back at him, something passing between them unheard, but they understood, nodded at each other and then JT turned back to Jake.

“I can give you four hundred, maybe four fifty. Between Piney and me, Lenny and Lorraine and maybe one or two more guys, we could afford it. We could clean the place out, make it our clubhouse and make some rooms for sleeping.”

“You did say you wanted to start a club, I remember that. Clubhouse, that's interesting. If I'm not mistaken, and I could be, have to check to make sure, but the county by-laws state that a clubhouse may have up to a certain number of rooms for temporary stays. Has to have a kitchen, bedrooms and a shitter for every ten members, I believe. At least I remember it was like that when I rode with a club.”

That had JT and Piney sit up and take notice.

“You were in a club, Jake?”

“Yeah, years ago now. Rode with the East Bay Riders. All of us got leather jackets and had our crest on the back. Twelve of us, all cruising together up and down the coast. Some of the best years of my life, some of my worst.”

“Why were they your worst?”

JT and Piney looked at Jake with concern, wondering what could be so dire to make Jake look so despondent at the mere mention and thought of it. Jake looked at them, his eyes already telling them how much it hurt him. He stared at the table and took a breath to calm his feelings, roiling up inside him.

“It was back in '53. We were coming back from Big Sur, taking the 101. We were outside some shit hole place called Gilroy, about eighty miles south of here. It was a great day, I remember. Sunny, warm and then we head into Gilroy and we hit this patch of fog. We barely drove a mile in it, when a truck coming the other way, crossed the line and took out four of us instantly. Two more died in hospital a few days later. I was lucky and went for the ditch, just missed Geezer's bike sliding at me. I had no broken bones, but I scraped all the skin off my right leg, when I slid. I lay there for days in the hospital, thinking about it and my dead buddies. When I was able to leave the hospital, I wasn't sure if I could ride again. My leg was killing me, but I started it and rode home, then hung my jacket up. I never rode with anyone again, as a club member.”

“Holy shit, Jake. Six guys? What happened to the driver?”

“That's just it, Piney. Nothing. Cops came and investigated and let the guy off. Barely had a scratch on him. Said the fog was so thick he didn't know he crossed the line and didn't see us, until it was too late.”

“Fuck, Jake. That's bullshit, man.”

Jake was downhearted, his usual fervour faded away.

“I really liked being with them. They were my buddies from the war. We'd been through hell together, fucking bullets and bombs missing us, taking out the guy beside us. We make it through, only to be wiped out by a fucking wetback driving a fruit truck. No fucking licence, either. That was all he got charged with, nothing else. I lost my faith after that. Lost some belief in the country I fought for, too. Six heroes dead and not one got a hero's burial. Lefty was lucky to get a burial. I paid for a small headstone and a few words, it was all I could afford at the time.”

The guys could see it was hard on Jake, having to relive the memory again. JT didn't want to dismiss Jake's feelings, but he wanted to get back to the building. He let it sit for a moment, letting Jake get himself composed again.

“So, what do you think, Jake? Want to rent us this place?”

Jake could tell that JT wanted to end the discussion about his club and friends and he welcomed the diversion.

“Sure, you guys can have it for four hundred. All the shit that's in there now, just put it on the dock here and I'll get a bin in to take it away. If there's anything you can use, you're welcome to it.”

“That's fantastic, Jake, I don't know how to say thank you enough. This is great news. Yesterday ended up so shitty and today just wipes that out. We can get to it after work today and see what we can get done.”

“Jake, if there's anything we can do for you, just name it, we owe you big for this.”

Jake could see the conviction in Piney's expression and knew it to be honest and heartfelt. He found a smile in himself and let it come out, as he told them something.

“You're actually doing me a favour renting it. County has been at me to rent it or tear it down. I had until the end of this year to rent, or down she comes. Now I can be happy knowing who's renting it and it helps you guys out, so it all comes out to the good. Alright, if you boys are done, Let's get back to work. In fact, give me a hand with the overhaul and that can free up the bay. Damn thing has been on the hoist for more than a week now.”

“Let's do it then, Jake.”

The three walked back and JT smiled, when Jake patted his back, smiling at him. They went about putting three sets of hands to work and in an hour and a half, they lowered the Studebaker and Piney climbed in and readied to start it. JT crossed his fingers and Jake gave him a nod to go ahead. Piney turned the key and there was absolutely nothing, not even a click. Jake looked under the hood and lifted a battery cable that wasn't attached.

