Lucy turned her phone on as she walked toward her car. She had turned off her phone, not because Margaret had asked her too, but she knew that Matthew would have nothing better to do all day than bother with texts about the store. She dropped herself into the driver’s seat as the phone connected to the network. She had 20 missed texts from Matthew.

Hey! Great first day, Lucy messaged ignoring the multitudes of balloon related questions that Matthew had.

Hey haven’t heard from you all day, Matthew responded.

I was busy learning my new job, Lucy replied without guilt. To her, Matthew was the guy she talked to online, not her boyfriend. She didn’t have the time to let him get too close or too familiar if she wanted to keep it that way.

I know. I was just excited to hear about what it was like for you.

It was certainly a new experience for me. I have been to the store many times before, but never for so long. There were some periods where I really wanted to touch the full balloons that were tantalizingly in reach.

I bet.

Driving home now. Call me.

Lucy started the car and made her way through the parking lot. She thought of Larry still stuffed in her sock. After lunch the wet feeling of a washed Larry in her sock lingered longer than she would have liked. The feeling kept reminding her of what she had done, and that made her want to grab a handful of floating balloons and take them into the back with her. The chime of Matthew’s call refocused her attention.

“Hello. Tell me what questions you have about the store.” Lucy said jumping the gun since more than half of Matthew’s texts had been questions.

“Did you have to fill any balloons today?” Matthew asked breathily.