Faith's Bar Mitzvah part 14 #420 episode 173

Her hair was cut in the fashion of a cupie doll. Her bangs and eyebrows met purposely covering her long forehead. Her mouth was small punctuated by her thin lips painted red with cheap lipstick. Wrinkles had become a fixture at the corners of her mouth. They struck down her chin like lightning bolts; disappearing just above her thick neck. Her beady eyes reminded Faith of a crawfish. They followed him as he browsed the bike rack dreaming of riding one. He was a regular fixture at the Western Auto. He came to look at the bikes at least once a week. She broke the silence telling Faith how the next time she saw Darlean, she was going to tell her to buy him one of the bikes. He was always dreaming. Faith knew the bikes were just that a dream. Darlean was broke as a straw back mule. There was no way she was going to buy him a bike. Not now, not ever.

The cowbell attached to the door rung its familiar cadence as the door swung open. Faith and the lady both looked towards the door. Gene came through the door at first looking stern, but after seeing Faith he smiled and walked towards the counter. Faith recognized him, but she did not. She did not know who this new Negro was. "How you doing sir," she spoke while coming around the counter. "May I help you?" Faith went back to dreaming. He could hear Gene asking her for 2 cycle engine oil. She told him it was in the back. She proceeded to the rear of the store, Genes eyes followed her until she disappeared behind the door. Gene looked around the store, shaking his head. "Its been a long time since I been in here," speaking in Faith's direction. He walked towards Faith. "Your momma bout to buy you one of these bikes?" Faith rolled his eyes, assuming Gene knew how broke Darlean was and this was his attempt to make small talk.

"Shoot, momma ain't got no money for no bike, even though my birthday coming up. I doubt I will be getting one of these." Faith rubbed his hands along the bike. He wanted it bad. Gene began speaking again. "What grade are you in?" Faith's answer was interrupted by the lady returning from the back. She had two types of oil, one in each hand. Gene walked down the aisle meeting her. "This is all we have," she said while holding the bottles up like one of the models on the Price Is Right game show. "Their both good but if you plan on using one for your lawn mower this is the one you want." she held the green bottle up. Gene smiled at her. "My daddy want me to mow his yard, and I told him he could not put motor oil in the mower. He insisted that oil was oil." She looked at him. "Well if you want your mower to last, you doing the right thing. This here is what you need." Gene took the oil from her hand as they went to the counter.

Faith was done looking at the bikes and walked towards the door. The lady called out that she meant what she said. How she was going to tell Darlean to get him a bike. Gene was directly behind Faith as he made it to the door. Faith held the door open for Gene. Faith turned to say goodbye. That's when Gene told him if he ever wanted to make some money, he could mow his dad's lawn every weekend. He would pay him fifteen dollars, if he did it right. Faith told him he would have to talk to Darlean. Gene crossed the street, looking back at Faith as he turned towards the Bottom.