12 Something Bad For Me

I was supposed to be on my way to meet Jessica, but I found myself at Tony's shop instead. He and I where giving the three-oh-two a once over as he listed off the number of things that needed to be addressed. Ever since I drug the thing up to his's shop we seemed to find one problem after another.

Because of this I continued to pour money into it. Tony didn't believe for a second that I was just a driver. Mainly because he knew how much this was costing me. Ill spare the details, but it was a suspicious amount. Tony could tell easy that I was into something bad for my health.

Of course, we both knew I'd never admit it, and as long as I could keep coming up with the cash he kept helping me.

"It'll drive though right?"

Tony frowned and leaned against the three-oh-two's door. Near his legs sat that massive rust spot. I meant to get the car repainted after all the technical work was finally done.

"Well yeah it'll go. I'm nowhere near done with the suspension rebuild so you'll be on those shot struts. It'll ride rough as hell"

"I just need it to get around town for like a week. No racing or thrashing involved just commuting"

"What's wrong with the ninety-three?"

"It's in the shop. Played chicken with a tree on the old trail"

Tony crossed his arms and set his jaw in that odd way most old people do when they disapprove of the youth.

"That sounds like bull shit Jack. In all these years you've never once crashed a car. On the road or the trail"

I shrugged and waved it off dismissively.

"First time for everything Tony. Shit happens"

Tony shook his head and grumbled under his breath. He said something, but I didn't really catch it.

"What was that?"

"I said don't give me that shit Jack. You can pull the wool over your parents, but you can't do it to me"

Now it was my turn to cross my arms. I set my jaw in defiance and gave Tony a hard glare.

"What exactly does that mean?"

"I've talked to your parents Jack. They buy into that bull about being a driver. No way a driver makes the kind of money you made in one paycheck"

"Tony I really don't understand what you're getting at"

Tony got off the car and walked into my personal space. He probably didn't set out to confront me today, but the way the conversation had turned it made this unavoidable.

"You dropped damn near nine hundred bucks on my desk when you brought the three-oh-two here. That was before you ever said a damn thing to your parents about being a driver, and there's no way you made that money off one paycheck anyway. Ever since then you've been dropping thousands like its nothing on this restoration"

I rolled my eyes doubling down on being dismissive of the whole thing. I went to the back headed for his peg board where he kept keys.

"Tony, I don't tell my parents my every move. I've been working for a little longer then when I first told them"

"That sounds like bull shit to me Jack! Sounds like bull and you know it!"

He was calling at me from where the mustang was on the garage floor. I scooped up my keys and came back to see Tony standing in my way. His arms crossed and eyes locked hard on me.

"You're into something bad for you. I don't know what it is, but you gotta know I won't let this rest"

I gave a frustrated groan and rubbed my forehead. My blood was pumping faster in anger for being called out by Tony. I could feel my pulse in my bruised nose, and needless to say that was uncomfortable.

"Tony so what if I am? I'm giving money to my family and carrying out my grandpa's last wish on this mustang. You're getting paid, my parents are getting a little more cash to help them, and I can afford to feed myself. Everyone wins"

"So you admit it?"

"I'm not admitting a damn thing Tony. I'm just trying to get you off my back about this. It's all a big misunderstanding anyways. Listen if you've got a problem with taking my money I can take the car somewhere else"

Tony spit away from me and snorted.

"That's bull too. You don't trust anyone else to work on this car any more than your grandpa did. If you don't give me some truth I'll stop working"

My bluff was called instantly, and I didn't have the cards to back it up. My only option now was to fold. So, I did. I sighed defeated and pushed past Tony.

"Fine you got me. I'm into something bad for me. What kid my age isn't? Instead of getting blasted at parties I'm actually making money."

I opened the door and put one foot in as Tony whirled around to face me.

"What are you doing then?"

"You only asked for some truth. I gave some truth. I'll bring the three-oh-two back when I get the fox body out of the shop"

The door shut and the sharp sound cut off any counter argument Tony had loaded. I started the car and the motor roared to life sounding healthier than ever before. The transmission felt better than ever when I slipped it into reverse to leave the shop.

Even with all the work we did on the motor and trans there was still a lot to be done, and we were finding more issues every day. It didn't matter to me though. I had the cash flow now and the three-oh-two came first on my list.

Tony watched me go from the garage door with that disapproving glare ever present. I didn't like worrying Tony truth be told. I hated it. There wasn't much I could do though. He was the one reading too far into things, and asking to many questions. That was his fault. If he had just kept quiet he wouldn't have to worry.

Or at least that's what I told myself to keep from drowning in the guilt. The guilt that was quickly filling up my locked room inside my head.