“Yes, but that’s not what I was going for. They all had me working for people who had a lot more than I had. And I don’t just mean money. I mean education and opportunities and everything. Half the reason I started working on cars was because I got sick of paying mechanics. No matter how the economy has changed over the past few decades, there has always been someone out there willing to pay me to do what they couldn’t be bothered to do themselves. And that’s fine. If I had that kind of money, I might do the same.”

Zack leaned against Marilyn’s side. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because in my youth, I fell in love with a girl who might as well have been a princess, she was so far away from my situation. She came from one of the wealthiest families in town, she went to the best schools, she had everything I didn’t, and somehow, she loved me too. She used to stop by my shop after school, still in her uniform, and sit on a milk crate while I worked. I thought we were going to run away together. I started saving money the day I met her. I knew I could never buy her the things her family could, but I thought with hard work and love, we could make a little life together, and that would be enough.”

“So what happened?” Zack asked, mesmerized.

Mr. Alvarez laughed. “It wasn’t enough. Love can do a lot, but it’s not a guarantee. There are plenty of people in this world who go from rags to riches, but they usually do it on their own. Trying to marry into it is a lot more complicated and can get messy quick. Not that I think that’s what you’re doing. I’m sure you don’t care a lick about your boy’s money, but the money isn’t the important part.”

“Then what is?”

“The power difference it creates. For a relationship to work, the two people in it need to be equal. If one person has more ‘value’ than the other, it throws off the balance. That value can stem from anything, mind you, not just money. You’ll find just as many problems in a relationship where one of them is attractive or talented or intelligent and the other isn’t.”

“Well, I’m screwed then,” Zack joked. “John is definitely smarter than I am.”

Mr. Alvarez shrugged. “There’s a difference between being smart and being educated. My point is, people can sometimes move beyond those things, but they have to be honest with each other about them. Pretending like the differences aren’t there never works. You’ll just end up with hurt feelings and a whole lot of resentment.”

“Really?”