Lez and the Country

Little Brother

2009-08-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

I had to drive 184 miles to pick Jason up. It was the cheapest flight for a rather last minute ticket and I didn't mind the drive. I was torn between leaving really early in the morning or driving the night before. I had decided to get up real early, but then I changed my mind just before 8. And I flew down the freeway making it to Portland by 10:14. I may have been driving a little above the speed limit.

I got a room at a hotel near the airport. It was one of the nicer looking ones. And all they had available at that time of night at the last minute were the priciest of the rooms. I hauled myself to my room and eyeballed the jacuzzi tub. I changed my mind again and found myself at the hotel bar instead. I felt the need for some company that night. And if I happened to find company that would gladly join me in the jacuzzi tub, well I wasn't going to complain.

I noticed her right away, sitting off to the side in the back with a good view of everyone coming and going from the bar. Prime real estate when you find yourself at a bar alone. She had an old school style, like she could have stepped out of a black and white tv, or a pinup calendar from the 50's. She was Katy Perry minus the tacky hair flower, and hopefully liked to kiss girls not because she's curious or her boyfriend likes it. These cities girls, I tell you, certainly have their own style. I didn't think I was looking too country, but I did feel under-dressed. It is hard to be completely out of place in Portland though, even in a hotel bar the crowd is always diverse.

I bellied up to the bar and asked for a Highland Park or Glenlivet on the rocks. They usually at least have Glenlivet. I was planning to sip tonight and not shoot, plus the whisky would leave with a clearer hangover than beer would, if it came to that point. Of course I wasn't planning on drinking too much.

I was not surprised when the lady found the empty stool beside me. She seemed the type to play my favorite game, one I used to play quite often. To an outside observer it would appear as if I initiated the conversation. But I rarely had to put forth any effort. She set down an empty tumbler, similar to mine, that I noticed was full when I first walked in.

The bartender asked her, "Same?"

She nodded and smiled and looked coyly my way.

"An Old Fashioned?" I asked. The remnants of cherry and lemon gave it away.

"I'm impressed." She wasn't expecting me to know what she was drinking, she was just expecting me to buy it for her.

I handed the bartender a 20 and told him to keep the change. She seemed impressed again. But I knew these would be our last drinks, and that would make even that a cheaper night than most.

"Thanks." she said before taking a sip. Then she licked her lips. No this wasn't going to take very long at all.

"No problem," I said, "It's a good day to buy a pretty lady a drink."

"Good day? Are you in a celebratory mood?" Most girls comment on the pretty lady (yes I've used that line before).

"Everyday is a good day to celebrate." Sometimes, I don't know where I come up with this shit.

"That's a good way to live." She sipped more of her cocktail. "So tell me stranger... How long are you in town for?"

"Just for the night... I have to pickup my little brother from the airport tomorrow morning." Don't ask me why I said that.

"Military?"

"No, Texas." She seemed satisfied with that answer.

"You got a place to stay tonight?" See that didn't take very long at all.

"Fourth floor... jacuzzi suite."

"I sure do love a good jacuzzi."

She left the ball in my court. But this was all part of the game. I had to be the one to seal the deal.

"I was certainly contemplating enjoying it tonight after my drink. Care to join me?"

We left our half empty drinks at the bar.

Thank goodness I had already set the alarm on my cell phone. Didn't do all that much good though. I don't know what is with me lately but I've been in a mood... I guess 'the' mood and waking up to a naked woman who stretched and pulled the covers down exposing her soft back arching and the curve of her hip and... Sorry getting distracted just like it distracted me Thursday morning. So it was one more time as she was just waking up (a nice way to wake up I might add) and again in the shower as we attempted to clean up.

As we left the hotel I asked her if she needed a ride anywhere, even though I was already running late. She said she'd get a taxi. She gave me a quick kiss goodbye.

"Thanks, I had a good time last night..." she said. I think she blushed "...and this morning."
"Me too."

I broke another of my rules. I never got her name. I got in my truck and drove to the airport.

Luck was on my side once again when some plane delays meant I wasn't too late. I found Jason at the luggage carousel just as he grabbed an old military gunny sack. He had on a Texas Tech baseball cap and looked like he could be the cousin of Kenny Chesney, only his shirt had the sleeves. But he totally had that baby face. I felt sorry for the single girls in town, I was going to have tell them he's already taken, and maybe possible comfort them. See, this is where my mind has been going lately...

"Jason?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Welcome to Oregon. I'm Sally."

We shook hands. He had a good solid shake and didn't give off any creepy vibes. I'll admit I was a little bit jealous thinking of how all the women in town were going to swoon. But then again, I've certainly had my fair share already from the local female population.

We got back and I set him up in the room that was meant for Mandy. I drove him around the farm and showed him where everything was. Took him to the store and got steaks for dinner. He allowed it only if he could cook them because he had to shoe me "how they do it in Texas." After dinner he spoke up for the first time without me really prompting him.

"I just wanted to thank you for your hospitality. You've been really kind. I think we'll do good here, Rachel and I. So uh.. Thank you."

Then he went into his room.

I think he'll do just fine here too. And I'm happy to have someone to actually help me with the work around here.

Back To School

2009-08-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

Mandy's decided her last day should be Friday, even though she won't start school for like another two weeks. I was fine with that as I'm picking up Jason later this week. I figured we'd get by just fine.

I've got to say, she definitely knows how to make an exit. And of course I found myself extremely willing considering it had been over a month... For me at least, I was fairly certain it wasn't the same for her.

I signed her last paycheck as her car sat packed with just a weeks worth of laundry and her toothbrush. It was a little awkward. She was wearning the same skirt she wore to dinner that first week she was here. I had wondered if she had done it on purpose. When we were setting up her room for the night I had made a comment how she looked good in it. She said anytime she wore it I could pin her up against the wall and take her. That was how she came to sleeping in my bed that night. This was the first time I'd seen her wear it since then.

She reached out for a hug and I couldn't deny her. Then, when she kissed me softly, I knew she had definitely planned to wear that skirt. And it totally worked just like she knew it would. I kissed her harder and she pulled away. What a tease. She leaned forward and nibbled on my ear and whispered "Take me up against the wall."

And so I did. And again on the desk with her skirt pushed up and my knees on the floor. She knew exactly what she was getting before she left, as she had not bothered to put on panties.

She needed a moment to recover, but she straightened out her clothes, kissed me on the cheek and said "I guess I'll see you later." I'm thinking that isn't going to happen any time soon.

Phone Tag

2009-08-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

What Luck! Called my old prof. First phone call I made, figuring as I said before that he could send someone my way come May and I would suffer until then. That was not the case.

"I actually got a call from an associate of mine in Texas not all that long ago. He's got a kid looking for employment. Thought sending him out west would be good for him."

"Seriously?"

He filled me in on some basics. His name is Jason. He graduated from Texas Tech in Agribusiness and had actually been working on a wheat farm before he even started college. It wasn't his family's farm though, like how it was for me.

"They let him go for apparently no good reason what so ever. But his professor said he was certain it had nothing to do with this kids ability or skill. In fact he spoke very highly of him." There was a pause. "And nothing illegal, certainly not anything like your last guy."

"I certainly hope not!"

He paused some more.

"It's just that he... Well... You know what the details just aren't that important especially for someone like you Sally. From what I gather I think he'd be a perfect fit and just what you are looking for. Trust me on this one, like the time I told you to take that theatre class."

He was my advisor as well. I got an incomplete in speech my first semester and he thought going about it the long way would help me. And it did. I became even more suave with the ladies than before. That and I passed speech that next year with flying colors. But that is not what I'm talking about here.

