Passage 4

Jason liked the mechanic shop because of the memories. He and his father had worked here together before his mother died. He was good working on cars, not thanks in the way to father. He had dropped out of school to get his GED. Then his mother died, and he stayed home to take care of his sister.

His father wasn't the same when his mother died. It was because they were so in love, Jason assumed. His father had to grow distant and drink, it was the only way he could handle losing the love of his life.

That was the lie Jason believed for years, and it comforted him. But deep down, he always knew the truth.

"Pirson? Jason Pirson!"

Jason looked up from his thoughts and the engine in front of him.

"That's me," He said, "Can I help you, sir?"

The man didn't look like a typical customer, he was in a full suit and tie with shiny business shoes. He was waving Jason over so, with a shrug, Jason wiped his hands.

"Can I help you?" He repeated.

"Yes, son, I believe you can. Do you own this fine establishment?"

"The shop?" Jason asked. It had never been called fine, let alone an establishment before. "Yes sir, I do."

"Son, I'd like to make you an offer on this shop, and the house over that way, I assume it's on the property," The man explained, pointing to Jason's childhood home.

"Yeah, I own that too."

"Splendid! If you'll just come here and take a look at this paperwork-"

"The shop isn't for sale, sir," Jason said, walking closer to the businessman.

"Come now, son, everything is for sale! I'm making you a very generous offer, very generous indeed. Why, this is probably more money than a boy your age has ever seen!"

"With respect, sir, I'm not a boy-"

"Yes, yes, now if you'll just look here."

"Sir, really, the shop isn't... wow," Jason trailed off as he saw the numbers on the paper.

"Yes, yes, a lot of money, no?" The man chuckled.

"Why are you offering this?" Jason asked, "What do you want with the shop?"

"My boss wants to use the property to make a hotel," The man whipped out his phone and scrolled through pictures of a large and luxurious hotel, "The climate here is spectacular for tourists, and the little shops in town are so quaint!"

"Those 'quaint' shop owners are my friends," Jason said, a little coolly.

"Yes, yes, never mind then. What do you say?"

Jason stood a moment and considered.

After all, why should he stay? There was nothing in the town for him. With the money, he could go back to New York, go to college maybe, get a better job.

But what about Wish?

His mind asked.

What about her? She has a new life, it's about time you got that too.

"Mr.?" Jason asked, looking up. "You've got a deal.

They shook on it.

•••

Jason took the time the man had given him to move out to say goodbye to his old friends in town. It didn't take long; a lot of them had moved away or forgotten him in the ten years he had been gone. He saved the hardest goodbye for last.

Wish met him at the coffee shop suspicious and hesitant.

"What do you want?" Was the first thing she asked as she sat down.

"Relax!" Jason tried to calm her, "Relax, I just thought we could catch up a little. What've you been up to in the last ten years?"

Wish was wary, but said, "I went to work in dad's business."

"What?" Jason was surprised, "I thought you didn't want to?"

"Things have changed since we were kids," Wish replied.

"But you were always so against it-"

"I'm not anymore, alright?"

"Alright," Jason agreed. "I just think that-"

"What, you'll hold me to things I said when I was sixteen? You're being childish, Jason."

"I'm being childish?" Jason scoffed, "Look who's talking!"

"What do you mean by that?" Wish demanded.

"You're the one who always felt responsible for your mom's death. That's the only reason you're working with your dad, isn't it? You feel like you owe him everything in your life in return for losing your mom. Your entire goal is to make him happy."

"That's a lie!" Wish snapped.

"Is it? Or is that always what you've been doing. I'll bet dating Patrick is just another part of your elaborate hoax, isn't it? You don't really love him, but your dad loves you two together, so that's good enough for you. He can see it, why are you so blind?"

"You have no idea what you're talking about! I don't have to take this from you. I'm leaving."

Wish stood up to go, and Jason stood up to stop her. As he did, Wish tripped and landed in Jason's arms.

Their faces were dangerously close, and, for a split second, Wish wanted to kiss him.

"I'm engaged," She lied, more to herself than Jason, but he set her back upright and stepped away anyway.

"I should go," Wish mumbled.

"Yeah."

Wish turned and left, leaving Jason wondering why he even tried.