I don't know how long it took me to walk home.

I was soaked to the bone before I even got off of Beth's street and the bag with my presents was little in the way of protection. I discovered that the bag had a tear in it too as I paused underneath a tree when the rain got heavier for a few minutes. My book was sopping wet and curling, and I noticed that the CD was not even in the bag. Beth had kept it for some reason- probably not wanting it to get ruined in the storm.

I thought briefly about going to my job, spending the night there as it was only a few blocks away. There would be someone there throwing freight, stocking the shelves and they would let me in of course, but.

But Beth had told me to go home.

I left the meager protection of the barren tree, its leaves a soggy mess in the gutter with Fall's approach and crossed the street. Water raced over the blacktop, the sodium light of the street lamps doing little to light my way in the downpour.

I hurried along, my hands stuffed into my pockets, my useless bag and ruined book under my arm. The streets were all but deserted; no one out walking like me and only a few cars passing, none even slowing to look at me. The rain lessened at times, then seemed to treble without reason. The wind howled and roared as I walked on, sometimes whipping the rain at me sideways, blowing me back. Lightning flared over and over, but I noticed that the thunder came slower with almost every flash. The storm was moving on- thankfully- not that it would help me any.

I finally turned onto my street, then started trudging up my block. I could see my house that I shared with my friend, the porch light glowing softly in the distance. I sagged, shuddering as I hunched my shoulders, dragging my feet.

The porch light was on, which meant that my house mate- Ken- had a girl over. That was the signal, a sign that he used more than me admittedly. It was my fault too, I knew, as I had expected to be spending the night at Beth's. Only myself to blame.

I turned up the front walk and stepped up onto the stairs, glad to get under the porch at least and out of the rain. It had lessened a lot but was still coming down steadily. The wind had died away some too, and the sky lit up far to the east with the dwindling lightning, the far off roll of thunder. I sighed, trying the door.

It was locked of course.

I tossed my bag to the side, the book hitting the porch deck with a sloppy slap as I dug in my pocket for my keys, only realizing after a moment that I had given the ring to Beth- house keys included. I was locked out.

I raised my fist to knock on the door but hesitated. I knew from past experience that Ken would not answer. Aside from our pact and the porch light signal, he was a heavy sleeper and could sleep through an earthquake- or a thunderstorm. I thought maybe that his current girlfriend- Cindy I think her name was- might come to the door, though I doubted it.

I had never quite understood just what the women saw in Ken. He was good looking I supposed, though not devastatingly handsome. He was cool though, and independent. He was a sign painter and had been on his own since high school- before even. Maybe he had the lines women wanted to hear, or because he had had a ride early on, a place of his own. I don't know, but the women flocked to him, arrogant and conceited as he was towards them. He was a lady's man and he knew it.

Cindy, his latest conquest was a nice girl and pretty with long black hair and a perfect figure, a beautiful smile. A typical member of Ken's ever-growing stable of girls. She was always nice to me, and I knew that if she heard me knocking she would let me in.

If she heard me. I stopped knocking after awhile, with no answer. Maybe they were both passed out from too much sex, or drunk? Maybe Ken had told her not to answer. Maybe they just simply did not hear me pounding on the door. Whatever, I had little choice it seemed.

Shivering I settled into one of the old wooden chairs on the porch. I slumped down, propping my feet on the edge of the low wall encircling the deck and trying to get comfortable. It was probably after two, and I had to be at work by eight the next morning.

I hoped I would wake on time. I hoped I could get inside to clean up. Maybe Ken would give me a ride. I shifted in my makeshift bed, my back already aching. It was going to be a long, restless night.



I woke with the sun.

I moaned as I jerked awake, the sun's light washing over me but doing little to warm me up. I noticed straight away that my throat was scratchy and my nose was stuffed. I had caught the makings of a cold from my long walk home in the pouring, chilly rain. I would be lucky if I did not catch pneumonia.

I stood slowly, stretching, feeling the bones creak and pop with my stiff movements. My head felt stuffed with moldy cotton as I shambled to the door and started knocking again.

I heard movement within- finally- and after awhile I heard the locks opening and the door swinging slowly in- just a crack. I saw Cindy's sleepy face peering out at me through the crack in the door, blinking at the morning sun and finally smiling as she recognized me. She opened the door fully and I saw that she was wearing a long tee shirt- one of Ken's- that barely dipped below her privates and showed off her long, tanned legs. Her hair was a tousled mess from a restless sleep, and she was barefoot, one foot resting atop the other as she held onto the door-

"Jimmy," she said with a wide smile. "Good morning. Just getting in?"

