"Ew. Here's another one over here. Can you pick it up for me, Eric?" Deb was not normally squeamish, but picking up used condoms in the park was not her idea of helping the environment as part of the service project. Eric and she had volunteered many times before, food drives, story time with kids, painting and fixing a home for women in bad domestic situations, but this crossed her line. "Please, Eric? It isn't just for me, think of the kids who use this park."
Eric rolled his eyes. He knew he would do it. Deb was a friend, a 'buddy'. They had a good time doing service, and it was a nice break after a busy week to get out and do something hands on. He was just glad he had thought to bring gloves. Not just the condoms, but there was glass and other stuff he really didn't need to touch. "I'll get it, but you seem to be attracting these things. What is that, like five you have found?" He grabbed the latex tube filled with a white liquid and put it into his trash bag. "That one seemed fresh, see anyone around here? Maybe the animals have learned how to use them."
"That's just stupid, Eric." Deb replied. "Only one animal uses them. And doesn't pick up after themselves. This pile of beer cans probably contributed to the need for those things."
That gave Eric an idea. "Hey Deb. Here's a thought, let me know if you are game for it. My dad had a game camera, you know, one of those you can put in the woods and see animals and it take pictures. What if we..."
Deb picked up on it right away. "Right! What if we put up the camera and we could catch these filthy litterbugs! Great idea! Let's do it!"
Eric had been thinking "we could catch them having sex." But he was okay with the catching the litterbugs idea. He did think his idea was a little hotter, but there was no reason they both couldn't have their own outcomes. "Okay, I will get it and we can have it set up before next weekend. It's supposed to be nice. Bet this is a regular spot for several folks, or if it is just one couple, they are mighty active!"
It had never seemed to work out for Eric and Deb. If one of them liked the other, the other was in a relationship. So they had remained friends. They joked that each other was their "service partner". Doing good deeds seemed to be their common ground and they did enjoy it. Neither was particularly attractive, but not unattractive, either. They were they type of person who kind of blended in. The fact that they both preferred baggy denim pants and flannel shirts probably didn't help either. Despite being around each other many times, they had never had a physical relationship. Maybe a hug or two, but nothing more. Buddies.
-0-
Deb's phone rang on Thursday evening. Just about when she was figuring out what to have for dinner. "Great. Another special offer from a telemarketer. Just what I need. Maybe it is Domino's calling to deliver to me..." Deb didn't get a lot of personal calls. She picked up her phone and answered. "Hello."
"Deb, Hi. It's me, Eric. I got the camera and thought we could go and set it up. Maybe grab a bite at the same time?"
Now that was great timing. Deb answered. "Sure. I just got home, let me change into something that isn't work clothes and meet you downstairs in, oh, fifteen?" She was unbuttoning her blouse as she talked. This would be a better way to pass the evening. She could go to the gym or organize her laundry for the weekend wash, but this was better. She liked Eric, and wondered if he liked her, not in the 'buddy' way. She slipped her blouse off and glanced in the mirror. Been a while since the girls had any action, she thought. Wouldn't mind a little activity and Eric certainly qualified as a possible partner. She sighed and looked for her jeans and shirt.
Eric was prompt, as always. Deb laughed when she saw him pull up. "So, could we have dressed any more alike?" Both had jeans and almost identical red and black flannel shirts on. "It's Okay, I'll be seen with you." She hopped in the passenger seat and they headed off.
"Yeah, I guess when you do as many projects together as we have, you start to think and dress alike. But it's okay. Your shirt has better shape to it. Better curves." Eric said as he glanced over and smiled.
Was he making a pass? Probably not, but Deb replied. "Thanks for noticing. I don't always have flannel on, though. And with the weather getting better, I might just surprise you one of these days." She hoped he wasn't gay. They hadn't really talked about relationships. He had mentioned some dates in the past, but she couldn't remember if he had said a name or anything that would give a clue. Oh well, they were just heading off to set up the camera and grab dinner.
Eric watched the road, but asked. "So, have a taste for anything for dinner? I was thinking pizza if nothing else." He didn't think they had ever gone any place together without being part of a group. He hoped she wasn't seeing anyone or that he was making her feel awkward. They were almost at the park, and still had a bit of daylight left to get things set up. Deb was right, the weather was getting better and it was staying light longer.
"Pizza sounds fine, but I may only eat a slice or two, and maybe a place that has salad, too? I need to consider fitting into some of those other clothes." Deb replied. She picked up the trail camera that was on the floor on her side of the car and looked it over. "So, this will take pictures at night? Does it flash? Won't they see it and take it?"
Eric turned into the park. "It is low light and motion activated. So it only takes a picture if there is movement. You can also set it to do every few minutes, but I think the motion is better. I loaded in a fresh set of batteries and it has a flash card in it, so it is all set." He tried not to sound to geeky in describing the camera. He was hoping that it might just catch some action. It would be the most action he had seen in a while. His last girlfriend had been a while ago. Between work and the graduate class he was taking, he didn't have a lot of time to get into a relationship. "It hasn't been used in a while, so if it gets swiped or broken, no big loss."
They parked in the lot and headed over to the area where they had found most of the trash. Looking around they could tell that there hadn't been any recent activity. Or there had been, it was unprotected activity. Eric moved to a line of small trees by a path. "This looks good. I can get it around this tree and it blends in pretty good. Has a good view of that area over there." He took the camera out and flung the straps around the tree to hold it in place. He was tall enough so that by standing on a log that was nearby he had the camera about ten feet off the ground. And he was right, it would capture a good view of the area.
"Okay, I think that is set. We shall see if we can catch these litterbugs 'In Flagrant Delecto'. Or red handed if you prefer." Eric hoped it caught them in the act, but only time would tell. "So do you have any plans for Sunday? We could come back, get this out of the tree and go check it for evidence. And maybe have dinner?" Eric thought he would make plans now. He figured Deb would tell him if he was crossing any boundaries.
"That sounds great, Eric. I'm good for Sunday. Say pick it up at 5pm and check it out? I could even make dinner at my place if you would be interested." Deb offered. She also said to herself, "Please don't be gay. Or at least be Bi. Please."
With the camera in place, they headed back to the car and off to search for pizza and a salad.
-0-
Sunday came around quickly. Deb really hadn't thought much about the camera. She and Eric had found a small place that had pizza, salads and more on Thursday after leaving the park. It was nice having dinner with someone else. They actually talked about a variety of things, not just service or work, but really got to know each other. And Eric definitely was not gay. He gave her a peck on the cheek when he dropped her off. That simple act had gotten her to search through her nightstand to find her "little pink friend", and she had used it several times over the next couple of days. The vibrator wasn't as good as an actual cock, but it certainly had helped her in certain 'times of need'.
She came out of her thoughts as she saw Eric pull up in front of her apartment. Dinner was mostly prepared upstairs. Nothing fancy, but she knew Eric liked burgers so she had some ready to go along with some favorite side dishes, cole slaw, chips. A little 'junkier' than she normally ate, but maybe they could burn off a few calories afterward.
"Hi, ready to go see if we caught our culprits on the camera? Hope it is still there!" Eric commented as Deb got in the car. "Have a good weekend?"
"I did, Eric" Deb replied. "Nothing too different than the usual clean, run errands and try to rest up. No projects this weekend, so I was able to catch up a little." She left out the part about masturbating. "Let's go see what we have."
At the park, they walked back and were both relieved to see that the trail camera was still there. Eric moved the log back, got on it and took the camera down. Deb watched and thought to herself "cute buns. How did I not notice that about Eric before?"