I got ahold of the other professor and finally talked to Jason. He certainly sounded like he was from Texas. I was either going to have to get used to him calling me ma'am or some how get him to stop. But he has his CDL and therefor can drive pretty much anything on the farm. He's done almost every job there is on a wheat farm already. And his degree even taught him the business side of the this whole farming thing. It was almost as if I found another me.

He wasn't much of a talker. Quite a bit of "Yes, ma'am" and "No, ma'am." I wanted to ask him about the mysterious reason he was let go, but I didn't because I figured I probably wouldn't get much out of him. That and my old prof had a point, if it wasn't illegal or have anything to do with his work, then it just wasn't important. But I'm human and curious and figured I would have time to figure it out later. Because I was definitely hiring him.

"Well, I guess that is all I need to know. How soon can I get you here?"

"I could really use the money so as soon as I can get there."

"That works for me. Now I can't put you up in the trailer at the moment because I'm getting a new one actually. But for the time being we've got plenty of spare rooms in the main house."

"I do have a few questions first. How long do you expect to need me there?"

I had to think about that for a moment. Right. He figured it was a seasonal thing because of the emergency nature of it.

"It's a permanent job actually."

"Well that sounds great."

"Consider this current season your probationary period. If you like the job and I think you are doing good then we can keep you on as long as you keep doing a good job.... And don't get arrested like my last guy."

"Well I don't plan to get arrested any time soon ma'am. You mentioned a trailer, so what other benefits could I expect?"

"So the housing is one. And I might get you a nicer trailer than the one I was living in. We can discuss other benefits like health insurance once you are sure you are staying. Oh and you'll have a work truck available and we've got fueling on site. Anything in particular you were hoping for?"

"Just need to make sure you got enough room for my wife. And hopefully it won't be a problem if we wanted to expand our family."

"Oh you have a family. I didn't realize. No that is not any problem at all. I'll work on getting that trailer sooner rather than later, so you can have your own space."

"I was figuring I'd come up by myself for the current season and she can take care of some things down here before I bring her up. That way I can be on the lookout for her some work as well."

"Does she do farm work at all?"

"Yes ma'am. She's Texan."

"Right. Well we could probably put her on the payroll too. At least part time, especially if she does anything that assists you in your work. And you know there are times when we need all the hands we can get."

"Yes ma'am, I do."

By the time we ended our conversation he seemed genuinely happy. It took a few more days of phone tag to figure out the best way to get him out here. It ends up we both are going to have to drive about 3 hours to get to airports large enough for cheaper flights. I paid for the round trip ticket from Oklahoma City to Portland. When he flys back at the end of the season he'll most likely pack up his belongings grab his family and drive back out here. I feel good about my new hire.

No More Dick

2009-07-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Not that there every was any. Sorry bad lesbian joke but I'm in a good mood. The overall situation is bad and very ugly but the good news is that this bastard is in jail and no longer employed by me.

I get this phone call yesterday afternoon from the Sheriff. It wasn't something too terribly out of the ordinary because he's a good guy and keeps us updated especially if vandalism or equipment theft begins to rise. Though we often have already heard from the victim already. Also he's the older brother of a girl I played softball with in high school. Not surprising for a small town because everyone knows everyone. But he called me because he didn't know Dick. Also not too strange, because like I said small town. But as he asked me more and more questions I began to get the feeling something wasn't quite right.

I wasn't able to tell him much though, as I really did try to avoid the guy. I also tried to keep Mandy away from him. So all I told him was that he creeped me out, he had lots of posters of naked women in his trailer and he liked to leer at any female friend I had over. He asked me if I'd seen him with anyone or if he ever had anyone over. I hadn't but partly because I'd started taking the back way to the highway to avoid the trailer. He asked me if I knew what his schedule was tomorrow. I told him it would be best if he talked to my dad, as we were in processing and cleanup so he could be doing any number of things. He said thanks and that was that.

Until there were numerous police vehicles surrounding the trailer. Some of them were even federal black car kinds of police. They led Dick out of the trailer in handcuffs, and proceeded to trash the trailer even more. It was surprising and yet not surprising. I felt I have been given a bit of warning from the Sheriff. Though because of the line of questioning I did think maybe he was harboring a fugitive instead of being one.

I don't think the Sheriff had or maybe wasn't even supposed to fill me in, but it turns out Dick liked his girls to be a little under 18. They've been following him for a over a year now gathering evidence. He was the head of a major ring (including the production such horrible images) and came to hide out here when he caught wind that they were catching up to him. He didn't hide very well though.

The trailer is taped off. They took a lot of stuff with them. I'm trashing that trailer though as soon as they give me the okay. It will be smashed and hauled away. Dad decided to leave me in charge of getting someone else in. He has been wanting to phase himself out but doesn't want me to burn myself out trying to do it alone. We've got winter wheat planting and the spring wheat harvest coming up. I'm hoping to find someone that can help us as soon as possible, but could also possibly stay on as a manager. I'll call around to my old profs and other near enough colleges with decent ag programs, but kids are starting to go back to school soon. I may have to just try and get through this fall on my own and wait for the new crop of graduates come next May. I don't care as long as I get no more Dicks!

Harvest

2009-07-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

So I made it over yesterday very briefly to see the latest edition to Jess's family. He was so tiny I was afraid I'd break him when they finally convinced me it would be alright to hold him. I won't lie, I had a moment where I thought this wouldn't be so bad. But then I remembered I'd have to find someone to settle down with. And that person certainly wasn't Mandy who hasn't been staying for the weekend since we got back. She is still staying in my bed when she is there but we haven't slept together. There has pretty much been zero intimacy. It doesn't help that we've been working really long days and not side by side anymore with harvest going on. But really we all know there is something more to it than that.

She actually surprised me on how well she's kept up. I've been having her drive mostly. Get things. Like when my combine broke down because I'm a dumbass and didn't take enough time to look it over before starting it up. But she's lifted and hauled when needed. We don't say much to each other, even less than we did before. Only it's not as fun.

Dick is pretty much worthless and I've informed Dad that we need to get rid of him. But I know Dad won't because now we are busy and we've already exhausted our friends for extra combine drivers, especially since a lot of them have their own fields to work on. I don't understand how he only got 10 acres done a day. Full of excuses and full of shit. Getting rid of him won't put that much of a burden on us as he doesn't do anything anyway. I'm seriously frustrated.

Tri-Cities or Bye-Cities

2009-07-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

I set the date for our road trip to just before winter wheat harvest. I figured it would do us good to have some fun before the hard work got started. If only I had known...

We drove around the Tri-Cities because we arrived early. The Out and About club in Pasco didn’t even open until 9 at night and it was lame to get there before 11, of course that is why they have no cover for the ladies between 9 and 10. We had to go on a Friday because that is when the “youngins” are allowed. She wanted to take me to a show, but I am not a fan of her using that fake ID. We got a room at the Thunderbird, with which she was not affiliated, partly because we could walk to the club, get drunk (although she wasn’t supposed to get drunk) and walk back. The other part was so she wouldn’t have to deal with her parents who would be alerted if she were to arrive at any hotel her parents owned, even if the room wasn’t in her name.

I drove while she sent me many lefts and many rights all around the cities to show me this and that. I more felt like a chauffeur. We did some shopping (she picked me out an outfit) and had an early dinner with a few of her friends. Also very important was the Spudnut stop in Richland. Surprisingly good. Then I left her with her friends and went to take a nap because there was no way I was going to make it late into the night without one. I know I'm old.

The alarm was set for 8 pm but I was up before that. I continued to lie around, flipping through premium channels hoping for an L-word episode, or anything that could possibly get me in the mood for dancing all night long. I would have even taken a Queer as Folk episode, but I don’t think they play that anymore….

Mandy wasn’t back by 8:30 but I decided to start getting ready. I cleaned myself up, put on a minimal amount of makeup and just left my hair down to dry. It was a little after 9 when I sent her a text.

