A laughing matter

I must have dozed off, because when the shadow fell across my face it startled me. I still don’t know how I got up so fast from the chaise without losing my top.

A vaguely familiar, and incredibly good-looking man, dressed in delivery blue, was courteous enough to turn away while I struggled to tie the strings of my bikini.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw him sneaking a peek at my predicament.

I laughed my nervous laughter.

Once I was tucked safely inside my robe, I faced the blushing courier.

“Did you need me to sign,” I said, avoiding eye contact.

Handing me a clipboard and pen, he cleared his throat. “Yes, but I was also worried about that.”

Looking up to where he was pointing, I saw a lazy spiral of carrion birds circling over where I was lying in the sun.

I laughed my amused laughter.

“I guess that’s a good sign it’s time for me to turn over.” My laughter broke our awkward standoff.

I handed him back the clipboard.

“Did you go to South High School?’ He asked after reading my signature.

“Yeah, I was Class of ’07.”

“I thought I recognized the name,” he said. “I was a couple of years ahead of you.”

“When you graduated, I was barely 16 and you barely noticed me.” His question jarred my memory and I recognized him as my sophomore crush.

“I’d notice you now,” he said.

I laughed my disbelieving laughter.

“What are you doing in blue?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t leave just yet.

“I’m home for the summer,” he said. “This is just an easy job ‘til I go back to class in the fall.”

“Are you still playing soccer?” I said, remembering how I swooned over his games, watching him run across the pitch.

“No,” he said, shaking his head slowly. “I shattered my ankle in a game, a bad tackle, and I was out for good.”

I reached out and touched his arm, and laughed my sympathy laughter.

“I am so sorry.”

“Hey, it’s all good,” he said, putting his hand over mine. “I graduate next spring and have a good job already lined up.”

“That’s great,” I said, and laughed my flirtatious laughter.

“You probably have a lot more packages to deliver today.”

“No, actually this was my last stop.”

I laughed my seductive laughter.

Later, as I watched him drive away, my phone number written in black ink on the inside of his wrist, I laughed my satisfied laughter.