2021-01-14 Useless Tool - Hunter in Carpenter's

 2021-01-14 Useless Tool - Hunter in Carpenter's

It was Thursday evening in Carpenter’s Hardware store and surprisingly a bit of a busy one. Miranda was thankful Winona was on too and willing to take on the line up at the key cutting station as she took on the main till. As she bagged up some paint, brushes and rollers for Amanda Hawkins - Domino and chatted with her, Brayden Kim walked in with a hopeful glance around for Winona. He also stopped to use the hand sanitizer dispenser just inside the door. Miranda smiled at him “She’s on keys but she might be a bit. Hi Brayden.” She’d met him now as Winona’s beloved, outside the world of the pharmacy. Miranda was in her usual work uniform t-shirt and brown apron with her work favoured pair of grey jeans and black high top sneakers. As was required she also had on a cotton face mask. Hers was black and had a pattern in white with the periodic table on it.

Brayden grinned “Thanks Miranda. I have to grab some drywall stuff for home anyway. My mom keeps knocking down walls and putting them back up again.” He laughs and catches Winona’s eye from afar and gives her a loving look and a little wave before heading to the section he needs and leaning into a bin to dig through some drywall putty tools. He passes Miranda’s whole line on the way and greets someone as he goes by “Oh hey Gwen.” He was wearing a red hoodie sticking out from his black wool jacket and a pair of black jeans with his slip on sneakers. He had a Pacman inspired face mask on.

The woman he greeted replies with a friendly smile “Hi Brayden.” Muffled slightly from behind her own blue face mask with a beautiful Indigenous abstract painted multicoloured wolf on it.

“Thanks Mrs. Hawkins-Domino and I’m sure that blue will look really nice in your kitchen. Say hi to Keisha and Levar for me.” She was friends with two of the Hawkins-Domino kids and Romeo was really even closer friends with Keisha, she didn’t really know LaTonya as well. Miranda hated formality normally but Keisha and Levar’s mom was a teacher at the school.

“I will honey.” Amanda smiled and said as she picked up her purchases and started out the door, sanitizing on her way out as well. “You have a good one.” Amanda could be seen through the window taking off her own simple white and yellow flowered mask to breathe the outdoor air but keeping a safe distance from other pedestrians.

Miranda took her next customer and began to scan their purchases. She recognized the customer but had never known her name. An Indigenous woman in her 20s maybe with a gorgeous wolf print mask on a bunch of cool rings on her fingers and a wicked sense of profane humour Miranda enjoyed when she came through the line. Today she was buying some hardware to hang instruments on her walls and talking about how her boyfriend had too many.” I swear to fucking god we’re either tripping over work boots, metal or a bass. It’s like parkour for my cat though...she just fucking goes kamikaze through the obstacle course.”

Meanwhile at the key line Hunter Tench had stepped up to the front of it and he looked Winona up and down. Hunter was not wearing a face mask even though there was a sign on the outside of the shop door stating it was mandatory and the Mayor and town council had been mandating it “Well hi there hot stuff…..can you cut me some keys? I just moved into the building next door and the landlord gave me only one. Stupid hippie motherfucker.” He was of course speaking about Phoenix who was also the landlord of the Sterling building and a lifelong friend of Gary Carpenter from childhood days. The Carpenter family as a whole quite adored Phoenix Moon and Hunter would have no idea that insulting the guy in this shop was a terrible idea.

Brayden was in hearing range of Winona’s line and gave a little sideways look at the guy calling her hot stuff and being rude about Phoenix Moon. Also the guy was maskless. He knew who Hunter was, one of the construction guys and not one of the nice ones like his best buddy Pedro. This guy palled around with Samuel Negron and Brayden suspected he was just as piggish. He kept his ears open now.

Gary Carpenter was on the phone and in the storage room that served as a back or staff entrance sometimes as it had a door through to the other outside door “Well how much cable are you using? Yeah yeah…...I only have the 50 footers but I can order in the 100…..for sure…..oh yeah he did eh? Well that was unexpected.” It was common for Gary’s customer phone calls to run long as he knew so many people in town. Business and personal chats blended and he never minded taking the time. He was strawberry blonde like his kids but his hair was very much thinning and turning white at the edges. He had a moustache and a little goatee, covered today by a plain medical blue disposable mask and wore a pair of black framed glasses on his longish face. But he had a smile for everyone and a kind pair of twinkling blue eyes. Gary had been having a  really tough time since his sister’s death and the family and many close friends knew it. He channeled it into trying to be there for her children, and his children and his customers.

Gene SInclair went next door to the hardware store because they had a very minor problem in the computer store.  Bruce had his own tools and sometimes more than one of the same, but Gene did not.  As encouragement, Bruce had gone into the budget and told Gene to buy himself all of the tools that he would need for work.  To make himself a small kit for working on computers.  So Gene wanted to pick up as much locally as he could to avoid shipping and handling costs online.  He wasn’t sure the small hardware store would be able to help him, but he was willing to try them first.  Walking in the door, he noticed Mianda immediately, but she seemed to be helping someone. He was wearing a simple black face mask and did use the sanitizer at the door since he knew and respected the drill. So he only raised his hand in greeting and moved on.  There were quite a few people around, so he milled about, looking at screwdrivers and the like around the area where they made keys.  Winona was there helping some guy he’d see at the construction site.