-are we going soon?-

It was more than a couple of minutes for her to respond.

-met me there-

-seriously?-

-jsut com over-

-are you already there-

-mabye-

I briefly wanted my new phone to have the same fate as my old one, but I resisted. I grabbed my ID, hotel key and some cash. The clouds were rolling in as I got out the door and a chill had set in by the time I made those few blocks. But that walk and the line, yes there actually was a small line, meant I had to pay a cover. They waved off my ID though, which I’ll admit took a stab at my self-esteem a little that night. Mandy was already there and as I figured at the bar. She was well toasted already and all I could think was that I seriously needed a drink.

She practically tripped over herself when she saw me to come give me a hug and a sloppy drunk kiss. “Sallllllyyy” she squealed.

“You are drunk.”

“Only a little.”

I just gave her a look and she gave me a pout. She just wasn't the same girl when I first met her at a bar.

“Come dance with me.” She continued to pout. She must’ve known I wasn’t going to at the moment.

“I’m going to get a drink and you are going to drink some water.” Man did I sound maternal.

I got a whiskey, a beer and a water. I sat down on the stool facing away from the bar and handed her the water bottle. Then one of her friends, wearing a mesh shirt and painted with highlighter, came to a sudden stop, drank half of her water and then pulled her out towards the dance floor on the other side of the booths. I turned back to the bar, shot down my whiskey and put my head in my hands. This wasn’t going to be a fun night for me.

“It’s tough isn’t it? Dating the younger ones.” I heard from my left and looked up. As this woman sat down I had a moment where I thought I had looked into a mirror. Not because of dress or style, but something in the soul. Then she looked familiar and I wondered if I was crazy. She ordered me another whiskey.

“Yeah, it is. How about you?” I finally answered her question.

“Mine, I can guarantee is dancing on a pole.” She said.

I smiled and nodded. “Well here is to reliving our youth.” I held out my shot, she clinked her beer and we drank.

“Lyn.”

“Sally.”

We bullshitted a while, mostly about how things used to be back when we were the age that most of the people there were. She was very friendly, but I wasn’t sure if she was hitting on me or just happy to find a kindred spirit. But that sense of familiarity kept nagging me until I couldn’t take it anymore. That or I was finally drunk enough to get over whatever social awkwardness blockage I had previous set up in my brain.

“Why are you familiar?” That really could have come out better.

“I was wondering when you’d say something.”

“So I do know you then?”

“I’m sure you don’t remember as it wasn’t significant to you.”

I’m sure I stared at her with a stupid look on my face.

“I was just one of many to you our freshman year. But you were my first. I’m guessing you were a lot of firsts, and probably even more onlys.”

“So we’ve slept together?” Maybe I was more drunk than I originally thought. I wasn’t processing real well.

“Yeah. In the back of your truck after a party.”

“That sounds like me.”

“I actually noticed you at a couple of parties before that and conveniently put myself in your way that night. I never had the guts to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“Look there is lots of confused curious girls out there who just need to be shown the ropes. That is what you, and I now, do. I wouldn’t be who I am today without knowing you, Sally.”

“Well it might have been who I was, but I’m over that now.” I glanced around to see if Mandy had come back into the bar area.

“So you are involved, like long term with this girl?” She looked around too.

“Certainly longer than most.” I replied.

She made a face. “Get out, get out now! You need to get back into the game and do your duty!”

I was too amazed to respond and finished off what might have been my third beer. She looked around again, I assume to find her girl but then she leaned in real close.

“Look, when you find yourself lonely, come find me. It’s been a while since I’ve been topped and I’ll be glad to return the favor.

I hope she didn't assume she was just like me. I was never that forward. Then someone came from behind me and put their arm around me.

“Back off. She’s taken.” It was Mandy.

Lyn swigged the rest of her beer and backed off, hands up in the air like someone was pointing a gun at her. “No harm, no foul.” She headed towards the dance floor.

I gave Mandy what I thought was a look of thanks. She must have not read it right.
"I was joking!... mostly."

She seemed a little more sober to me. Maybe she had danced some of the alcohol off or maybe it just seemed that way because she was merely less drunk that I was. I had drank a lot within a short amount of time. To make it worse, I hadn't even been drinking on a regular basis anymore so my tolerance was no where to be found. I went to stand up and all of it hit me, very quickly. I felt sick and had to sit down. It was obvious and the bartender told Mandy to get me the heck out of there he didn't want anyone getting sick at the bar. Especially not that early in the night. The club was only barely beginning to get crowded.

Mandy helped me outside but then had her sober friend (not the highlighter guy, a different one) help me back to the room. I think. All I know for sure is I woke up alone in the room, still in my clothes from the night before. It was late in the day, especially for me at 10 am. I only had an hour to get out of the room and I had no idea where Mandy was. But I showered, drank lots of water and packed everything up. I had given back the hotel key and was sitting in my truck when I noticed I had a text. It was from Jess and said -Baby Boy, 7lbs 4 oz-. It had came in the middle of the night. I texted Mandy and she wrote back an address and a few key descriptions to get there from where I was. I picked her up and we drove back to Athena in the drizzling rain.

I don't think we said one word to each other until we got back and she said...

"I think I'm going to head to Walla Walla for the night and take care of some stuff. I'll be here Monday."

"If you need you can take til Wednesday, the harvest will be delayed a few days because of the rain."

She gathered some things and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. She must be taking those extra days because she hasn't been back yet.

Over For Dinner

2009-06-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

It went better than I thought, the dinner. And as a bonus I learned more about the girl I'm sleeping with. If you hadn't already guessed we don't really talk all that much. We are usually busy, doing other things.... But thanks to Jessica for grilling her, I've got a bit more insight myself.

We started with the introductions and I was on alert for any sarcastic remarks from Jess. But she didn't start with the shit until we broke away from our ladies who remained inside the air conditioned house because the temperature outside was too much for Daniella.

"So... She's cute."

"Yeah."

"She's young."

"Yeah." I wasn't planning on giving her any ammunition to use later.

"So... Having lots of fun?" She emphasized fun.

I paused thinking of a good comparison. Something Jess would really understand.

"Yeah, like back in high school. Like us. You know only more because there is more 'around each other all the time' kinda time to be spent."

Jess's jaw dropped, then clenched. I think I might have struck a nerve and twisted a knife I didn't even know was there.

"Well... I'm a little jealous." At least she wasn't going to try and play cool around me. She looked like she wanted to say more but instead put the top back on the grill and headed back into the house. We stopped at the fridge.

"Come drink with me. It's been a while since I don't like to drink by myself."

She handed me two MGDs from a six pack that I'm sure she just bought for this occasion. She shut the door and grabbed one from me. I twisted my cap off bare handed. Jess used her shirt and took a swig.

"I guess I should have asked you beforehand but what does Mandy drink? I think all we have is caffeine free diet coke." She reached back into the fridge, grabbed one and handed it to me and grabbed one for herself.

We went into the living room. I heard our girls chattering from the kitchen but it wasn't until we were in the same room that I realized I could not understand them. Apparently Mandy speaks Spanish, and rather fluently.

"Ahem ladies." Jess said and offered Daniella a coke. I offered the coke in my hand to Mandy.

"Where's mine." she was looking at my beer.

"Seriously?" I was kind of annoyed, I thought we talked about this.

"Oh just let her have one. She's here and it isn't going to hurt anything." Daniella spoke up for her.

So I handed her mine and opened the coke. Which Jess tried to grab from me.

"No you need to drink with me."

"But I don't want Daniella not drinking by herself. It's rude."

"Oh, go on it's fine."

Jess was already headed back into the kitchen to grab me another beer.

