Character #1

Not sure on his name yet. Something everyman. Like George. In any case, since the 30Character website isn't working really well I will post the entry here first. Remember every character is represented by personal correspondence. Here is George's:


Character #1: George Martin

To: kutiepie17@hotmail.com
Subject: Miss ya!


Hey babe,

Just got done the first week here. Gotta say, it sucks not to have you here. I mean, I hope you’re having fun and all that. But, it sucks. I miss you.

What can I say about this week? Mostly that you were right. I never should have started in the Fall. I thought it would be easy. Or at least easier. Remember that project my Uncle had up on the hill? The one with the really crappy stucco walls? It was always easier in the Fall and Winter. I know this is near the water, but I didn’t think there would be that much difference. I was wrong. You are right. Having a property that is a city “landmark” is a hell of a lot different from a residential one.

I met up with Michael on Monday to run through everything again. You should remember him. He’s the guy with the limp. The one with the kid in the Arts program. He was just as nice as I remembered. It’s a shame they’re forcing him out. He gave me the keys and showed me the tool storage shed. It’s a lot smaller than I thought. We won’t be able to use the big wheelbarrow. We’ll have to stick with the buckets they provide. It will probably make them happier anyway to have us wandering around with their logo. It’s gonna make for more trips though. On the plus side, the dumpster is right there so there isn’t a long way to go.

As long as I get here early enough, it is pretty peaceful. The market doesn’t open to the public until eight, so there aren’t many cars to deal with. Even the vendors aren’t here much before that – with some exceptions. I’m trying to work out a routine so that we won’t be wasting much time, but it’s hard without you here. I never thought I would need you this much. You know, my Uncle did this work for forty years and his wife didn’t so much as touch a piece of equipment, much less help him on the job. Maybe it was because she was a bit prissy, but I think he really enjoyed the solitude. The sense of personal worth. The fact that if anything got accomplished it was because of him. There are times doing this kind of thing that you really start to think. Weird stuff. I’ve always liked that. I don’t get it as much when you’re with me, and I was looking forward to some “me” time. I’m getting it, but I just end up thinking of you all the time. I’ve gotten used to our routine. Coffee, debating the radio stories on the way in, sitting down for lunch – even when its just in the truck, and getting to see you all day. I know you think I think you drive me nuts, but I really miss having you around. It is lonely without you here. Say hi to your Mother and everything, but seriously just cut the visit short and come home to me. K? I know. I’m whining. Sue me.

Anyway, the area is nice. Gets a little chilly with the breeze coming off the Bay though. Oh, do you know where my winter work pants are? Not the ones that make me look like a duck but the fleece ones? You didn’t throw them out did you? I remember getting paint on them the last time the landlord was complaining about the fence, but I haven’t seen them since. I’m sure I tossed it in the laundry. Let me know if you do. I’m wearing the long johns, but they make me itch when I sweat and I sweat every time I go inside. The fleece doesn’t do that. The views are great. Not a lot of chance to stand around and enjoy them – I always feel like someone is staring at me and clocking me for a break or something. But you can see the city across the Bay and the mountains behind that. I didn’t think I’d like being this far into the city, but it has its charms. Traffic sucks though. This place has just one long winding road, do you remember that? I didn’t think it would matter, but if I don’t get out of here by three I end up just sitting around crawling along. I’ve started bringing a book and just sitting in the car waiting it all out (that one your brother gave me about the guy with the thingy. I didn’t think I’d like it, but it is better than I thought). It has always amazed me that at a certain time everyone rushes to get home. Like they can’t just take a minute and relax and enjoy life, you know? You’d think they would clue in that if everyone leaves at once they are all going to be in line together and get nowhere. Of course if everyone waits and leaves later, same thing happens. One of the mysteries of life I guess.

Yes, I got the package your Mom sent. Tell her I liked it. These weird flavors are not really my thing. I prefer pekoe to African spiced lotus blessing or whatever the hell flavor it was she sent. But it was still better than that swill down the road. So tell her I appreciated it and have some every day. Sooner drunk, sooner gone.

