Pie Town - Lynne Hinton [38]
Trina nodded. “I can do about anything,” she said. “I mean, as long as it isn’t technical or anything. I don’t know much about computers, but I’m good with fixing stuff, and I work hard and I learn fast.”
Roger smiled at the young woman. “Did you finish school?” he asked.
“Tenth grade,” she answered. “But I read a lot, and I figure I could pass the GED if I took it. I know a lot of kids who took it who had a harder time reading and doing math than I do.”
“Then why haven’t you ever taken it?” Roger asked.
Trina shrugged. “Never stayed long enough in a place to sign up for it,” she replied.
“Well, if you did take it and passed it and wanted to go to college or technical school and could do anything you wanted, what kind of work would you like?” Roger asked. “Can you bake pies? ’Cause we could certainly use somebody to bake pies.”
“Nah, I’m no baker.” She reached up, pushing her hair behind her ears. “But I’m pretty good with engines, auto mechanic stuff. My grandfather fixed buses for the school system. I used to ride along with him. He taught me a lot and I liked it. He said I had a natural talent for engine repair and that it was something I could be good at because my fingers are real small.” She shrugged. “But that was a long time ago, and he was probably just trying to make me feel better about myself.” She held out her hands. “And besides, my fingers aren’t so small anymore.” She slid her fingers into her pockets.
Roger studied the young girl. “Maybe we can find you something over at Frank’s. He runs a garage not far from the house.”
Trina rocked back and forth on her heels. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I never did anything by myself. I just did what he told me.”
“Still,” Roger continued, “no harm asking him if he has work for you. Or if he’s willing to train an apprentice.”
Trina smiled. “Yeah, maybe so. What about Alex?” she asked.
Roger wasn’t sure what she meant.
“What does he want to do when he grows up?” she asked. “Be a policeman like you?”
Roger looked over at Alex. The group was starting to head over to the shelter. He shook his head. “Alex doesn’t talk too much about that far in the future. He’s had enough setbacks that we all just sort of take it one day at a time. He’s good with numbers, and he knows a lot about computers. So I don’t know. If he makes it to be an adult, I expect he’ll surprise us all with what he chooses to do with his life.”
Trina seemed surprised. “What do you mean, if he makes it to be an adult? Isn’t he just paralyzed or something?”
Roger lifted his ball cap and scratched his head. “He was born with spina bifida. You know what that is?” he asked.
Trina shook her head.
“It’s a birth defect. It means the baby’s spine isn’t completely formed. He had what is called myelomeningocele.”
“Damn, how long did it take you to learn how to say that?” Trina wanted to know.
Roger smiled. “A couple of months,” he replied. “Anyway, he had permanent nerve damage from the defect, and he’s had a lot of surgeries.” Roger shook his head. “He’s having more trouble now.” He took in a breath, recalling what the doctor had told him during the last hospital stay. “He has more pain, in his legs mostly. And there just seem to be more infections. He gets pneumonia every year.” He shook his head. “I don’t say this much, but I just think his little body is wearing out.”
Trina followed Roger’s eyes as he watched his grandson being celebrated by so many people.
“So that’s the reason we throw these massive birthday parties. And they just seem to get bigger every summer. I suppose we celebrate his birthday, but we also celebrate having a miracle every year he’s still with us.” He paused.
“Well, you could say that about everybody, couldn’t you?”
Roger turned back to her.
“I mean, don’t you think it’s sort of a miracle any of us are still here?” She glanced around the field. “You running around with a loaded gun on your