Winona looked at the man who needed keys made.  He was good looking, but he ruined all of it the second he opened his mouth.  She was willing to take being called ‘hot stuff’ as a compliment, but the man then went on to call Phoenix a ‘hippie motherfucker’.  She was dressed in dark jeans and a button down shirt with her Carpenter’s t-shirt and apron over all.  Jeans were better for the hardware store if she ever needed to get on her knees to clean up a spilled container of … you name it; screws, nails, bits or anything else. She of course had on a face mask that was an old fashioned looking floral pattern on a delicate aqua blue fabric.  “Sure thing.”  she told him with a customer friendly smile, taking his key and turning to the machine behind her.  She looked at the peg board of keys, looking for the match, but a bit uncomfortable.  She was almost sure this guy would check out her ass.  But Brayden was around.  Her dad was around and Miranda was around.  Winona wasn’t always the most aggressive at defending herself.

Hunter Tench took Winona’s friendliness as encouragement and then she turned around and he obviously checked out her ass in her jeans and grinned “You know doll....you could hang onto one of those keys. Bring it to me later up in apartment 306. Name’s Hunter.” He licks his lips and leans on the counter.

Brayden heard Hunter blatantly hit on Winona now and made a point of stepping into the key line looking pissed off. He was no fighter and the guy was bigger than him and could likely wipe the floor with him but he couldn’t just watch and listen if this shit kept going. There was one person between him and Hunter in line now and it was Chuck from the gas station. Chuck barely said boo to a goose on the best of days so he just stood there dumbfounded. At least Chuck had a mask on, black disposable but it was typical and sufficient.

Miranda saw Gene come in and gave him a little smile, which he’d only see in her eyes above her face mask. They had just walked together after school so she barely had time to miss him before he was in the shop. But they were both working and she was busy. She knew after this line she’d get Winona’s key people too. She noticed Brayden in the key line and he looked annoyed. She hoped everything was cool with the two of them. Winona’s customer was smiling in a way that made Miranda feel icky. She couldn’t explain it. But for now she focused on the customer leaving and reached to take the next person’s items to scan “Good luck to your cat on the parkour.” She joked and then she looked up “Hi there, did you find everything you were looking for?” It was one of the big beefy redheaded guys, a Reinhardt she knew the surname. They were regulars. This one was the older one, the balding one.

“Oh yeah.” He said jovially “Might actually get this boat in the water by the spring.” He looks at his package of sealer “Hey you guys changed brands. I hope this works as well as the old one. Any feedback on that?” He had on a beige black and white Siwash style sweater jacket and a red plaid face mask.

Miranda looked uncertain “I don’t know actually. Gary’s just on the phone if you want to wait and ask him? I can put your order on hold?”

John Reinhardt shrugged and waved it off “Nah I don’t wanna bug him. I’m sure it’ll do.” He pulls out his wallet and bank card.

In the meantime Gary finishes his phone call and does a quick round on the sales floor in the next aisles over. He smiles at Gene “Finding everything ok there?” The girls had line ups so at least he could cover any other questions.

Winona finally found the key and was at the machine to make it up when the guy … Hunter ... suggests she can keep one and deliver it to his place.  The message was clear.  “Um … we don’t deliver keys …”  she stammered, keeping both eyes on her work.  This guy was making her feel worse than Mrs. Norris who often pretended to be confused as to her gender because she wore ties.  She’d heard the old bat say the same to others like Laia Negron, but right now she was dealing with this man.  “Um … you wanted how many again?”  she asks him, still not looking at him, but that meant he could still check out her ass.

Gene was looking at the collection of screwdrivers and was beginning to realize that this smaller shop might not have what he was looking for.  “I need an electronics repair kit … for computers … really small screwdrivers and soldering equipment and the like.”  he shakes his head.  “I might have to suck it up and pay the shipping.”

Hunter chuckles “It’s not the keys I want if you know what I mean. But let’s go with three. I’m enjoying the view. Those jeans fit you real nice. Wouldn’t mind a peek under the package.”  He kept his voice low enough not to carry too far.

But Brayden heard it all and walked around Chuck “Scuse me.” He came up beside Hunter and leaned on the counter a little further down staring at him. It took all his courage but he was furious “Hey she’s just offering to cut your keys. Take a fuckin hint buddy.”

Gary couldn’t hear the key conversation yet but was gesturing down the aisle to an end cap display “Oh hey well we got some of those screwdriver specialty kits in for the holidays. I probably still have a few. The soldering stuff I can order in.” He gestured at the kits but noticed Brayden leaning on the counter where Winona was working and looked momentarily ruffled.

Hunter looks the guy over with the balls to cut in on his potential score and scoffs “What are you...her boyfriend? Let the chic answer for herself, asshole.”

Now Gary turned to the conversation. What the hell was this?

Brayden straightens to his full height, a head shorter than Hunter “Yeah I am her boyfriend and you’re being really inappropriate. Back off.”  That was as tough as he could muster.

Miranda wished her customer a good day and then had a lull. But something was happening at the key cutting counter and she could see Brayden and the icky guy as well as Gary and Gene now about 4 feet from them. She watched nervously.

