Friday rolled around faster than expected. Chatting with Tracy instead of the dead silence that we usually had. We even put on some music, and it was nice. We had decided on making plans to the mall when she noticed my outfit for the day, instead of drinks. She mentioned how she thought I had her ideal body and that I should wear more fitting clothes. There was a way she told me things that didn't seem mean or malicious. It was kind in a way, like a friend giving some friendly advice.

So, on Friday, I took her advice, and as I looked at myself in the mirror, I cracked a smile at how my clothes fit. I put on a skirt and a nice pair of knee-high boots, with a pair of sheer tights for some modesty in the office and a white button-up that she showed me how to look more fitted. "I didn't wear makeup today."

She looked at me and laughed, "Please, you don't even need any."

When I left work, I was running late to meet my father, going over the itinerary in my mind. We would go to get some new shirts and underwear from the Walmart, I would take him to get his hair cut, and then we'd eat at his favorite restaurant, Shelly's diner. After that, we would get a sweet treat at Andy's and head home.

I let my dark wavy hair down and pinned back half of it into a claw clip when I arrived at my father's house. A black pickup sat on the front of the house, and I noticed my father sitting in his wheelchair next to his truck, someone under the hood. I parked my car and walked over, waving at my dad.

"Sorry I'm late, work was busy." I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and turned just as the mechanic slid out from under the hood.

Our eyes met, and I immediately recognized him as the man from the pharmacy. He sat up and gave me a small smile. "No problem, kid, you remember Jimmy's boy right, you two met when you were kids. Well, J.D. is three years older than you, but your mom and his mom were close." My dad rambled on. "You made him cry when you blew out his candles at his tenth birthday!" He laughed, J.D. chuckling as well.

Like a ton of bricks, I was brought back over twenty years in the past. I met him before Tuesday night. He had been turning ten, and his dad had invited my family to a big birthday party in his backyard. I began remembering my mom scolding me that it was his birthday, and I should apologize for blowing out his candles. The countless dinners and visits all came back to me. Obviously, he looked different now since the last time we spoke, but come to think about it, my father had a photo of his and my families in the living room.

"Hi." I put my hand out.

He looked down at his hands and quickly removed his right glove to gently take my hand. "I knew you looked familiar the other night; I couldn't put my finger on it."

I took my hand back and noticed my dad look between us with a knowing smile. "I'll be right back; I'm going to go put my fancy shirt on since we are dressed so nice." He playfully hit my boot with his cane and rolled away towards the door. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and awkwardly look away.

"So, look at that. The girl with the pepper spray is actually my arch enemy." He said playfully. I must have looked confused because he quickly recovered. "The candles, you blew them out when I was little and never apologized." I could tell he was joking, but I was still in a bit of shock. "It was sort of my villain origin story."

"I'm sorry?"

He sits back down on his creeper and rolled under the car again. "it's okay, I forgive you, but you owe me a new PS2." He laughed to himself. It took me a second to realize what he was talking about. "That was all ten-year-old J.D. wanted and never got because someone took my wish."

I rolled my eyes again and began walking towards the house, my dad walking out with his cane in hand.

Usually, I would take him in his chair when we went out, but he seemed to be doing well with just the cane now. His physical therapy on Sundays had done him wonders. I stopped myself and remembered my plans. It was hard to find someone to do Sunday physical therapy, let alone someone so close, but we had been recommended by my father's doctor. I had completely forgotten about his appointment and my plans with Tracy, knowing I would have to cancel.

"You look worried." Dad spoke from his couch. We would have to wait for his truck to be finished, which seemed like it could be any minute now.

"No, it's fine, I just forgot about your therapy, and I drive you there - I made plans with my coworker- but I can cancel." I shrugged, pulling out my phone.

My dad quickly stood and walked over, placing a hand on my shoulder, "Kid, I can catch a ride. All you do in that waiting area anyway is watch me struggle. Take the day off, enjoy your new friend."

"Dad, I can cancel. I'm sure she will understand - "

"No, Zamora, I'll be fine!" he said sternly.

"Dad - "

Before I can say anything else, a small knock on the door had both of us turn to find J.D. standing there. He was in his familiar get up of dark jeans and a black t-shirt. He had since removed his gloves and was standing there politely holding the keys to my dad's truck. I didn't mean to check him out again, but he was like a new character unlocked and caught my attention easily.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He gulped, his Adams apple moving up and down. "Trucks ready, I can get started on the dodge now."

I looked back at him, nodding as I took my keys out of my purse and walked over to him. "Let me open the hood for you it's hard to do." I look back at my dad, who seemed annoyed with me. When we made it to my car, J.D. stood awkwardly as I tried to lift the broken handle of my hood. He crossed his arms and didn't say anything once it was open. "So how much do you charge?"

He placed one hand on the top of the open hood and leaned in to look closer at the engine. "Your serpentine belt looks bad." He said, looking closer. "Cars falling apart." He gently touched the front bumper, a piece of paint chipping off. "I don't charge your dad, he's like family. You, on the other hand- dream killer - three hundred."

I gasped, crossing my arms. "You're joking!"

He smiled, looking over at me and nodding, "Yeah, I'm joking, I'm so funny it's one of my best characteristics." He said sarcastically. "I can fix this is up in no time, change the oil, give a little tune up like I did for the Chevy, I'll only charge for the belt and oil." A dimple formed on his cheek.

I didn't know what to say, so I just politely thanked him. He grabbed his phone and began searching for something. I stood awkwardly for a minute before turning to leave.

He called out before I got any farther, "I can help with your other problem, too, you know." I look back at him. "Your dad's physical therapy, I can take him if you'd like. It's not a problem. it gives me something to do on Sunday since that's my day off and all." he shrugged.

"I can take him. I've been doing fine on my own." I snapped.

His hands went up in surrender, "never said you weren't doing fine, I'm just offering. We go way back your old man and me, I really don't mind, plus we can catch up and go get a burger afterward. I promise I will have him home by eight. My bedtime is nine."

I didn't know what to say. It wasn't a stranger taking him to his appointment. It was my dad's oldest friends' son, and he seemed genuine. So, I reputably agreed. "Okay, fine, that's very nice of you. I will let my dad know." I paused for a moment to look up at him. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, can I have your phone number."

What?

"What?"

"Your phone number, Zamora, nice name, by the way. That's a city in Spain and Mexico, it also means wild olives." He handed me his phone, ready to add contact. "I'm sure you knew that, though. I looked it up the last time we saw each other, when I got back to my place because I knew the name sounded familiar, but I've never been to Spain and have only been to Cabo and me personally, not a fan of olives unless it's in a nice martini or these spicy pickled ones- "

"Why do you want my number?" I interrupted his little rambling.

He looks around as if it's obvious. "Because I'm taking your dad to an appointment, and you're his only family around?"

"Oh." I shook the thoughts away from my mind and wrote my phone number and name into the phone. He took it afterwards, slipped it back into his pocket, and smiled at me.

"So, olives?" I raised an eyebrow at him, and he chuckled, "do you like them?

I shrugged, "they're okay, I guess."

At that point, my father made it outside and looked ready to go.