I had been stocking a closet at work of paper products, when I tweaked an old back injury bending down to open the last box of paper towels. I stood up, and winced—feeling something pull in my lower back. I began rubbing my lower back in circles.
A few seconds later, I heard the jingle of keys. The door opened, and I saw Dale—a new employee—take a step in the closet. He was a tall man of 23—a few years younger than me. Clean shaven, yet perhaps a week or two beyond the need of a haircut. He stopped after the first step; with me and my small hand cart, there was not much space left in the closet.
"What's going on, Dale?" I asked, leaning forward to ease the pressure on my back.
"Nothing much," Dale replied. "I was looking for some trash bags. Are you okay?"
I sighed. "I just aggravated my back. Old injury."
Dale nodded. "Football?"
"No," I replied. "Picking up a paper clip."
Dale started laughing quietly. "I know that it's not funny, but it is."
"I know."
"You want to see if I can help you with that?" Dale asked.
"What, stocking the shelves?"
"No, your back."
I looked at Dale skeptically.
"Seriously," Dale said. "I do it all the time for my step-father. He fell off a ladder a couple years ago, and hasn't been the same since."
"Well, what do you have in mind?" I asked.
Dale crossed his arms across his chest. "You just cross your arms like this. Then I will come up from behind you, and lift you up—backwards. My step-father's back cracks in about a dozen places."
I tried straightening up again, and winced. I was willing to give anything a try. I had another half dozen closets to fill. I crossed my arms over my chest. "Like this?"
Dale slid behind me, and I could feel his warmth close by. I hadn't yet looked at Dale in a sexual way, but it felt good having him so close behind me. I could feel his body heat, nearly hum on my skin.
"Yes, like that," Dale said.
At six-six, Dale was much taller than me, and I thought that he would have an easy enough time lifting me up. He reached around me, and locked his right hand over his left wrist. I started getting goosebumps. I leaned back into Dale's chest, and felt it solid against my shoulders.
"Are you ready?" Dale asked.