Winona reached for two more keys after finishing the first, but heard Hunter perfectly fine.  She shuddered a bit.  This guy was aggressive and she didn’t like it.  But she was also at work.  She had to be professional.  Then Brayden swooped in like a superhero and she couldn’t help but turn to look at him with love and gratitude for standing up for her.  With luck, this Hunter would go and just learn to live with one key.

Gene looked hopeful.  “Wouldn’t actually have a computer repair kit, would you?”  he asks and then is distracted by a guy he’d seen around giving Winona a hard time and Gene glanced in Miranda's direction, as if checking up on her a bit.   He could also see a smaller guy call himself Winona’s boyfriend … which meant he was Brayden.  Miranda had told him about him and Winona before.  But Brayden was a head smaller than this jerk giving Winona a hard time.

As soon as Gary heard why Brayden was getting in Hunter’s face his dad senses tingled and he tapped Gene on the arm “I’ll come back to you. Excuse me.” And he stepped behind the key counter beside Winona “You don’t have to serve this guy. Take 5 if you want Winona.... but in a second.” He squared off with Hunter “You know we’re the only place to cut keys in this town eh pal? You want keys, you apologize to my daughter and learn some manners.” He waited and stared.

Hunter had been ready to blow off the scrawny boyfriend but then the chic’s dad stepped in and he made a point that was inarguable. With gritted teeth he forced out the word “Sorry.” and looked at the counter. 

Gary moved to the key cutting machine, ready to take over for Winona.  He was lukewarm on Brayden still but his stepping in was helping things. 

Brayden had just stood back and watched Gary take the lead. He was easily more intimidating than he was but he looked at Winona with absolute love after.

Miranda had casually taken a few steps down the counter and listened in. Go Brayden... and go Gary. She looked at her till and sighed. Whoever this jerk was, he was her last stop. She glanced at Gene for a moment as he’d been left standing there by Gary but she suspected he would never object.

Winona breathed a sigh of relief when her father intervened.  Braydon had been so brave, but if push had come to shove … literally … she feared for Brayden.  He was definitely the lover not a fighter type.  “OK Dad … thanks.”  she murmured and took a breather while her dad told Hunter off before going to 5.

Gene watched from the distance as this jackass was served.  But once he was served, he would have to check out … which meant he would be dealing with Miranda.  As much as he knew that Miranda could take care of herself, he was ready to intervene.

Brayden just set his things down randomly on the counter and met Winona as she came out from where she was working. If he could he’d take her by the hand and lead her gently away from Hunter down to right before their staff room back entrance. He had been coming to the store for years so he knew it and he’d also met Winona at the end of a few shifts now. After a relieved look at Gary he looked at Winona “Are you ok?” He whispered.

Gary gave Hunter a brief nod and then finished the key Winona had begun and bagged it up with a  code written on it.

“I had asked for three…” Hunter protested but meekly now.

Gary gave him a tongue in cheek look and then just eyed the bag “Be glad you’re getting one right now. On your way son. Pay at the other counter. And if you want to come back in here again, you also need a face mask” As soon as he said it he looked at Miranda and worried. Would this guy harass her too? Hunter swiped the bag and took it and then Chuck stepped up nervously and Gary held up a finger at him and pulled out his phone made a call “Jake….I need you in the shop….I know it’s not your day….just get down here ok and head to cash. No….now…” He hung up and half looked at Chuck.

Chuck fumbled in his pockets and then produced a key “Someone keeps walking off with our bathroom keys…..”

Gary distractedly took the key “Yeah ok Chuck…”

Hunter circled around an aisle and then went to the cash desk and saw another prospect in the making. He was a bit stung from being humbled but now the old man was busy with Chuck. He smirked to himself. He knew who had that bathroom key. He’d banged Brooke in there last night and she probably still had it. But now he was in front of a tall brunette who clearly needed a smile.

Miranda was determined to ring this guy through at light speed and she wordlessly took the bag from the counter and keyed in the code “That’ll be $4.70.”

Hunter leaned on this counter now, grinning at her “What….no please? You’re hot but you’d be much hotter if you smiled….maybe even take off the mask and show me?”

Miranda gave Hunter a cold stare “Four seventy.” She repeated slowly like he was too dumb to catch it the first time. She had no intention of removing her mask and didn’t feel like getting into the fact that he wasn’t wearing one. He’d gotten past her when she had a lineup before.

Winona took a deep breath and actually managed a smile when Brayden took her hand.  “I’m okay now.”  she replied to him.  “I handle those sorts of things better in fiction and I’m not the best at fiction.”  she gives a nervous little laugh and then kisses him on the cheek.

Gene got in line behind Hunter.  He didn’t have anything to buy, but he knew this guys type.  So when he told Miranda that she would look better if she smiled, he spoke up.  “She’s hot anytime.  I would know.”  he tells him.  “And she said that would be 4.70, in case you didn’t hear her.”

Miranda looks past Hunter at Gene and then she does smile. She can’t fight it “He would.”

Hunter looks back at the guy chiming in with irritation and then back to the cashier who just smiled at THAT guy, not him “What the fuck is it bring your boyfriend to work day?” He pulls out his card and rolls his eyes.