“This might be the problem, Piney. That was your job.”

Piney looked guilty, knowing he had overlooked that major detail. Jake wiggled the terminal on and tightened the clamp.

“Give her a shot now.”

Piney turned the key and it almost started. He pumped the gas and hit the key again, this time the 289 V8 starting and running smoothly. Piney revved it a few times and the choke came off and idled properly.

“Good job, guys. Thanks. Piney, take it up and down the street and see how it runs.”

Piney waved and put it in reverse and backed away and turned to go out. JT noticed the thin line of fluid trailing and yelled for him to stop. He slid under and checked for the leak. He called out to Jake for a wrench and tightened the nut to the transmission plug. He slid out and pointed at Jake.

“That was your job, Jake.”

Jake shrugged and accepted his wrong.

“Too many cooks in the kitchen. Should have went around and checked myself, sorry guys.”

JT stood up and smiled at him.

“Hey, no sweat, Jake. It's was minor, it's fixed.”

Piney started it up again and drove off out the gate, turning left towards the motel. He went past it, looking at the office to see if anything was happening. The lot was clear of enforcement, but a new car was parked in front of the office. He pulled a U turn and headed back to the shop, pulling in and parking it beside the others on the finished side. Jake asked how it ran and Piney said it was smooth as silk.

“If I let you get back to those cars, you're going to be finished in no time. You guys are good, you work fast and stay with it.”

“Army got us like that Jake. JT and me would rather be in the motor pool, so we picked up on things fast and did what we were supposed to.”

“Here's what I'm thinking. Let's go push that bike over and get a look see at where to start. Tire is flat, but it should still hold air, so let's pump it up and roll it into the bay. Put some gas in it and see how it runs. Might have a runner by the end of the day, maybe not.”

JT wasn't wasting any time and dragged the air hose over towards the bike and ended up ten feet short. Piney and Jake came over and between the three of them, pushed the old bike away from the fence and closer to the end of the hose. JT put air in and watched the tire filling up, smiling that it was still good. They pushed it over to the garage and into the bay and set the kickstand. JT grabbed a rag and started giving a quick wipe down to remove the big debris that had collected on it. He opened the tank and got a jerrycan of gas and poured a gallon into it.

He put the lid on and looked at Jake, wondering what to expect, when he kicked on the starter. He primed the starter and was happy it moved freely. He felt for the right timing and kicked down hard, the engine doing nothing, as a result. JT tried again and got a burp of a sputter. After two more tries, the engine coughed and caught, sputtering to life, albeit roughly. JT gave the throttle some gas and the engine began smoothing out. Jake bent down and used a screwdriver to adjust a couple of screws on the carburetor, making the engine run smoother still. JT killed the engine, smiling broadly at Jake and Piney, getting off and looking at it.

“Runs great, Jake. I'll spend some time going over it with the oil can and make sure everything is moving freely and then check the brakes and see how good they are. If the tire holds out, I could actually ride this soon, maybe tomorrow. We got to get out to see your dad, Piney, see what he's willing to do with his bike.”

Piney shrugged his shoulders, already showing defeat at getting it. JT and Jake could see it clearly on him and Jake put his hand on his shoulder.

“Tell you what? You and me go out and see your dad and I'll make out like I want to buy it and you're just letting me know about it. If he's willing to sell, I'll get it for the best price.”

Piney's attitude changed in seconds, to one of hope. JT knew the last person Piney wanted to talk to, was his dad. They parted on bad terms, his dad telling Piney he was worthless and good for nothing. When he said he was his greatest disappointment, that was all Piney could take and called him every name in the book and then left, tearing the screen door off its hinges. That was eight years ago and they hadn't spoken since. Piney kept in touch with his mom, but she kept letting him know his father hadn't changed his mind yet.

Jake used the Studebaker to get there, putting it down as a test drive and Piney got in with him. They took off to Piney's parent's house, while JT stayed and worked on his bike. Jake and Piney didn't say much about the rift between him and his father, but talked more about the bike and when his father rode it. Piney told him he bought it before the war, so he could ride around. He said his father told him of trips he took and the goods times he had and things he saw. It wasn't long after he met his mother, that his dad no longer rode. Jake had a feeling his dad had given up his own dreams to settle down and raise a family. He was going to go on that assumption and play that angle.

