Page 32 of Valentine's Daddy To Go
“Yeah, so we fixed up the old bike. But Colt wanted his own hog to ride, so we bought him some old thing that someone was throwing away. We got that one up and running. It was around then we realized we might be able to make a business out of this. You know, repairing bikes, restoring bikes, that kind of thing.”
It’s my turn again. I hit the ball but miss the billiard I was aiming for. Oops.
“So, Jaybird Choppers was born?” I ask.
“Yeah, essentially. We somehow raised the capital and founded our own company. It was a rough first year, but then it kind of took off. Before we knew it, Colt and I were swimming in dough. At first, it was more than we could handle, and we made some dumb mistakes, but we learned along the way. And now, we’re pretty stable with everything.”
“So, you’re just a boy from the streets. Worked hard to get what he’s got?”
“Yep. I used to be a working stiff with grease on my hands and not a lot in the bank.” He pockets another billiard before deferring to me.
I guess Nash knows his own struggle. I kind of looked at him like this imposing wealthy guy, but we have more in common than I thought. After all, I’m nothing more than a working stiff too. Maybe I don’t have grease on my hands, but I certainly have a lot of papercuts.
“So?” Nash asks. He looks at me expectantly, and I know what he wants.
“Right, my turn,” I respond.
“True,” Nash tilts his head, “but tell me about you, Nellie. Why are you so worried about everything all the time?”
I choke a bit.
“That’s a big question.”
“Well, then I expect a big answer.”
I let out a deep breath. I consider if I really want to go into my long history. To give myself time, I set myself up for a shot. While getting ready to shoot, I think. Nash told me his history. It would only be fair for me to tell him mine.
“So,” I start, hitting the ball and sinking a billiard, miracle of miracles. “My parents died while I was in college. Brian was in high school.” I stand back up and look at Nash. He doesn’t move at all, intently watching me.
“It was a shock, to say the least. No one expected a car accident. They happen all the time, but you just never think it’ll be you.” I stop short, not wanting the waterworks to start. Talking about my parents is always rough. I’ve never really dealt with the loss because after their death, so much responsibility fell on me.
“Yeah, so, they died, and I felt this intense need to take care of Brian. We were all the other had, so I knew it was us against the world. We moved out of the home we grew up into something less expensive, and I managed to finish college by working three jobs at once. Unfortunately, Brian wasn’t really the academic type. He struggled before our parents’ passing, and it only got worse after.”
After all, I’ve always felt that if Mom and Dad were still here, Brian would be doing better. He wouldn’t be a 4.0 university student, but he wouldn’t be so irresponsible either. I just wasn’t equipped to take care of him, and I blame myself a bit for how he’s a little messed up. I know I shouldn’t because I’m so young myself, but it’s big-sister-responsibility guilt.
I take another deep breath.
“Shortly after my parents died, Brian got his girlfriend Vivica pregnant and dropped out to get a job to support his family. I thought this was him finally growing up, but not quite. They got married, but my brother has never been the greatest employee, and he’s bounced from job to job, as you probably already know. Jaybird is his family’s financial lifeline now. They have two kids now. Mackenzie and Madison, my nieces.”
Nash nods thoughtfully.
“And you’d do anything for your nieces?”
I nod furiously.
“Yes. I’ll go through hell and high water for my nieces because I just want them to be happy. Vivica stays home and watches them but sometimes, I don’t know. I don’t know ifI’mdoing a good job either, to be frank, but I’m trying my best.”
“So you’ve been helping their family,” Nash drawls.
I nod. He’s finally getting it.
“I pitch in, but I’m not a full-fledged CPA, so I wasn’t getting paid very much. I had a trainee salary while I was at Porter Peabody. It’s just the way things work. Until I get the right credentials, I don’t get paid well. It’s been a long struggle, and one that hasn’t really ended yet, but I’ll get there.”
Nash nods and then straightens.
“That reminds me, I have to give you that second ten thousand dollar check,” he remarks.
I gasp. I can’t believe he’s going to give me another ten thousand dollars because it’s an insane amount of money to be able to hand over to someone just because you want to.
