Working Man

Date/Timing: 25 May 2008
Setting: Christiaan & Kabibe Vos' home; Koffiefontein, South Africa
.
Pietr's mobile, deep in his pocket, buzzes.
He asks the engine block for patience with a huff and wiggles further under the rusty hulk of Christiaan's combi, wrench in one hand, catch-pan in the other.
Mobile buzzes.
Nudges the pan under the drain.
Mobile buzzes.
Applies wrench to drain nut.
Mobile buzzes.
Twists.
Mobile buzzes.
Resets, twists.
Mobile buzzes.
Resets, twists.
Mobile buzzes.
Sets wrench on his tummy.
Mobile buzzes.
Finger-loosens the last threads.
Sets nut on tummy.
Deep breath.
Jerks the plug out—/doesn't get covered in oil!
Flutters kicks!
Wiggles to daylight, wrench in one hand, nut and plug in the other.
Sets the bits next to the front tire, sits with his back against the combi, digs out his mobile.
/maarten_inthe_middle: Hi lil bro!
/maarten_inthe_middle: Gess who hz mobile?
/maarten_inthe_middle: Unlmted text 1!
/maarten_inthe_middle: *1
/maarten_inthe_middle: Shit
/maarten_inthe_middle: *2
/maarten_inthe_middle: Piiiiiiiiieeeeeeet
Snorts.
/p_a_vos: U typing w/ yr elbows?
/maarten_inthe_middle: Tiny kys!
/p_a_vos: Tht is a terrble name too
/maarten_inthe_middle: Its a goo d show!
/p_a_vos: Didnt it get canclled?
/maarten_inthe_middle: TRAVESTY!
Rolls his eyes.
/maarten_inthe_middle: Hows werk?
/p_a_vos: Good
/p_a_vos: Waitng for oil to drain now
/maarten_inthe_middle: Mamma wants 2 kno if u ned snack when yr don
/p_a_vos: Plz!
/maarten_inthe_middle: 15?
/p_a_vos: Y!
/maarten_inthe_middle: Ttml!
/p_a_vos: ???
A moment passes.
/maarten_inthe_middle: Sht
/maarten_inthe_middle: *ttYl
Pietr shakes his head, sighs.
/p_a_vos: Use yr fingers!
/maarten_inthe_middle: TINY KEYS!!!1!
Pietr snickers, buttons his mobile back into his pocket, gathers up wrench and nut, lies flat, wiggles under the combi.
No oil drips.
Cheers!
Nudges the pan out of his way.
Replaces the plug.
Finger-tightens the nut's first threads.
Applies wrench to nut.
Twists.
Resets, twists.
Resets, twists.
Taps the pan with the wrench.
Wiggles back to daylight, wrench in one hand, gently tugging the full pan behind.
Stands, tucks wrench in back pocket, picks up the pan, dumps it into the recycling pail. Dusts off his bum and his hands. Skips to Christiaan's back door, knocks.
Kabibe opens it, smiling, and beckons him inside.
“You've finished?”
Pietr nods.
“Any trouble?”
Shakes his head.
“Good, good!”
Beams.
“I have something for you. Wait right here.” Kabibe bustles off to her pantry.
Rocks on his heels.
She comes back, presses a piece of paper into his hand.
A twenty-rand note!
Pietr gapes.
Kabibe closes his hand around the note. “You deserve to be paid for your hard work this week.”
Pietr blinks rapidly, swallows around a lump in his throat.
“Now, you should run on home for a snack and to finish your homework.” She steers him toward the door.
He stumbles along, down the step, onto the gravel.
Kabibe gives him a little push.
Pietr twists around, grins, says, ::Thank you!::
“You're welcome, Pietr.”
He waves and runs off home, rands in his fist and proud enough to burst.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Koffiefontein (setting)
Category:Forging of a Skeleton Key storyline
Category:Pietr
Category:Pietr's POV
Category:Pietr (ficlet)
Category:Pietr's mobile
Category:Christiaan (mention)
Category:Maarten
Category:Maarten (ficlet)
Category:Rianne (mention)
Category:Kabibe
Category:Kabibe (ficlet)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:Pietr is a diesel mechanic