Delivery Boy

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Greg had lasted three weeks in retirement before taking a delivery job. It was a far cry from teaching college physics but exactly what he was looking for. He didn’t need the money; his pension and investments allowed him to live comfortably. But he had no hobbies and being at home bored him.

He could have gone back to teaching. The college had asked him to stay on. But he truly was ready to move on from that part of his life. It held too many memories—too many associations. The toughest of those surrounded his wife, Gwen, who had also taught there before he had lost her to a heart attack two years previously.

He also didn’t want that much responsibility. Not anymore. The delivery job provided a chance to get out and interact with people while not requiring him to grade exams or hold office hours. He donated his wages to the Heart Foundation.

Greg whistled the tune to George Harrison’s “Something” as he carried the extra-large Hawaiian with hot peppers up the walkway to his last delivery of the night. His step faltered as he remembered the old girlfriend who had loved both. He hadn’t seen May in more than thirty years. Funny how the song had just popped into his head.

He rang the bell, then stepped back in surprise as she opened the door. “May.”

“Yes?” She peered out at him, as though trying to place him, then cried out, “Greg—you’ve lost your hair!”

Greg grinned, realizing as he looked more closely at her, that she looked older as well, though seeing her still stopped his heart. Why had they broken up? Oh yeah, Rod Mills. Greg decided to beat a hasty retreat. The last time he had seen Rod he had decked him. Holding the pizza out to May, he said, “Enjoy the pizza.”

May grasped his wrist. “I dumped Rod six months after I left you for him. I’ve regretted not listening to you ever since. Can you come in?”

Greg considered a moment, then, smiling, said, “Sure. I’m done for the night. Let’s catch up.”

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This story came from a Micro 2 Go prompt to write a story about a delivery person who encounters something unexpected. While most of the story builds to that moment, I love that this sets up the reader’s imagination for what might follow from this meeting.