"Fuck you." That gets a laugh out of Nelson and I join him because despite the blazing sun, the three hours of work we've been doing, and the smell of cow manure that has infiltrated every atom of my respiratory system, I am enjoying my time here. The work is physical and a lot more than I expected for mending a fence, but I can look back and see our progress and it's nice seeing something physical that I helped with.
"You're going to hate me when I tell you this." Nelson finishes cutting the wire and wipes his forearm across his brow to clear the sweat. "But this will most likely be torn down before the end of the year. The cattle will be sold in September anyway. Most of them, at least."
"What? That's… Why?" I lift the bottom of the shirt Nelson loaned me and wipe my face. I'm sweaty all over; I'm definitely going to need a good, long shower after this.
"My brother sold the farm, remember? The whole reason I'm taking your class." I drop the shirt and catch Nelson's eyes on my stomach.
I'm proud of my body. My abs aren't super defined, but they are visible and I do my best to keep the physique up. I give him a smirk before dropping the shirt and answering him. "I remember that," I say. "Most people take my class just as a stepping stone for the higher level classes."
"I wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't for the fact it's been too long since I graduated that the credits from back then don't count anymore. I had to get at least three credits to apply for the certification I need."
"Just using me like everyone else, then." I nod like I'm accepting my fate. I place a hand over my heart and give a fake sniffle. "It's fine. I'm used to being used."
"You're dramatic, you know that?" Nelson shakes the wire that is still in both of our hands. "Let's get this finished, then we just have the other two a few yards down and we'll call it a day."
"Have you ever seen the movie Holes?" I ask as I position myself to hold the wire as taut as I can while Nelson nails it to the post. "That part where the kid is like, 'I'm tired of this, Grandpa'. That's me right now."
"Are you calling me a grandpa?" Nelson sounds offended and I look from his hands to his face. His lips are slightly parted and his expression is hilarious. I beam a smile his way.
"I'm obviously the kid in this situation. You can take that how you want."
"I've never seen the movie so I'll have to hold judgements."
"What? Oh, it's such a good movie. You have to watch it."
"Will you hold the wire still, please?" Nelson asks, nodding toward my hands where I'm definitely not holding it like he showed me. "And I'll see if I can find it tonight to watch."
"You'll have to let me know what you think of it," I say excitedly. That movie came out when I was young but it's one that I'll rewatch on occasion.
"Or you could stay and watch it with me? If you want to."
"Dinner and a movie all in one night?" I feign surprise and Nelson just rolls his eyes. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're trying to get me to spend the night."
"Says the one that wanted to hook up in the bathroom," Nelson retorts and I can feel my face flush with heat for a whole other reason.
"Not my finest moment," I admit. "I get… Handsy when I drink."
"Handsy, huh? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" He lets out a grunt and I can see his face change to one of concentration as he fixes the wire how it needs to be. I don't want to stop our bantering though.
"Do you want me to finish helping you?" I threaten, letting the wire slack the tiniest bit. He looks over at me with an 'I dare you' look. I pull the wire tight again immediately.
"Are you just going to hitch hike back to the city? I drove you here, remember?"
"I would like to marry your shower," I announce when I step out of the bathroom. My whole body is relaxed and even though I can feel the small sting of a sunburn, I have a clear tan line from where the shirt covered me. I definitely admired myself in the bathroom mirror before getting dressed.
Nelson is standing in the kitchen, putting leftovers in the fridge from dinner. His sister-in-law made what I would call a typical southern meal with fried chicken, potatoes, veggies, and even a pie for dessert. I tried to limit myself, but I haven't had a home cooked meal like that in years. Nelson had brought it from their house so we could eat without him having to introduce me to his family. I appreciated that, even if I didn't mind meeting them. I'm sure there would have been plenty of questions to answer about how we know each other.
I still have the towel around my neck and use one side of it to run through my hair.
"I splurged on the showerhead. It's supposed to increase the water pressure by three or four times. It filters the well water also."
"Five stars from me," I say. I sit at the table and track Nelson's movements around the kitchen. He's bigger than me, taller and broader, but he loaned me a new shirt and a pair of sweat pants that have a drawstring to keep them around my waist. "Do you need help with anything?"
"No, I'm good. I wrapped you up a plate you can take with you… tomorrow?" I can hear the hesitation in his voice with thatfinal word. I smile, not sure where I stand with leaving tonight or tomorrow either.
"We'll see if either of us fall asleep during the movie," I say. "I don't have to be anywhere tomorrow, so it's okay if I don't make it home tonight."
I realize that that makes it sound like I'm inviting myself to stay over and possibly even hoping for something to happen. I don't know how to reword it. Nelson seems to catch the growing tension and moves across the room toward the living room. "I'll get the movie pulled up. There are blankets in the linen closet beside the bathroom door if you want to grab one."