I thought about saying 'no', that I had spent a long and uncomfortable night sleeping on a hard wooden chair on the porch in the storm. I thought about commenting about how both she and Ken had slept through my pounding on the door. In the end I simply nodded, stepping inside and past her as I had to use the bathroom and get ready for work. I had no time to fight as I rushed to the john.

I used the toilet then washed up quickly, drenching my body in hot water. A shower would have been great, but there was no time. I took some Tylenol in the end and headed out of the bathroom finally and towards my room. I saw Ken as I passed the kitchen- he was up and about wearing only his boxers and making coffee-

"Hey, Jim." he said as I hurried past, darting into my room. I barely had twenty minutes to get dressed and get to work.

"Hey."

I was dressed and out of my room in under three minutes. I found Ken and Cindy sitting on the couch and watching TV as I stepped out, tucking in my shirt. They made a nice couple, both thin and well-proportioned, both raven haired and good looking- she more so than he I had to admit. Ken grinned as he looked up, sipping at his coffee-

"Late night, Bro?"

"Yeah," I said, not wanting to go into the details of my less than satisfying birthday. My stomach rumbled to smell the coffee, but I knew I didn't have the time. "Any chance you can give me a lift to work?"

"Sorry, man," Ken said taking another drink but not moving from the couch. "I have to get some proofs out to Best Signs in Eagle Point, after I drop Cindy off. I should be gone already," he shrugged. Cindy looked at him, but offered no argument. I sighed.

"Okay," I said with some disappointment. "I better get going then. I have a long walk-"

"Ken!" Cindy finally said, shoving at my house mate but he just shrugged again. "Sorry, dude."

I nodded and said my good byes. I didn't have time to waste. Granted my boss would show me some leeway if I was late once- I hardly ever was- but I didn't want to hear his speech when I got there. I nodded, saying good bye and hurried out the door.

I contemplated taking a cab, but when I checked my wallet I found that I had no bills, just some change. I had thought that I still had a twenty at least, but I guess I was wrong. I started walking.



I arrived at the store about fifteen minutes late. I had called ahead, stopping at a market and using my last quarter but I had covered my ass. My boss gave me a grim look as I rushed into the store and into the backroom to get ready for my job.

Luckily the Night Crew had done most of the work and I was left with going through the dead stock- that merchandise that had been ordered and would not fit on the shelves before; mistakes or sale items. There were price changes to do as well, and simple cleaning up around the store. Too, I was scheduled to be a cashier in between- third man after the two regulars at the registers, Rhonda and Tammy. Hopefully it would be a slow day and I would miss the front-end work.

I was loading up a dolly with the beer to fill the cases when Tammy came into the back room and flopped into one of the fold up chairs with a heavy sigh. I looked at her as she lit up a cigarette and propped her feet on another chair in the break area, leaning back and seemingly exhausted-

"Hi Tammy," I said as I wheeled the dolly out of the cooler. She smiled, taking a drag from her cigarette as she looked me up and down. Tammy was about three years older than me, with dirty blonde hair and just a bit overweight. She recrossed her legs at the ankles and twirled her foot, and I heard the bones in her ankles popping-

"Hey, Jim," she said, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. I shoved the dolly up by the door and paused, looking for a marking gun as my eyes strayed to Tammy's reclining form.

"Tired?" I asked, pulling a Monarch labeler from the box by the door and checking the ink and labels. She moaned, nodding-

"My feet are killing me." She took a long drag from her cigarette and looked at me as I fumbled about my job. She twirled her foot and grinned. "I could use a massage- or at least some time off my feet. I need a vacation."

Tammy was wearing a pair of blue leather Oxfords, and as I watched she stretched her legs and twirled her foot for comfort. I licked my lips as I watched, feeling my dick growing with the show. If she knew she was getting me hot, she didn't show it.

"I can rub your feet," I said hesitantly. "if you want."

Tammy blinked and stared at me curiously, then took another long drag off of her cigarette. She flicked ash onto the cold stone floor. "For real?" she asked, twisting her foot again, looking at her shoes. I swallowed, nodding.

"Sure," I said, shoving the dolly off to the side out of the way and walking over to her. I dropped down to one knee as she smiled and kicked off her shoes. They hit the ground with a soft thud and I saw her flexing her toes in her thin socks as I reached for her foot. She moaned softly at my touch as I started to massage the ball and arch of her foot.