While we ate they asked Mandy all sorts of stuff about herself. She talked about school as a business major. She actually started college early and is therefore almost done. She likened herself as the Paris Hilton of the Tri-Cities as her family owns many economy hotels (and a few nice ones too), including the one she stays at in Walla Walla while she is going to school. She worked in housekeeping or the front desk before she was legally supposed to. Jess ended up asking how in the world she came to work for me on a farm.

"I wanted to do something different, as in not spend all summer at a hotel, and my parents said okay as long as I had job. Actually it was the maintenance or pool guy or whatever that overheard this conversation and he informed me of his friend who needed a farm hand. I thought he was joking at first but he told me more about it and I figured why the heck not. Plus I thought maybe, just maybe, this opportunity would allow me a chance encounter of the sexy cowgirl I met out on the town those many months ago."

Coincidence brought her to my door. When I first seen her in my office I had a brief moment wondering if she had sought me out. I don't remember giving her too much information about myself, but that doesn't mean much on a drunken night. Of course it seemed the chance of her finding me helped her decide on the job. And now it left me feeling short handed for the upcoming winter wheat harvest... Partly because she kept my own hands rather busy, not doing work.

Designated Driver

2009-06-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Friday night Mandy wanted to go out. I told her first of all just because she doesn't have shit to do Saturday doesn't mean I didn't. But most importantly the fact that she isn't old enough and I was not about to be party to any incidents when, not if but when, she gets caught. I sort of feel bad because at her age I was doing exactly what she wants to do, including occasionally sleeping with women who were my current age, but really I'm all about staying out of trouble now. Well she left in a huff and I settled into a quiet evening by myself, which I haven't had since everyone decided to move her in here. I know I can't blame them completely it's not as if I told her to stay in her own room. But I was looking forward to a night in my own bed without an extra heater sleeping beside me, who likes to snuggle no matter how warm it is.

But my phone rings at about midnight and half asleep I managed to answer it. It was Mandy. She was drunk and in Pendleton, luckily at a bar still and not at a cop shop (which is what I expected). And I wasn't about to let her attempt to drive herself back here, so I'm really glad she called, as much as I really didn't want to get up. I picked her up, brought her back and got her into some semblance of pjs and tucked her in the bed meant for her. She cried a little bit and apologized. I certainly felt like I was too old for this shit and probably wouldn't put up with it if she weren't so adorable. That and the sex is fan-freakin-tastic.

I slept in Saturday, getting up at seven (trust me that is late). As I cooked breakfast I got a phone call. It display said "Jessica" so I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Good Morning Sunshine!" It was so loud and cheery I had to move my phone away from my ear.

"Uh, what drugs did you take this morning?"

"You don't have a hangover?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw your truck and I know it was yours because of that damn 'Cowgirls Have All the Fun' sticker on the bumper. I figured you'd be hungover since it was parked outside the bar last night just after midnight."

"And why were you downtown?"

"I have a pregnant wife dear. I get sent out all hours to buy strange things. Only I forget I'm not in Cali anymore and nothing is open. I ended up having to go out to the truckstop by the freeway. I was lucky they had what she wanted, of course which cost way more than it should have... So why were you at the bar and don't have a hangover?"

"I was picking someone up."

"Picking up, like 'hey nice shoes wanna fuck?'" pause "Was it JD? No wait she doesn't drink. Who called you?"

"My new employee."

"Oh yeah you told me, that summer kid the creepy guy hired. You seriously drove all the way out here to pick her up?"

"I wasn't about to let her drive herself and get killed or put in jail."

Jess isn't stupid, she heard something in my voice...

"Aww, you have a crush on the kid don't you?" I hadn't told her about any of the rest of it yet, like meeting her at the bar back in March or that I was in fact sleeping with her.

"No, I just didn't want to be out an employee."

Must have been the denial. Or somehow Jess got sent a telepathic image of the guilty look on my face.

"It's more than a crush isn't it?"

I said nothing, which was more than enough.

"Tell me you didn't."

More silence.

"Sally!"

"Please don't start."

"What I'm impressed is all. Especially after JD. I mean you..."

"Jess." I had to interrupt her before she kept going.

"Okay, Okay, I'll stop I promise. You need to bring her over though so I can meet her."

"I'm not sure if it's that sorta thing."

"Bring her anyway."

So really what is my relationship with Mandy? I've thought about that quite a lot. I thought about it as I was angrily driving to Pendleton Friday night and again after I put her to bed softened by her drunken apology and request to join her in the bed. I actually kind of missed her as I slept alone that night. It was easy to get used to sharing a bed.

We had a discussion later about how that wasn't going to be happening again. She understood. And she came up with this grand plan about going to the Tri-Cities to a club that we both could get into using her actual ID to have fun and dance because that is really why she goes out. All I have to do is let her know when is best and she'll take care of the hotel.

I also promised Jess I'd bring Mandy around by next week at the latest...

Not Going to Believe This

2009-06-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

Okay first things first. My birthday Jess took me out for margaritas at a Mexican place. Daniela was feeling ill and insecure about how very pregnant she is looking lately and did not attend. My Dad gave me a card. Good birthday overall.

Okay so does anyone remember a post I did a long while back about things I keep in my pickup and a fun Saturday night out on the town? I never got around to filling in the details and now I have to because this is just crazy.

Now Walla Walla doesn’t exactly have a booming night life (it’s mostly frat parties), and it certainly doesn’t have a gay bar. So I went to The Lantern to play pool and eat. I found my pool playing, swing dancing, bar buddy Dave there. It wasn’t a surprise, he’s always there. And even though it had been a while since I’d gone out like I did, he didn’t fail me. He’d already made plans to hit Barnaby’s for some dancing and was glad to have a dance partner to start out with. See the way it worked so many times before is we’d show off our skills and it usually ended up with him picking up a new dance partner before the night was over. It even worked for me a few times.

So as we were finishing up our last game and our beers a group of birthday party goers piled on in. It was someone’s 21st and they all made me feel really old. So when I got up to the bar to settle my tab, the bartender was making strange drink after strange drink with strange names and the poor girl was shuddering with every one that didn’t sit right. When he finally got to me I tossed the guy an extra 5 and told him to pour her something real like whiskey. Then Dave and I headed to dance.

My plan for that night was to get drunk enough to end up at Rositas, which usually required me to be pretty toasted, as it was a hip-hop dance club. I was going to drink lots, flirt with everyone and enjoy myself. My truck was already parked more than 10 blocks from where I was but close to Rositas at the Safeway parking lot. People think I’d be a bit out of place in my wranglers but there really are all kinds there. Plus I’ve never got shit for dancing with girls there, unlike Barnaby’s… I’ll have to tell you about that one later.

So as usual it wasn’t long until Dave had found a new dance partner but I didn’t feel the drunken confidence yet required for my walk to Rositas. I ordered two shots of whiskey and offered one to a girl next to me, which she politely declined. I downed one and started sipping the other. I had my beer already, it was going to be a liquor night.

The birthday party crew showed up again. I thought about making a quick escape, but knowing my luck they’d end up at Rositas not long after I would. So I decided to hang around and drink more. Besides the evening was beginning to turn as the DJ started the first non-country song and it would slowly blend into a mix of random music and random dancing on the soon to be very crowded small dance floor. So I hunkered down at the end of the bar to people watch.

I saw the birthday girl belly up to the bar. This time her friends weren’t as crowded around her, they’d gone off to dance and get their own drinks. I knew her name was Amanda, based on what they chanted when she took down a Redheaded Slut. She however was a brunette on the lighter side but ironically had some red highlights. I continued to sip my whiskey and got a little worried when I saw pointing and nodding in my direction. The bartender got out two shot glasses and replicated the order I had recently placed.

I quickly finished what was left in my glass and took the one offered to me.

“You took off before I could thank you for the drink you bought me.”

She held up hers waiting for a cheers. I obliged and clinked our shot glasses.

