I got out of the warm womb of my car and walked down the ill-lit parking lot to the office. It was another frigid morning, and I tried to switch off all human emotion to cope with another overwhelming and dysfunctional work day; this was no place for feelings.
But as I entered the glowing interior from the winter dark, I saw Theresa casing mail, twirling around with letters in hand like a spinning dervish. Awoken by my presence, she gifted me with her smile and advised, "Turn around, go home, and call out sick from there."
"Is that a negative attitude I sense, Theresa? The master shall be informed, and you'll be the one going home."
"God, make it so!" she laughed looking heavenward with palms up.
Her eyes followed me as I approached my case for my route. We worked next to each other, and I was thankful for small silver-linings in the post office. Theresa had beautiful dark skin with straight, jet black hair. She had gained a few pounds this winter, but that made her look healthier and happier. Her smooth face seemed to smile more confidently, and her bottom had nice form.
"So, are we going to have to go outside today? My mom wouldn't approve," I whined petulantly.
"Present for you, Jaimie." Theresa came into my three-sided case and handed me a parcel that belonged to one of my customers. She looked at me directly, and her hands touched mine. If I had personal space, it was now hers. My heart sped up a little.
"Yeah, this guy's got a problem ordering too much garbage. Another Amazon junkie. I don't think he got the memo that Christmas was over," I sighed.
Theresa put her small, warm hand on my shoulder and consoled, "Maybe a drink after work would dull the chronic pain of this place."
"I'd rather it be during work than after. But, yeah, I'm game. 'Sully's'?"
"You know it!" she affirmed with both hands on my shoulders. My heart raced, and my cock stiffened, as if it agreed too.
The day was light on the mail, but grotesquely heavy on the parcels. It was like everyone stayed home now. Brick and mortar stores were a thing of the past. I packed my shitty and cold mail truck with boxed furniture, kitty litter, dog food, diapers, toilet paper, and a myriad of other items that supplied my customers.
I swore under my breath countless times because of the cold, ill-tempered dogs and customers, and my inability to accept my lot in life. I couldn't be thankful for my job the way others would remind me. Maybe, I just wasn't strong enough or smart enough to live in this modern world. But then I would think about Theresa's hands on my shoulders and be pleasantly distracted.
When I returned to the post office from my delivery route, I saw no one's personal vehicle in the parking lot. Just mine, the postmaster's, and Theresa's.
"Well, there he is, the last of the mail carriers. Jesus, did you fall asleep out there? Or did you stop by Sully's without me?" Theresa questioned with a mock-angry face.