Today was a day like any other. The house was empty and I had nothing to do, so I went to the local Office Max where I do my printing to ask them about a new project I was doing. When I run my errands, I don’t feel like dressing up, so I usually wear my Redskins jersey, a baseball cap, and some sweats. That day, I put on my usual and some lipstick, hoping that that would help people to not think I was gay or anything. Then I got in my car and drove on over.
The sliding doors slid open and the smell of fresh paper greeted me. I had no need for anything else in the store, so I went straight to the printing counter. At the counter, a younger boy about my daughter’s age came up to help me. He was about 6’2” tall with dark chocolate skin and the prettiest teeth I had ever seen in my life. His hair was kind of low with waves and the sides and the back were tapered. He had a goatee, and through his jet black work shirt I could see his chest poking out, showing that he worked out…regularly.
“Hey! You’re a Redskins fan?”
“Yes, I am!”
“High five!” We high- fived each other over the counter. “Did you watch the game on Sunday?”
“Actually, no I didn’t.”
“What? And you call yourself a fan?”
“Well, I was busy on Sunday so I couldn’t watch,” I lied. I only watch the Redskins when they play my sister’s team, the Cowboys. I think I only liked them because when I was a kid, my father liked them, but I don’t really watch sports.
“Aw man, good game though. Well, what can I do for you today?”
“Well, I was wondering if I could see your heaviest paper.”
“Sure.” He pulled out the paper. I felt it and played with it, and he must have noticed my face because he asked, “Is that what you’re looking for?”
“No, I’m making church fans, so I need something kind of heavy but not too heavy.”
“Okay, let me see what I can find.” He went back to his paper stack and brought out another piece of paper. “Okay, this is 120-pound paper. This might be better.”
I did my usual feel test. “Oh, this is perfect!”
“Cool. So did you want me to print something out for you?”
“Not today. I just needed to make sure you guys had it.”
“Okay, well feel free to come back anytime.”
“Thank you.” I left and went back to my lonely home.
By the next week, it was time for me to print, and I got dressed and went back to Office Max. This time I had my hair and makeup done and I was wearing my leopard print dress with the ¾-length sleeves.