Her shot glass tipped back, went right down and she licked her lips. She didn’t shudder like I had seen her do at the previous bar or do anything other than drink that down like a champ. She must have known I was watching, I'll admit I got a little weak in the knees when she licked her lips. I’m surprised my drink made it into my mouth. Whatever she was doing to me was working. ‘Who is this girl?’ I thought to myself. Or I was pretty sure it was to myself because she answered anyway.

“Mandy.” She stuck out her hand.

“Sally.” I shook it.

She kept a hold of it, turned and headed towards the back. I followed. Right into the restroom. Door locked. She pounced. I let her. I’m sure you’ve gathered from my posts this is not my usual way. She was aggressive. And I liked it. We got interrupted with pounding on the door. So we escaped to go dance. Somehow we got one of the few taxis in the town to take us there. We didn’t talk much, I’m sure the driver enjoyed the show. We didn’t really dance either, because it was the kind of dance that was about to no longer be dancing and the only difference is you still have your clothes on.

Where we went after that I don’t exactly remember as I was quite focused on other things. That I remember. And it was good, not only because it had been a long damn while but also because I wasn’t doing all the work. I woke up early as I always do and bailed. It was a fun walk trying to find my truck. I don’t know Walla Walla all that well and it took me a while to find a place I recognized.

So imagine my surprise to find her being brought to my office Monday morning? The new manager hired HER? What The Fuck?!? Apparently it was through some friend’s cousin’s boss’s kid or who the hell knows what. But I know why the creep hired her, he was leering at her like he did at JD that one time. We had the moment of recognition between us and I excused the guy. But I didn’t say anything I just put on my business face.

She brought it up though, just before she handed me her ID.

“Okay, so I know we met at a bar….” She looked worried, very worried. And I got worried.

I looked at her ID. And found what she was hinting at.

“Nineteen? You are fucking Nineteen?”

Luckily I was sitting at my desk or I probably would have fallen over. I was quite angry which she sensed and stayed quiet while we finished up the paperwork. Then I sent her on her way.

How in the hell was I going to work with her all summer?

Tuesday my Dad had the new crew over for dinner. The creepy guy, I have finally learned his name is Dick, and I find it very appropriate. Mandy was going to Whitman for Economics and Business, which isn’t necessarily a good fit in terms of the kind of work we need her for. Dad suggested she spend some time with me and the books occasionally. Dick suggested we find a place for Mandy to stay during the week, if she wanted, to reduce the cost of driving back and forth every day. I think he suggested it so he could peek at her through windows. They set her up in the spare room and she stayed last night.

Only she didn’t sleep in the spare bed. And today I “showed her the books”.

Hey don’t judge, I’ve already got my own guilt and feeling like a dirty old pervert...

-Sally

Where to Even Begin

2009-05-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long four weeks. If you hang in there with me, you’ll understand maybe why no one has heard from me. But again I like things in order.

So over 3 weeks ago I had my surgery. Everything went fine. Wonderful actually. No problems, at least you know, until I try and play softball again. My physical therapist is cute, but she talks about her boyfriend a lot. I don’t say much.

Then a week after that I got a text message. The amount of them overall had slowed down, but that was definitely the last one I’ve gotten since then. I mean she might not have texted me any more after that, but I really couldn’t tell you because my phone had a tragic accident up against the wall and if it weren’t for Jess would probably still be laying on my floor in several pieces.

I’m not a big fan of technology in the first place. I mean this blog is a struggle for me. And texting, I don’t understand all those short words, but I do understand why you use them if you text a lot. Either way, it’s been how long since I got that first one from JD, and now I can already say I’ve been broken up with over a text?

Actually, breaking up implies togetherness. And togetherness usually involves two people agreeing upon that. I guess I spoke too soon. I called her my girlfriend in my last post, but I was wrong. She claims she didn’t read this and wasn’t going to, which she mentioned while she was leaving just as I started my last post but I really think she did. And was offended. Or something. I don’t sure as hell know. And as I look back there were signs from the time of the post to the text that she was backing off.

Jess had come over Sunday. She woke me up by throwing a new phone at me. I groaned and turned over, hoping she’d go away until she called this new phone and it was blasting some hard metal rock that had a female lead screamer in the band. I was forced to wake up and talk to her.

She spent forever just glaring at me.

“What?” I was still feeling the effects of pain killers.

“Do you like your new phone?”

“I don’t need a new phone.”

“I haven’t been able to get a hold of you and that warrants a new phone. So when I talked to your dad, when someone finally answered the damn phone in this house, and when you didn’t wake up, he explained what might have happened to your previous one.”

I said nothing. She picked up the pieces.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She didn’t have to explain what.

“No I don’t.”

“Do you want to hear my perspective?”

“Not really.” I knew she was going to give it to me anyway.

She paused though, thinking about what exactly she was going to say to me.

“It just didn’t seem like you, from what she told me. I know we don’t know each other as well anymore, but even from what I heard from others. Why were you being different?”

“What in the hell are you talking about?”

“You were waiting.” It sounded like a half question, half statement. And it took a moment to process in my head.

“Well, yeah. I mean number one: Injured. Number two… I liked her. A lot. So I really thought taking it slow would be a good idea. You know get to know her.”

“Glad to see that worked out for you.”

“You just don’t understand.”

Jess was taken aback. I don’t think she was used to that much emotion coming from me. Seriously, I was about to cry.

She softened. “Look, all I wanted was to get your side of the story. Because really I was a little shocked when I saw JD out with some other girl.” She paused I assume to say more maybe about what she saw. However she decided against it, “But at least I provided some insight for you.”

She got up to leave. “I’ve got to get going. But you can call me now, and you can answer your phone when I call you okay?”

I nodded.

“We will talk later.”

“Yes.”

As she was leaving I thought about what she first said… “Wait, what did you mean you’ve heard from others… about me?”

“Sally, you do know you’ve broken a few hearts in this area right?”

“Oh….”

I got a bit more insight because we did talk this week. Not sure if such information is useful or hurtful, or what. Probably both.

So this week I finally got my head out of my ass, and Dad has put me back to work (either Jess talked to him or he realized it wasn't good for me to be doing nothing). Work as in driving around in my pickup and making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Looking over the books and making sure nothing needs to be bought and if it does buy it. I’m staying away from the physical labor of course, which would be more fun because it would be a better distraction right now but the doctors don’t want me over doing it.

Since I’m out the picture for labor, things will be picking up soon, Dad is allowing his new manager to hire some kids for the summer. This has been pretty much tradition, since I was big enough to work and had friends willing. Jess has helped out a few summers herself. And when college came, I always came home for the summer, and either brought a friend with me, or we found some other college kids to help out. I wish I’d been a little more with it because I really would rather be the decision maker for that instead of that creepy guy. I really don’t like him.

I’ll have to do up their paperwork next week. Payroll and all that fun stuff. This is my farm now and these people aren’t my friends so we’re going to do this proper.

Tomorrow is the big 30. I haven’t made any plans yet, so either I’m going to get “surprised” with a (hopefully) small party, or no one is even going to remember. The second one works for me, I don’t want to be 30 yet.

-Sally

Anger and Pain

2009-05-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

“Oh this is going to be a lovely post?” Seriously, I just typed the title and JD looked over my shoulder and said that. Occasionally she says stuff that just sounds off to me. I tease her about her accent. She teases me that I have one too. Hers is a mix of East Coast slang and British speak as a result of both schooling and family members living in in those areas. She has been very good at distracting me from the anger and pain, but I feel it’s best to fill everyone else in. I feel like a slacker, but I’m posting more that I figured I would to begin with.

I haven’t been keeping up too much with my Dad when I escaped to Jess’s house. We talked last week and I asked him how things were going, letting him know that I won’t be much use. He said he'll take care of it, get it figured out. He wasn’t specific as to how. I figured he’d enjoy some time out in the fields. The evil step-mother wouldn't like that plan though.

