Chapter 1: Help Wanted

It’s early May and I’m in the last quarter of the 11th Grade, my Junior Year of high school. I attend one of two high schools in the Spring Haven School District aptly named after my hometown of Spring Haven. Spring Haven is a medium-sized Michigan town, not too big and not too small and a good place to grow up ... I think so at least. Like any town, it’s not perfect, but it’s home and the only place I’ve lived for all of my 17 years.

My school is Maplewood High, home of the Mighty Mustangs. I, myself, am not among the esteemed Mustangs; I was never much for participating in school sports. Like many people my age, I prefer to find my competition in front of the TV with a game controller in hand.

For as much as I love sitting on my ass and wasting time playing video games, I do make myself get some physical activity. I don’t strive to be a super-muscular built-up guy, but I try to keep in shape. Lately I’ve noticed several of my classmates putting on weight from inactivity and eating too much junk food. I’m trying my best to avoid these pitfalls from happening to me.

My younger brother, Luke, just turned fifteen last month. We get along pretty much as you would expect from brothers, everything is a big rivalry between us. Luke is far more of a sneaky trouble-maker than I ever was, but it seems I’m always the one in hot water with Mom and Dad when we argue. I am the older brother after all, the one who’s supposed to set a good example. He loves to use this to his advantage - and often does. Those rare times we’re not at each other’s throats we get along fairly well and have fun shooting hoops in the driveway, playing our favorite first-person-shooter games, or going for a good run together.

Marc Dietrich and Jeff Gardener are my closest (and best) friends that I hang out with most often. Even though we all have our driver’s licenses none of us own a car yet and still ride our bikes to get around.

Our favorite destination is the Pizza Depot, a totally cool pizza restaurant/arcade loved by the local teenagers. We all have X-Boxes, PlayStations, and PCs at home to play modern video games, but we also enjoy the vintage arcade-style games at the Pizza D. Pizza D or the Depot are our nicknames for the place. They have all the classics: Pac-Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Guitar Hero, and even some ancient pinball machines. It’s good for us to get out of the house and when you look at it this way, by riding our bikes I satisfy two of my teenage needs, video games, and physical activity - win-win for me.

I need to mention of another strong teenage need I have that I’ve not had too much luck in satisfying - girls - specifically, getting a girlfriend. According to my grandmother, this should be easy for me by the way she’s always saying, “Oh, Kyle, with those dazzling green eyes, you’ll have all the pretty girls lining up for you!” Let’s just say I’m still waiting for that to happen.

Overall I can’t complain, I guess I’m a pretty good-looking guy. Believe it or not, I’ve noticed girls checking me out on occasions - very rare occasions, but still, occasions. Being shy and reserved is a big part of the problem. I’ll be honest and admit that all too often I’m too afraid to take the risk of asking a girl out. I’m fully aware of the adage, nothing ventured, nothing gained; while those encouraging words can be sound advice it’s the simple fear of rejection that holds me back.

I had a bad experience in my Sophomore Year (the 10th Grade). I got all hung up on Karla Whittington who sat next to me in English Class. She was a very friendly girl extremely cute and seemed happy to see me each day, over time we became friends. For a guy like me not having a lot of self-confidence around the opposite sex, I made a big deal out of such a pretty girl like Karla showing me attention.

It didn’t take long before I began to develop warm and fuzzy feelings beyond our casual classroom friendship. I would fantasize about us hanging out and doing fun things together. When I finally worked my courage up I asked Karla if she would like to go on a date with me. She was cordial but the answer was, “No.” Talk about English Class being awkward after that - for both of us. I felt that by asking her out I mucked up our easy friendship and I was crushed.

I have a real tendency to overthink things and I let it bother me for long time. To be honest it broke my heart. I know this sounds silly just because one girl turned me down, but it really took a lot of courage for me to ask her out to begin with. Looking back, I invested too much hopeful dreaming into the whole thing thus making the letdown that much harder.

That shyness and reserve I spoke of also means I’m not very outgoing, especially with people I don’t know very well. It’s easy to shelter oneself with the closest of friends and hide inwardly to avoid hurt, but socially it’s also not getting me anywhere. Simple advice to myself, I really need to get out of my shell and learn to be more carefree. Sure, easy enough to mentally say, but not so easy to do.