They pulled up to the house and Piney knocked on the door. His mom answered and as soon as she saw him, she started crying and hugged him. Piney hugged her, giving her time to show her feelings and then he asked when his dad would be home. She said he'd be home at five, as usual and asked why. Piney explained about Jake wanting to buy the bike out back and she was more than happy to take him around and show it to him.

Jake and Piney pulled the ragged tarp off the bike and looked it over, then Jake checked the engine, to see if it was seized. When the starter moved through the cycle, Jake smiled and clapped Piney on the back.

“Might be a runner, Piney.”

“So, Jake, how do you know my son?”

“Piney works for me, Mrs. Winston. He's one of my mechanics. I was mentioning I was in the market for a bike and he told me that his father had one, he might want to sell.”

“Trust me, Jake. He'll sell it. I've been at him for years to get rid of it. It's sat here for almost twenty years and he's never taken the tarp off.”

Piney perked up, hearing how his mother would be pushing his father to sell the bike. Jake checked out as much as he could with a visual inspection and was happy with what he saw.

“Mrs. Winston, could you please tell your husband I'm interested in buying his motorcycle and I'm willing to give him two hundred dollars for it. I'll call and come back tonight after dinnertime and bring the money with me, if he finds that acceptable.”

“What's your last name again, Jake?”

“Sorry, never gave it to you. It's Harding. Jake Harding.”

Jake and Piney thanked her and left to go back to the shop, but not before she laid some motherly love on her son. Piney seemed embarrassed by it, but Jake let him know it was a good thing, that one day he wouldn't be able to complain about it. Piney thought on that, as they made their way back. Piney looked at Jake and felt closer to this man, than he did to his own father.

They pulled into the garage lot and Jake parked the car and walked to the bay, where JT was tweaking the engine, trying to get it to run better. Jake came up and hit the switch to stop it. JT looked at him with surprise, wondering why he did it.

“Take the plugs out and clean and gap them. That'll make it run better and you'll have better results.”

JT understood and his disgruntled feelings vanished.

“Sounds great though, JT. Doing a good job on it. Looks like Piney might have his bike too. Talked to his mother and she wants it out of the yard. She'll pester the poor guy into selling it.”

“Right on, Jake. Piney, looks like we're in business, buddy.”

Piney was smiling happily, knowing their plans for riding by the end of the week, were coming to fruition. JT took out the plugs and cleaned them, checking and adjusting the gap on them. He put them back in and pushed the boots on the ends. He primed the starter and with hardly any effort, the bike started and ran as smooth as the day it rolled off the line. JT kicked the stand up and backed it out of the bay. Jake and Piney watched, as JT rode around the lot, getting a feel for it and if anything was out of order, or not. After several laps, he pulled in front of the bay and beamed a smile, showing almost every tooth.

“Take it down the road and give it a bit of a run, clear out the pipes.”

JT pulled away and gave it a good amount of throttle, heading down the lane, then hit the brakes hard and tested them. He went left and Jake and Piney listened to the bike fading in the distance.

“Damn, Piney. Bike sounds great, maybe I should have kept it?”

Piney looked at Jake and saw he wasn't serious, but knew he had just let go of something he had held onto for years, because of sentimental value. There was something about Jake that had both guys wondering about him. He came out of nowhere to befriend them and every time they were together, he was enriching and making positive changes to their lives.

They heard the sound of the Harley coming back, but it had a different tone, then they noticed it was two bikes. JT pulled in and then Lenny. They rode up to the bay and shut the bikes off.

“How are you, Lenny?”

“Okay, how are you, Jake?”

“Doing well, thanks.”

Jake shook hands, then turned his attention to JT and the bike.

“How did it run, JT?”

“Great, smooth and the shifting is better now, too. I was turning around to come back, when Lenny was coming down the street. I think the front tire is losing air though. Feels a bit spongy now.”

“I'll order a new one tomorrow. Anything else?”

“Nope, don't think so. Just needed a real good cleaning and oiling, bit of tweaking and she's nice. Wanna go for a ride, Piney?”

