The first day of a new job is both a nervous and exciting day. Roland felt the classic butterflies in his stomach as he pulled his vehicle into the parking spot at the dealership. Today, he would begin working at a luxury car dealership as a technician in the service department.
The dash on his car showed 7:30 a.m. and there were already a couple cars already parked. Roland knew that the start time was 8, but he always wanted to be early. It must be the lingering effects of the military training from years ago, he thought. Glancing over his face in the vanity mirror of his car, Roland looked for anything that would look bad before stepping out of his car.
Conscientious of his appearance, Roland entered the service department. During his orientation, he was told that the service advisor that would help him in the first week was called Christian. Roland?s eyes looked for another person in the service bay and found another person.
This man was taller than Roland?s 5?9? frame by several inches, and definitely filled out the polo shirt and dress pants nicely. With the back at his view, Roland couldn?t help but admire the man in front of him. Realizing what he was doing, he quickly glanced down, feeling his cheeks burn in embarrassment of checking out another guy before the day had even begun!
?Oh, hey. You must be Roland,? a deep voice resonated. Roland looked up to see the man facing him, and the front view was even better.
?I?m Christian,? the man extended his hand out for Roland. Roland shook it, noticing the firm, solid grip Christian had, as well as the nice, toned arm the hand was attached to.
?Um, yes, I?m Roland. A pleasure to meet you,? he sputtered, trying to regain his composure. Seeing how flustered Roland was made Christian chuckled.
?Relax, buddy. I was just checkin? everythin? in here and was about to get a cup of coffee. Want some??
?Coffee would be great,? Roland stated, following Christian.
?How do you like your coffee?? Christian asked, as he poured the two cups.
?Like I like my men: strong, creamy, and delicious,? replied Roland automatically. For half a thought, an ?Oh shit!? moment flashed in his mind, not sure of how Christian would?ve reacted to the comment.
?Ha, well, I?m sure y?all find a couple of those around here,? Christian responded, giving a good-natured smile. The smile on that nice, chiseled face, with the facial hair forming a goatee and slight beard made Roland?s chest get light from looking at it. Before he could make himself a fool again, Roland took a large swig of the coffee Christian handed him, conscious of the look that Christian gave him.
After the coffee, the two walked through the service bay, where Christian showed Roland where he would be working, where the tool room was, the bathrooms, and the rest of the facility layout was. The last room on the tour was the locker room.
?Last, but not least, the locker room, which is rather self explanatory. Let?s see if there?s an empty locker for ya,? Christian led him through the room, finding an empty one. ?We can grab you a name tag for the locker. A lock is a must, because even though we have a policy against stealing, you are responsible for your own stuff.?
?No surprise there. It?s just like when I was in the army,? Roland stated, opening the locker, examining the space inside. It was enough for a uniform, work boots, and even a shower kit.
?You were in the army?? Christian asked, intrigued. ?I don?t recall reading that in your bio.?
?Yes, I was. 4 years active duty, 4 years in the National Guard.? Roland replied.
?Really cool buddy! Didja ever go overseas? What was your rank?? the questions came flowing from Christian. Having been out awhile now, Roland was used to these, and almost like it was rehearsed, he responded.
?One tour over in Iraq. My rank when I left was staff sergeant,? Roland stated.
?Ah, E-6. Not bad. I betcha demanded a lot out of your guys.? Christian mused.
?That?s impressive. Not many people know the rank system,? responded Roland.
?Oh yeah. I knew someone who was in the Army. He was a great guy.? Christian looked off to the side as if remembering a long, lost memory. ?Anyways, it?s time to get the day started. Let me introduce you to the master technician who will work with you throughout the next week,?
Roland was introduced to an older technician by the name of Mark. A nice guy, Mark has definitely been at the dealership a long time, with his gray hair and belly getting soft. After the introductions, Christian departed for the advisor side, as Mark took Roland under his wing.
?So, this is your first time working at a dealership?? Mark asked, as Roland brought in the car they were to service. It was in for a routine service, a mileage interval and only needed basic work.
?Yes sir, I graduated from college just last week.?
?Oh yeah? What college??
?Johnson College,? Roland replied.
?No shit! I went there! Way back when, though. You probably weren?t even born then,? Mark gave a good laugh at that, to which Roland smiled. It seemed like the two would get along, just for the simple fact of them both being alumni of the same college.
The service went smoothly with no issues, and Mark was showing Roland the ropes of how the service department ran. Along the way, he was also showing tips on what he has learned over the past decades of servicing cars.
?And once we?re done, we go ahead and let Christian, or whichever advisor is working, know. Go on, park the car outside, and take the work order to him and let him know it?s complete,? Mark stated as he began to put his tools away.
With no objections, Roland did as he was told.
?Hey Christian, here?s the car we just finished. Do you have another one for us??
?Hey buddy, awesome work! And of course I?ve always got one for you!? Once more, Christian flashed that smile once more towards Roland along with the key and work order. Once more, that light feeling sprung into Roland?s chest, and time seemed to have slowed down this time as he kept looking into Christian?s smiling face.
?Earth to Roland, ya there buddy?? Christian?s voice snapped Roland back into reality.
Shaking his head, he stumbled an apology, grabbing the key and work order and quickly making his way back into the service area towards Mark. During the walk, he couldn?t help but think to himself, ?I need to stop that!?
?So what do we got here?? Mark asked as Roland approached, still lost in his own thoughts.
?Oh,? Roland quickly scanned the work order before handing it over to Mark, ?Just a tire rotation and oil change. I?ll grab the car,? Mark nodded, heading over to the parts as Roland went to get the vehicle.
On the way to the vehicle, Roland breathed heavily to regain his composure. His mind began to wander more back to Christian, the service advisor. What was about Christian that was causing his mind to go awry? He?s seen plenty of great looking guys, but no guys have caused this stir inside of him in a long, long time. Regaining his focus, Roland arrived at the vehicle and looked it over before jumping inside, just to make sure there was no weird marks or anything on the vehicle that wasn?t annotated.
Once more, the service was routine for the vehicle. The more Roland worked with Mark, the more he appreciated the technician. Not only was he very knowledgeable of working on vehicles, but also he was also very professional. They made small talk as the work went on, mainly about the college and how things have changed since Mark was at the school.
As Roland finished up the car, Mark came up from having a discussion with another technician.
?Christian wants to see you before you break for lunch. Put this vehicle back and go see him before you punch out. You know where the break room is?? Mark asked.
At the sound of Christian?s name, Roland?s breathe got short. ?Alright, and I?ll make sure to see him. Anything you need me to do before then??
?Nah, you?re doing great so far. Give yourself an hour for lunch,? Mark stated, sounding generous with the time for lunch. Roland nodded his head in response, and did as he was told. After the car was properly parked, he began to walk towards the service area once more, to go meet with Christian.
Upon entering the area, he spotted Christian without even trying, because Christian was already looking at him, with a smile at the corner of his lips. Once more, than feeling rose up in Roland?s chest as he approached the service advisor.
?Hey buddy, how about you and me grab a bite to eat?? Christian asked.