Part Eleven, Big trouble with Brenda
My life was settling into a comfortable rhythm. There were very few surprises that upset the harmonious balance that was being established. Much of the daily stress melted away as I knew what to expect with each coming day. A stable life made it easier to deal with and solve those pesky problems that would pop up out of nowhere. I owed my new happiness to Steph. She was the one responsible for establishing the foundation we had begun to build our relationship on. It was easy to wake up happy each morning, with a sense of purpose. Am I becoming a better person?
Each morning, I got up early to get ready for work. I walked over to the office to see how Steph was doing and help her get breakfast ready. It felt good to be an equal partner in the process. We got into a comfortable rhythm that made for a nice start to the day. Each evening after dinner we would make lunch for the following day. I could keep it fresh in the fridge overnight until I picked it up on my way to work. Steph and I worked well together and complimented each other as a team. I was aware of my roles and made sure Steph felt important.
While we were playing house, as Steph called it, I would think back to my mom and all the years she spent in the kitchen preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner so dad and I had something to eat. Mom never made anything of it. It was her job and she did it without even thinking about it. Dad and I never expressed gratitude for mom's hard work. Steph was teaching me that it was indeed hard work. It was the same thing with doing laundry and cleaning up. Clean clothes didn't magically appear and clean floors had to be cleaned by someone. I never got that. I never thanked mom for all her hard work that kept me cared for, fed, clean and comfortable. In my eyes it just happened. I was a terrible son.
Work went well. Paul was very happy and seldom cussed at me in anger. The guys on the framing and finishing crews appreciated everything I did for them, making their jobs easier and hassle free. And the coffee pot was paying for itself. All I had to do was spend the coffee funds from the tip jar. I could envision I would be making a pot of coffee a couple of times each morning. That took no time and the crew appreciated it.
With my access to the kitchen at The Barn, I was making fewer trips to the roach coach. Wendy had noticed me missing when she came on the site. I would have to make an effort to get a cold can of pop when she came around. I didn't want to burn any bridges with her. She was a good resource.
And Brenda was warming up to me too. I was no longer an inconvenient pain in the ass wasting her time. She was civil to me and always showed me her underwear with a wink and a smile. She would sometimes come up to the counter and flop her chest down on the back of my hands if my hands were on the counter. She'd give me an evil smile and a wink when she did that. She was quite a woman from an entirely different mold than the one used for Steph. It was risky entertainment but a nice addition to the day.
When I got back to The Barn Wednesday, Steph had left a note reminding me that she was gone for the day and would see me Thursday morning before I left for work. Hopefully she had an uneventful drive over to Craig, down to Meeker and on to Rifle. It was a long trip through sparsely populated country. There could be bad times waiting for a careless traveler out on those roads. I hoped she would be fine. I hoped for the best, got changed and headed out for a night with the boys.
The most popular night spot on the Hill was the Cave Inn. Construction workers and townies alike flocked to the bar for music, drinks and a good time. We met in the parking lot at 8:00 and went in to order beers. We settled into one of the caverns and crashed down in the bean bag chairs and big cushions. The lights on the ceiling flashed and changed colors in rhythm with the loud music. There were lots of other men and women in there with us. It was a loud party atmosphere. We talked trash about work and told off color jokes and stories. I didn't have much to contribute but I listened intently and laughed as much as anyone else, I was just another member of the gang.
Some groups of women were eyeing the men trying to see who would be the best to hook up with for a party. I was getting looked over but the women always went for the bigger guys. I guess I just wasn't the eye candy type that evening. One plain looking gal came over to share my cushion and strike up a conversation. She wasn't dressed for action like most of the other women in her group. She wasn't advertising anything with her outfit. We spoke for a few minutes and there was zero chemistry after a short while. Four of her friends came over to get her and five men from the crew got up to join them in the dance room.
So, I was left alone with the remainder of my workmates. We watched our cohorts through the door as they danced and ground on the women. My plain Jane was all over her partner and hands were going into pants and under shirts in no time at all. She may have been plain, but she was horny and knew what she wanted. I could clearly see one of my friend's hands in between her legs and rubbing away at her pussy. Her hand was in his pants and she had a hold on his dick. They were both on a mission.
Another group of women came in and sat down among us. Conversations started and everyone began to pair off. Problem was, there were five guys and four women. And, in a few more minutes I was by myself as the other four pairs got up and went dancing. Shit. Maybe it was for the best. I was going to be true to Steph in spite of my interest in getting something strange tonight. Everybody else in the group was swapping spit, grinding and feeling up the women. At least the Cave Inn was living up to its reputation as the place to party.
I was finishing my beer when a woman walked in, came over to my cushion and flopped down. Short skirt, see through blouse, all made up and seemingly ready to party. She picked a spot next to the only single guy in the room. So maybe it was the night I might get lucky with someone from town. She smelled nice, and from what I could see from the back, had a nice figure.
"Shit!" she proclaimed loudly. Then she turned around and looked at me. She was pretty, well built, scantily clothed and named Brenda. My Brenda. She turned on the pillow, spreading her legs and flashing me with her dark purple satin panties. Great...
"What's up Brenda?" I was a little confused as to why she singled me out. She looked a little mad at the world.
"I've got a fucking flat and it's time to go." Her van would be a handful for anyone changing a flat and she certainly was not dressed for the task. Most women would want to drive a small sedan. Brenda had one of the biggest vans available from the car manufacturers. People lived in those things.
"I'll give you $5 to change my tire. You don't look busy and you'll be able to buy yourself a beer after."
"Well, I'm here with..." I started, but she cut me off.
"$10. I got no other option here. Help me..."
She had a point. I wasn't doing anything and free beers were always a good idea. I had my work gloves in the truck and would be able to change her tire. So, I decided to help her out of her jam.
"Okay, I'm not busy and free beer sounds good to me. Show me where your van's parked."
We both got up. She pulled her mini skirt down to cover her panties and headed for the front door. I followed her out of the loud, dimly lit club into a large, car filled parking lot. Fresh air was good after the smokey club interior.
"I got here late. I'm parked way out in bum fuck. The van is way over this way." We were walking near my truck so I had her wait while I dug out my gloves. I'd changed enough flats to know that gloves were a good idea to keep from banging up fingers and knuckles. We kept walking. No kidding, her van was out in bum fuck. It was as far from the Cave Inn as you could possibly get. We got to her van and sure enough, the left rear tire was flat, rim on the ground.
"The spare is in the second row and the jack is under the back seat. The back door is broke so you'll have to get the jack from the inside." She opened the side, sliding door on the van. The light came on and I could see the spare. She pointed to the back bench where the jack was stowed.
