Chapter 3

The next morning, when I finally woke up, her scent was still in the air; okay, actually in the covers on the bed. After just smelling them for several minutes, and feeling a little foolish; I showered, dressed, stripped the bed, and went to do laundry. I mentioned earlier that my landlords let me use their washer and dryer as needed; I walked through the back yard and knocked on the Miller’s back door. Fortunately Mrs. Miller answered; when I showed her my bundle of bedding, she just smiled and motioned me in.

“Carl, how are you doing? Laundry, I see; well, you know where the machines are, go ahead and get at it. Would you like a cup of coffee or something?”

“I’m good.”

“Come to the kitchen when you’ve got that started, Mr. Miller would like to ask a favor of you.”

“I’ll be right there.”

I got the laundry going; then headed to the kitchen wondering what was up. Both the Millers were sitting at the kitchen table, Mr. Miller reading the newspaper, his hearing aid on the table. Mrs. Miller gestured me to a chair, and reached over and rattled the newspaper.

“Carl’s here, go ahead and ask him,” she said.

“I can do it, Carl’s probably pretty busy,” he said to her, grimacing and putting the hearing aid in his ear. “How are you doing Carl, the apartment alright?” he said to me, putting down the paper.

“I’m doing pretty good; the apartment is great. I hope I’m not bothering you back there.”

“Not at all; so far, you’ve been the best tenant we’ve ever had. I was a little worried you’d be having a bunch of wild parties back there; if it weren’t for your car coming and going, we’d hardly know you’re around. We were expecting you’d be having a few late-night visitors; if you know what I mean,” he said with a grin.

“Don’t you start teasing him, or giving him any ideas,” Mrs. Miller spoke up.

“I’m sure he’s had plenty of ideas already; I’m just letting him know if he has a female guest, even late at night, we don’t care.”

“It might happen, but it will surprise the heck out of me if it does,” I said. “I’m not much of a partier; just trying to stay out of trouble and save my money. Mrs. Miller said you needed something? Anything I can do? I got nothing going on until 4:30 when I have to head to work.”

“It’s not important; just the riding mower won’t start. I figured out what’s wrong and ordered the parts, but it’s going to take a few weeks to get them. Probably won’t come in until next spring, good thing summer’s almost over. I need to break out the old mower and get it going; I can have my daughter help me mow the lawn.”

“You need the lawn mowed? No problem; I love mowing the grass.”

“Carl, no one likes mowing the grass, let alone love it.”

“No, really; it’s easy, mindless work, the smell of the fresh-cut grass, working in the sunlight; it’s not a bad way to spend an hour or two.”

“Are you sure? My back’s not too good, pushing the mower would be a real pain for me. I can pay you a couple bucks.”

“That’s not necessary; like I said, I’d enjoy it.”

“Well ... okay. The lawn’s getting a little shaggy, when can you do it?”

“Today if you’d like; I’m just doing laundry before going to work. I can do the front right now, switch the clothes to the dryer, and then finish with the back.”

“I can put the clothes in the dryer for you,” Mrs. Miller stated. “You’re getting a little shaggy yourself, would you like me to cut your hair? I’ve got a little beauty parlor set up in the other end of the house; I don’t have any customers coming in today and it would be a way to pay you back.”

“That would be greatly appreciated,” was my answer. “How about you give me a quick trim now, before I get sweaty, then we’ll get the dryer loaded before I go to work on the lawn.”

“I’ll dig out the old mower and make sure it works,” Mr. Miller stated, then moved to get up.

“Follow me,” Mrs. Miller said. “The parlor is past the living room, in what used to be the family room; I don’t think you’ve seen it,” she continued as she led me to the other end of the house.

“I knew it was here,” I replied as we walked into the salon. “This is nice; do you do a lot of business?”

“Well; with three of our daughters moved out, and their friends moved on, it’s slowed down a lot; I mostly just do the neighbors’ hair. I’ve got 15-20 regulars, enough to keep me busy without being overtaxed.”

“A few of the waitresses at the restaurant might need a good hair stylist,” I said as I sat in the chair. “I could tell them about you, if you’d like. The manager might let me put up a little flyer on the bulletin board.”

“That would be really nice; I’ll have my daughter Mary put a small one together. You just want a trim?”

“Please. I know all the guys have longer hair these days, but it’s too much bother for me. I hate it when it starts hitting my ears, and I like the top just long enough to comb.”

15 minutes later I moved the clothes to the dryer and went to find Mr. Miller. I found him in one of the garage stalls, just getting ready to start the old mower. “I put new fuel in it, and cleaned the spark plug too; it should be ready to go,” he said. “It was working okay when I stored it a couple years ago; I almost sold it then. Hopefully it will start with just a couple of pulls; you want to do the honors?” Surprising both of us, it started right up; 2 hours later I was done, and pushed the mower back to the garage. Both Millers joined me there, the Mrs. with my clothes nicely folded in her arms.

