Read Online Something Old, Something New by Beverly Jenkins - Free Book Online Page A

don’t like new things.”
    â€œI can see that.”
    Amari asked, “Can I take off the wrap now, Dad, please? Zoey and I are ready to get to work.”
    Trent nodded permission and watched Amari slowly draw back the canvas tarp to reveal the beat-up old car hidden beneath.
    â€œThis, Zoey,” Amari announced with a flourish, “is a 1964 Thunderbird.” As he went on to regale her with the T-Bird’s manufacturing specs and history, Zoey glanced back and forth between him and the car.
    â€œIt might look a hoopty now,” Amari continued, “but once we Julys get through with it, it’ll be sweet and good as new. Right, Dad?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    Zoey’s large eyes filled the goggles.
    Devon, on the other hand, looked bored, or put-upon; Trent couldn’t decide which, but that was okay, too.
    The old relic belonged to Bing Shepard and hadn’t run in decades. Trent had been trying for years to convince Bing it would be roadworthy again once it was restored. Bing remained skeptical but had given Trent permission to try. First thing they needed to do was remove all the old hardware, like the door handles, mirrors, bumpers, and hubcaps. That would be Amari and Zoey’s job. Amari had worked with Trent on the restoration of Black Beauty, Trent’s old high school ride, so he was confident that Amari could do his part without much oversight.
    Trent’s focus would be the engine. It would have to be taken out and replaced. “Devon, go inside and pop the hood.”
    Devon looked at him blankly.
    Amari glanced up from the mirror he and Zoey were removing, put down his screwdriver, and said to Devon, “Come here. I’ll show you.”
    Devon walked around the car, and Amari opened the door. “See that lever right there? Pull it.”
    But Devon took one look at all the dirt and dust covering the seat in the car’s dark interior and backed away.
    Zoey blew out an exasperated breath, pushed past Devon, and slid into the seat. Trent could barely see her little face above the steering wheel, but he loved her fearlessness.
    Amari bent down to show her the lever. Following his quick instructions, she hit the lever and the hood released.
    â€œGood job, Zoey.” Trent raised the hood to its maximum height and set the stick that would keep it open so he could work.
    Devon was staring down at his shoes.
    â€œOkay, Devon. Come see.”
    He complied, albeit reluctantly.
    Soon, the garage was filled with the sounds of the air blasts from the pneumatic tools, the jazz from the CD player, and Amari telling Zoey all about how he’d helped restore Black Beauty.
    While they all worked, Trent couldn’t help but inwardly smile at his two new helpers. Every time Trent handed Devon something that was covered with grime and gunk to put in the bucket he was manning, Devon handled it as if it were a snake or something else he didn’t want to touch. Zoey, on the other hand, appeared to be having a ball. Trent had no idea how she’d gotten the streaks of oil and dirt on her face just helping with hardware removal, but she looked like a Lakota painted up for war. Her skinny little arms didn’t have a lot of strength, but she was putting all she had into the socket wrenches in her effort to remove some of the more stubborn screws.
    Trent tried to engage Devon in conversation, but the boy didn’t say much, so Trent didn’t press.
    They’d been at it for about an hour when Dr. Reg walked in. “Oh, wow!” he exclaimed as he took in the old Thunderbird. “My aunt had one of these.” Only then did he see Zoey. “Wow,” he said again with a big grin. “Zoey, look at you. You look like Mechanic Barbie.”
    Her face lit up like fireworks, and he laughed in reply. “Came to take you home.”
    Disappointment instantly replaced her joy, so Trent said, “Zo, you can come back anytime. Okay?”
    As she