Piney wasted no time in jumping on. He rocked the bike onto the front tire and agreed it needed air first. JT filled it to the right pressure and Piney fired it up easily, with his weight. He clutched in and shifted it into first. He made a smiley face at everyone and headed down the lane. He turned right and headed towards SR88, letting the throttle out and getting the wind in his hair. He was more than a mile away, when he noticed a car coming up behind him, so he backed off on the throttle and slowed down from sixty to forty. The car tailed him, but wouldn't pass. He figured the best way to deal with it, was pull over, turn around and go back to the shop. He began braking and pulling to the side and waved the guy to go past. The car moved over, but slowed with him.

Piney looked over at the driver and was taken off guard, unsure of what to do, when he saw it was his father. At first, he felt like taking off and racing away from him, but something about the way he was looking at him, made him decide to stop. He edged over as far as he could and his father pulled in behind him. Piney killed the engine, the air becoming thicker, with the silence. He didn't look back, but heard the door close and knew his dad was coming to him. He got off the bike and stood beside it, leaning back against the seat. He picked a spot on the ground to stare at and watched, as the shadow covered it and then stopped.

“Piermont, I need to talk to you, son.”

His voice wasn't harsh in tone, more distressed than anything. Piney still didn't look up, but showed resentment on his face.

“Call me Piney, I don't like that name.”

“It's your name, son. We named you after your grandfather. Named Lester after your mother's dad.”

Piney could hear the change in his dad's voice, when he spoke of his brother.

“Your mother told me you were at the house today with Mr. Harding, looking at the bike. Told me you were working for him. I had to come and let you know, son.”

Piney was still refusing to look at him, but raised his head slightly, when he heard he wanted to say something and assumed the worst about the bike.

“Came to tell me, you don't want to sell the bike?”

“No, Mr. Harding can have the bike for all I care.”

Piney's eyes twitched up further, hearing the bike was his, but unwilling to show his happiness.

“Son, Lester was killed. The Army sent us notice, after you left.”

Piney raised his head and looked at his father. He could see he was doing his best to hold himself together, as he looked at him. Piney got off the seat and in a moment, all that had been between them vanished, the reality sinking in.

“Oh dad, not Lester.”

“I'm so sorry son, but he's gone. They'll be sending him home soon and I'd like for us to be there as a family, to welcome him home and lay him to rest.”

Piney looked at his father, his stoic look of earlier, melting away and tears came to his eyes. With the same need to respond, they hugged close, grabbing at each other's clothes to hold them together as close as they could. They stood on the side of the road and wept, unaware and uncaring of the cars that went past. They stayed connected, until they assured themselves of their bond, as father and son again. Piney broke away from the hug, but held onto his father, not wanting to break the connection. He wiped his eyes with the heel of his palm, squeezing out the tears, as he caught his breath and checked a few remaining sobs.

“I have to get the bike back, dad. I have to tell JT about Lester.”

His father looked at him and knew he had to go back, back to a life of his own choosing. Piney could tell that his father was going to leave, if he went back.

“Come with me, dad. Just say hi to JT, talk with Jake for a bit about the bike at least.”

Piney searched his father's eyes, as he searched in his, hope that all animosity was gone and forgotten between them. One thing his father could see in his eyes, was the desperate pleading for him to stay, no matter what the reason. All he needed to do was nod and smiles appeared for both of them. They hugged again, both happy for the reconnection between them. Piney let go and got on the bike, quickly starting it. He readied himself to go and looked at his dad.

“You look like a rider, son.”

Those words, he took to heart, for they showed a recognition about him, something his father refused to do for all these years. Piney looked back and slowly turned around and headed back to the shop. His father got in his car and did a U turn, following him back down the road and into the lot. Piney pulled up in front of the bay and killed the engine, getting off and saying nothing to Jake, JT and Lenny, who were looking concerned about him. They saw the '61 Chevy Biscayne pull in the lot and Piney was directing the driver where to park. They watched the driver get out and JT recognized who it was and told the other two. They watched the pair approach them, seeing the somber faces and knew a great hurt was upon them. Piney brought his father over to meet Jake and then put his arm around JT's shoulder and walked him away from the others, without saying anything to them.

