Molly’s - Chapter 7 [Tankiverse Fanfic]

[Hippin_in_Hawaii 639]

Molly’s - Chapter 7

Fanfic in the Tankiverse by Hippin_in_Hawaii

The last Sunday that I was going to see Olaf and his crew was a bittersweet occasion, to say the least. It had just been six weekends, but I really liked these people, and they seemed to really like me. Plus, I fit into the team! I mean, it wasn’t like going to classes or playing intramurals or anything like that. Sure, I was the kid, and sure, I had a ton to learn, but everyone treated me like a person, you know? They put me to work wherever they needed my help, just like anyone else. My lack of skills may have limited those options, but still, they never treated me like anything other than the new addition to the team. I was sure going to miss that.

They weren’t rolling out until Wednesday. Normally, they would hold a party on their last day, but knowing I wouldn’t be able to attend until after school, they bumped it up to Sunday. Which just goes to show that they really did like having me around! My parents were invited as well, which mortified me, but was out of my control.

I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a party with a crew of people who work, seriously work, for a living. Olaf’s crew had been laboring at Molly’s, nonstop, for six weeks. They had steam that needed to be blown off, make no mistake. My folks had cautioned me before we went that if things got too rowdy, or if it seemed to them that there was too much drinking or recreational pharmaceutical use, we’d be leaving early. It wasn’t anything like that, at least not while we were there.

It seemed like everyone on the crew played some sort of musical instrument. Some were barely able to play a couple of songs, a few were downright amazing, but they all took turns playing, and everybody seemed to enjoy it all. Not all of them were skilled singers, but that didn’t stop everyone from joining in on the songs they knew. The food truck crew outdid themselves, with wave after wave of deliciousness flowing in alternating waves of sweet and savory. Steak fingers were chased by melon coolers were chased by pizzas were chased by cookies… you get the idea.

And the games! Using broken bearing cases to improvise a set of horseshoes; round after round of “guess what this piece is”; timed carburetor assembly; pugil stick duels while balancing on a tank barrel (the bout between Olaf and Shock was epic!) Clearly, these folks were old hands at using materials on-hand to entertain themselves.

This was also the first time I got to meet Molly’s mechanics: Maurine, Gran, and Conrad. I felt a little shy around them; they seemed to be very interested in me and kept making excuses to come over and talk, or to bring me a pastry, or to invite me to play a game. I mean, I appreciate that they were being nice, but I didn’t really know them, you know?

As it was getting close to time for me to leave, Olaf called everyone together in a circle.

“Friends, it’s always a delight when we come to see Molly and her crew!” The crowd cheered and clapped enthusiastically; Molly smiled and hugged the gentle giant. “And this year, we’ve made a new friend in her new Tadpole!” This time, the hooting and clapping was for me. I didn’t know what to do, so I burst out in tears and ran up to hug Olaf and Molly together. He stroked my hair in a soothing manner, his hand larger than my head, as he continued. “We all started somewhere. More than one of you started here at Molly’s.” There were murmurs of agreement and some nodding heads. Really? Some of Olaf’s crew had started out just like me?

“Tadpole,” Olaf pulled me away from the group hug so he could address me directly. “Tadpole, you have really earned the right to be here tonight. And we’re going to miss you. But every young mechanic needs their own tools. So, we’re going to help get you started.” With a grand gesture of his arm, he spun me around. There stood my parents! Dad was holding a new toolbox, and Mom a tool belt. She walked up and wrapped it around my waist, then Dad handed me the box.

I’m sure I mumbled something about being thankful. Surely I mumbled something about being thankful. I sure hope I mumbled something about being thankful. Anyway, Olaf tussled my head and said “Until we see you next year!” everyone hooted and stomped their feet and applauded again. I didn’t know what to do, but the crowd broke up and the party resumed, so at least they weren’t all staring at me. Mom and Dad walked me over to a vacant chair and sat me down while I tried to process the emotions that were overwhelming me.

As I sat there, Olaf walked up and handed me a large strap wrench. “It’s amazing to me how often these things come in handy,” he said, then walked away. As I was turning it over in my hands, Shock came up and handed me a two kilo hammer. “These are great for pounding link pins,” he said. Not knowing what else to do, I put it in my empty toolbox, and slipped the strap wrench into the pouch on my new belt. “A good mechanic is never without a screwdriver,” said Tau, hardly pausing as she walked by and handed me a five-piece set of them.

And so it went. For the next hour or so, people would break away from what they were doing and walk over to give me a tool (or set of tools.) By the time it was done, my toolbox would barely close and my tool belt was weighing me down. I was so happy that I cried, over and over again, as the gifts kept coming.

But I think the best gift, the very best of all, came from Molly. As we were heading to the car, me struggling under the weight of my new tools (of course I wouldn’t let anyone help me!), she intercepted us. “There’s an open locker in bay one if you want to claim it, Tadpole.”

Me! Can you imagine it? Me, with my own locker! My own tools! If ever there had been a point of no return for my association with Molly’s, there was no doubt I was on the other side now.

Mahalo (thank you) for reading; I hope you enjoyed! This story is part of a series. Information on the series, and links to the other stories, can be found here.

[LOLKILLERTOTHEDEATH 1,921]

Approved!

 

Well crafted! I don't have much to suggest for improvements either.

[Hippin_in_Hawaii 639]

Thanks! ANd I appreciate the insta-post on this one!!  ;)

[P.4.R.K.O.U.R 329]

Great job.

[tweezers 1,034]

I paused the Goodwood Revival race livestream to read this. 

 

I think that says all that needs to be said. 

[P.4.R.K.O.U.R 329]

No it doesn't... just kidding.

Your comment was expected. You surely like Molly's a lot.

[Viking4s 10,791]

the end?

[Hippin_in_Hawaii 639]

the end?

Nope! 

[Viking4s 10,791]

Nope! 

cool +

[Hippin_in_Hawaii 639]

cool +

I've got 10 chapters written, and story ideas for 5 more. Looks like we're about halfway through right now.