“You didn’t have to fold them, but thanks,” I said to her, taking the clothes from her. “How’s the lawn look?” I asked Mr. Miller. “I took a little extra care doing it, this being my first time; I didn’t want to run anything over.”

“It looks great, thank you,” was his reply. “And my daughter Mary will thank you. She really wasn’t looking forward to doing the lawn.”

“She’d have done it,” Mrs. Miller added, “but she would have taken forever, and complained about it for days. She’s being a little difficult right now, just teenager stuff. She probably won’t say anything to you.”

“Well, it was a nice little workout for me, and I liked doing it. Let me know when you think it needs done again.” I took my clothes up the stairs to the apartment, made the bed, and got ready to go to work.

I don’t think I ever again in my life, looked forward to going to work as much as I did that evening. When I got there Chris was already in the break room chatting with a few of the other waitresses waiting to clock in. We just smiled at each other; then after a few more minutes of everyone talking with each other, she looked at me and said loudly, “I’ve got something for you.” I raised my eyes and looked at her questionably.

“I just wanted to let you know much we appreciate how fast the food comes out of the kitchen, and how good it is; that can really affect our tips,” she said as she stood, pulled a little blue ribbon out of her pocket, and started pinning it on my shirt with a grin on her face. All the other girls were also smiling at me, nodding approval. “It’s just a little gag gift; having a bit of fun.”

“Thank you,” I said, trying hard not to laugh. “You shouldn’t have.”

“I was just picking up a couple of things at the store and noticed it; I thought it was cute. I bought a dozen of them, so when anyone else does a good job around here for an extended period of time, I’ll pass one out.”

Mike, the manager, was standing there and said to me, “I should have thought of this, or at least said something earlier. I’m glad Chris did this; it’s one of the many reasons she’s the night-shift head waitress. It’s well deserved, and you are most appreciated. Well done.”

“You know I’m not changing my plans, and will still be leaving for the Marine Corps in a few months?” I said with a grin.

“I know, I know; I’m probably going to have to hire 2 or 3 people to replace you,” he answered. “Don’t let that go to your head; and no, you can’t have a raise,” the manager smiled back. “Okay everybody, clock in and get to work.”

The rest of the night was mostly uneventful, except for Chris subtlety messing with me. Nothing really noticeable; though she had the opportunity once to order a rare steak during the evening supper rush, and winked at me when ordering it. Towards the end of the night, after the supper rush was over and the part-time employees had left work, I followed her into the storeroom. “Need any help?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” she whispered. “Get your cute little butt in here and shut the door.” Once inside; she just looked at me for a moment, smiled, then she quickly wrapped me in her arms and gave me a kiss; soon sticking her tongue in my mouth.

I eagerly returned the kiss, grabbing her ass and pressing us together. After a few seconds we came up for air and I had a chance to say; “I think I remember someone saying something about taking it easy, go slow, no tongue? At least at work?”

“Screw that,” she giggled. “I thought I would be the calm and cool one; and you’d be all hands.” Another kiss, and she started working her body against me.

“I want to put my hands all over you,” I said between kisses. “I just don’t want to mess up your uniform. I was really hoping we’d be good, and you wouldn’t be having second thoughts.”

“I had second, third, and fourth thoughts before I followed you in here the first time; after last night I’m all in. It’s been hours and I’m still getting an occasional shiver; one of the girls asked why I was glowing so. Even the little soreness I feel is good.” Another couple long kisses. “I couldn’t find an appropriate trophy; I hope the blue ribbon is enough,” she softly laughed.

“At least it said ‘First Place’; I almost cracked up in front of everybody. I hate to say this, but we need to get back to work.”

“Look who’s being the responsible one; I don’t know if I should be impressed or disappointed.”

“It’s a super-power I’m trying to develop; I don’t think I’m going to get to be very well-known for it.”

“How did you get to be so quick, mentally?” she asked as we reluctantly got untangled.

“I told you, I read a lot; and I listen and pay attention. Going to the library used to be one of my favorite things to do.”

“Used to be?”

“Used to be; it’s moved down the list recently. Want to hear the new top four or five?” I innocently asked. I loved that laugh of hers, it made me feel good. We had separated just in time; Sandy, one of the other waitresses, came through the door.

“Did you find the ‘to-go’ cups?” she asked Chris.

“Yes, Carl was just helping me get them down,” Chris answered. “Maybe we can go over your list sometime,” she said to me, her eyes sparkling.

“What list?” Sandy asked.

“Carl has a list of his favorite things to do.”