He told the dude that he didn’t wear girls shirts to work. He wasn’t wasting his best stuff to work in this dust bowl environment. His good shirts he wore when he went out with his girlfriend. Why impress these guys at work who didn’t exactly come off as fashionistas themselves.

Day after day he drove the fork lift up and down the rows of furniture, stifling a yawn most of the day. He picked and delivered what the boss wanted. He did not enjoy it but he enjoyed money to spend.

Before work in the morning he went for pancakes, eggs and hash browns. At lunch he ate a sandwich. For dinner he sometimes went out with some friends for big, juicy burgers with everything on them.

The days drudgery got him down sometimes. Driving up one row of furniture and down the other. Picking up luxury appliances and big screen TVs for the customers who paid his wages. Who will sleep on a new Vera Wang mattress tonight?

He was a bright guy, living in a small town. He couldn’t find a higher-paying job unless he left town. He needed to give up his current life and move to the big city if he wanted to grow financially.

Now in his twenties, thirty was just around the corner. He was capable of anything, but needed some opportunity to prove it. He had bought his girlfriend an eternity ring but she should have a diamond engagement ring soon. He needed more income and a stable future.

She stood there in front of the restaurant, waiting for him to join her for dinner. She wore matching brown suede boots and a matched hobo bag. Her dress was feminine. She had a look of love in her eyes as he drove up and they walked hand in hand into the cool restaurant.

Sitting in a booth, they sipped Margaritas and waited for the taco salads to be prepared. Both loved Mexican food. They followed a pretty healthy regimen.

They talked softly about the things they did all day. She definitely had more interesting anecdotes to share. She got good grades, was talking about a future career and focusing on academics without ever taking her main focus off of him.

He, however, never at a loss for words, told about how his boss had a box dropped on his toe this afternoon. It was a funny tale due to his boss being less than favored in his eyes. She laughed as he related the look on the boss’s face. She could not help but wish he shared the academic world she was immersed in.