About Charlie Page #4

Delivery man – Can you sign the delivery form; I must deliver my next shipment fast.

Charlie – Sure, here you go, can you put the gardening equipment next to the truck.

Delivery man – No problem.

Charlie tries to do his job and to learn how to garden, like all new recruits, he is assigned a gardening instructor, Charlie along with three other recruits are given their instruction manual by a thirty-five-year-old lady, Kay. Kay is a shy girl, single, friendly and extremely pretty, she gets Charlie’s attention immediately, but Charlie hides his attraction to Kay and just gets on with his work.

Kay – Welcome everyone, I will be taking you through the two weeks intensive gardening programme, but first I think we should get to know each other a little better. You can start by telling the group about your previous work, and anything that you’d like to share with the group. Let’s start with you Kareem.

Kareem is a man in his early twenties, he is of Moroccan descent, keeps himself to himself, makes the occasional friendly conversation with people he gets along with.

Kareem – I’m kareem Osman, I’m a first-year university student, studying to be Lawyer, to pay for my living expenses I applied to work as a member of the Central Park. One day I’d like to work near Centrale Park to remind me of the great people I worked with here.

Kay – Thank you Kareem, that’s very considerate of you, how about you Hanah.

Hanah – Well, my kids have now grownup, my husband works late, so I felt the time had come to pursue a job, a fulfilling job, I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, so I feel I’m lucky to have found and been accepted for this job.

Kay – Thank you Hanah, we’re happy to have you with us.

The team introduce themselves one by one until it’s Charlies turn, “My name is Charlie Sims, I served in the U.S Army in 2023, when I was twenty-six years of age” Charlie knows that he can’t let anyone know that he was imprisoned for twenty years, and it shows in his body language. “I left the Army, when I reached thirty and have been working as a handyman since, work dried up and as luck would have it Mr Singh offered me this job, which I am very grateful for. Kay thanks Charlie, she then begins to introduce herself to the team.

Kay – As you know my name is Kay Ford, no relation to the Ford company, I am a garden designer by trade, graduated long ago from the gardening college for mature students, since graduation I have worked in various parks, private and public. Here I am today promoted to head of Central Park team, but that is enough about me. Charlie is drawn to Kay’s personality, it’s more than just a physical attraction, it is a feeling of familiarity, like he has known her from a past life.

Charlie – Are you married.

Kay – Divorced, with a daughter that is now in junior school, I’d like to describe myself as happily divorced and in an open relationship.

Charlie – What’s an open relationship.

Kay – Maybe I’ll explain some other time, for now we must get on with our work.

The team get along very well, they are mixture of mature and young, married and divorced, quiet and loud, Charlie fits in very well, but his appearance is certainly different from the rest, and it is a source of gossip amongst the team. “What do you think of Charlie asks one of the girls, Hanzal asks” she whispers it to a colleague, “he’s ok I guess, slightly on the battle scarred side, but agreeable enough” the comment is made casually. “I know, I think he looks a little lonely” sounding genuinely concerned, “more like he wants to be left alone, what’s with your interest, you’re not attracted to him are you, you never know with these men, where they’ve been, who they’ve been with, he might be a married man with three kids”. Hazal decides to approach Charlie on their lunch break.

Hazal – I hope you don’t mind if I share a table with you Charlie, I don’t like sitting by myself.

Charlie – No not at all, I would like some company, I like your work, you’re very serious about your gardening.

Hazal – It’s what I love to do the most, keeps me occupied and a roof over my head,

Charlie – You live nearby, it’s a great area, you might not remember but the former U.S president, Kissinger gave his speech to the people not far from here all those years ago, you know the war with Russai and their ally Iran.

Hazal – Yeah, I do remember I was still in high school, my parents were following the news closely, what was it like, were you ever injured.

Charlie – It’s not something that I like to talk about much, it’s in the past, I hope I don’t sound rood, but I’d like very much to change the subject.

Hazal senses, that something terrible had happened, but isn’t quite sure exactly what that is. “Ok I’m sorry, I promise I won’t bring up the subject” Hazal appears genuinely sorry for bringing up bad memory, “how about we go sightseeing after work, I’ll choose the venue, you pay, how about it.” Charlie doesn’t dislike the idea, but isn’t as attracted to Hazal as much as to Kay. “Ok on one condition, you lend me your car to drive, I haven’t driven in year’s” Charlie hasn’t seen Hazal’s vehicle but notices her keyring. “Ok it's a deal, you have a valid driving license right” Hazal waits for an honest answer. “Listen when I joined the army I was licensed to fly jets, trucks, motorbikes, lorry’s, you name it,” he smiles and is looking forward to a night out.

Hazal – I’m going to go home, get ready and then make my way back, I expect you to be dressed well, showered and ready for a good night out.

Charlie – Not only will I be showered, but I’ll be also shaved and in my best evening clothes.

The days shift comes to an end, Hazal drives home Charlie makes his way to the market, to buy a shaving kit, and appropriate clothes for a special evening. “So how about it, how do I look, you like my new suit” Hazal examines Charlie and nods approvingly. “You look great Hazal, where do you want me to take you” he asks in an upbeat voice, his mannerism is lively and energetic. “My friend is having a party at her house, she lives with her parents, but they are abroad, her family is very wealthy, the own several clothing businesses and salons around town,” Hazal is excited and is showing quite an interest in Charlie.

Charlie – Sounds great to me, where have you parked.

Hazal – I’m parked just round the corner follow me.

Charlie – I like your choice of colour a red Fiat, you must have paid a fortune for this car.

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