Praying Under Pressure

7 - Oh, He Doesn't Go Here Anymore

"Oh, sweetheart! You don't have to do that," Mrs. Roads shook her head at Ward's assistance but he just smiled down at her and entered his company discount. 

Technically, it was against the policy because Mrs. Roads wasn't family. Literally, at least. The entire time Ward had worked at the co-op, all eight months, Mrs. Roads was one of the sweetest customers he had served. She asked about his life, he knew everything on her daughter and the grandbaby Rowan as he got ready for college. For fuck's sake, she brought him a gift for Christmas.

"It's alright, Mrs. Roads, you're one of the lucky ones who get my specials without having to deal with me too often," Ward laughed, ringing up her organic juices and fresh veggies from produce. Mrs. Roads just waved him away and frowned at his statement.

"Oh, Ward, you never do give yourself enough credit. A fine young man like you is all I would like to spend my day with. Though Dick wouldn't like that too much now that he's retired," She pursed her lips but Ward could only laugh again. She was nice and she hit on him. Too bad she's too far senior.

"I would take you up on that statement. I wouldn't put your marriage in trouble. Your marriage is older than I'll ever live to." He carefully put her items in the reusable bags she brought from all over and all events.

Willia Roads has had a much nicer version of wildlife. She left home when she was sixteen to come to California because her father didn't want her to become a photographer. It was the early sixties and she just wanted to live in the liberation even if her dad wanted her to marry some farmer. She met her husband at Woodstock as they danced in the mud nude. Drugs, free love, and living lead to becoming a nude photographer. Yes, a fucking nude photographer.

She did it for years, well into her daughter's life before she switched to various other types of photography because she wouldn't fucking dare let Dick take all the responsibilities in the relationship. She still does it here or there but now that Dick's retired they road trip places so Ward doesn't get to see here as often. As long as she happy and living her old, crazy life then she never has to come back in. 

"Oh, hush! Less about my husband and more about you. What have you been doing?"

Ward glanced up from the register as he typed in an item, "Strange. Someone from way back home is rooming with my friends."

Mrs. Roads tilts her head, studying the way the smile on Ward's face dipped a bit before he covered it back up. He moved so quickly through his routine, knowing exactly how to ring up the order Mrs. Roads got on Sundays.

"Michigan?" Ward nodded, "Why that is a strange coincidence. How is it knowing them again?" Mrs. Roads was a gossiper. And that included being very noisy.

Ward shrugged, "I barely knew him back then," Ward cleared his throat, giving her a lazy grin, "I am very proud to say I am now taller than him."

Mrs. Roads rolls her eyes in a huff while Ward chuckles it all away, "I don't know why I expected more from you, Ward. I should know better by now."

"Yes, you should, Mrs. Roads. I haven't grown any mature from last week but I like how you try anyway. 89.56 today," He carefully bagged her items while she swiped her card and babbled about how he needed to find someone to teach him to grow up or he'll be in a ditch one day. Of course, being Ward, he responded with a quick 'I'm in community college, Roads, I've been in a ditch for quite a moment.'

"When do you get off today? Hopefully, soon, it's not unbearably hot out today," Mrs. Roads took some bags back from Ward as they loaded them back into the cart for her to push to her car. She was no little frail old woman.

"In about ten minutes if you don't take up my day chatting my ear off," She swatted his arm and pushed off with a simple wave and reminder to be safe.