My name is Zake. I'm called that because my parents gave me an unpronounceable Ukrainian name, and that was the best fit that came out of kindergarten. It stuck, and it's been hard to get confused with anyone else in the phone book. I'm 34 years old and I'm an instructor for heavy equipment. I also dig vacant lots for homebuilders on the side with my own business. Been doing that since I was 18, so I know what I'm doing. I like teaching though, and it's an easy gig by the comparison. I make more as an instructor than any of the operators. So I'm pretty happy there.
I haven't been very happy with my love life though. I lost my wife in a car accident five years ago. Drunk driver. Sonofabitch walked away from the accident without a scratch. My wife and I were planning on having children soon, but, hey, sometimes you never see it coming. So I'm childless and wifeless, and sorta lonely. I do ok though. The dating scene didn't work out so good for me after I finished mourning. I loved my wife, and no one could ever really compare. So I drink beer and watch movies a lot. It's just me and my dog Jabber. And a lot of porn when I get horny.
Kyla started as part of a training class in April. Construction companies always try to beef up the ranks of the operators' relief crew in the spring. People go on vacation, get injured, quit, retire, whatever; and you gotta have new people come in to take over. Summer time is money time, and the job sites don't slow down.
You don't get too many chicks out training for heavy equipment. Not that they can't do it, but you gotta put up with a serious male locker-room attitude. Dirty jokes, foul language, sexist attitudes, pinup posters. And that ain't gonna change soon. Laws or no laws.
Kyla was a young one, too. 22. Cute. She had medium-long dirty blond hair, and a real sweet face with chubby cheeks and cocksucker lips. Her boobs were about C cups I figured, and her hips were a bit broad, but she was a cutie. I figured there was no way she was gonna last. Figured her uncle got her through the interview process or some shit like that. Didn't matter to me though, I get paid either way. All my graduates know the equipment inside out, or I don't pass 'em. I got a solid reputation.
There were seven people in her class. Most cross-training or upgrading. Only two rookies. Kyla and Dan, this tall lanky young kid. He was smart, if a bit of geek. He'd do all right. Kyla I figured wouldn't last out the week. A cute young girl like that gets chewed up and spit out. Not by me, but there's lots of oldschool hardshell bastards who get their jollies seeing how far they can push chicks. Whatever, not my issue.
Since my wife died, I haven't been too social so I don't get involved with the trainees much. Most of 'em are morons anyway. I like hockey and football as much as the next guy but I don't need to see 17 pictures of your kid's last game. Or hear about how much pussy you're going to get on the weekend. Maybe that makes me a prick, but oh well. If I don't care, I don't care. I'm not rude about it. Just not interested.
I was surprised when Kyla not only lasted through three weeks of training, but was quickly moving to the front of the class. Past two experienced operators. She had a real knack. I learned that her last job was running bobcat, and she used to run farm equipment with her grandpa when she was a teenager.
Not only that, but she put up with all the dirty jokes, pranks, hazing and all the other bullshit that comes with the territory. She had a great attitude and sense of humour about it.
It was weird though, that she was single, I thought. Figured she'd have a husband or boyfriend or something. Naturally once the crews got wind that there was a pretty young girl who was available on crew, she was constantly badgered with suggestive remarks and passes being made at her. All the reps and salesmen would make excuses to be around the office in the morning or when class finished up in the evening to take a shot. She turned 'em all down. Won a bit of respect from me with that too.
At the end of the third week, the trainees all wanted to head out for a drink. I said no thanks. Mostly I think they all wanted to pour drinks into Kyla, but again, not my issue. So I ditched.
Kyla approached me as I was heading out with Jabber to my truck to head home. "Hey there, Zake!" she smiled at me. "Not comin' out huh? Why not?"
"Don't feel like it," I simply stated with a shrug.
"Hm," she replied. "So what's your story anyway? You're like this big mysterious dude; no one knows anything about you. What makes you tick? You have a wife, family?"
"Not much makes me tick," I said flatly. "Haven't been really outgoing since my wife died. No kids."
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I didn't know."
"Not many do. Not many have bothered to ask. It's ok. It was five years ago. I'm doing better."
"Wow, geez, kinda hard to come back after that! Well, I really do hope you're doing all right. If you want, maybe join us for a drink. I think you're sorta cool. It would be nice if you hung out with us all for a bit."
"Nah, not tonight. Some other time though, huh?"
"I'll hold you to that," she said with a grin. "Have a good weekend. See you Monday, Zake!"
"Will do, Kyla. You too." I responded.
Weekend was busy. Dug a bunch of vacant lots. Good to be racking up the OT this early in the season. Weather was right for it, so you gotta make hay while the sun shines.
Straight back into it on Monday. Turns out Joe, one of the upgraders, got loaded on Friday. Hit on Kyla and made an ass out of himself. Didn't show up Monday morning. Figured he mighta had a drinking issue anyway. Oh well, one down.
Don't know why, but I actually felt more relaxed that week. I joked around a bit more than normal. I told myself it wasn't because of Kyla, and I'm sure it wasn't. She was way too young for me. And not really my type anyway. We could probably be friends though. Once I got talking to her she ended up having a pretty interesting story. She got pregnant at 19, got into some pretty bad drugs, lost the baby, sold all her shit, spent a year living on the streets... Heavy shit for a girl that age. She was real honest and up front about it too.