"Mmmmn." she cooed, leaning back and closing her eyes. "That feels so good." I smiled, happy to be of service as I rubbed at the bottom of her foot. I dug my thumb into the soft, damp material of her sock, rubbing with all my effort to her delight. She took another drag from her cigarette, blowing smoke at me with a giggle-

"Sorry," she said, opening her eyes and looking at me dreamily. I smiled-

"That's okay," I said with a shaky, embarrassed grin. I could not believe that I was doing this, or that I had even had the nerve to offer. I was nervous though, somehow wanting to do a good job- wanting to please her. I was starting to sweat.

Tammy grinned, watching me curiously now as I rubbed at her feet. I enjoyed the effort, breathing deeply of the rank leather smell of foot odor that drifted up to my nose. I could feel my pecker getting hard, but it was hidden in my pants, between my legs and I was certain that she could not see it. She blew smoke in my face again, and I coughed.

"You like this, don't you?" she asked, raising her leg, her other foot up to my face. I blushed, concentrating on what I was doing-

"Don't you?" she asked again with a bit more authority and I finally nodded, agreeing. She extended her foot until her toes were pointed and pressing against my lips-

"You want to kiss them?" she asked and I stopped rubbing, hesitating. I wanted to of course, but what would she think of me if I did? What would Beth think-

"Go ahead," she said with a sly, knowing grin. "Kiss my feet!"

I leaned in and planted a kiss on the tips of her toes. Tammy giggled, her foot twitching in my grip. I lavished her sock-clad foot with kisses, relishing the damp, sweaty smell, and the lingering taste of leather from her shoes. I heard her moans as she enjoyed what I was doing, pausing only long enough for her to shove her other foot in my face before I continued. I moaned and whimpered myself as I performed for her, feeling my cock getting rock-hard in my pants. I was excited beyond belief, acting as her foot slave there, kneeling on the cold hard concrete in the back room as she moaned in pleasure.

All too soon however it ended as Tammy shoved me back and away. I sprawled backwards, caught off balance and looked up to her as I lay at her feet. She was breathing hard and sweating, her hand wiping away at the bit of soft flesh showing above the shell neck scoop of her shirt. She was smiling, staring down at me-

"That's enough," she said as she looked up to the clock bolted high up on the far wall behind me. "Rhonda's gonna be bitchin'. I'm late."

Tammy grinned at me as I got to my knees. She recrossed her legs, sitting forward and dangling her foot right in front of my face again. "Put my shoes back on," she said with a wide grin and without a thought I did as she commanded. I picked up her shoe and spread it wide, slipping out the laces a bit as I slipped first the left, then the right back onto her dainty feet. I tied her shoes and she giggled, standing-

"God that was hot," she said, looking down at me as she tucked in her blouse and adjusted her work smock. "Who knew?"

I looked up at her, but she just smiled coyly down as she got ready to go back to work. "I hope we can do this again, Jimmy. It was great." Tammy started to step away, then paused. She slid her foot forward, looking down at me even as I looked up-

"Say 'thank you', Jim." Tammy stood there with a wide smile as I knelt down and pressed my lips to the toecaps of her soft leather shoes, mumbling my thanks. I kissed both shoes without a thought, and also without a thought she simply turned and strode away. I heard her laughing.

"Wait'll I tell Rhonda."

I watched as she pushed through the swinging doors and went back out into the store. I knelt there for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts, my courage and finally I got up again. God, she was going to tell Rhonda.

What had I done? Before long the entire scene would be all over the store and I would be a laughing stock- if I didn't get fired. Everyone would know, and think I was some kind of sick pervert, when all I had wanted was to make Tammy happy, ease her tired, sore feet.

Right.

I had wanted to get at her feet, pure and simple, no matter what excuses I used- and she knew it. She had played me, and I had been idiot enough to let it happen. Hell, I had suggested it. What was wrong with me? I wondered what I should do next, but really there was only one thing that I could do.

I went back to work.



I had just finished up loading the beer coolers and was pushing the dolly back to the backroom when I heard my name paged on the loudspeaker-

"Jim. Come up front!"

It was Rhonda calling for something and I swallowed, wondering if this was it? The joking and verbal torture was probably about to begin. Still, she had called and as much as I wanted to put off the inevitable, I had to go. Despite the fact that it was part of my job, both Rhonda and Tammy had seniority over me and I had to do as they said if they needed me for something.