The three men stood and watched Piney talking to JT. Piney couldn't look his best friend in the eyes to talk to him, knowing he would lose the fragile composure he had mustered together. Only his father knew what he said, that made JT hug Piney close and begin to sob. They watched the two best friends comfort each other, then Jake had to ask Piney's father what was going on. With tears welling in his eyes, he looked at strangers and told them of the notice. The two ex-servicemen felt the pain, as if it was one of their own, knowing the anguish of his loss. Jake shook his hand and hugged him, offering his condolences, then Lenny did the same, sharing in his grief.

They looked back at JT and Piney, understanding their need to share this in private. Jake helped Piney's dad into the small office and sat him on his chair, letting him rest himself. He held out his hand to him and introduced himself.

“I'm so sorry, but I don't know your name, sir.”

“Stanton Winston, just call me Stan.”

Stan shook Jake's hand and offered up a weak smile. Jake decided on something positive to say.

“You've got a good boy there, Stan. I only met Piney a few days ago, JT, too. Both good boys. If ever two men could be called brothers, they could.”

Stan looked at Jake and then to his son and lifelong friend, comforting one another. He looked back at Jake, his eyes telling a story, before he spoke.

“Known JT since he was a young boy, back when he was Johnny. Watched him and Piermont grow up together. It was all over him, that Piermont and I haven't spoken.”

Jake knew something had happened in the past, that had caused a rift between father and son and now he was aware that the cause was a friendship.

“What happened, Stan? I can't see how their friendship caused a problem.”

“It was back when they were in their teens. Piney and JT were caught stealing a car, just to go joy riding and ended up wrecking it. They were arrested and I ended up having to pay for the damages, because JT's mother was widowed and had no money to pay for it. I told him not to hang around with JT anymore, I forbade him to. We argued and fought over it and he ended up leaving and moving in with JT, over in Lodi. I was worried he would end up doing nothing, but get into trouble with him. When JT talked him into joining up with the Army and become paratroopers, I was afraid I would lose him over there. When his mother told me he was back, I was so happy, but I still couldn't bring myself to forgive him. When Lester enlisted last year, I prayed that God would protect my boy and bring him back safely, just like Piermont. Now he's gone and I can't stand the thought of losing the only son I have left.”

Jake laid his hand on Stan's shoulder, unable to console him, but knew what Stan was letting go of, knew that he had to get it out and face it. He patted his shoulder and left him be, as he heard a car coming in, with a noisy muffler. He walked out to see Lenny going to the driver and talk to him. Jake figured that must be the other person that JT said needed work done. He looked at JT and Piney, no longer weeping and hugging, but talking, while they leaned on the hood of Stan's car having a cigarette.

He walked over to Lenny and his friend and introduced himself. Lenny introduced Wally to him and explained why he was there.

“Yeah, I kinda got that when he came in. Looks like you came at a bit of a bad time, I'm afraid, Wally.”

“Yeah, Lenny was just filling me in on what's happening. That really sucks, losing your brother like that. Younger brother, right?”

“Yeah, his father is in the office and he's taking it pretty hard. Seems there was some bad blood going on between them for a long time and now they have to deal with that. So, you need me to see what you're needing under there and fix what's making all the noise and Lenny, you're looking for a bit of tweaking on your bike, right?” They both agreed and waited for Jake to decide what to do.

“Lenny, bring your bike in the first bay and Wally, you bring yours in on the other one and I'll get it up and see.”

They parted and the guys started their vehicles and moved them into the bays, while Jake went to JT and Piney.

“Guys, you should go in the office and talk with Stan. He needs to know things are right between you all. Too much has gone unsaid, for far too long and it's time you dealt with it. Go talk to him and put the past behind you. Whatever happened, isn't worth losing your family over.”

They listened and heeded Jake's request and walked together into the office and quietly closed the door behind them. Jake watched them go and felt a goodness in his heart, knowing he had assisted in mending fences in a family. He went to Wally's car and adjusted the hoist pads to sit under the frame properly and hit the lever to raise the car. Lenny and Wally stood together in silence, the feeling that talking, would only lead to bringing up emotions none of them wanted to feel.

Jake looked under the Chevy and tapped the rusty exhaust with his screwdriver handle, from the manifold back, flakes of rusted metal breaking off as he went. He reached the end and looked at Wally forlornly.