Miranda slides the pin pad his way and hopes he taps because it’s faster “Yes that’s exactly what day it is...so we don’t have to put up with assholes.” She’s at work but she doesn’t care. Gary’s already told the guy off too.

Hunter sneers at her now but backs up a step away from her boyfriend, who was bigger than the other boyfriend “Fuck you I was just paying you a compliment.”

Jake barrels into the shop in sock feets with his sneakers in his hand and steps in beside Miranda as he hooks on a plain black cotton mask over his ears just as some guy swears at her and Gene’s right behind him “Whoah……” He just kind of stares around at them all.

Miranda glares at Hunter “I’m not sure you know what a  compliment actually is.” She looks at Jake “Hi….can you ring him through again Jake? By the way your card….declined and you’re not supposed to be in here without a face mask.” She rips off the receipt and tosses it on the counter in front of him and then leaves Jake there shoeless. She had an out and she was going to take it.

Brayden leans into the kiss and then gives Winona a little hug “I’m honestly glad your Dad was here. But what an ass. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that.”

Winona hugs Brayden back.  “I’m glad too.”  she speaks into his shoulder.  “And I’m sorry about it too, but it just sort of proves … I can’t handle that kind of fucktard.”  she sighs.

Gene watched the exchange between Miranda and this jackass.  He has a flash of wanting to rip this guys head off, but he knows that is illegal in most places.  Instead, he waits until Miranda is heading away from the jackass, leaving him to Jake.  “You’re card got declined, so you ain’t fuckin’ nobody, limp dick.”  he looks at Jake, who is without shoes like he just got home and then his eyes move to Miranda.

Miranda walks right up to Gene and just looks at him with adoration and wraps her arms around him if she can and hugs him, a little emotionally and intimately for at work. It’s her feeling safer with him there and also stress relief from dealing with a gross asshat...and just love. But she pulls back from Gene a  bit as the guy starts yelling and stares at him in disbelief.

Hunter Tench hears his card got declined and he’s being insulted. This was the worst day ever. Turned down twice, shamed and broke. So he does what makes sense to him and lashes out    “Fucking sheeple. I never wear a mask.You know what fuck you all….fuck this place!” He gets louder as he bellows “You’re all a bunch of fucking cunts!” Before he storms out the door.

Shoeless Jake just freezes and starts after him and then mutters “What the ...hell…..”

Brayden pulls back from Winona and the last of the yelling “Jesus…” He looks towards the door.

Gary hands a key over to Chuck and then starts towards the door but Hunter is out before he can say anything. He points around at Jake, Miranda and calls loud enough so Winona can hear “That guy’s banned. What the hell is his name?”

“Hunter…” Brayden calls back “Give me a sec I’ll get you a last name even.” And Brayden fires of a text to Pedro:

Hey that guy you work with...Hunter? What the fuck is his last name? He just was a major asshole in Carpenters, harassed Winona and I think her friend on the cash desk from the sound of it and then called the whole place cunts. Gary Carpenter wants to ban him. Maybe he’ll stop giving me the stink eye about dating his daughter if I can shoot him a surname.

Winona looks in the direction of the front of the store and blinks at the outburst.  Then her father announces that the guy is banned and she smiles as if she’d just been given a raise.

Gene hugs Miranda back because he would never say no to the opportunity.  Then the dick is screaming and bitching and storming out.  Gary bans him but Gene can’t help with the name.

Pedro is sitting on the couch in the apartment he shared with Gwen.  “And that is why you can’t just race around the house like you’re loco, Brigit.  Do you understand yet?”  the cat looks at him like she couldn’t care less about human mannerisms when his phone chimes with a text.  He looks at it and sighs.  “Puto…”  and he replies.

Hunter Tench. No home training.  Her dad should love you.  Kiss Winona for me.  NOT THERE PENDEJO!  On the cheek.  NOT THAT CHEEK!

Gary hears that Brayden may have a name and he walks behind the counter “OK come here you guys…..staff meeting...extended staff meeting….Gene...Brayden. No chuck not you. Jake ring him in please and put something on your feet for Chrisakes….”

Jake throws up his hands “Dad...you said now like we were being held up or something. I was playing video games. Hey Chuck…” He takes the key “Yeah that’ll be 4.70.”

Chuck looks awkward and pays quickly “Bye Gary.” And he’s off.

Gary waves “Bye Chuck.” He head juts at Brayden as he’s looking at his phone “Watcha got Brayden?”

Brayden keeps one arm around Winona but if he can he’ll move with her towards her father as they’re called over. He reads the reply as his phone chimes and stifles a laugh “Sorry….” He cleared his throat “Hunter Tench…..Mr. Carpenter.” He’s been calling him Gary since he was a kid but the recent scrutiny has made him scared into formality. Then he notices Gene, who he's seen in passing but really only heard about and not met. He shyly nods at him “Hey good to meet you properly Gene. Brayden Kim.”

Gary slaps his hand on the counter “Hunter Tench...ok I’ll send out a little staff email.” He sighs at Brayden “Mr. Carpenter now?” He looks a little sheepishly at Winona “Have I been that cold to him?”

