Alex got to the mud room and slipped his tennis shoes on. He grabbed a light jacket and went out the door. He walked out and over to Joe's half expecting the garage to be shut and nobody to be there.
It turned out Joe was there, and the garage was open. "Oh hey Joe, whatcha up to today?" Alex said cheerfully.
"Oh hey Alex, I'm just trying to save a buck and do an oil change, though cars aren't exactly my area of expertise. What brings you over?"
"Oh I'm just waiting for my parents to come home, I finished my homework in class today. Thought I'd drop by if you don't mind the company."
"I don't mind at all." Joe said going back to his you-tube for a few seconds. He paused the video and looked seriously at Alex. "I know its hard on you and I shouldn't be jealous, but I'd switch with you in a heartbeat."
"What are you talking about?" Alex questioned cautiously, confused.
"Look man, I know you are probably made fun of in school and treated poorly, but I'd rather look a decade older than younger." Joe said turning red.
Alex looked at Joe as he turned back to his video, he looked same as always, muscular, cusping 30, his thick 5 o'clock shadow was probably there at lunchtime. Confused Alex went to the cars side mirror and stole a glace, his same old face stared back at him, His sideburns looked like they were beginning to slowly creep down from his ears but nothing to make him look a decade older. Feeling the quiet between them becoming awkward and that he somehow upset Joe, Alex said, "Yeah, I'm sure you're right, I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. just fate I guess. I'm just frustrated, doctors say that in another 5 or 10 years, I might even stop getting carded." Joe chuckled. "And accused of using a fake ID" he added with a sigh.
"Well, I'm gonna head back since you're busy. I just wanted to say hi." Alex tried to clear his throat. "It was nice to see you." Alex's voice sounded really deep but he didn't feel anything in his throat.
"Yeah, you too." Joe called not seeming to notice anything strange. Alex looked back and it almost looked like Joe's hair wasn't black.
As Alex stepped inside he kicked off his shoes without looking and took off his coat. Hanging his coat up it looked just like his father's. He could have sworn he was wearing his... which was nowhere to be seen. Weirder still, it didn't feel oversized like last week when he used it to grab the mail. Curious he put the coat back on and zipped it up, It fit great, it fit as well as his missing jacket. Huh.
Alex's conversation with Joe was weird... he was hoping Joe could help kill more time.