Mopower Garage

By Fletcher P. Kuykendall                                                                                  Episode – 13

College was just around the corner, starting in January. For both Jennifer and Johnny, it was their final semester—the last stretch of their student lives before stepping fully into whatever future lay ahead. The thought was thrilling but heavy, a weight Johnny felt every time he stayed late in the garage or sat through lectures, wondering if he was truly ready for what came next.

Leadford’s offer had come at just the right moment. A part-time job at the race shop and automotive business meant Johnny could work after classes during the week and on Saturdays. The pay was nearly double what he’d made at Sears, so leaving that job behind was easy. But more than the money, it was the chance to be part of something real—something that matched his passion.

The shop had become a second home, filled with the smell of oil and gasoline, and Leadford’s gruff mentorship had settled into a steady rhythm. Even when the hours were long, Johnny took pride in his work—each bolt tightened, each engine tested was a step closer to the dream.

Despite the demanding schedule, Johnny and Jennifer found more time for each other. One cold evening, wrapped in the soft glow of Christmas lights in Jennifer’s living room, Johnny shared his worries and hopes.

“It’s just… a lot,” Johnny said quietly, tracing the rim of his coffee cup. “Final semester. Leadford’s job. The car. Everything feels like it’s closing in.”

Jennifer reached over and squeezed his hand. “You’re doing everything right. You’re chasing your dream, Johnny. That takes guts.”

He looked up, searching her eyes. “But what if it’s too much? What if I can’t handle it all?”

She smiled softly, her voice steady. “You won’t be alone. We’ll face it together—whatever comes.”

Her words settled something inside him—a quiet strength he didn’t realize he needed.

Back at the shop the next day, Leadford watched Johnny fine-tune his recently rebuilt 340 on the engine dyno. The older man’s face was weathered, but his eyes held steady calm.

“You’re putting in the work,” Leadford said, stepping closer. “Your Dart’s gonna be ready if you need it.”

Johnny nodded. “It’s my backup, in case I don’t get the Daytona seat.”

Leadford smiled, a rare softness returning. “Good. Always have a fallback, but don’t doubt yourself too much. The leap you’re about to make… it’s big, but you’ve got what it takes.”

Johnny wiped his hands on a rag, meeting Leadford’s gaze. “Thanks, sir. I won’t let you down.”

Leadford clapped him on the shoulder. “I know you won’t. Now let’s get you ready. The season’s coming fast.”

Johnny took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the future—but ready to meet it, one pass, one bolt, one moment at a time.

Early January. The garage was quiet except for the faint hiss of the heater struggling against the winter chill. Johnny stood ready in his racing suit, the fabric crisp and snug against his skin. On the workshop’s main bench sat the casting setup: two clear, flexible plastic sheets carefully layered over the racing seat frame, creating a shallow mold cavity. Between them, a thick, expanding foam was poised to fill the space.

Mike, one of Leadford’s employees, glanced over, checking the alignment. “Alright, Johnny. When I say go, sit down slow and steady. The foam will expand and fill every contour between you and the plastic layers—molding the seat exactly to your shape, over the suit, just like in a race.”

Johnny nodded, heart pounding with nerves and excitement. He lowered himself carefully onto the seat, feeling the cold plastic beneath him give just enough to hold him securely.

The foam began to expand, a cool but rapidly solidifying substance pressing gently against his legs, back, and shoulders. Johnny focused on steady breathing, embracing the strange sensation of the seat forming around him—almost like the car was learning his body for the first time.

This wasn’t just about comfort. It was about connection. Every race, every millisecond of control depended on how well he and the machine moved as one. The perfect seat meant less energy wasted fighting position and more mental space for focus and precision.

Mike watched silently, knowing this was more than a technical procedure—it was a rite of passage.

Minutes later, the foam had hardened enough to hold shape. Johnny carefully stood, and the two plastic layers peeled away, revealing the perfect negative impression of his racing suit and body combined.

“That’s it,” Mike said, voice low with satisfaction. “That mold’s the blueprint. From here, we build your seat shell—carbon fiber, strong and light, shaped like it’s part of you.”

Johnny traced the contours with his fingers, the emotional weight settling in. This seat wasn’t just gear. It was a promise. A partnership. A foundation for every push down the track.

Later, when he finally slid into the finished seat, it felt less like sitting and more like coming home.

By mid-January, with the semester and the job going well, Johnny found himself standing at a pivotal moment—one that felt both exhilarating and uncertain. He had been quietly saving for weeks, tightening his budget and setting aside every spare dollar. Then, one chilly afternoon, he walked into a modest jewelry store and carefully chose an engagement ring. It wasn’t the most extravagant or flashy piece, but it was perfect—simple yet elegant, with a subtle sparkle that reminded him of Jennifer’s radiant smile.

As he held the small velvet box in his hand, a mix of hope, nerves, and determination welled up inside him. This ring wasn’t just a symbol of love; it was a tangible promise—to Jennifer and himself—that he was ready to take their relationship to the next level, no matter what the future held.

Though Johnny hadn’t secured the job he desperately wanted yet, the ring was a statement of faith. The position promised steady income, stability, and the chance to build a future together—one where both of them could thrive financially and emotionally. He knew the road ahead might not be easy, but if he landed that job, it would mark the beginning of a new chapter. A chance for them to finally breathe easier, stop worrying about bills, and start planning the kind of life they both dreamed of.

Johnny planned to ask Jennifer on Valentine’s Day. To him, that day was more than a date on the calendar—it was the perfect moment to create a memory that would last forever. He imagined the look on her face when he got down on one knee, the sparkle in her eyes mirroring the ring’s glint, the happiness washing over her. The thought made his heart race and his palms sweat, but also filled him with courage. He wanted Jennifer to know that, despite the uncertainties they faced, he believed in their “us.”

The ring was more than jewelry—it was hope, commitment, and the quiet promise that he was in this for the long haul.

Financially, things weren’t perfect yet. Johnny’s bank account was lean, and the outcome of his job interview still hung in the air like a question mark. But he felt confident—he knew the job was within reach, and with it, the ability to give Jennifer the life she deserved. He pictured the two of them working side by side, their efforts weaving together like threads in a tapestry, gradually building something steady and secure. He imagined cozy evenings at home, laughing over dinner, planning vacations, maybe even starting a family someday.

Buying the ring had been a risk—an act of hope before all the pieces were in place. But Johnny had learned that some risks were worth taking, especially when driven by love. Jennifer deserved certainty, belief, and a future she could count on. Even without the job in hand, Johnny was ready to give her that. Starting on Valentine’s Day, with a simple question and a ring full of promise, he was ready to build a life together—one filled with love, faith, and the belief that together, they could overcome whatever came next.