It was baking hot today. I wore a white tank top, with my favorite tan button-down shirt and jean shorts. I was on hay duty today. I'm one of the few women they'd put on hay duty, since I'm the strongest. Although it means I'll be outside today, at least I'll be with the customers.
That was when they pulled up. In an old dodge pickup, in the front seat, was a 20-something guy, slight shadow, average build, average looks.
But I wasn't looking at him.
Because there in the passenger seat, hair blowing in the wind, a beautiful smile playing on her lips, was an old, high school fantasy of mine.
Mary. We went to the same school together. She's beautiful, with eternal blue eyes. She's blonde, with hair that's either wavy or straight, depending on how much effort she felt like putting into it that day. She's not tall, but not short either. Just right. Her body is toned and slender, nice shape. The body of a cheerleader. She has a bright smile, & she always seems happy. Freckles scatter her face. She has a giggle that'll make your body tingle from the inside out. Ideal in every way. We never really spoke in high school. Just a simple hello every now & then.
Her hair is wavy today. My favorite. She's wearing a tight gray t-shirt and jean shorts. She's wearing big brown sunglasses that make her look like a movie star. She steps out of the truck, with her joke-of-a-boyfriend, & into the hot sun.
She doesn't notice me at first. The blinding sun is behind me & blocking her view. Mr. Average walks inside, & she obediently follows behind. So do I. He steps up to the counter & orders some hay. Perfect. Mike, working the counter, gives me a nod & I duck out before she has a chance to realize who I am. I take my place at the top of the haystack as he backs his truck up.
I begin loading the hay. I pretend to have some trouble & he gets out to help. She watches dutifully from outside. I drop a bail right at her feet, & she gives me a dirty look. She still doesn't know who I am, so I jump down in front of her to get the hay & give her a smirk.
"Jen?" How beautiful her voice is after all these years.
"Long time, no see, kid."
"What are you doing here?" She asks with attitude.
"Hello to you too." I reply with a wounded expression.
"Sorry. Hi." She rolls her eyes. How cute she is when she's angry.
"I'm here working. Saving up to build a ranch. How about you?"
"I love with my boyfriend out here. He runs a horse ranch."
I just sort of nodded in non-interest & continued my work. I picked up the hay bail one handed, walked to the truck, & flung it on. I paused, gave her another smirk, & climbed back on the pile.
Mr. Average was having trouble. I just sort of dragged my feet, ignoring his distress, when he finally complained.
"You think you could give me a hand here?"
I rolled my eyes & helped him out. It seems the hay bails were to heavy for Hercules to carry.
"Let the professionals handle it, Tyson. A man like you could throw your back out lifting so much weight like that."
I got his hay loaded & they settled back into the truck.
I gave her a smile. "Catch up with you later, kid." I turned to her oh-so-muscular man. "See ya Hercules." She giggled.
***
Another week passes & they're back again. Keeping horses means buying lots & lots of food. Mine eat loads of hay every week. Luckily I get the employee discount.
He wanders in to order his hay, while she waits by the truck.
"How's Superman doing?" I ask with a sly grin.
"He's fine. I think his ego may be wounded a little though." She giggles again. Clearly not concerned for his feelings.
"I think he'll survive just fine."
He finished paying for his order & I began loading. I kept smiling at her every now & then. The hay loaded, I climbed down from the pile.
