I would guess that he’s not quite thirty yet.
He nods. “Yeah, around there, I guess.”
I get the feeling that if it’s not cars, he doesn’t really want to talk about it. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about cars.
“What about you?” he asks and I blink at him.
“What about me?”
“Where are you from?”
“Originally, Howell, Michigan, but we moved to Grand Rapids when I was like four and that’s where I grew up.”
“Did you like it?”
I pause.
Did I like it?
The town was fine, there was always something to do, but I wasn’t happy. I think that had more to do with my family then the city though. I mean, can anyone who’s cursed really be happy?
He’s still watching me and I swallow.
“It was fine. I didn’t love the traffic, but there was lots to do and see.”
He nods, but I get the feeling that he can see more than I said.
“Did you get that from your dad? That dissecting look?” I blurt out and to my surprise, he cracks a smile.
His whole face lights up and I rock back on my heels as his bright eyes land on me.
“I suppose. Not a lot got past him. He was good at seeing more than surface-level things.”
“Sounds like a good psychiatrist then. Or a good police detective,” I try to joke and he grins.
“Yeah, he was. He retired a few years ago and now he and my mom travel a lot.”
“That must be nice.”
He shrugs and grabs a rag at his feet to wipe his hands off.
“Where did you grow up then?” I ask him as he reaches up to close the hood of the truck.
“Chicago.”
“Really?” I ask and he grins at my shocked tone.
“Yep.”
“I can’t picture you in a big city.”
“Yeah, I prefer the small town. Less crime and traffic.”
I nod and he starts to gather up his tools.
“Are you closing up now? I wasn’t sure what your hours were.”
“Yeah, I think that I’m done for the day. Have you eaten?”