I really am a creature of routine. I love routine, not so many unpleasant surprises, but also not very many pleasant ones either. The answer I’m seeking is to find something that will get me out of my comfort zone. It’s not that I’m looking to ditch my current friends, but maybe it would be nice to meet some new people to interact with as well; it’s definitely something to think about anyway.

This afternoon Marc, Jeff, and I are at the Pizza Depot. While I’m dropping some quarters into the Street Fighter game for a match against Marc I notice they put up a Help Wanted sign. Hmmm ... could applying for a job be what I need? This might be a cool place to work, and it is about time I start earning money to buy a car.

After the game, I walk over to the counter that separates the dining/arcade area from the kitchen workspaces and ask for an application. A big dude named Eric with flour dust all over his apron hands me one. “Return this to Benny when you’re done,” he tells me.

I sit down and quickly fill it out from top to bottom. Once I’m done I see a guy whose name tag states he’s Shift Manager Benny and give him the paper, he quickly reads it. “Okay, this looks good. We’ll give you a call if we would like you to come back for an interview.”

Back at the table, our pizza arrives. “Dude, did you just apply for that job here?” Marc asks.

“Yeah, I really need to start saving up to buy a car.”

“Don’t we all,” he concurs.

“This would be a great place for a job, Kyle,” Jeff says with excitement. “That way you could still work and hang out with us.”

“How am I going to hang out if I’m working?”

“Well, maybe you could get us free pizza and game credits?” he grins.

“I don’t think it works like that, Jeff.”

I’m not really expecting much to happen but it’s an easy enough first step towards a new and outgoing Kyle.

Am I ever surprised to receive a call the very next day! They would like me to come in for a job interview this afternoon if I’m available. Immediately hopping on my bike, I ride over to the Pizza Depot.

Shaking hands with Mr. Bill Moore, he explains that he’s part-owner and manager. He’s a rather large and imposing man and at 6’-4”, or so, some might say intimidating. In his mid to late 50s, it’s easy to see that all these years of hard work have left him with thinning light brown hair beginning to gray. Beyond that, Mr. Moore has a kind face and a gentle nature about him. He motions for me to join him sitting down in a booth.

Looking over my job application he quietly reads aloud, “Okay, let’s see what we have here: Kyle Stevenson, you live over on Arlington Drive – good, that’s nice and close. You’re seventeen years old, have no prior employment experience, and attend Maplewood High School. Reasons for wanting to work here: This would be a fun place to work, and you would like to start saving money for college and buying a car. Is all of this correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Please,” he chuckles warmly, “no need to be so formal with all the sir business, you can me Bill.”

“Okay, Bill.” It seems a little awkward calling an adult elder (and my possible future employer) by his first name, but if that’s what the man wants, so be it.

“Well, Kyle, the position we’re offering is not a glamorous one. You would be bussing tables, washing dishes, wiping down the arcade games, sweeping the floor, and generally keeping things clean around here. We’ll also need you to occasionally help with making pizzas at extra-busy times. I can only offer minimum wage to start, but we can see how it goes from there.”

“Sounds good to me, sir- I mean Bill.”

“We do have a few expectations here at Pizza Depot that I will go over with you. You’ll need to be on time for all your shifts. If you should call in sick we ask that you give as much notice as possible so we can call in a replacement. We’ll provide you with red Pizza Depot logo shirts, a hat, and an apron like you see our employees wearing. You may wear blue jeans and tennis shoes if you wish, but they must be clean and have no holes in them. We may not be able to offer you very many hours at first but as we get busier in the summertime that will change.”

I nod in agreement and Bill continues, “I understand how popular this establishment is with young people. If you should work here I’ll need you to understand that you’re not to be distracted when your peers are visiting as customers when you’re on duty. When you’re off-duty you’re welcome to enjoy this place with your friends for as long as you wish. I’m sure you understand the importance of this.”

“Yes, I do. I won’t let you down.”

“Well okay, Kyle, consider yourself hired. How easy was that for your first job interview?”

“Very easy!”

Bill and I once again shake hands, this time as employer and employee. “Welcome aboard!” He smiles. “I think you’ll enjoy being a part of our team.”