I shoved the dolly full of now empty beer cases up by the cardboard baling machine for later and hurried towards the front of the store. I actually started jogging, trying to wipe the dirt and sweat from the palms of my hands on my apron tail. The store was relatively empty as far as customers went, which was good- for me at least. It was easier to work when business was slow. Aside from the customers too, there were only a handful of us on shift. Saturday morning was generally slow, up until noon at least this time of year. The kids were back in school, summer vacations were over and families tended to do things together on the weekends. That left us with Rhonda and Tammy up front, me on the floor and the Day Manager- Bill Quigg though he spent most of his time in the office with the morning bookkeeper, Sandra. There was also a Produce man and a butcher and meat wrapper, but they were in the back end of the store, so I figured I was safe from their taunts at least for awhile. Maybe Rhonda actually needed my help with something legitimate.

I saw once I got to the front of the store that both Tammy and Rhonda had customers in their check out lines. The lines were short, three in Tammy's but Rhonda had a huge order piling up on her counter. She looked up as I approached, heading to my own register to open up but she shook her head-

"Bag for me."

I nodded and jogged around to the front, doing as she said. I started bagging the groceries and setting the full bags aside until the shopping cart was empty, all the while waiting for the giggles and jokes. They did not come however, and I saw that Rhonda was concentrating on the job at hand, otherwise ignoring me except to slide groceries down the counter for me to reach. I noticed once or twice Tammy glancing at me back over her shoulder and caught her sly, knowing grin once before she turned back to work. She said nothing though and I sighed in relief. Maybe I was worrying for nothing. Hopefully she would keep our little encounter a secret after all.

The flurry of activity was fast and furious but quickly over. I placed the bags into the cart then helped the woman wheel her groceries outside and into the back seat of her car. It was a beautiful fall day now, the storms of the night before having drifted off to the east leaving the sky crisp and clear if just a bit chilly. The parking lot was still damp I saw with a few scattered puddles, but clean for the most part. The winds had swept the lot the night before, for which I was glad as I would have had to sweep later. As it was, I thanked the woman for her patronage- pocketing the fifty cents she gave me for my efforts and help- then gathered the few carts scattered about the lot, picking up the occasional stray paper along the way. I dumped the garbage and corralled the shopping carts, then took a final deep breath of fresh air before heading back in to work.

All the customers were gone now from the front, and in the lull I saw Tammy leaning on the back of her register whispering something in hushed tones to Rhonda. She was grinning, and when she saw me her smile grew but she stopped talking as well, settling to watch me. For her part, Rhonda had been filling in her check log, writing in the names and times of checks that she had accepted and she continued with that, not even looking up. I smiled sheepishly at Tammy and started to move away, heading for the back again-

"Get the throwbacks, Jim."

I paused and finally turned back. There were always items that the customers decided that they did not want at the last minute, things that had to be put back on the shelf and the cashiers generally stuffed them into the cubby holes below the counter with the shopping bags and other stuff to be gathered together later. Apparently Rhonda was overloaded and wanted me to do the throw backs then. I had no problem with that- part of the job- but as I approached I saw Tammy standing there doing nothing. She could have done the job, no problem, as they both knew I had other tasks around the store. She made no move to volunteer however, so I headed to Rhonda's lane-

"Me first, Jim," Tammy said with a smirk. I shrugged and stepped over to her register, thinking that she had gathered the items already, but as I came around the corner she simply stepped back and leaned against her register to give me room to get them.

I sighed and crouched down, finally getting to my knees as I reached back into the dark recesses of the cubbyholes, probing for the throwbacks she had accumulated. Tammy made no move to help, and actually stepped up closer as I was stretching to get a jar that had rolled all the way to the back. I felt the rough warmth of her denim jeans as she brushed up against me, her leg thumping against my shoulder and the side of my head. She stepped around and when I glanced down I could see that she had positioned her foot right below me.

I hesitated, staring at her foot for a moment as it shifted there on the black rubber mat that the cashiers stood on for some limited comfort. I could see the dusty impressions that her shoes had made that morning, watching as her weight pressed down into the rubber. I licked my lips, feeling my excitement growing again between my legs. I was starting to sweat-

Tammy's knee thudded into my head and I heard her giggle an apology from above-

"You okay?"

I nodded that I was, afraid to talk that my voice might crack. She had knocked me out of my daze however, and before her feet and shoes could mesmerize me again I quickly got that last jar and stood up again.

