The Bicycle (Part 4 of 6)
By WordWulf, 17th Jan 2011 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutWritingShort Stories
Larry is worried about having enough cash to buy the bicycle.
The Bicle (Part 4 of 6)
“I can fix it,” Larry assured him. “I could probably fix most of the things out here. I’ve worked with tools and machinery all my life, construction, roofing and stuff, done some garage door repair. Always fixed my own bikes when I was a kid.”
“Hmmm,” Nick mused, “Did Liesel mention something about you being out of work?”
“I get a side job every once in a while,” Larry replied honestly, wondering what it was about this man that made him feel so comfortable, urging him to open up. “But nothin’ steady for the past year or so.”
Nick picked up the front wheel, lifted the front end of the bicycle, and rolled it past Larry. He leaned it against the inside wall of the store, turned off the outside light, and closed the metal door. “Well Sir, don’t know if you’d be interested but Jim’s retiring at the end of the month, been with Wal~Mart for thirty-two years. You come in after Christmas, fill out the paperwork, a proper job application; might just be a job here for you. If you’re interested, I’ll leave the manager a note saying you seem like an apt young man to me.”
“Uh…” Larry began, “I thought you were the store manager.”
Nick chuckled. “Me? No, I’m Home Office/Toy Distribution… whatever you want to call it. I’m here on a tour of the stores in Colorado; just happened to answer the call when Liesel requested a manager for assistance.
Larry screwed up his courage and looked Nick straight in the eye. “I’d appreciate the recommendation. I’m definitely interested in the job. I’d be in your debt.”
Nick fiddled with his beard, obviously uncomfortable. “No one’s ever in my debt, young man.” Then the smile returned to its home on his face. “Well then,” he said brusquely, “Let’s get you back home to that boy of yours.” He appraised the bicycle doubtfully. “A lot of work there; sure you can get ‘er up to snuff?”
“That bike’ll be better ‘n new when I’m finished with it,” Larry assured him.
“I believe you and that’s good enough for me,” Nick chuckled, “We usually don’t sell damaged merchandise, liability and all that.” His eyes twinkled when he looked at Larry. “But it’s Christmas eve, isn’t it? I got me a good feeling about this.”
“Thank-you,” Larry said with relief. “Uh… how much do I owe you?”
“Let’s see here.” Nick bent to look at a tag hanging from the gooseneck of the bicycle. “Well she has a price tag for $177.00 new… hmmm..”
Larry felt a lump beginning to form in his throat. Half off the selling price would be around $90.00, a generous discount but $40.00 more than he had in his pocket, $40.00 more than he had to his name. What was he going to do now? The question spun round and round in his mind and his knees felt like jelly.
Follow Link to Part 5
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