So Monday, Jess and mostly Daniela had enough of me and I intended to go home. JD was helping me out and so we go right into my trailer first because we get to it before we get to the main house. Me being a bit slowed down by crutches and trying to maneuver my way through the door, JD comes in behind me and notices some things before I do. I don’t even want to ask what came to her mind seeing 3 different girly calendars, one of them completely nude, and many other various sorts of individual pin ups.

“What the fu...” I never even finished I just trailed off.

“So these aren’t yours?”

“Hell fuckin’ No.”

“Come on lets go see what’s going on.”

So calm and level headed. Good thing she was there.

When we are leaving one of our work trucks, logo on the side and everything, pulls up. I think it’s my Dad. It’s not.

“Can I help you?” A squat weasel-y goat of a man hopped out. He said help more like “hep”, and said it with a tone that could easily translate the sentence into “who the hell are you and what the hell are you doin’ here?”

That was probably closer to what I would have said in that situation, and even close to what I wanted to say in that moment.

“What happened to my stuff?”

He gave us the up and down, it made me feel icky. He seemed confused by JD at first but continued to leer at her way too long. I contemplated swinging my crutch at him.

“You must be Doug’s kid. I can see why he hired me, right now yer a gimp.”

I’m sure I looked very irritated. My father never mentioned anything about hiring a new guy. The least he could have done was tell me they were moving my stuff.

“My stuff?”

“They moved it out.” He said with a shrug.

JD grabbed my arm with a light tug. We went to the house to find my stuff thrown in boxes into my childhood bedroom. It was just boxes and nothing else in there. My parents weren’t even home. So I took one spare in the house for those rare occasions we have guests.

I have a wonderful girlfriend. Strange, actually saying girlfriend I know. She helped me put some things away, so I had some semblance of a bedroom I could call my own. And we made out for a little while before she had to go.

My stepmom keeps trying to get me to move back into my old room, but it’s not like I can move a bed in there on my own. She swears someone is going to visit any day now. JD comes over when they are gone, sneaks out when they go to bed. It makes me feel like a kid again which is fun. I asked if she wanted to meet them yet, she hasn’t expressed interest. Like I said probably because it’s fun. She just left again, out the door when I started writing.

I have surgery next week. I’m still in pain. I have fits of anger calmed by thoughts of JD. I think my parents let that creep drive my truck while it was sitting here because that old work truck wasn’t working right last time I checked. See anger again. And pain. I’m going to call it good folks…

-Sally

New Sports Injury

2009-04-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

I got a text last week. All it said was -do you like spicy?-

To which I replied -umm maybe who is this- A task that took me awhile because I kept waiting too long to press to the next letter and I got stuff like mawxbdd instead of maybe… More than once.

She replied almost instantly -JD-

Then another one almost as fast -Im bringing you dinner if thats ok-

-sure-

-ok then answer the first question-

-spicy and I don’t mix well-

-ok see you at 6-

But let me go further back to softball day, you know like a whole month ago. I’d first seen JD while waiting in my truck for Jess. She’d pulled up next to me in a green Subaru wagon. I’ll admit I was a bit surprised because let’s face it there isn’t really a whole lot of diversity out here. So when you see an Indian, like from India and not the Umatilla Res, most people who grew up here will be taken aback. But then we caught glances and all I noticed was how gorgeous she was. And I started jumping for joy, internally of course, when she had grabbed a mitt and other items.

Jess finally arrived with Daniela who was wearing a maternity shirt more defiantly than proudly as she was only barely starting to show. We went to the dugout and started formulating the plan. I kept glancing around when I finally found my cute girl at the other dugout. I glanced back again to see her heading towards us. I’m pretty sure I blushed and I’m pretty sure Jess noticed because she snickered.

“So this is your ringer?” She had indeed been walking towards us and was behind me. When I turned to look I swear I became a puddle of goo. She wasn’t looking at me though as she was talking to Jess.

“Ringer? I know you don’t work for that hardware store.” Jess replied. “JD this is Sally, Sally meet JD.”

“It’s Jayashri actually.” She shook my hand. I swear I swooned. I may or may not have replied.

Jess jumped in. “None of us even wanted to bother trying to pronouncing her name, so she got a nickname real quick. And when we heard what an alcoholic she was we called her JD.”

JD laughed and shook her head. “They heard that I didn’t drink so they thought naming me after whisky was really funny. Of course I believe they were almost done with the bottle when they came up with it. They were grateful for the ride home though.”

They shared another fun college memory while I listened in awe.

“I’ve got to get back to my team. I don’t want them to think I’m a double agent. Plus I’ve got to tell them I’ve sized up your ringer and we have this in the bag.”

That brought me back to attention.

“Hey wait a minute….Did she really just say that?”

Jess actually smacked me in the back of the head. “Get your head in the game Palmer. She’s messing with you. Did you forget how much of this is head games? It’s just like dating and you are not going to score if you don’t keep it together.”

I didn’t realize how relentless JD was going to be though. I was seriously getting a lot of attention. She was playing catcher and kept commenting on how good I looked in those baseball pants. It was really distracting. Of course she was taunting every batter so I figured she was just good at it. Now I know that she is indeed good at it but that also she was flirting with me.

Either way it totally worked and Jess was getting pissed. I really wasn’t playing my best game ever. I had to be given another pep talk by Jess before I was up to bat and we had somehow gotten the bases loaded. I think she gave them all pep talks too. But mine included threatening of violence in the form of a very jealous hormonal pregnant wife of hers who had already been watching me like a hawk. She also told me to ignore JD’s flirting.

But to me that was confirmation that I was being flirted with and it brought out my ego. I had one woman jealous of me for no reason and another very cute one complimenting me. I had friends, the day was beautiful, I did look good in my uniform and I was going to knock that sucker out of the park.

As I stepped up to the plate I heard “Helllooo gorgeous.”

It was on. I looked her straight in the eye and almost lost it. But I kept it together. “Hello yourself” and gave her a wink.

She took a bit, I assumed she had to recover “You’re not going even going to hit it.”

She must have realized that the compliments wouldn’t throw me off anymore and decided to go with the Jedi mind trick.

I brushed it off. “Oh yes I am, and when I come strolling across the plate I’m giving you….”

The ball landed in her mitt. I could see her smirk behind her mask. I heard from my dugout “Damnit Palmer!”

She wasn’t the only one playing games now. “I’m giving you a big ole sloppy kiss.”

CRACK

Everyone paused. We just stood there watching as the ball flew. As it came down from its arc the basemen started moving again, but not in any hurry. When it hit just the top of the fence and landed back in I took off, suddenly feeling hurried. And I found myself rounding 3rd in a race with the ball.

I was vaguely aware JD had caught it and all I could do was continue and hope for a safe call. I was glad I wore my sliding shorts. But really it all happened so fast, I’m not really sure what is real and what I just assumed in my head. Jess said I didn’t slide soon enough because I wasn’t low at all. And I somehow got caught and twisted. And when they untangled JD and I all I knew is I was in a lot of pain.

JD said she didn’t get a hold of me right away because she was a little bruised herself. Plus she felt bad. She brought me dinner on Wednesday. Homemade. She left behind the curry though promising to make it as dull as possible my first time and slowly working my way up the spice levels. I’ve seen her every day since. Saturday, we had a picnic, it was nice to be outside. My texting ability has improved significantly from the back and forth we have while she is at work. I’ve learned so much from her. I love it when she talks about all the places she’s been.

Yeah so sorry I’ve not written a whole lot, I made up for it by writing a whole lot all at once! It’s just the way it goes sometimes. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment tomorrow as I’m still in a lot of pain and it has been 4 weeks. This is not your normal sprain. I promise I’ll try to post an update on that situation sooner rather than later.

