"Well, we could use some help moving this sofa into the house," you say, looking down.
"Sure, no problem. I'll grab the far end and you direct where it goes." Dan climbs into the van and lifts one end of the worn sage green sofa. You grab the other end - you may be flabby and very overweight, you’re not willing to let this guy think you’re weak. Working hard, you hoist your end of the sofa, while Dan lifts his with apparent ease. You keep the sofa close to you as you back out of the van. At the bottom of the ramp, your dad comes out.
“Hi, stranger, giving Pete a hand?”
“Sure am.”
“Dad, this is Dan,” you say quickly. “Dan, this is my Dad. This is going in the family room, right?”
“Yes it is,” your Dad replies.
After getting the sofa in and putting it down, you both plop on the seat. The heat and humidity is making you both sweat - you feel it trickling down your back, and you see little beads on Dan’s forehead.
"So, Pete, where do you guys come from?" Dan asks.
“Chicago. Dad’s been transferred here - he manages for ConAgra.”
“Cool,” replies Dan. “Are you looking for work, or going to school.”
“School. Baker College. Do you know it?”
“Sure, that’s where I’m going in September! Do you know your program?”
“General science for now, but I’m thinking about chemical research.”
“I’m in gen science too, but I want to be an engineer. Or maybe a grease monkey.”
“Grease monkey?”
“Mechanic - I love fixing things. Well, I gotta get going. I promised my girl I'd pick her up after work." Dan grinned his thousand watt smile. "Nice meeting you Pete."
Despite your earlier discomfort about him seeing you, you instinctively like Dan. He’s easy-going and you hope he might help you meet new friends. After he stands up, he turns and...
(based on an original chapter by redhead)
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