“I’m sure I will too. When can I start?”

“Come back next Tuesday at 4:00 and report to my daughter Renee. She’s returning from college for the summer and will be working as a shift manager. She’ll train you on all of your duties and get you all set up with the shirts, hats, and a work schedule.”

“Thank you, Bill!”

On Tuesday I arrived at the Pizza Depot fifteen minutes before 4:00; my mother said to always show up early and make a good first impression. I tell a passing waitress that I’m here to see Renee Moore. She answers, “I think she’s in the back,” and motions towards the kitchen area.

As I’m walking towards the opening that leads to the working spaces, I see a super cute blonde who looks to be about twenty or twenty-one with a perky pixie-style haircut approaching to greet me.

“Hi,” she holds out her delicate hand for a gentle shake, “I’m Renee. And you must be Kyle?” Adding to my first impressions are: for having such a big, tall father, his daughter is rather short and petite, maybe 5’-2” at most. And did I already say super cute? Yeah, I did, but totally worth mentioning again!

“Yes, that’s me,” I answer.

“Dad told me you were coming in today. Welcome to the Pizza Depot crew! Come on in the back with me.”

She leads me through the noisy kitchen area to a small back office. “Okay, first we need to get you set up with some shirts.” She looks me up and down. “How tall are you? Let me guess ... about 5’-10”, 5’-11”?”

“I’m 5’-10”.”

“Ha, I knew it!” Renee digs through a big box of red Pizza Depot shirts and pulls a couple out. “Okay, how about an Adult Male Medium? Try this on. You’re pretty slender so if it’s too big we can try a smaller size.”

I try the shirt on over my t-shirt, it’s a little loose but fits fine. She digs out a few more of the same size along with a red baseball-style hat and an apron.

Mr. Moore’s daughter spends the afternoon going over all the duties that will be expected of me. Bill was right, it’s not a glamorous position washing dishes and cleaning up, but I think it will be cool working here and maybe I can move up to better duties over time. Renee and everyone I met on my first shift all seem like fun people to work with.

At first, I only work on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Bill did say it wouldn’t be very many hours in the beginning, but they should pick up the closer we get to summertime. He’s right, by the time the school year ends in early June I’m working four afternoons a week and occasionally a day shift on the weekend.

I enjoy my job at Pizza Depot, not so much for the tasks I am assigned, cleaning dishes and mopping bathrooms isn’t fun for anyone - it’s because of my co-workers, we get along well and that makes it fun. Bill is great to work for and I think he’s taken a liking to me for being such a responsible young man always arriving on time and getting my job done. He gave me a 50-cent per hour raise after my first four weeks working here.

I can already tell that spending time here with these new people has been good for me, I’m loosening up and it’s bringing me out of my shell. Eric is especially funny and likes to joke around a lot. He’s a cook and a big oaf of a guy who loves to party. The others say he loves it too much and tends to come in late with a hangover quite often.

Shift manager Benny is cool and laid-back most of the time, although he does tend to get a little tense and wound-up when it’s extra busy. I understand he’s a bit of a PC gamer and builds his computers; he’s fun to talk to about popular games and techy stuff.

I especially like Renee and we get along really well. She has such a fun playful and outgoing personality - not to mention how damn cute she is! Yeah, yeah, I know, I already mentioned that. For me coming out of my shell, I could do well to learn from her. After my first week, she nicknamed me Sport; I’m not sure why since most sports activities and I rarely cross paths, but I’m fine with it. It seems that most shifts I work Renee is also working, I like that.

On a Friday afternoon in June Tiffany Hammond comes in hanging on her football-player boyfriend Blake Ramsey along with his friends Justin and Dirk. Tiffany and I grew up in the same neighborhood and have known each other for many years. I consider her a good friend although we’ve drifted apart these last few years. We share the same birthday of September 12th and used to be close enough to talk about almost anything; I miss those days, but people change over time.

When we were kids Tiffany was a bit of an awkward girl. At the beginning of high school all that changed and she really blossomed into a very attractive young woman. It’s almost hypnotic how her long brown, slightly wavy, hair moves when she tilts or turns her head. Beautiful mane aside, who wouldn’t be captivated by her gorgeous blue eyes and pretty face - pretty in that cute girl-next-door way?

