Page 26 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
Cass flinched, "It's not that bad."
"Oh, sweet, delusional summer child," Penny shook her head, tsking as she returned to her book.She flipped a page and popped another bubble.Cass glanced up at Elliot who shrugged, motioning for her to join him on the massive leather couch.He sank into it, draping his long arms along the spine.Cass slid onto the cushion next to him, her eyes glued to the car in the bay.With the static noise of other people in the background, she waited.The other mechanics came and went, speaking with people in the waiting room, and over time people filtered out till it was just her.The sun set over the building, leaving the night sky behind them.The other bay doors were shut and Penny left.While the other mechanics cleaned up the shop, Pops finished writing on a clipboard with Jessie confirming.They'd lifted her car and she watched anxiously as they pointed at multiple things.
When they finally came into the waiting room, she was ready for them to tell her the worst news.Then Jessie sighed, leaning against the door frame."She's driveable, but you got maybe five years on her max.We can get her fixed up in the next few days, gotta special order that tire and get that cap replaced, of course, a good oil change, flush, yada-yada.But, by next Friday she should be back in your hands.I gotta check with my guy about the parts, they comin' from outside of King's Fall, but shouldn't take too long."
Cass exhaled heavily, "Oh thank the dragons."
"Now," Pops clapped his hands, "dinner."
"What?"Cass blurted out.Dinner?What?She blinked, looking to Elliot, he flashed her a sheepish, apologetic look.Oh, oh no, what have you gotten yourself into now, Cassiopeia Darling.
"Elliot!Mybigman!There you are!"Cass had barely stepped through the back door when, possibly, the prettiest dwarvish woman came to hug Elliot.She was five foot even with a bush of silky salt and pepper hair, high cheek bones, a glorious beard that hung down her jaw line decorated in beads, shapes, and bobbles.Dressed in healer's robes, she hoisted Elliot off his hooves by an inch before setting him back down.Mrs.Bonesaw took one look at Cassiopeia and it nearly broke Cass in half.She gave the Fae woman the most motherly mom look that ever came from a mom as she sauntered up to Cassiopeia."Hi!You must be Cassie."
Cass would have burst into tears.Cass would have broken down into sobs, rattling like a skeleton in a hurricane.Cass would have never let that woman go.When Mrs.Bonesaw came up to her, Cass dropped to her knees to give her a hug and it was the warmest, sweetest, most loving hug she'd ever had.It stung deep in a part of her chest that she'd never be able to heal.Rubbing her soft hands on Cass's back, smelling of warm sugar and clean laundry, Mrs.Bonesaw pulled Cass in tight and squeezed her."Ooo, look at you," Mrs.Bonesaw pulled back to cup Cassiopeia's cheeks."You look like you haven't eaten.Please tell me you're staying for dinner."
"I'm staying forever."Cass blushed like a child stuck with their hands in the cookie jar as Mrs.Bonesaw barked out a laugh.Clapping Cass on the shoulders, she nodded and motioned for her to come further into the kitchen.
Elliot offered her his arm, leaning in, "Sorry if she's a bit much.Mom's a hugger."
"It's fine," Cass wheezed under her breath."How does everyone know my name?"
"When I called the shop to tow your car, basically spread like wildfire."Elliot grimaced as he pulled out a chair at the table.
The Bonesaw family house was a block behind the garage.A two-story house full of windows and painted the same dark blue as the shop.The front door was used as the back door, and the back door opened directly into the kitchen.The kitchen was a roller coaster of levels.Many of the counters were down low where Mrs.Bonesaw could reach, but there were heavy duty shelves used as counters much higher up, where Mr.Bonesaw might use them.Pots and pans floated on a copper chandelier of kitchen utensils.The fridge was a massive box covered in artwork and polaroids.Cass stopped to stare.Images of the boys as tiny little things in swimming trunks by the lake, a kitchen full of people around a baby Elliot blowing out candles, and other of boys wrestling their dad while trying to take him down.The one at the center was Mrs.Bonesaw in a cap and gown, holding up her healers robes while her three boys gave big thumbs up to the camera.
Now, she wanted to cry.
Her parents didn't keep a single polaroid.There were no family photos on the walls.There's no time for silly things like that.Her heart sank.
"Cassie?"Elliot nudged her slightly.She ripped away from the fridge, facing him at the table.He took a hold of her knotted fingers on top of the table and squeezed."Remember, grass looks greener, doesn't mean it is."
She bit back saying, 'that's easy for you to say' as she stared at Mr.Bonesaw as he sat down at the table."So, Elliot, how’s… ball sports treating you?"
Ouch.Even Cass knew the name of the sport, and she didn't know about it before she met Elliot.He grimaced, "Uh, it's… it's good.We're starting scrimmages soon, and before you know it—it'll be game time."
"Fuck yeah!"Rex cheered, flopping down into a seat.
"Language!"Mrs.Bonesaw barked.
"Sorry, Ma!"Rex apologized with a goofy, lopsided grin."Big Elle's gonna smash some heads this season, right?Show those other teams who's boss!"
Elliot's face was pinched between painful and faking pride."Yeah, you know, it's my last season, I start coaching next year, so I'm more just focusing on getting my team ready to handle the season without me."
"Uh-huh, that's nice—Honey, you want help?"Mr.Bonesaw left the table, sauntering across the kitchen.
Green grass.Cass flipped her hands, entangling her fingers with Elliot's.He returned his big, lovely gaze to her and the warmth of his smile reached his eyes.She squeezed his hand with a wink.Elliot blushed, she could see it in the way he ducked his head slightly, glancing away.The fur didn't change color, nor did she see any physical signs.But his shoulders slouched and he stared at the wood on the table.Cass opened her mouth to say something when Jessie plopped down across from her."So, Cassie, what's a place like you doing in a pretty field like that?"
She choked on her own tongue, sputtering with laughter."What?"
"Nailed it," Jessie beamed, sitting back in his chair with his arms crossed behind his head.
"Oh, Elliot nailed—" Rex was cut short by a massive arm wrapped around his head and he was pulled into a chokehold courtesy of Elliot.
Cass gasped for air, tears welling up in her eyes from the ache in her sides."Ow, please, it hurts."
"Elliot!You've got to be more gentle next time!"Jessie gasped with faux scandal.
"I'll show you gentle."Elliot lunged over the table only to have both parents swoop in and slap everyone, minus Cass, upside the head.
