John came in to my parents variety store almost every day to buy cigarettes and magazines. My parents had known him since high school. He was about the same age as them, mid 40's, single guy, a loner. He drove an old Pontiac and worked for the town driving a garbage truck.
I always laughed when my Dad saw him pull in to the parking lot. Dad couldn't stand him and was always happy to see him go. Stuck behind a store counter you were always a captive audience. He would stay and chat and chat with whoever was behind the counter.
I was 18 at the time, tall and lean and working at keeping in shape. My Dad took a job driving big rig trucks cross country leaving my Mom and I to work in the store. They were long hours but I didn't mind. I would take over from my Mom after I got home from school. She would give me a break for supper and to do some studying then I would work until closing at 10PM. After I closed up I would go for a run or hit the weights in the basement.
One night a half hour before closing John came in. I realized I hadn't seen him for a few weeks since my Dad took the other job. He always made me feel awkward, not too tall maybe 5'8" and had to weigh close to 300 lbs. He was a huge hulking man despite his height, arms like tree trunks, always a three day growth of beard. There was an odor about him, not unpleasant but strange. He always wore a wife beater T shirt and cargo shorts. His black hair, a huge mop on his head and when he wore those T shirts it was obvious his chest and body were covered with thick black hair.
I was serving some other people when he came in, giving me a nod and walking to the magazine stand at the back of the store. He was a big fan of the porn collection we had and with the cigarettes was one of the loyal buyers. My Mom hated having them in the store but my Dad convinced her they were one of the best money makers so they stayed. He came up to the till after the guys left with a few magazines and asked for a pack of cigarettes.
I said, "Hi John.....been awhile. My Mom was thinking of getting rid of the porn magazines. Slow sales when you aren't around."
He laughed, "Well maybe I should get a few more. Wouldn't want my source drying up. How have you been? Is you Dad still driving truck?"
"I am ok. School is a bitch but getting by. He is still driving. Going to be away for a couple of weeks."
He stopped and looked me over, "Wow I can tell you have been hitting the weights Rob. How big are those biceps?" He leaned over the counter taking my arm and squeezing the muscle. "Mmmm hard as a rock. Your dad told me you got a ball scholarship at State. Congratulations!"
I pulled back a little surprised by his sudden move. God, I am sure I giggled and blushed. "Thanks....I try. Getting ready for ball, trying to put on 10 pounds but it is hard enough keeping at 190."
John laughed and patted his huge belly. "You need to knock back a dozen Bud's everyday. That will put it on."
"I wish....have to wait a few years for that."
He said, "Always got lots of cold ones...come by any time. I wont tell your Mom."
"Thanks...I think. Is this all?" I picked up the magazines off the counter and a quick look saw that he had picked up Hustler, Penthouse and a couple of the Gay magazines that are hidden at the top of the rack by my Mom.
I looked up at him and could still feel my cheeks were rosy red. John smiled at me and said. "Yeah those mags and a pack of smokes."