In elementary and middle school, I always thought of her as just a friend, but these last few years I’ve become quite attracted to her. I really would like to explore a relationship beyond a platonic friendship. Unfortunately for me, when it comes to guys she only seems attracted to the athletic type, the alpha-males; consequently, that never puts me on her radar as anything more than a trusted guy-friend. She’ll occasionally consult with me when she needs a guy’s perspective and some sort of advice for dealing with whichever jock she’s currently dating. All too often it’s impossible for me to give her any useful insight, I just can’t get into their self-centered ego-driven mindset. Guys like that and guys like me are polar opposites on the guy spectrum.

Tiffany, Blake, Justin, and Dirk join a group of Maplewood jocks and other assorted popular kids who came in earlier. Right about now you might be thinking, if this Tiffany is so important to you, why not try to fit in with her friends to get closer to her? I can answer by saying, that’s never gonna happen. That’s a group I have zero interest in associating with, they’re all so fake and totally full of themselves.

I must have been staring in Tiffany’s direction for a while, long enough for Renee to take notice. She nods over at the group, “Who’s she?”

“Tiffany Hammond.”

“She your girlfriend?”

“Nah, just a friend. We’ve known each other for years.”

“Do you want her to be your girlfriend?”

Am I that obvious? I think to myself. With a sigh, I tell Renee, “She’s only into jocks ... not guys like me.”

“Her loss,” she shrugs. “You’ll find the right girl, Sport.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” I quietly mutter.

She tugs on my shirt, “Come on in the back, we need help with pizza and we’re getting behind.”

As June progresses the weather becomes warmer and warmer, a sure sign summer is setting in to stay. I learn just how hot it can get in the kitchen with the pizza ovens roaring at 500 degrees. It seems no matter how cold we have the air conditioning set it’s still sweltering back there. Renee assured me that I will get used to it over time, that remains to be seen.

One particularly blistering day Benny blurts out, “I swear it’s a thousand degrees back here!”

“There’s no way it’s a thousand degrees,” Eric shakes his head, “Or we’d all be dead.”

Benny fires back with, “The air is already five-hundred degrees and with the extra five hundred coming out of the ovens - there you go!” A ridiculous exaggeration for sure, but I agree with Benny, it sure felt like the full one-thousand degrees.

On another day that’s rather slow before the dinner rush, Renee has me help her rearrange the stockroom. Taking all the items off the shelves we give them a good dusting and wipe down. This is also a good time to go through everything and throw out old junk that isn’t used anymore. The room is small as it is, but with all the boxes and containers off the shelves and piled around us, it makes for especially tight working quarters.

Renee tries to scoot past me with her hands’ full juggling a couple of large plastic containers. With my own arms full I back up to allow her room and bump into a large cardboard box. This causes me to lose my balance and fall backward with my ass landing squarely on the box. In a failed attempt to reach out and catch me, Renee also loses her balance and ends up coming down on top of me sitting in my lap.

“Ah shit!” she exclaims as the containers she was carrying topple and completely dump their contents of paper cups and lids all over the floor. Making the best of the situation she turns to me and laughs. “Well, hello there! Fancy meeting you this way,” she jokes about our now very close proximity.

“Uh ... Hi.” I grin back.

“Ugh! Look at this mess,” she sighs. “We really need to figure out a better system for how we restock these shelves.”

“Yeah,” I nod in agreement. The funny thing is she stays right where she is, comfortably seated in my lap. I feel a little awkward having Renee so close ... and sitting on me! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bothered by this, not bothered in the least; it’s impossible not to be attracted to her.

I can feel every one of her slightest little movements directly through my pants and exactly on my ... my special parts. My horny teenage mind starts thinking about just how close my special parts are to her special parts, only a few layers of simple cloth. I know better than to entertain thoughts like this! Not only is it highly inappropriate, but it’s also just plain wrong, she’s my supervisor! Uh-oh, I can feel something stir down there, I’m starting to get ... aroused. I’d better force my mind onto something else and quickly! Math! Yes, I’ll think about math, or English class - oh crap, this isn’t working!

