Ethan had managed to complete Mrs. Chen's brake job and Tommy's oil change, earning just enough to buy groceries and pay the electricity bill.
The eviction notice still sat prominently on his kitchen table, a constant reminder that he had 27 days to find 3 months rent or lose everything.
Mia's dance recital was tomorrow, and Ethan had spent his lunch break at the local thrift store, hoping to find something appropriate to wear.
His only decent shirt had developed an oil stain that no amount of washing could remove. And while Mia wouldn't care if he showed up in his work clothes, he wanted to look respectable for her big moment.
He was under the hood of a 2015 Chevy Malibu diagnosing what sounded like a timing belt issue when he heard the unmistakable sound of multiple vehicles pulling into his lot.
The engines were too quiet and smooth to be his usual customers' cars, and there were definitely more than one.
Wiping his hands on his shop rag, Ethan emerged from the bay to find a sight that made him question whether the desert heat was making him hallucinate.
Three black SUVs were parked in his small lot, their tinted windows reflecting the afternoon sun like mirrors. The vehicles looked like something from a presidential motorcade, sleek and expensive and completely out of place in his working-class neighborhood.
A small crowd was already gathering. Mrs. Chen from the laundromat next door was standing in her doorway, cell phone in hand.
The teenagers from the corner market had abandoned their afternoon hangout spot to get a closer look. Even Tommy Nguyen had stepped out of his restaurant, wiping his hands on his apron.
The rear door of the middle SUV opened, and Emma Sterling practically bounced out, wearing a bright yellow sundress and carrying what looked like a homemade poster.
Behind her, Victoria emerged more slowly. But today she looked different. Gone was the stressed executive from three days ago.
Instead, she wore casual jeans, a crisp white blouse, and sandals that were actually appropriate for the Arizona heat.
"Mr. Rodriguez," Emma called out, running toward him with the enthusiasm only children could muster. "We came back. Mom said we had to wait a few days to make sure the car was really fixed, but I told her you were magic with engines."
Victoria approached more cautiously, a slight smile playing at her lips.
"Hello, Ethan. I hope you don't mind us dropping by unannounced, but Emma has been talking about you nonstop for 3 days. I think she's convinced you're some kind of automotive superhero."
"Just doing my job. How's the BMW running?"
"Perfectly," Victoria replied. "Not a single problem. Which is actually why we're here."
She paused, glancing around at the growing crowd of curious neighbors.
"Would it be possible to talk inside? What I have to discuss is a bit unusual."
Inside the blessed coolness of his shop, Emma immediately went to the bulletin board of customer photos.