I was flushed and embarrassed, and Tammy knew it as she grinned. Thankfully though she said nothing more and let me pass, out of her register. I dumped the few throwbacks into a shopping cart and then moved into Rhonda's space to gather hers.

Rhonda continued her writing, ignoring me and barely moving as I got down on my knees by her feet. I could smell her perfume as I got closer and actually had to press against her leg to reach into the shelves beneath her register. Like Tammy she felt warm and her soft denim brushed against the skin of my arm and cheek. My gaze of course drifted down to her feet and I saw that Rhonda was wearing a pair of flat leather sandals. There was a thick strap across the top of her smooth foot, another smaller loop wrapping about her big toe that accentuated the soft, pink polish she wore. I stared as she wiggled her toes, her feet shifting slightly as she changed position, leaning above me. I could hear the gentle 'shish' of her soles as they scraped across the rubber mat-

"Hurry up down there!"

I flinched at the sound of her voice startling me and lurched up. My hand bumped the edge of the shelf as I started to rear back and the jar of mustard I had just retrieved went tumbling from my fingers. I tried to grab for it, but it fell beyond Rhonda's leg and I watched as it shattered on the tiled floor just beyond the rubber mat, just out of reach-

"Shit! What-" I heard Rhonda's surprised yelp as she finally shuffled backwards too late. Mustard splattered everywhere, including across the top of her foot and dotting the cuff of her flare leg jeans. I heard her curse again as she stepped back to see the damage, and when I looked up I saw her angry face staring down at me.

"Idiot!" she sneered shaking her head. Rhonda was pretty in a plain sort of way with shoulder length hair just a bit darker than Tammy's. She had a nice body, if a bit slim, but looking up at her now I really saw how her breasts were bigger than I had originally thought. She was scowling down at me, her lips thin and pink as she put her hands on her hips, waiting.

"Well?"

"I'm sorry," I said, looking back at the dirty floor, and of course her feet. I started to get up, to get some towels to clean the mess, but I felt her hand fall on my shoulder, forcing me back down.

"Where are you going?" she asked and I looked up rather stupidly. I started to say something, but she cut me off. "Clean that up!"

"I." I stuttered, wondering what she expected, half knowing what was coming. "I need to get some towels-" Rhonda shook her head again.

"Tammy says you like to use your tongue. Go ahead."

I stared at her uncomprehending for a moment. Apparently Tammy had told her of our encounter in the backroom. But surely Rhonda didn't expect me to-

"Lick it up!"

I blinked and glanced sideways at Tammy when I heard her giggles. She was watching intently, grinning from ear to ear and biting on her lower lip with anticipation. She was about to burst with glee and I turned back to Rhonda to see her smiling as well. She pointed at the floor, and that was it.

I bent low and tentatively stuck out my tongue. I started to lick at the puddle of mustard, inching forward to follow the line of the splatter. Luckily the jar had hit in such a way that there was not much by way of broken glass. I saw the neck of the jar had rolled away in a small circle beyond the mat while the base had wedged up against the check out, dripping. There was one small puddle from the initial impact and a long line that had shot out and away, crossing Rhonda's foot.

Still, the floor was filthy under the mustard, and I had never really been a fan of mustard to begin with so every lick and lap made me grimace almost to the point of gagging. I knew better than to spit any out- and God forgive I might retch, so I swallowed as best as I could forcing down the slimy, vile mess. I could taste dust and grit in the mix, and the splatter along the rubber was even worse adding a bitter flavor.

Finally I edged closer to Rhonda's foot and found it waiting, actually tapping in a tiny puddle of yellow. She made no move to make my job easier as I swallowed and licked my lips, then started in. Her foot was clean- at least on top, but there was mustard between her toes now as well and I had to get it all. After a bit of licking she finally raised her toes just a bit so that I could get at the grime beneath. I lapped at her feet and toes, tasting grit and dirt now as well as a lingering taste of leather and baby powder that made me suppress a gag.

It took some time, and all the while I could hear Tammy's chuckling as I slaved at her friend's feet. I could imagine she was wishing that she was getting the attention, and I hoped that she didn't get the bright idea of dropping anything. I hurried then, licking all the harder as I cleaned at the cuff of Rhonda's jeans as best I could. There was a stain there when I finally finished, but I had done my best. Finally I grabbed up the two halves of the jar and dumped them into the trash below the register, then replaced the garbage bag. Finally I looked up again-

Rhonda burst out laughing as I looked up at her hopefully. I could imagine that my face was filthy with grime and stains of yellow and I could feel my skin burn with embarrassment. It was humiliating; both the task I had done and to be there kneeling at the feet of this beautiful woman- all the worse that until a few minutes ago we had been friends. I wondered what she, and Tammy too, must think of me now and I flushed all the hotter, hanging my head in shame. Worse, I could now see the bulge in my pants and knew that they probably had as well. The whole scene had me excited and hot for release- release that I knew I would not soon get.