Renee turns and smiles at me; god, I hope she isn’t noticing the (growing) situation I have going on or she’ll think I’m some kind of perv. With a little hip jiggle and a deep breath, she says “Okay, Sport, let’s get this shit done.” She has no idea how much that innocent little hip jiggle was appreciated by my male anatomy.

As she starts to stand up, the box I’m on suddenly picks that time to collapse. Like a skit in some old-time comedy act, I again fall and once again cause Renee to lose her balance and crash down alongside me. As she lands, her hand inadvertently falls directly on the zipper of my jeans.

As if things weren’t already stirred up enough down there the movements of her fingers on my small hump while she struggles to sit up cause a massive bevy of tingles on my sensitive bits. Noticing exactly where her hand is she quickly pulls it back and grins. “Oops, I’m sorry!” she giggles. “Didn’t mean to ... uh ... grope you. Especially there! Hahaha!”

I feel my face get instantly warm. “It’s okay,” I tell her.

Renee maintains her grin at me, no doubt to try to smooth over this awkward, and mildly semi-sexual situation we’ve inadvertently found ourselves in. Hearing the commotion in the stockroom, Benny comes around the corner and sees us on the floor in the middle of this huge mess of supplies and crushed boxes. “What the hell is going on back here?”

Renee just laughs and reaches up to him. “Pull me up, will ya?”

Sometimes it’s just the littlest things that can make a guy’s day, like noticing a girl do a double-take checking you out, or maybe a female friend playfully smacking your ass. How about a cute girl’s hand accidentally landing smack-dab on your private area? That one made my whole week! Okay, okay, I know, it was just an innocent slip-up, but hey, it makes me smile. Before Benny arrived in the stockroom, I swear she gave me a quick little squeeze - yeah, yeah, probably not, but it’s fun to think about anyway.

For the next couple of weeks everything is great at my job. Renee continues to schedule me whenever she’s working, I’m fine with that, I like working shifts with her.

In mid-July, she pulls me aside and asks if I would be interested in making some extra money on the side for my car and college fund. She explains, “My Dad is not only part owner of Pizza Depot, but he also owns the Fairlawn Apartments on MacArthur Avenue. Do you know where I’m talking about?”

“Yeah, I think I know where it is.”

“When a tenant’s lease is up and they move out we repaint the whole apartment before leasing to a new tenant. This repainting is something I help my dad with. Currently, I have five units to paint and only four weeks to get it all done. Would you be interested in helping me? We can pay you hourly what you make here, plus an extra dollar an hour on top. I’ve already asked my dad and he’s fine with it.”

“Wow, yeah! That sounds great but ... I’ve never painted any rooms before.”

“There’s nothing to it,” Renee assures. “I can have you painting like a pro in an hour or two.”

“Okay, count me in.”

A few days later I ride my bike to the Fairlawn Apartments and find building #4, and apartment #6 that Renee and I are to be painting. She told me to wear clothes that I don’t care if I get paint on and to be sure to wear shorts because it gets really hot in the units with the air conditioning vents covered up with masking.

It doesn’t take long for me to get the hang of using the paint roller. Renee works with the brush painting around all the edges and corners while I follow up.

Wall by wall everything is getting a fresh coat of white paint. I can see it will take us most of the day to complete this apartment. Two bedrooms plus closets, a small dining area, a nice-sized living room, a bathroom, and a kitchen all need to be repainted.

The former tenant left behind an old couch in the living room. Around noon Renee motions we should sit down and take a break. We’re both pouring sweat in this ridiculously hot and humid apartment. The additional moisture of the evaporating paint makes the air extra heavy. Opening the windows would offer no relief because the mid-July summer heat is just as bad outside.

Pouring sweat Renee quietly asks, “Would it be awkward for you if I took off my shirt? I’m burning up and I have a sports bra underneath.”

“Yeah, that’s fine, go for it.”

“Thanks ... take your shirt off too, if you want.”

I feel a little awkward doing so. I’ve never been one of those guys who felt comfortable going around shirtless unless I’m swimming. She’s right though it will feel better to take this sweat-soaked thing off. To take my mind off feeling uncomfortable I make casual conversation, “So where do you go to college?”

“Central Michigan University, or CMU as we call it, in Mount Pleasant.”

“What’s it like? Do you enjoy it?”

