I hope you enjoy this story of mine. All characters are above 18 years of age.
*****
I put down the wrench and stretched my arm, looking to the clock up on the wall. It was 10 minutes to closing time so I sighed and turned to my co-worker.
"Coby, you can go on home. I'll close up shop."
I received a nod in response from my friend as he pulled down the hood of the car he was working on and began walking towards the changing room. I grabbed my box of tools and walked over to the messy work-bench, setting it down on a somewhat clean space. As I looked into the mirror close by I removed my gloves, stretching my fingers to limber them up again. I had to chuckle as I looked at my reflection. I looked a right mess, my dirt-blonde hair now with streaks of black from god knows what and a smudge or two along my cheeks. The coverall that had originally been blue was now stained black in places but I didn't mind. Actually wearing clothes that showed you got into your work gave the customers a good impression. I looked out over my little auto-repair shop and smiled, content. I liked this place. Ever since I was a kid I enjoyed tinkering with things, and the happiest memory I can recall was getting my first car. It was all downhill from there.
As I was getting to place all the tolls in their right places I heard a knock from the door-frame. I sighed, closing the tool-box.
"We're about to close, return tomorrow."
"Is that a way to treat your little sister?"
I turned around, eyebrow raised. And sure enough, there she was, my younger sister, Helen. She was 5 years my junior, which made her 20? It had been a while since I saw her, since I'm usually busy in my shop and she goes to college. She walked up towards me, her arms stretched out.
"Come on, big brother, give me a hug."
I hesitated since I was still dressed in my coveralls but she didn't seem to mind so I shrugged and embraced her. She was nearly a head shorter than I was, with the same red hair like our mother, curled down to her shoulders. As she broke the hug she smiled at me with her bright green eyes.
"That's better. How are you doing, big bro?"
I shrugged. "Like always. People will always drive cars, and they will always need repairs or service. I get by."
She gave me a bright smile. "Glad to hear it. Actually, I have a favour to ask of you."
I raised my eyebrow again. "Oh? So this is not just a friendly visit?"
She giggled softly. "No, I'm afraid not. As much as I want to say it is, there's a reason I came here." She gestured towards the door. "I think it's better I show you."
I looked at the clock again and sighed. "Alright, I can give it a quick look. But I'm closing up shop in a few minutes."
She grinned widely. "Thanks, big bro! Come on, it's out here."
I walked with her outside to the parking lot, noticing that Coby's harley was already gone. The only vehicles outside was my own lovely Mercedes, and a yellow Datsun. I walked up to the car and gave it a once-over.
"So, I take it there's a problem?"
Helen nodded to me, leaning against the hood. "The brakes. I'm afraid they're about to snap."
I sighed, kneeling down so I could get a better look at the inner workings. After a cursory investigation I came back up and nodded.
"Yup, seems like it. I can't be sure until I actually get under and inside it but I would advise you to not take risks. Better leave it here, I can put it on the queue."
My sister smiled widely at me and walked over to throw me into another hug. "Thank you, big bro! You're the best!"
I answered the hug, patting her on the back. "Think nothing of it, but I need to see how my schedule looks. It may be a few days, I have to check my calendar."
Helen frowned but nodded. "Alright, I don't need it immediately anyway."
"Good, cause that would not be possible. I'll just get it marked in my calendar inside, you can leave it with me. I'm sure you have places to be."
She shook her head and walked up to me as I began to return inside. "Not really, and isn't it better if I'm there so I can offer my input on when I can come pick it up?"
I stroked my chin but nodded. "Sounds wise enough. In that case, I'll just bring it inside. You can go ahead and wait in my office."
Helen smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you!"
With that she walked back in ahead of me, almost skipping in her steps. I brought up my hand to my cheek where she had planted a kiss. She had always liked to hang around me, but she had never done anything like this before. I shook my head, getting into the yellow car to bring it inside.
As I stepped into my office I could see that my sister had taken of her coat and hung it on the chair across from my desk. Underneath it she was wearing a cute red blouse with a checkered skirt below it. As I walked in I saw her put away her little makeup-kit, apparently having been observing herself in the small mirror. As I sat down she smiled at me.
"Quite the decoration, big bro. I knew you liked cars, but damn."
I chuckled, turning my head towards the wall behind me that was covered in pictures of me with both my own cars and cars from museums around the country.
"It's a curse, blame dad."
Helen giggled and leaned back in the chair.
"Can it be a curse if you enjoy it?"