Winona goes along with Brayden and looks a little curious at the stifled laugh.  She understands the ‘Mr Carpenter’ thing and when her father asks her if he’s been cold, she arches her brows.  It had been bad.  To the point that she had stopped speaking to him for the way he’d treated Brayden.  She looks at him.  “No, Daddy.  You only made a Iqaluit winter look like a desert summer.”  she let the sarcasm flow from her mouth, freely.  Hopefully Braydens standing up for her made him realize he was serious and she wasn’t just … whatever horrible things her father had been thinking.

Gene moves a bit closer and finally gets to meet Brayden.  But he can’t help himself.  “That was properly?”  he snorts.  He nods back.  “Gene SInclair.”  he hears the exchange between Winona and her father and looks curious.  Was it the age thing, because he could give age differences that would make Mr Carpenters heart stop.

Miranda watches the interaction between Gary, Winona and Brayden. She knew it hadn’t been going well with Gary and Brayden and it seemed like Gary was finally cluing in how much he was upsetting Winona and making Brayden uncomfortable. She looks at Gene about his comment on properly “Maybe after all that shit with Hunter this seems normal?” 

Brayden looks at Gene and nods and then glances back to Gary and Winona “Sorry I’m just...nervous…” Gary had been as cold as the north for sure and it had been hard for him.

Gary looks humble and glances between Winona and Brayden “I’m sorry. I can see how much you care about Winona. Especially today. I got stuck on the age difference. I admit it. I married my high school sweetheart. My parents were the same age….But I’m not being fair to you guys.”

Brayden interjects “I wasn’t …” and he makes finger quotes “Looking for a younger woman. Winona and I just feel for one another and she’s….older than her age really….and amazing. Some of that might be on you and Shannon and how you raise your kids. I know I owe some of the best parts of me to my folks. Winona’s also just the most kind, intelligent and beautiful human being I’ve ever met…..it’s just her.I do care about her.”

Gary was swayed even more by the how you raise yours kids comment and then looked pained at how he’d treated Brayden.”Damn….son. Please call me Gary again. I’ll try not to be such an ass.” 

Brayden snorts “OK Gary. Don’t worry about it.”

Jake has crouched down and is finally tying his shoes, listening and giving Brayden a little nod and smile “Welcome to the family Brayden.”

Miranda looks touched for the Carpenters and Brayden over the whole way it unfolded.

Winona watches two of the most important men in her life talk it out.  She leans into Brayden and smiles softly as they talk.

Gene shrugs at Miranda and listens, getting a bit of an idea what the problem is.  He leans in and presses his forehead to Miranda’s cheek.  "What?  10 years?  Try 40."  he isn't trying to be insensitive, but it is beyond him on many levels.  He's had women decades and decades older than he was.

Brayden slides his arm around Winona, more relaxed now that Gary is too. He looks at Jake and chuckles "Thanks man." Then he exhales "I should buy the stuff I came in for and run it home....but.." He looks at Winona "Light dinner after? I know it's a school night so I won't keep you out late." He smiles and then looks a bit confused by Gene's comment but gives him a half hearted reply "Yeah well....can happen too." He didn't know much about Gene other than he was Miranda's boyfriend and all the poster stuff Winona said had happened.

Gary  was smiling and nodding and then Gene's comment made him blink a bit. He was just working his way to his daughter dating someone older....now Miranda's fellow was pushing his comfort zone a bit.

Jake shifted his mouth sideways at Gene's comment, not really knowing what to make of it. But he didn't really know the guy.

Miranda leans into Gene's forehead on her cheek and hearing his comment she figures she might be the only one to understand. She's never told Winona his very personal stuff about his past of course. So she kisses Gene's cheek after he breaks from hers and gives him a  loving look and then relays the age difference of Brayden and Winona "9 isn't it? You're 25 right Brayden? My Dads are 15 years apart. It's what it is. You two are happy so I think it's great."

Gene had not meant to be overheard, but quickly realized he had been.  He tried to recover a bit by nodding at Miranda’s words.  “Yea and they’re happy.  You’re happy.  If everyone’s legal and consenting … isn’t that what it’s all about?”

Winona snuggles a bit into Brayden’s embrace.  “Light dinner sounds fantastic.”  she accepted Brayden’s invitation.  Then she looks at Gene, then her father’s reaction to Gene’s words and then Miranda and Gene apparently trying to correct his earlier odd words.  She looks at her father.  “Legal and consenting.  Exactly.”  she agrees.  Then she blows out a breath.  “So that Hunter jackass is banned?  I really hope so.  I’m not good with the really aggressive customers.  I’m sorry.”

Gary saw the adoration between Winona and Brayden and couldn't deny them the joy. Miranda and Gene also seemed to have it. "Island magic..." He chuckled because he'd heard Winona talk about the sparks. Sparks he remembered from long ago with Shannon. “Damn sparks got you all too. Had that with your Mom years ago. Shannon Wilson before we married, I’d known her all my life as a classmate, a friend even and then all of a sudden that spark and I could barely stand to be 2 feet away from her.” He nodded about Hunter "Yes he is banned. Can't guarantee everyone will be sunshine and roses but that's one jackass we don't need. Thanks Brayden...and Gene. And Jake you found your shoes!”

Jake rolls his eyes “I did bring them with me. Honestly Dad you should be glad we don’t all come to work in pajamas.” Jake sighed about the sparks. Maybe it didn’t happen for everyone.