"Good boy," I heard Rhonda say and I saw her foot gliding up towards my chin. She tapped me under the chin with her toes, forcing me to look up at her. She was smiling down at me, a cruel curl in the corner of her lip as she raised her foot before my face, tilting it. "Almost done."

I stared at the bottom of her sandal and saw another smear of mustard along the sole. I sighed but eased forward and stuck out my tongue-

"What the hell is going on?"

I cringed at the booming, masculine voice coming down from on high behind me. I knew at once who it must be, and by the way Rhonda quickly dropped her foot and moved away I knew I was right. I flushed with humiliation but knew that there was nothing for it but to face him. I shuffled around on my knees and looked up-

My manager stood staring down at me with a look of shock and anger plastered on his face. His bald head was shading red as I looked up at him, wondering what I might say. Bill always reminded us of Popeye the Sailor with his head and stocky build. He was way too muscular for his short stature and stubby legs and always looked like he might topple over when he walked. Now, looking up at him from my place on the floor he seemed huge and menacing.

"What the fuck is this?" he asked again shifting his gaze to Rhonda and Tammy, then back to me. I was speechless, my voice caught in my throat again, but luckily Tammy was ready with the details-

"Jim dropped a jar, Bill," she began, moving from her register to stand behind Bill. She was smiling as she looked down at me, towering over the shorter man by a few inches. "He was just cleaning up the mess he made."

"With his tongue?" Bill blustered, his eyes snapping as his gaze shifted between the three of us. I saw Tammy shrug.

"His idea, Bill," she lied. "I was gonna get some towels but he just dropped right down and started licking-"

"He grabbed my legs!" Rhonda added. "He wouldn't let go and started licking my feet!" Bill turned back to me, frowning.

"Is that true?" I started to answer but Tammy cut me off again.

"Jeez, of course it's true, Bill. Who'd make up a story like that?"

"No." I whimpered, but Bill wasn't hearing it now. The two women had easily convinced him that it was all my idea.

"Get out!" he shouted, and apparently I was moving to slow as he grabbed me by the collar and hoisted me to my feet. Once up I towered over him, but I was so flustered and humiliated that I could not even look him in the eye. My size did nothing to intimidate him as he shook me and shoved me towards the doors.

"You're fired!" he shouted, following to make certain that I left as the automatic doors swung open. He gave me another shove and I stumbled outside, sprawling to the pavement. "We don't want your kind here, sicko! Get moving!"

I shook my head, trying to gather my thoughts and get to my feet. I felt pain in my palm and saw a bit of blood welling. My clothes were a mess and my shirt had ripped open from Bill's rough treatment, causing my dog tags to dangle freely, sparkling in the sunlight. I got to my knees again, looking to him and saw both Tammy and Rhonda behind him in the doorway trying and failing to hide their laughter.

"Bill." I moaned, trying to rise and face him as some kind of a man. "Please."

Bill shot forward and gave me another shove that finally got me moving. He was cursing all the while, his bald head blazing red from anger. He followed me all the way to the edge of the parking lot to make sure that I left.

"Show your face here again and I'll kick your ass, pervert," he shouted as I hurried off. "You'll be licking my feet, begging me not to beat the shit outta ya, freak! Go on. Run!"

I staggered a bit, turning finally and started to jog, then run. I could still hear his cursing as I snuffed back tears, snot from my cold starting to flow and drip from my nose. I choked, gasping as I ran faster, wondering how my life had gone to shit so fast.

Just twenty-four hours before I had been happy, looking forward to a night of loving with my girlfriend. It had been my birthday for God's sake and now I was out of a job and running home for my life, humiliated beyond belief. What had happened to me?

I barely held back the tears as I ran on, breathing harder with every step. My dog tags bounced and jangled against my chest with my movements, and that seemed to help oddly, the noise. It gave me something to focus on, to ignore the people I passed on the street; the pointing and laughter at how ridiculous I looked. It made me think of Beth, and that gave me hope.

I ran on.