I went back to pick up my black and white photos from Printko. The beautiful blonde with black-rimmed glasses waited on me once again. She had a glow about her today. Like something really good had happened to her already. Today, I was dressed in my business attire. I had just come from work. I was dressed much differently from the last time I was at Printko. Last time I had worn jeans, the only pair that I wear. I own two other pairs of jeans. One is my back up pair, in case the ones I always wear need a wash. I wear that pair only for the brief time the other jeans in the wash. Then back they go into the closet. The third and final pair of jeans is for the garage and yard work, which is covered in stains and rips. With the jeans I worn my old beat up tan work boots, no underwear, a t-shirt, which one I can’t remember, and of course, my black hoodie. This was my standard wardrobe outside of work. On this day, I looked much different. Like a professional and all grown up. Boring.
She remembered me. Of course she would.
She said, “Calvin, right?”
I smiled, “That’s me.”
“I have your pictures right here, let me get them.”
“Take your time…there’s no rush.”
I waited patiently as she searched through a big metal pullout drawer full of pictures that hadn’t been picked up. I was faced perpendicular to the counter looking at the door that I just entered. I had one elbow on the counter. Something caught me eye. I looked over to where the lovely Michele was getting my pictures. She was completely bent over looking in the bottom drawer. I was very impressed and I knew she did this on purpose. Well, if this isn’t a slap in the face that she wants me I don’t know what is. She had a wonderful figure. She either worked out all the time or never ate. I hoped it wasn’t the latter. She returned with the pictures.
“They came out really good. You’re quite the artist.”
“They came out good huh?” So she did see the pictures. “Mind if I check them out before I pay.”
“Not at all.”
I tore the little flap open and pulled out the pictures. I filed through them looking for the pornographic picture that I hoped came out and that I hoped she saw. And there it was. With a post-it note saying, “I like this one the best, Michelle.” A huge smile came across my face. At that point my confidence shot through the roof.
I looked at her and said, “we should go out sometime.”
Her smile brightened, “I’d like that.”
“Give me your number and I’ll give you a call.”
“Sure let me get a pen and paper.”
“Just a pen, you can write it on the back of this picture.” I handed her the picture. She blushed and began to write her number down. Before she was finished I asked her, “And, would mind making a copy of this picture?”
“Sure, I can do it right here on the copier. What size?”
“What ever size you would like. The picture is for you.” Her face was beyond blushing, she was bright red now but still smiling. She made a modest 4x6 print. Good choice I thought. Not overbearing, not too small. She came back and handed me the original and said, “Here you go.” I smiled and told her I would give her a call. I walked out slowly, wondering if she was letting me walk out without paying or if she just didn’t realize. Either way I kept going.