“All you have is rust under here, Wally. This needs a new exhaust, front to back. There's not one piece worth saving, or even can be saved.”

Wally looked at the rusted pipes and then to Jake, shrugging his shoulders.

“How much for a new one?”

“Pipes, muffler, clamps, hangers and such, around seventy bucks. Labour will run you thirty, so you're looking at a hundred to make it run quietly.”

Wally reached in and took out his money and counted off a hundred dollars in twenties, tens and five dollar bills and handed them to Jake. Lenny glanced at the roll and raised an eye, wondering how lucrative Wally's business actually was.

“How soon can the parts be here?”

“I can order them and have them here tomorrow. Should only take an hour or so to replace it.”

“Sounds good, Jake, thanks. Be here as early in the morning as I can, then.”

With that issue dealt with, Jake lowered Wally's car and lowered the pads, so he could back his car out. Jake went over to the other bay and took a look at Lenny's bike. He looked at Lenny and shook his head at him, after he checked the oil.

“You gotta take better care of it, Lenny. Look at how black the oil is. This should have been changed long ago. The chain is loose, the tires are low, I don't even need a gauge to know that. That's just looking at it. I hate to think of what I'll find if I dig deeper.”

“Sorry, Jake. Have a few things on my mind lately.”

“So I heard. JT told me about the eviction and have to be out by the end of the week. Something not right there, Lenny. I'm no lawyer, but I know they have to give you more notice than that. Thirty days at least. Oh, got some news, might make that not seem so bad. I was talking to JT and Piney earlier about the storage building there and I agreed to rent it to you guys for four hundred a month. No utilities running, so you'll have to pay for those as well. I said they could start cleaning it out tonight, but if you guys want to get started, I can unlock the doors and let you get started now.”

That put a look of happiness on their faces and they were only to happy to get started. Jake smiled to himself, wondering how stopping to lend a hand, had turned into helping others find happiness in their lives. One thing he was happy about, was the company. Clay was a good mechanic, but he was headstrong and didn't listen to reason, some times. He hadn't seen the horrors of life and appreciate what he had here at home. He was always wanting more and never satisfied with what he had already. JT and Piney presented themselves as men, ones who understood about listening to orders and how a life could depend on carrying out those orders, the way they were given. Clay was prone to adapting the rules to suit his purpose, but it rarely worked out in his favour. Hopefully he would learn a thing or two from JT and Piney and listen to them.

“I'll see what I can do to make your bike run a bit nicer, but you're going to have to come in and get those other things attended to and soon. Things going wrong on a bike, are a lot different, than things going wrong in a car, remember that.”

Lenny nodded, looking guilty for his neglect and heeding the warning.

“I can come in tomorrow, same time as Wally. We can do some work on my bike, while you fix his car.”

Jake turned to him and softened his look of disappointment, hearing the change in his attitude towards something so important.

“Do you good to get your hands on it. You should know your bike inside and out, like it's a part of you. When you know it, the littlest thing is noticed, nothing escapes you.”

They listened to Jake describe things and knew he was a seasoned rider, one who knew the spirit of riding. He broke off from his thoughts and beckoned them over to the building and unlocked the door. The dusty smell hit their noses and got them sneezing from it.

“Didn't say it was in move in condition. Let's get all the doors and windows open and get some fresh air in here.”

Lenny and Wally went about opening windows, while Jake unlocked doors and opened them. He pushed up the loading door and a huge cloud of dusty air rushed out. Wally and Lenny came through and they stood to the side, coughing, looking at Jake like he was selling them on a bad idea.

“Give it a bit to air out and I guess put some kind of mask on, until the dust is swept out.”

“No shit. I'd suffocate trying to breathe that in. Like you said, needs a bit of tidying up.”

They stood talking about the stuff inside and where to put it, when the office door opened and the three men walked out. JT walked in front and it was a heartfelt sight, to see father and son walking together again, a connection made between them. They came over to the building and joined the others, taking a brief glance inside. JT covered his mouth and nose with his T shirt and walked inside and looked at the swirling dust, moving around the piles of boxes, discarded parts and general trash and debris. JT came back out and swept the dust off himself and looked at the others, looking at him.

He looked primarily at Piney, Lenny and Wally and smiled. He nodded his head towards the building and smirked.

“Home, sweet home, guys.”