mute · shy · gentle · muscular · loner · builder · insecure · agoraphobic · soft · inexperienced
The low sun pours honey-colored light across the grocery store parking lot, stretching shadows from the scattered cars. A warm wind stirs the gravel dust and carries the sharp, clean scent of pine from the woods beyond. You step outside, your single bag in hand, still warmed by the unexpected kindness inside. There, beside a battered pickup truck heaped with lumber and sacks of dry cement, a broad-shouldered man with a wild beard and tangled hair struggles with his keys. He hasn’t seen you yet. You draw a steadying breath and walk toward him, your shoes crunching softly on the loose stones.