I haven’t really gone inside the market much. I’m going to wait for you to get home. That stuff is always a lot more fun when you’re poking around with me. If nothing else gets said about you, it can be said you are adventurous. I don’t know how you manage to get down some of the stuff you test out. Definitely not my bag. Do you remember that pink stuff, lol? I swear you turned green, lmao. Besides, with you here I’ll look less like some slacker loser trying to mooch free samples. Did you know they don’t let you squeeze tomatoes here? I thought that guy was gonna punch me. Made me buy three of them. I didn’t want to make a fuss ‘cause it’s my first week, but I swear I didn’t check more than two of them. Oh well. I’ve been eating tomato sandwiches all week :)

I’ve tried to watch my step a lot. The guy who runs this place is a jerk. No wonder they didn’t have us meet him before we signed on. He expects you to be working all the time. Never mind if you just busted your ass to get something done sooner than you expected. If you are standing, you’re wasting time. I don’t even know why he gets so bent out of shape with me. I mean, I’m not charging by the hour or anything. We’re on contract. If I take twice the time to do the job it’s my loss, not his. And heaven forefend his car gets touched by the miracle that is Mother Nature. I have never seen any grown man baby his car like that. He’s like some motor head teen. It started raining a bit the other day and he ran out of the building like someone was trying to steal it. Pulled into one of the undergrounds and parked it in public parking. I know you think I am exaggerating. I can almost hear you roll your eyes. But I’m serious. I did the weed eating around the trees in the lots the other day (the little maple ones, not the oaks) and was blowing the clippings against the building. I guess some of the pieces got on his car. It isn’t like I was aiming for the damn thing. But he hit the roof. Got one of the students to track me down and I had to go with him to view the car. He yelled and swore and pointed out every single blade of grass. I offered to wipe it off, but that was like offering to pour lighter fluid on a baby. Figured my cloth would scratch the paint maybe. I thought he was going to fire me, I really did. Another reason to have you home ASAP. You’re so much better with these people than I am. I do good in nature. Trees, animals, plants, that’s me. I commune with them. But talking to people? I get so flustered it’s a wonder anything comes out.

How did I ever win you over anyway? I can never figure what it was that caught your eye. Quiet guys who don’t talk to people aren’t usually high on a gal’s “must get” list. Whatever it was don’t ever let me change it. I don’t do well without you around.

Anyway, I think I steered away from disaster today. Rained last night. How was it on the Island? I forgot to watch the news so I didn’t hear the travel weather this morning. Leaves dropped like, well, leaves lol. Looked like brown snow. I skipped coffee and drove straight there. Figured it would help to get some extra time on the lots. Chris was sitting in the lot. I didn’t think anyone else was there. Started up the blower and did fine until I got around the corner. Cole’s car was there. And covered with leaves. No way he was going to take that. Even if he had shown up hours early. And I couldn’t hide that I’d been working with the leaves either. So guess what I did? I blew ‘em of. It was great. Should have tried that with the grass trimmings. They peeled off like they were greased up. It was great. When I was done it looked like it had been in a car wash. The rain had stopped too, so there’s a good chance he won’t notice anything was on it. Or if it was, he shouldn’t blame me.

Come home, babe. Please? Cold mornings call for you. I like sitting in the front room, looking out over the valley as we have our breakfast. You in that ratty grey robe of yours, lol. I don’t know how you keep warm. But it suits you. You’re going to have to let me buy a new one soon. Once that belt goes we won’t be able to put it off. I want you having good things. I know we’re not rich, but we’re sure as hell not poor yet. You don’t have to go around looking like we get our clothes from goodwill. Besides, if you don’t come home I’ll have no one to nag me about hogging the blankets :p

Vicky wants you to bring back some of those square things you got last time. She said she’s been hankering for them. They’re tearing up their front steps again. I swear they pick the worst plants to grow there. They either wither up or try and burrow under the concrete. If you ask me they’d be best off with growing everything in pots like Carl does. But you know him. Won’t take advice to save his life.

I’m nodding off so I’m gonna stop typing now. Tell your Mother to get a decent long-distance plan so we can talk. Email is fine and all, but I miss your voice. Don’t wait too long to come home. I’m lonely. I miss you. I love you. Be safe and make sure you let me know what plane you’re going to be on. I lost the note you put on the fridge. Pudding accident, lol. And yes, I cleaned it up.

Love you, Babe. xoxoxo