Wheat and Chaff
By Sharon Poppen
As they nursed their espressos, Michael and Pete scanned the documents for the property Michael was about to buy.
Michael glanced at his watch. "Damn, I hate all this waiting." He combed his hand through a head of sandy-colored hair and brushed some dust from his tee and Levis. "You’ve already verified that all the required permits have been approved. All we need to do is sign the buyer's agreement. Doesn’t that agent understand how urgent it is to shorten our truck routes? Why can't someone else in the office help us?"
Pete shrugged. "Policy."
"Bullshit."
Pete laughed, then nodded his head toward a couple of blonds sitting at a nearby table.
"Oh yeah, like I'm in the mood for assessment and rejection."
"Hey, you won't know unless you try."
"No thanks. Cupid works for the devil. Besides, you already snagged the best one." Michael thought Pete’s wife Shelly had everything a man needed - smart, supportive and madly in love with her husband.
"Yep, Shelly’s the best one for me. Now you need to find the best one for
you."
During their banter, Michael acknowledged some sly glances from the blonds. Both were attractive, but one had a Jennifer Aniston hairdo, a come-on smile and was flashier than her friend. Trying to determine Flashy’s eye color, Michael found himself locked onto her baby blues. After a quick, teasing smile, she turned her attention back to her friend.
"Dude, you can't pass up that look. Go for it."
Frustration over past experiences held Michael from making a move. Pete recognized the doubt in his friend's _expression. He got up, grabbed both their coffee cups and started for the girls’ table. Michael sighed and followed.
"Ladies, you seem to have the best table in the house. Would you mind if my friend and I joined you?"
The women smiled as the flashier girl spoke up. "That's quite a line." She nudged a vacant chair toward him with her foot. "Does it always work?"
"Amazingly, yes." They all laughed as the men settled down. Introductions were made and Pete announced his marital status so as to direct their attention to Michael.
The flirter introduced herself as Tracy. Her friend was Jenna. Tracy dominated the conversation with her sharp wit and overt flirtation with Michael. Flattered by her attention, Michael enjoyed her banter. Occasionally, Jenna would offer an opinion or comment, but Tracy always found a way to turn the conversation back her way.
Eventually, Pete noticed the time. "Sorry to break this up, but it's almost nine. We'll have to leave your pleasant company."
"So soon?” Tracy's lower lip formed a sultry pout.
"We have some important papers to sign," said Michael.
"Really?" she purred. "What do you two do for a living?"
"We're ..." Pete began.
Michael interrupted. "We're garbage men. That's what we do for a living."
Tracy recoiled as if a plate of week-old halibut had been placed on the table. "Garbage men!"
"Yep," Michael nodded with an air of pride.
"Well, isn't that nice." Tracy downed the last of her coffee, grabbed her purse and stood up. "Jenna, ready?"
"I've never had the chance to talk with a garbage man." The genuine interest in Jenna's eyes was a balm to Michael's rejection frustration. "I'll bet you have some really interesting stories to tell."
"A few." Michael found himself wondering about this woman who was not daunted by his profession. He smiled. “Like to have dinner sometime and listen to them?"
Jenna hesitated as she assessed Michael.
"Jenna, let's go." Tracy handed Jenna her purse.
Jenna opened it and pulled out a pen. She took a napkin and wrote 555-3434, then slid it over to Michael. The men stood up as the women hurried from the coffee nook. Only Jenna paused at the door to wave goodbye.
"Why do you do that garbage man bit?" Pete asked.
"Because, it's what we really are." He smiled.
“You’re the owner of the garbage company, not the pick-up guy. “
“Technically, I’m the owner’s son. But to answer your question, I do it to separate the wheat from the chaff, my friend." Feeling good about his possibilities with Jenna, Michael led Pete toward the real estate office across the street.
The End
Sharon Poppen, Lake Havasu City, Arizona – Her novel ‘After the War, Before the Peace’ is available at www.xlibris.com/sharonpoppen. Her western serial ‘Hannah’ is available at www.keepitcoming.net. Has received awards from the Arizona Authors Association and National League of American Pen Women. Contact her at poppen@citlink.net
