Chapter 1

Climbing down out of my Silverado, I winced and grabbed my lower back. I had pulled something earlier in the day at work. Sighing, I reminded myself I wasnt as young as I used to be, and that I needed to stop bulling. I had picked up one end of a ten foot piece of four inch I-beam, tossed it onto the back of a flat bed, and then walked around, bent over and picked up the other end and shoved it on the truck. I had done this in frustration because the young turds I was supervising were whining "it was too heavy. Cant we wait for the fork truck?" I glared at the two, and said,

"We dont always have time to wait for the fork truck, when I tell you two to get something done, that is what I expect. Next time I will send you packing back to the temp agency job center. You got it?"

They hung their heads, looking at the ground, refusing to meet my eyes. One nodded, the other muttered "Yes sir."

"Now, you boys get the entire site picked up. I want all construction debris gathered, with all wood products seperated from the sheetrock and paper ... ok?" You've got about an hour left before quitting time, should be plenty of time for two young strapping men like yourselves. Once you have that done, come find me so I can do a inspection."

They scooted out of my sight and I chuckled. I was young and dumb once too I reminded myself.

Anyway, I had pulled something in my back when I manhandled the I-beam to impress the two young temps, I'm glad the OSHA rep wasnt around, or he would have written me up. So, I was not so young and dumb.

So now, I hobbled the first few steps across the parking lot of the supermarket that I had stopped at on my way home from work. I needed some food supplies. After a few ginger steps the back loosened up and I was able to walk normally with just a twinge every so often. I'd get over it.

I walked into the large portico that housed the shopping carts and grabbed on, walked through the automatic sliding glass doors into the produce department. I took a right turn, pushing my cart towards the mushrooms and almost ran my cart into an outstanding backside. The backside was adorned in white capris, which really highlighted the rich chocolate creamy skin of the lady's calves, were tight enough to show very well defined and lithe legs. She was wearing a fuschia top that was form fitting and detailed a narrow waist and long nicely shaped back and shoulders. Her shoulders were covered in luxurient wavy dark hair, and on her feet were simple moc's. I managed to stop the cart before hitting her, and somehow managed not to ogle ... well, I ogled a little, but I dont think she noticed. She was looking over the selection of mushrooms too, selected some white button shrooms, while I sidled up besider her, grabbed a couple of portabello's and smiled. Her eyes flickered over me for an instant, and she smiled back.

I noticed she was not wearing a ring on her left hand. I also noticed that she had beautiful high cheekbones, dark oval shaped eyes, pouty lips, a narrow uptilted nose that featured a smattering of freckles, and incredibly white teeth. She was absolutely beautiful.

I dropped the plastic bag containing the two portabello's, catching her eye once again, I raised an eyebrow and smiled, and headed for the onions. I grabbed a couple of red onions, a 4-5 count bag of shallots, and a couple of garlic cloves. Circling around to the leafy greens, I snagged a plastic bin of baby spinach and felt eyes on me, looking up I just caught her looking away, her cheeks flushing slightly, like she knew she had been caught. Hmmm ... shy?, I wondered. Then I told myself,

"John, get a grip, WHY would she be looking at you? This woman is WAY out of your league son, just do your shopping and stop thinking that you are James Bond ... irresistable to any woman."

But, dammit ... she WAS looking.

Sighing, I turned and headed for the condiment aisle. Turning the corner to head up the aisle, I noticed she was coming down the aisle from the other end, stopping at the BBQ sauce selection, studying the different brands and flavors, evidently enraptured by all the choices. Then SHE looked up and caught ME gazing at her, and dammit, I did the same thing ... I quickly looked away.

Jesus, what a smooth move John.

Feeling like a high school boy who has just got caught peeking around the divider in the gymnasium at the girls gym class, I pretended to study a few labels in the pickeled artichoke selection. I mean PLEASE, who th' fuck even liked these things? Finally looking up, I saw her walking by me pushing her cart with a smug little smile on her face, and I watched her as she continued down the aisle.

Did I notice a decernable twitch to that magnificent ass?

Then she stopped. She bent over to take something from the bottom shelf ... it was yellow, so a squeeze bottle of mustard, I figured ... but I wasnt really paying attention to the product in her hands. She was displaying that incredible ass, and I couldnt stop myself from staring, and taking a deep breath ... I think I caught myself before I let out a low whistle.

My goodness!

Turning my cart, I headed the other way as quickly as possible. I mean Jesus! I was going to drive myself insane. I skipped a couple of aisles, figuring I wouldnt run directly into her again, to let my heartbeat and my imagination simmer down. I sauntered through the frozen foods, grabbing a bag of seasoned fries, a few prepared frozen boxes of oriental rice, and some cream cheese stuffed jalpenos. Then, it was time to head to the meet... , oops, I mean ... meat section. I looked over the offerings, checking to see what was on sale this week. Chicken thighs, bone in, skins on, 99 cents a pound. Awesome on the grill, I grabbed a five pound package. Porterhouse, $6.99/lb, grabbed one thick cut. Ground turkey, 95 % fat free, $3.99/lb, took one. Baby beef liver, $6.99/lb., fuck that. I was looking over the baby back ribs, when I glanced up and saw her selecting a package of hamburger. I tried a crooked smile and watched her ... she felt it, looked up, wiggled her eyebrows and smiled as she set the package in her cart and sauntered on by to check out the sausage.

Ok ... yes I know, that was gratuitous, but she WAS checking out the sausage!

So, anyway ... I moved into the dogfood section, then realized, I dont have a fucking dog...

C'mon John, focus!

I decided, I wanted sushi, so I turned around and headed back to the meant and seafood section. She was gone, but the sushi was on full display. I selected a package of California roll, and a "tuna dragon" with lots of wasabi and soy sauce. Finally, I decided enough with the fun little dance, time to get the chips, cheese, butter, eggs, and pre packaged thing of smoked ham and blow this clambake. I wanted a beer and I wanted to eat.