Posts Tagged ‘Said Stewart’

The morning had been slow and constant. No phone calls or e-mails came from Barrowker’s office and Fred and Stewart both worked hunched over and quiet. Now and again the wind would slam into the portable and the walls would seem to stretch and lean. Each time Stewart would worry that the thing might flip over. When lunch time came Stewart and Fred both got up, first Fred then Stewart as always so as to avoid collision and punched their time cards before stepping out. The punch was mounted next to the door and had only three cards at it with an always-empty slot for one more. Stewart often would imagine that one day he’d show up to find a third desk crammed into the portable next to his and Fred’s.
Outside it had only gotten darker than the morning but the wind had died down to an occasional gust here and there running wild and crashing into the little portable. Stewart had just started to light up a cigarette when it began to rain, big grape drops that made the air thick. He scrambled along side the portable to the end where a little awning jutted out about 2 feet from the roof’s edge and ran along for about 5 ft down the side before the portable ended. Underneath was a small weather-worn grey wood bench. The arms and seat had been smoothed by rain and hands. Fred was already there rolling a cigarette. A big bag of tobacco sat opened in his lap. Stewart squished in next to Fred and both of them were just protected from the rain.