-Sally

Patiently Waiting

2009-04-08T14:25:00.001-07:00

Hating to be the patient. And I'm sure you are sick of patiently waiting for me to post something. Screw writing stuff in order. You'll figure it out. I'll fill in the details later. But for now an update....

My ankle is screwed. Sure it is just a sprain, but it’s one of those sprains that have fallen into the "severe" category and with the word "surgery" being thrown around. I actually sprained it pretty good that first time too, which I’m sure lead to this worse sprain. I guess it was never in the cards for me to be a ball player. This has been a rather big blow to my already waning self-esteem.

My Dad had to cancel some travel plans, which made my step-mother irritated beyond belief. I think he's enjoying the chance to be hands on again. So Jess invited me to stay with her and her wife, as they did have a spare bedroom. Plus she did feel kind of responsible, asking me to play and all. I’m now closer to the doctors who’ve been x-raying and poking and prodding my poor ankle. And I get a little more help, even if it is from a jealous wife of my ex, than I would my step-mom.

I got flowers the other day. They were part “get better”, part “Sorry for my part in the incident” and from what Jess tells me part “I think you’re cute.” I heard I’ll be getting a text soon. Haven’t gotten it yet, but then again I have no idea where my phone is at the moment. I guess you can consider that the upside to everything. If it does lead to anything (I’m sure you can almost hear the hoping in that statement) then it would be the first real potentially long term relationship that I’ve had since Jess and not some drunken one night stand.

I’ll keep you updated on the ankle situation and I’ll work on filling in some details, like how exactly I did this to myself. It was a fun day really up until that part. For now, well I think is time for another nap.

-Sal

Old Sports Injury

2009-03-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

I had a good weekend, but it went bad in the end and I’ve had a pretty bad week but I'll get to that as I prefer to tell stories in order. I went into Pendleton like I said I would, figuring there would be some excitement brewing at the Spring Spectacular, but I was wrong. Spectacular is pretty much the exact opposite of what it was. But I was glad I was there. If I’d been not there then I might not have been found for the following excitement that did ensue. But then again maybe I wouldn’t be stuck in this chair for a couple of weeks. Let me explain.

I was chatting with a salesman about greening up the farm, actually impressing him with the strides I’ve already made. Now I don’t know if it was just because we were actually having a decent intellectual conversation, or it was just because I was female but he ended up hitting on me. Asking me what I was doing later, if he could just get my phone number then he’d take me out to dinner later.

I had felt someone approach from behind, but due to the nature of these big convention type things I hadn’t bothered to turn around. I was quite embarrassed, even more so knowing there was some stranger behind me, and I felt the need to choose my words very carefully. Because saying “Sorry, I’m a dyke” can still get your ass kicked in these parts. And even though I’m not a fan of lying, I’m in favor of fudging the truth in these circumstances. My response was going to be something akin to “I’m flattered but I’m not ready to date yet.” I couldn’t tell you exactly because I never had a chance to say it. Because I heard this…

“Shit Sally, You better not be switching sides on me.” I turned see my ex, Jess, beside me. She nudged me with her elbow, “Especially, since I need you on my team tomorrow.”

I’m sure my face went from surprised, to happy, to very very confused in a very short amount of time. I was actually so thrown off that I said nothing before she grabbed my hand and dragged me off saying “I’ll explain, let’s go to lunch.” And leaving behind a very confused salesman.

So let me explain Jess. We were similar. It resulted in super competitiveness during high school. Good during softball, she was pitcher and I played shortstop, but especially bad for our relationship. I consider her my only real ex and it certainly warrants the title of the longest relationship I’ve ever had. We finally got together the end of our senior year on the night we found out that Arizona wanted both of us. It was an exciting relationship, both our first where we went beyond just kissing girls. Also a rollercoaster considering how often we’d bump heads, but there was plenty of wild and crazy make up sex. We even stuck it out through the summer, after my injury changed my college plans and she decided she’d rather pursue vet school. Then we went our separate ways.

At lunch we played catch up. I didn’t really have too much to say on my end. A few of her details I knew from the usual rumor mill located in every small town, but certainly not all of it. She did end up playing softball instead for Oregon State while studying Pre-Vet, that part I knew. She’d met a girl there who was from California. The timing of that relationship and her decision of where to finish up at lead her to UC Davis. They’d been there ever since.

How did she end up back in Oregon? Well like a lot of people there comes a point in your life where you really settle down. For a significant number of them, they like to do that near where they grew up themselves. Jess had gotten married, crazy I know, and her wife was now pregnant and they both decided that California might not be the best place to raise a kid. In her job search, Jess found the perfect place, a fairly new small animal clinic that was hoping to expand to the larger animals. It was a wise decision as the business had picked up and Jess found herself very busy. So busy that she hadn’t really had time to round up too many old friends, but with enough time that she had already formed a slow pitch recreation team for the league in May.

And that is why she needed me.

It was mere coincidence actually. She hadn’t thought to look for me and was unsure about getting enough people for the first game that next day. But when she spotted me chatting to the salesmen she knew her team would finally break the winning streak of the hardware store. She heard their egos were massive, the sport was no longer as fun and they needed to be taken down a notch. And she certainly wanted to be the one to do it. So much so that she'd already challenged them for an "early warm-up" game the next day, weather permitting.

“You can play right? I assume your injury isn’t giving you problems after 10 years right?” When she remembered why I had stopped playing she got a little worried. Maybe her chance at being the best team wasn’t so reachable now.

“I still farm don’t I?” It was true the injury at the time was serious enough that Arizona didn’t want to take a chance, and certainly wasn’t going to give me a scholarship to be there. They said I could still play and they’d keep an eye on it, but I couldn’t afford a year of waiting around to see if it’d be good enough for next year. It healed of course, perfectly fine, but the mental devastation of the loss of scholarship stayed deep in my bones. I had realized just then, that injury hadn’t really healed.

I agreed to play.

I didn’t go back to the Spectacular, instead I went home. I had to find a box that hadn’t been opened in years. It was all in there though, the glove, the cleats, parts of a uniform. Most of it still fit too, and by golly didn’t I look snappy. I think that image was my power source all those years. I was a winner, a leader, a role model, a super star.

I warmed up by throwing Benson his slobbery old tennis ball. When he was wore out I got out the softball, it was much larger in my hand but it fit and if felt like home. I played catch by myself until I got hungry. I finished my leftovers from lunch and went to bed. I had to get up early and all, Sunday was going to be an interesting day.

And I’ve already written enough, and I’m starting to hurt again. I’ll pick this up hopefully tomorrow if not Monday. Trust me I’ve got the time. You'll probably be sick of me soon, I've got plenty of stuff I'm sure I can write about.

Punishment

2009-03-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've been busy. Well that is normal, but I've been extra busy. I've been helping out some friends with calving. Don't ask me why I offered to take the night shift. It wasn't like I didn't have anything to do. This upcoming weekend I'll be at the Spring Spectacular of the Pendleton Grain Growers. It is always a good time, plus there is always equipment to be had, especially upgrades, and it is always a good thing to get it cheaper.

I think I'm punishing myself. That is what it feels like anyway. I don't know why I feel bad for having fun. I guess I'm just getting too old. Or it feels like I am getting old and that I shouldn't be partying like that anymore. Must have been why I laid that to rest a while ago. Possessed I'm telling you, I had to have been possessed. It wasn't the whiskey, I actually didn't drink all that much, certainly not as much as she did. That is probably while I also feel a little guilty. I wasn't even the instigator though, so why do I feel bad? I was just being friendly was all. Well maybe a little flirty, but I was being flirty with everyone.