“Yeah, I love being away at college, lots of great parties and there’s always fun things going on. The homework can really be dumped on heavily by the professors though.”

“More than high school, huh?”

“Oh, hell yeah!” she agrees. “I’m going for a Business Management Degree. I’d like to take over running these apartments and maybe Pizza Depot someday. My dad works so hard and he isn’t getting younger.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” I nod.

“What about you? Are you planning on going to college?”

“Yeah, I definitely want to. I’m just not sure where yet and I’m not even sure what I want to major in.”

“You need to start thinking about that, you only have one more year of high school.”

“I know.”

“Kyle?” Renee asks. “I don’t want to put you on the spot or anything, but can I ask you for some guy advice on something?”

“Sure,” I shrug, “it’s fine. Remember that girl, Tiffany? She’s always asking me for guy perspective advice.”

“Okay ... so, there’s this guy at school who was in a couple of my classes last semester and his name is Tom. I kind of like him and I think there’s a chance he’s noticed me too but I’m not sure. He’s really shy and I’m more of an outgoing party girl if you haven’t noticed.”

“Yeah,” I smirk in agreement. “You’re pretty outgoing.”

“How do you think I could find out more about him? I’m not sure if I should approach him ... and if so, how? I don’t want to, like, scare him off or anything.”

“Does he know you like to party and that kind of stuff?”

“I don’t think so.”

I ponder this for a moment and then offer, “Hmmm, well ... if he’s on the shy side you would probably be safe in taking the initiative here. Try inviting him to a quiet-type activity. Keep it simple, meet up at a coffee shop or a nice bookstore or something. Quieter activities may put you out of your comfort zone but remember, being around outgoing girls puts a shy guy out of his. Maybe some low-key one-on-one time is what would work best.”

Renee says nothing for a bit, then, “I like it! Damn, Kyle, why didn’t I think of that?”

I make sure to add, “But, don’t hide the fact that you like parties and that sort of thing. He needs to know the real you. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.”

She shakes her head, “That Tiffany girl does not know how good she’s got it with you around.”

“Yeah ... that Tiffany,” I sigh.

“Aw, I’m sorry ... you really like her, don’t you?”

“It’s just ... I just ... I just don’t know what she sees in all those stupid jocks she hangs around with. She’s so much better than the likes of them.”

Renee leans in and gently says, “She’ll come around someday ... be patient. She’s young and hasn’t figured out what a real man is yet. For now, just keep being her friend, but that doesn’t mean closing yourself off to other options in the meantime.”

“Other options?”

“Absolutely! If some girl comes along that you want to date, go for it! A cute and nice guy like you should have no problems getting girls.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like my grandmother,” I mutter with a half-smirk.

“Well ... she is right!” Renee smirks back. “You’re a super nice guy.”

“Sometimes I wonder if that’s my problem ... I’m too nice.”

Renee puts her hand on my thigh, “Aw, Sport ... Stop thinking like that.”

“Sorry ... I don’t mean to turn this into a pity party for myself. It’s just something that’s been bothering me for a while.”

“It’s perfectly okay and, trust me, I get it,” she says standing up. “Stay put and I’ll be right back.” In the kitchen, she gets something from the fridge and returns with two ice-cold bottles of beer. Popping the tops, she hands one to me. “I think we could use these, don’t you?”

“Yeah, that sounds great!” I’ve never really drank beer before other than a sip I snuck from my dad’s beer a few years ago when he wasn’t looking. Back then I thought it tasted awful, but today nothing sounds more appealing.

Something Renee said earlier has my interest. I’m hesitant to ask but go for it anyway. “So ... you think I’m ... cute?”

“Yeah, you are!” She blurts out, looking at me like, you should know that! “First thing I noticed when you hired on.”

Sitting and enjoying the refreshing icy-cold beer in this stifling apartment Renee’s hand has nonchalantly settled back on my thigh. Gently rubbing the tender skin on the inner side, she’s letting her fingertips slowly roam up and down. I can’t help but notice how they keep traveling a little higher each time, they’re even starting to push up the leg of my shorts a little bit. Her simple actions are sending very strong tingly sensations emanating outward through my lower body. I’ve never had anyone rub this part of my leg before and she’s venturing so close to ... so very close to my-