Cars always break.
People always need help.
I need something I can get good at.
Daniel liked the honesty.
During Tyler's interview, he asked:
"Ever worked on an engine?"
"No."
"Changed oil?"
"No."
"Tire?"
"No."
"Why should I pick you?"
Tyler swallowed.
"My mom lost her job."
Daniel waited.
Tyler continued.
"My dad's gone."
"She works at a grocery store now."
"I have a little sister."
He looked embarrassed.
"I don't want to be useless."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"You're sixteen."
"I know."
"Not earning enough money for your family doesn't make you useless."
Tyler looked down.
Daniel recognized the belief anyway.
Children in struggling families often confused contribution with worth.
He had seen it in Grace.
In Chloe after Melissa died.
Sometimes in himself.
Daniel said, "You start Monday."
Tyler looked up.
"Seriously?"
"Seven-thirty."
"I'll be here."
"Seven-fifteen."
Tyler smiled.
"Okay."
The first weeks were awkward.
Tyler dropped tools.
Forgot labels.
Overtightened bolts.
Once installed a cabin filter backward.
Daniel made him remove it.
Then reinstall it.
"Everybody screws up."
Daniel told him.
"The difference between a professional and an amateur is the professional checks."
Tyler remembered.
Grace began helping at the front desk after school.
Not officially at first.
She simply visited.
Then answered a ringing phone once when Daniel was under a vehicle.
Then organized appointment forms.
Then created a spreadsheet Daniel reluctantly admitted was better than his paper system.
"You're hired."
Grace looked startled.
"For real?"
"Part-time."
"How much?"
Daniel told her.
Her eyes widened.
"That's too much."
"It's minimum plus because you actually know what you're doing."
Grace smiled.
Karen protested initially.
"School first."
Daniel agreed.
Ten hours per week maximum.
Grace maintained grades.
The job stayed.
Chloe spent afternoons at the shop sometimes.
She and Grace became unexpectedly close.
Grace helped Chloe with algebra.
Chloe taught Grace how to use a drawing tablet.
Both talked about absent parents in different ways.
Grace's father had chosen absence.
Chloe's mother had not.
One afternoon, Grace asked:
"Do you get mad at your mom?"
Chloe looked shocked.
"She's dead."
"I know."
Grace looked embarrassed.
"I mean mad that she died."
Chloe considered.
"Sometimes."
Grace waited.
"Then I feel bad."
"Why?"
"Because she didn't choose it."
Grace stared toward the garage.
"My dad did."
Chloe said nothing.
Grace continued.
"I think that's why I'm angrier."
Chloe nodded slowly.
"That makes sense."
Daniel overheard part of the conversation from the hallway.
He kept walking.
Not every pain needed an adult to fix it.
Months passed.
The shop prospered.
But success had costs.
Daniel worked longer.
Paperwork multiplied.
Payroll.
Insurance.
Program compliance.
Peter attended quarterly meetings.
Victor reviewed contracts.
Customers still expected Daniel personally.
One night, Daniel arrived home after Chloe had already eaten.
She sat at the table.
"You missed movie night."
Daniel stopped.
He had.
"I'm sorry."
Chloe shrugged.