Miranda reached out and gave Gene’s hand a little squeeze. “Yeah sparks.” She can’t help but smile and then laughs at Jake “New uniform plan. Don’t tempt me. And I don’t even live over the shop.”  She was also relieved not to have to deal with Hunter again. Even though she got more in his face than Winona it was still incredibly uncomfortable. Although he also had more time to be horrible to Winona before Brayden stepped in and Gary told him off and took over.

Brayden grins “Yep. Sparks.” He looks at Winona with adoration. Gene’s strange comment had dissipated with the ones that followed but it tucked into a little corner in Brayden’s mind. “Ok I will get the drywall stuff and then come back to meet you after closing time. We could go for noodles and make my Chad’s day.” He joked. Then he did go and collect his purchases to take to Jake now behind the till.

Gary happened to glance Gene’s way “Screwdriver sets! We didn’t finish talking about those. Sorry Gene.” Gary walked over to the display now ready to finish that conversation.

In the meantime the door opens and chimes and Brooke Martin saunters in. She is wearing a faded peachy coloured cotton mask but it’s hanging below her nose and it looks stretched like she always wears it improperly. She bats her eyes at Brayden and Jake at the till “Hello boys...” She drawls and in fact she pulls the mask right down past her mouth to speak and leaves it there. She’s wearing a black winter jacket but open over a little red top she’s practically falling out of and a pair of near painted on blue jeans. Brooke walks by Winona, Miranda, Gene and Gary to the key cutting counter and puts a single key down, the exact key Hunter was trying to get three of. Clearly he had sent her back in. “Can I get two copies of this one?” She grins at Miranda “Oh I didn’t know you worked here Miranda...”

Gene lifted Miranda’s hand when she took it to his lips and kissed it, through his mask the moment a girl walked in.  He remembered her as the girl from the Love Shack.  And that hadn’t ended well.  He had led her on a bit and then told her she knew who she was because of Dante. But now, she speaks to Miranda and, in any event, the impromptu meeting is over so he  turns and walks away from Miranda with Gary.  “Oh yea.  Bruise is letting me put together my own kit.  So I will need a computer repair kit … or to put one together myself.  Plus everything I need .. larger screwdrivers .. to crack the cases of the laptops.”

Winona was just happy that her father seemed to be accepting Brayden.  That was one good thing to come out of the whole mess.  Then Brooke Martin walked in and she realized immediately that banning an octopus didn’t mean he’d be all that put out.  Her batting her eyes at Brayden didn’t make her as angry as she thought.  Brayden loved her.  Of that she had no doubt.

Brooke saw the hand kiss between the man who rejected her at the love shack once and Miranda who also rejected her. “Figures...” She muttered, tapping the key on the counter. 

Gary picked up the small screwdriver kit “Well these might do nicely. Kind of a hobby set. I mean you got needle nose pliers in the mix too. They’re 50 percent off after the season and we’ve got multi end screwdrivers on special this week 25 percent off. I can order in the soldering kits and give you a call.” He noticed Brooke at the keys and casually said “Miranda?” She was normally not hesitant to jump to serve any customer but she was moving slowly for this.

Miranda hung back before going to the key counter as it was Brooke waiting for her there. Finally Gary said her name and she walked slowly behind the counter finally and just said “Two copies?” Like she was forcing the words out. She looked at the key and waited for Brooke to set it down.

Brooke smiled “Mmmhmm... and that one that Hunter didn’t get to pay for.” She looks back at Gene and then to Miranda “So he’s your type? We coulda had fun you know. Although now you’ve gotten Spencer in such trouble....” She sighs dramatically but offers the key.

Miranda snatches the key “I wasn’t asking for your fun. And if you want these keys you better learn when to stop talking. And they’re for Hunter? You might have to prepay. His card didn’t go through. And pull your damn mask back up please.” She can’t remember how much about Brooke she said to Gene, he didn’t know her as far as she knew and that was good. 

Jake was half way through ringing in Brayden. Brooke came in all smiles and flirty and he found himself smiling back even though she couldn’t see it all through his mask. He had to work hard not to focus on her cleavage too since it was all right there. He looks back at Brayden a little dumbfounded “What did you say man?”

Brayden looks after Brooke warily and then exchanges a look with Winona before answering Jake “I didn’t say anything Jake. Whatever you’re thinking... you don’t want any piece of that.” He held out his card “You need to punch in the pinpad stuff. Focus Jake. Winona, you might wanna keep an eye on your brother.” He lightly chuckles.

Winona blinks and looks at her brother.  “Jake.  No … just .. no … that’s the village bicycle damn near.”  she tries to explain to him.

Gene considers Gary’s ofer.  “Sounds like a plan.”  he tells him.  “I’ll take it .. but I’ll also be in with a complete list of what I’d need in my kit.  I’d rather buy from you than anyone else.”  he hears a little bit of Brooke and glances over.  Just in case.

Brooke pulls a roll of loonies out of her jacket pocket and lets it thump on the counter “I have cash.” Perks of being the daughter of the laundromat owners. She eventually does pull the mask up but it’s ill fitting and slides down to under her nose again almost instantly.