Anyway, there has been a request for more details from that night. I may or may not provide them. I certainly know the story well though, I've been replaying every night for the past week.

Important Stuff to Keep in Your Truck

2009-03-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

I learned at a rather young age about important stuff to keep in the back of your pickup. And I’m talking about more than just general emergency or long trip kind of stuff. But really you never know when you are going to pull an all-nighter. And really some of the stuff can be considered an emergency, even if it is planned. So you can consider my “things to always have in your truck” whatever you like.

The point is I was very grateful for mine this weekend, which is common especially when I make a trip into the city. I hadn’t really planned on it, but I just got the urge Saturday, so I went the not even half-an-hour north did a bit of shopping and got a haircut. Now there is something about a new haircut that can make a girl get a little crazy. Not that I haven’t done this before, it has just been a while. Like a month or so… You know, give or take a year.

I’ve always got extras in my truck. Clothes, blankets, food and water. I’m prepared to camp at any moment’s notice, either it being because I want to, or because my truck has decided for me. And when I go into the city, I’m not about to waste money on a room filled with other people’s dirt when I can be in my own. Now for those of you who think, “She can’t make it back home when it is only a half-hour drive?” It’s because I have a rule – Don’t drink and drive. I have other rules too but I’ll get to them.

Because the other reason I don’t go home is because someone is getting laid. So if I’m not crashing in the back of my pickup (I have a canopy and a bed roll) then I’ve been taken home. In the event we can’t go back to her place I have been known to drop down a payment for a hotel room. Now let me also clarify that I’m not a sleazy lothario. Like I said I have rules, probably more so than I have “emergency” equipment my truck.

First off, I’m almost thirty. I have an age limit. I remember that age before 21 and I wouldn’t want to deal with myself. This makes me feel sorry for some older ladies I had encounters with, but what can I say, older women can be very sexy. Although age shouldn’t matter (provided all parties are over 18), I just like to keep things simple. Having a guy at the front door screen for me just makes it all the easier, hopefully he’s doing his job right.

Single people only. This is another one where I’m relying on being told the truth. I know for a fact I’ve been lied to before. I caught one girl, who was iffy to begin with, but then she just plain slipped before anyone was invited to anyone’s bed. Another instance I found out much later from a rather angry boyfriend. Turns out he was macho enough to start something. Turns out he hit like a girl. He took the first couple of shots. All I needed was one punch.

I especially refuse to play third fiddle. I know how those things can go. I’ve only seen it happen once (I was not in any part involved), but once was enough. To me it means a relationship is ending anyway, and both parties want someone to blame it on. Hell no. Not for me.

And the very most important rule… Always bring protection. Now as I understand it, this isn’t necessarily a commonplace practice amongst us lady lovin’ ladies. But all it takes is one scare and you might be finding yourself in my shoes. It was back in college when I was dating a lot more… I mean A LOT. And by dating I mean sleeping with many curious and mostly straight girls. And by sleeping with I mean they were having the best organisms ever from the charming, suave and oh-so talented me.

There was a college acquaintance of mine, I wouldn’t call us friends, who was rather competitive with me. We’d find ourselves at the same parties, picking up on girls. They usually went home with me. He sometimes would pick them up later, especially if they happened see me picking up some other girl that night.

One day he came to me, pissed off, blaming me for something he picked up. It was a possible scenario. Although I really didn’t think I would be giving a girl anything other than sweet sweet loving, it was possible that she already had something when she was with me, giving it to me. Then I realized that I could have gotten something from someone other than that particular girl. I stayed off sex for a while and got tested. I was clear but that panic was not something I wanted to go through again.

My emergency supply of course had gone stale waiting that long. I was forced to purchase more before I headed out to the bar. But with my new haircut, new shirt, new jeans, and my old attitude back, I just smiled and winked at the cashier. I wouldn’t have been opposed to buying her a drink if had saw her out that night. Yeah, Saturday night was a good night.

-Sally

Survey

2009-03-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

I see these things all over the internet. What a good way to quickly sum up about yourself to people who've never met you (and you will probably never meet). While at the same time divulging way too much information. But I guess if everyone else has done them, why not I?

Name? Sally
Age? 29
Height? 5’7
Body shape? The shape of a female, I’ve got hips but I’ve also got wide shoulders... I’m not scrawny, I’m more thick but I’m fit
Hair colour, skin colour? Dirty blonde is technically the color, though I don’t feel blonde but I’m not really a brunette; I get pretty tan in the summer and it doesn’t fade too easily.
Job? Farm Manager, Family owned business
Favourite saying? Shit or get off the pot.
Typical outfit to wear? Wranglers, tank top when it’s warm, a button up (no they aren’t all plaid) and my vest when it’s cold. I’ve got my work clothes and my nicer clothes, pretty much the same either way, just one set is less dirty.
Method of transportation? 1999 Blue Ford Ranger extended cab XLT.Immediate plan? Finish answering this damn survey.
Long-range goal? Settle down, even more so than I already am, you know with a nice girl, maybe have kids or something…
Education? Public School, College (got a degree in doing what I already knew how to do, work on the farm)
What kind of house/home/apartment? Currently a trailer, though I’ve been staying in the main house often as my Dad and his wife are realizing that I can take care of things alright and they go have fun taking cruises along the coast.
What city/country/location? Athena, Oregon, USA, wheat and bean country!
Have a pet? What kind? A Brittany named Benson
Best friend? Bobby was since we were little but no one in my immediate vicinity
Favourite food? Anything made over a campfire or grill
Financial situation? Stable, I mean the Farm is worth a lot, but that doesn’t mean it is sitting in my pocket or bank account right at the moment, because most of it gets put back in
Hobby? Hunting and Fishing
Skill? Mechanical abilities, I can fix my truck or farm equipment… easily
Moral attitude? What the hell does that mean anyway? Yes I have morals (and if anyone tells me that being gay automatically makes me immoral I’ll show them immoral and punch them in the head)
Philosophical attitude? I’m not much for philosophy but if I had to choose I guess it would be more live and let live, you know?
Favourite book? I like Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew, I read it after I saw 10 Things I Hate About You, Julia Stiles is very attractive.
What is the bedroom like? Empty
Spouse/mate/steady date/significant other? Why/why not? None, I used to have steady "dates" but there are only so many choices when you live in a small town, and I don’t go out to the city as much any more.
Parents? Siblings? My Mother passed away when I was 15, she was pregnant with my baby sister. My Dad has a new wife and I’ve got some step siblings who I don’t really know that well.

I Don't Know

2009-02-26T15:32:00.001-08:00

I learned once that writing stuff down is helpful. I never really tried it much. In fact I tried to write as little as possible. I was always more sporty then intelligent.

Not to say that I'm stupid. I went to college. Quite a few of us did from this tiny town. Most of the girls didn't come back. Most of the guys did. So did I. Out of us "guys" most came back to work at or take over our parents farms and ranches. Before we left there was plenty of options for romance. Now there is very few. And considering... me? Even less... Make that none. Not to say that before I wasn't getting any. But the guys didn't know back then. They do now... I was kissing a few of those girls too.

It is difficult out here. Most everybody knows. Those who don't know are because they don't want to know. It makes it easier because I don't date, so they don't see anything. Which makes it harder because sometimes I get set up with men. Also made difficult because if you see a woman driving a pickup and wearing plaid it doesn't mean a damn thing.

Back in High School everybody thought I was dating Bobby. We would be together all the time. Kindred spirits really. He finally came out because he isn't ever coming back. He didn't make it to the Reunion we had last summer. In fact it was as boring as any other day because those who don't ever come back certainly didn't just because it had been 10 years.

It is just that I'm going to be 30 this year. It is a rather significant number. And it is weighing on my brain and I feel I need to get it out. So here it is, me... Sally... Blogging. I just don't know... We'll just see.

-Sal