G E N I E _ F U L T O N
It wasn't particularly hard or easy nor was it particularly something to be proud of but, it paid well and it made him feel worth something. Waste Disposal Truck Driver. Maybe if he'd paid a little bit more attention in school, skipped less, and actually gone to college, Genie Fulton might have become something a little more worthwhile. But with all the chaos rampaging his home, his absent father, his promiscuous mother, Genie became nothing more than a trouble child. He had been a hot-headed child back then, easily snapping at others. These days, however, Genie had mellowed out and patched up his relationship with his mother somewhat. A little call once a week, maybe a home visit as well - it was nice.
Genie woke up at exactly seven-AM every morning and went about his morning routine. Then it was nine-AM, time for work. He left his home, walking down the little sidewalk, then made his way to the bus station. From the bus, he went into the city, to the large building where all the other disposal trucks were held from there, he took a truck on route. It was fairly simple really. Stop at a house, pick up the trash - keep at it until his lunch break at twelve-PM, then work some more until five-PM.
3.10 PM
There was a strange feeling disturbing Genie's mind. As though someone was following him. Now mind you, in his off time, Genie hit the gym often and could fend for himself fairly well but Genie just couldn't shake off the feeling that something big was to come. So as he paused his truck and hopped out to pick up the green-colored garbage tin, he felt a shiver run down his spine as a familiar voice addressed him.
"Oh! How silly of me. It's Zachary Harper, you remember from elementary?"
Oh yes. He remembered quite well. Genie dumped the trash into the back of the truck and settled it back down on the driveway. Zachary Harper had been one of his few friends in the short time he'd attended school. 'Friend' was a relative term. Zachary had just been one of the kids that had hung out with some group of kids just as Genie had. Genie had never been particularly close to any of them, often skipping school in favor of playing at the arcade or trying to look 'cool' with kids older than he. But - he had appreciated their company and if anything, Genie almost missed spending time with them, even if it had been plenty of years since. If Genie remembered, Zachary had been the quiet one of their little group - and quite pretty as well. Genie recalled his first meeting with Zachary - a little school play where Zachary had been chosen to play the heroine. How silly it was; Genie had mistaken Zachary as a girl and afterwards, upon discovering he was a boy, he'd teased him relentlessly about it. It was a friendly tease, Genie thought. Nothing too harmful. They had their fun times.
"I remember," Genie didn't smile back at Zachary, opting to cross his arms, peering curiously at the other man. He was dressed in a simple light blue jumpsuit with many pockets and construction gloves on his hands. On the other hand, Zachary was a little more flashy, a little more stylish, and most certainly male.
He couldn't help but feel a little irk of irritation. If he remembered well, Zachary had been the sort of boy to sit about and avoid exercise - why was it that he was taller?
"Hey, Gene! Wow, you look great! Long time no see."
Now this man, he remembered. Julius. An old-time crush and as tall as ever. Genie couldn't help but let a little bit of pink dust over his rugged features. Julius had certainly toned out well. They'd often fought when they were younger but perhaps it had simply been that Jules' unrelenting courage to stand up to him that charmed Genie. He'd often pushed Jules to his limits, trying to see just how far Jules would go and each time, Genie had fallen harder for the blonde man. He'd thought he'd gotten over him but perhaps he hadn't. He felt his heart flutter and beat a little more rapidly because it had just been so long, and he couldn't help but think Julius had not changed at all.
"Long time no see," he agreed with a little smile of his own. Had he been in his teens, he probably would have shouted and made a huge ruckus but Genie was no longer the aggressively hostile boy he'd been back then. He was most definitely still quick to snap and quite terrifying when he did - but Genie had been working on his brash attitude because he was an adult now. Brash attitude and bar fights would put him behind the bars - then who would look after his sweet Sally?
"I get off at five tomorrow," he glanced at Zachary then back at Julius, "If you want to meet up. I'm working right now so - "
Genie opened the truck door and glanced back at the two, a little bit of nostalgia swirling in his chest, " - it was nice seeing you two." Julius knew his email.