Miranda notes the coin roll. She did have enough as the rolls were $25.00 worth. With an eye roll and a shrug she went to cut the two keys. 

Jake shrugs at Winona and Brayden “I’m just looking. Relax…” He does finish typing Brayden’s amount into the debit machine and sighs. “Village bicycle?” He whispers to his sister with a small chuckle.

Gary handed Gene the small set and then walked down the aisle a bit “Well that’s what we like to hear. Shop local. Amazon won’t even notice…” He laughs and reaches for multi end screwdrivers “Choice between brands really. It’s a buck fifty difference for two bits on the Crafter….”

Miranda cuts the keys quickly and they’re likely not her best cutting jobs. She bags the two together with the code written on and a 2 X in front and slides them to Brooke without another word. Then she takes her time resetting the machine and tidying.

“Thank you Miranda…” Brooke sort of sings out at her in a sugary tone. “If you and your boyfriend ever have a change of heart...let me know.”

At that Miranda turns and blinks at Brooke and then glances at Gene. Had Brooke hit on him too? “Are you fucking kidding me? I could charge you with sexual assault you know.” She’s been considering it.

Brooke laughs “Over a kiss? Get over yourself bitch.” She takes the keys and sashays over to the line leaving Miranda there fuming.

Brayden keyed in his stuff and nodded “She’s not kidding Jake.” He looked like he was going to say more but he could see Brooke approaching in his peripheral vision.

Winona tries to ignore Brooke, but there's something about the girl that makes that impossible.  She can hear Brooke and Miranda and when Brooke arrives to pay she is torn between getting her out as fast as possible and counting her coins one by one.

Gene smiles and nods at Gary.  "I was told to get the best I could so ... I'll pay the buck fifty extra."  he looked a little amazed that those words had come out of his mouth, but they had.  Spoiling himself was very new, even for work.  He hears something about 'over a kiss' and turns his head.  That sounded familiar ... was that Brooke Miranda had been talking about?

Gary nods and hikes up the back of his jeans as he often does “Well there ya go. Tell Jake or….Winona.” He turns and sees both of them by the till but it’s possible Winona is just saying bye to Brayden “To put you in the system and then when you send me that list I can email you as stuff comes in or tell you price points. You could also put it on Bruce cause we have him but then he gets the emails.” He laughs “You should have your own.” He hands over the multi tool Gene had chosen and gives him a pat on the shoulder. Then he turns and see Miranda looking angry after serving Brooke and sighs. “What a night…” He mutters and then calls over to her as he walks up “Everything ok?”

Miranda has no plans to tell Gary her whole history with Brooke so she just takes a deep breath and nods “Yeah. She's buying for Hunter by the way. The keys.” She looks past Gary at Gene with an I’ll tell you later look.

Gary deflates “Oh for the love of Pete….” Now he watches Brooke. She wasn’t yelling at the staff at least.

Brayden finishes his transaction and steps to the side and back a bit, staying in range as Brooke steps up to the counter. It’s like one of those cringe worthy TV shows where you want to stop watching but you can’t look away, and he’s worried for Jake.

Brooke sets down her little bag of keys and then shoots Brayden a sweet smile “Brayden Kim…..did you do something different with your hair? You’re looking cute.”

Brayden laughs and shakes his head around “No. No I did not. Barking up the wrong tree again Brooke. Not interested.”

Brooke gives a little shrug and just turns to Jake “That’s ok I like your hair better. Jacob is it?” She hadn’t focussed on this one yet. She ignores Winona like she’s not even there. Maddox hadn’t been returning her calls. Brett and Joey had died. Spencer was in legal trouble. Her options were dwindling. Hunter was fun but also a bit whiny.

Jake had frowned when the attention was on Brayden but then smiled again “Jake…..thanks…” He blushes a bit, clearly flattered by her attention as he takes the keys to punch in.

“Oh and there should be one more key around like those...I’ll buy it too….” Brooke requests.

Winona is only partially relieved when Brooke ignores her for her brother.  As she compliments him, she wants to squirt hand sanitizer all over him.  At the mention of the missing key, she slides it to Jake.

Gene grins.  "I'll do that for sure, sir."  he replies and looks over at the till again then follows Gary over to Miranda as Gary asks how she is.  He looks at Miranda and she is so upset he figures Brooke IS the person she mentioned but did not name.

Jake rings in the keys under his sister’s supervision and smiles a little self consciously at Brooke “Uh $14.10 please….”

Brooke cracks open the loonies on the edge of the counter and counts out 15 of them, giving Jake’s hand a little nudge as she slides them to him “You have nice fingers Jake….”

Gary makes a little noise of derision and steps behind the till with Jake and Winona looking annoyed at Brooke “Tell Hunter not to be so bloody obvious when he sends you on his errands Brooke. And Jake, wipe that grin off your face. Bloody hell…..”

Brooke looks a little contrite at the sight of Gary but bats her eyelashes a bit at him too “I’m just being helpful.” She says with doe eyes.

Jake clears his throat and puts her change on the counter, well back from her hand “Have a good day.” He says awkwardly. Now he’s got his Dad and sister watching him. As well as Brayden, Gene and Miranda from afar.

