I used to hide in hammocks as a kid, but the last time I was in a hammock it was due to ice cold daiquiris in the hot sun...
I think I had worked night shift and that wasn't my usual shift, so I may actually have worked a double shift. Most sane folks would go home and sleep, right? I never claimed sanity, so there you are.
Sleep didn't interest me though. I wanted to work in my garden for it was a glorious day. It was sunny, seventy-two degrees and there was a light breeze. I decided to make a blender full of fresh strawberry daiquiris.
Gardening is hot work, so I had to drink quite a bit of that luscious, fruity beverage, didn't I? Yes, I did. I gardened and I drank and I drank and I gardened. I grew tired. I decided to take a break in my hammock since I did have a night of partying schedule since it was a night off.
I lounged and swayed in the hammock. I watched the insects flock to the garden and a few bunnies play on the creek bank. All was well until I tried to stand up... I guess I fainted, passed or something like that, for when I opened my eyes, I was on the ground and looking up into the eyes of the neighborhood gardener, as in 'yard guy'.
He was lovely up close: tan, blonde, blue-eyed and muscular, which was evident for he wore no shirt.
"Are you okay?" He asked from above.
"I think I had too many doke, uh, dock, uh, drinks in the sun."
He saw the empty blender on its side in the grass. "Did you drink a blender full of some alcohol drink?" He was incredulous.
"I bet some spilled." I said, embarrassed now.
He smirked. "Uh huh, I bet some did."
"Should I stand up?"
"Slowly and just to the hammock." I noticed I wasn't exactly clothed for company; bikini top, cut off jeans shorts with the waist band rolled down for proper tanning and that was it. I fastened my shorts properly and he helped me up.
"I really don't feel very well and I think I need water; lots of water." I laid back in the hammock and my pretty world began to swim. I threw a leg over the side and ended up on the ground again.
The next thing I heard was laughter. "What happened this time?" He handed me water and I drank the full glass.
"The world was spinning so I threw out my leg to stop it and flipped out of the hammock." I rubbed my head, for a doozy of a headache was brewing.
"Okay, I am through mowing yards for the day, so I will hang around and get you into some kind of condition that is safe. Cool?"
"Cool, very cool and thanks." I said with a now humbled voice.
He pulled me, in the hammock stand, to the shade and brought me more water.
"Drink this one more slowly."
"Who are you besides 'yard guy'?"
"Is that what I am called, 'yard guy'?"
I nodded, but regretted the head movement. "Well, most of the young women call you 'hot yard guy'"
"Do you call me that?"
"I have." I said coyly. He was some kinda gorgeous! "What else do you do, uh, what is your name, first of all?"
"Franz, and yes, German descent and I am working on my Masters in Chemistry." He smiled, proud he wasn't 'yard guy' forever, I thought.
"Wow! Very cool! So you are 'yard guy' for tuition?" He nodded.
"Do you work or just lounge in the sun and drink all day?"
I laughed heartily, but grabbed my head again. "Oh yes, I work. I am a nurse at Memorial."
"Now that is cool! I thought about going to med school, but couldn't afford it. Did you want to be a nurse or couldn't afford med school either?" He asked.
"Only a nurse and never a doctor."
"Ah, I sense some disdain for doctors here. I have that as well."
"Never had it until I became a nurse, but yes indeed, disdain." I needed more water.
He brought back more water and some saltine crackers. "I bet you never ate before your daiquiri splurge, right?"
"Right." I sipped and chewed slowly. The trees seemed a brighter green and the breeze carried hints of honeysuckle that would be in full aroma during the night. It was a perfect Spring day.
"Help yourself to anything to eat or drink inside. I may even be able to stand up before too long."
"I would actually like to check out your garden and see what you are using to keep the critters away." I watched as he checked each plant and even picked a few tomatoes. I smiled. I wondered how many women he had at his beck and call. I stopped smiling. I better forget him right now!
I sighed and looked up into the trees again. Squirrels and birds had it easy. Humans made a mess or complicated things severely. I should act like a bird and dance around and catch his eye. Wait! Boy birds do that! I looked back and he was strutting through the garden, flexing as he dug up some onions, He was trying to attract my attention. Hm, this could prove interesting.
Pretending to doze, I watched him through my lashes. He headed my way and I closed my eyes.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" I felt his rough hand on my cheek and opened my eyes.
"Depends on what you are thinking... " His face drew closer and the trees vanished.
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