As Gary walks away Miranda does briefly explain to Gene but whispers quietly and leans in across the counter “Brooke….Spencer invited her….and Cosmo..that day and she forced a kiss on me before I could even do anything to stop her.” Then she turns, watching the Jake interaction. “Piece of work….my god. I wonder what Gary would say if he knew about Maddox…because he was in her little collection.” She whispers cringes. She’d seen the pictures and still had some on the thumb drive.

Winona watches the transaction, trying not to look too disapproving.  She probably does tho.  At the end she parrots Jake.  “Have a nice day.” and nods at the door.  It might not be very businesslike, but she can’t help herself. 

Gene leans into Miranda as she whispers and has it confirmed that Brooke was that girl from ‘that day’.  He looks over and sighs.  “Probably something like ‘let’s get you tested’ probably.”  he guesses in as low a voice as he can muster.

Miranda whispers one more comment to Gene “She’s the reason I got tested mostly...Spencer’s connection to her.” She makes a face “She is the reason I want to get tested one more time before….we can go without…” She smiles at the thought, despite the grossness of Brooke. The thought of being with Gene with nothing between them. Then the door chime goes off and she’s gone and Miranda just leans into Gene’s shoulder for a moment in relief “OK the rest of the shift should be delightful now right?”

Jake looks awkwardly around “OK...Dad do you still need me? Because I could go back to slaughtering orcs upstairs…..”

Brayden sees Brooke go and shakes his head “Wow just wow.” He looks at Jake “Stick to orcs it’s safer.” He smiles at Winona and then Gary.

Gary shakes his head “Go Jake. You’re still on the full shift tomorrow...with shoes on when you walk in.”

Jake wanders off happily and gives a general wave “K see ya…”

A familiar brown grey haired man walks up to the door and the chime goes again as he enters. It’s Paul McLeod with his winter jacket over his Thrifty’s apron and uniform, the green apron hanging out. Paul has on a green face mask that matches the thirty’s apron. Joan made them specially for all the staff. He’s holding a metal shelving bracket in his hands and sees Brayden by the door with Gary and Winona behind the till. “Hey there.” He greets casually “Would you happen to have any more of these brackets Gar? Just had a bit of a collapse in the dry goods.”

Gary looks elated to see Paul “Paul! Thank god….a normal customer.”

Paul laughs self consciously “Uh ok…..nice to see you too.”

Gary takes the bracket “Yeah something like it….come with me…” And he leads Paul to the middle aisle to look at options.

Winona looks relieved to see Brooke leave and even happier to see Paul enter.  She waves to him.  "Hi Mr McLeod."  she calls as her father takes the normal customer to what he needs.

Gene gets completely why she'd want to be tested a second time because of Brooke.  He's looking forward to it also.  He puts his arm around her when she leans into him.  "Absolutely delightful."  he assures her.  "I'm ordering some stuff for my personal repair kit.  That's why I came in."  he grins, as if this is a belated Christmas present, and for him, it is.  “I should get back to make that list Mr Carpenter needs.”  he sees the guy from the grocery store and nods a hello he may or may not see.

Miranda sneaks her mask down and gives Gene a quick kiss on the cheek and nods “I know you need to get back.” She had smiled at Paul and heard Gary and Winona “Ok we’re getting the normal and nice people now…” she laughs “All is well. And that’s awesome about you getting set up with tools. Another step to being a pro at what you do.” She encourages. “I will catch up with you later, maybe walk home together?”

Brayden had made his purchases now but greeted Paul back “Hey Paul….” He used to work for him to he calls him Paul. It’s also a part of his bitter past in many ways but Paul had been very kind to him. He steps over to Winona, half stepping behind her counter and pulls his mask down very briefly to kiss Winona’s cheek“Text me when you’re close to closing. I’ll come back to meet you for dinner. I love you.” And then he’ll step back towards the door.

Gary and Paul and comparing brackets in their own conversation now.

Winona smiles at the kiss and nods.  Now things are more normal and her job is almost relaxing.  "I will, I promise."  she promises, already looking forward to their light dinner.  "I love you, too."

Gene smiles.  That had been stressful for Miranda and he understood.  "Yea.  Bruce is being very generous to me.  And trusting me a lot.  I love it, but ... you know me .. takes some getting used to."  he nods.  "Maybe we will."  He tells her about walking home.  More like absolutely.  He loves their walks and has to admit there is apparently a protective part of him as well he didn't really know about.

Miranda does know Gene and his ability to trust the love and support he has in his life now. “I know. But he believes in you, and so do I. We’ll text later.” She’s aware his maybe is likely a yes as they usually did walk home together on Thursdays. She loves it though and she’ll never take it for granted or assume it’s a given.

Brayden heads out the door with a little wave.

Paul and Gary are laughing and clearly talking about Hunter and Brooke as Paul says a bit louder “So you banned him and then she came to get his keys….Jesus Gar…..when it rains it pours.”

Gary almost shouts “I know right!” And they both laugh.

Gene nods and leans in for a super quick kiss. Pulling down his mask as she sees him and does the same.  “I love you.  See you tonight.”  it's a promise.  Nothing but death would keep him from it.

Winona overhears Paul and just bursts out laughing as she waves a cheerful goodbye to Gene.  Her father was coming to accept the man in her life ... so the day was not totally useless.