His Married, Human Mate

I was driving 10 miles over the speed limit when I realized I was about to go over the railroad tracks too fast, and there went my orange juice all over my jeans and in the floor. I didn't have time for this. It is my first day at my new job at one of the factories my friend got me on at through a temp agency in town. The pay wasnt great but at this point I couldn't be chosey. My son, Brock, now 6 months old grew too quickly for clothes, $16 dollars every 3 days for formula and lets not get started on the cost of diapers. So the first job that called me in, I took it. As I'm parking and running in for my first day with the sweet citrus juice smell for perfume it would just have to do I can feel the nerves set in. Paul, the recruiter, meets me along with 5 other new people at the gates to walk us in and provide is our gear, after a speech and dumb safety video from 20 years ago played we got our positions assigned and went to train.  I was the only newbie in my area. The work was fast and there was an age gap, Me being the youngest at 20 years old, my co workers ranging from 35 to 60 didnt leave much room for conversation. After working with this group for a week I got moved to a small work cell in the back, the work was a little slower and the age gap was still there, but the men and women on this line were much kinder. Brittany worked this area, she waa about the same age as my mom and she was very motherly unlike my mother  She looked after me kinda. If I were falling behind she would jump ober to help. Make sure I brought lunch and always asked about Brock. We began having more personal conversation as time went by. I told her about my husband, who I had fell head over hills in highschool then teen parents right after! Now we were having issues and I had no one I could confide in so she became that person. AJ had been growing distant, we were trying to save up to prepare for another child, I came up with a positive test and then 10 weeks later miscarried. AJ was grieving but so was I and I had never felt more alone. Brittany always listen and was a good friend. After a few months. Time past Brock turned 1 and then 2. I felt like we were doomed to be divorced.  This is the point in time that Brittany introduced me to another co worker of ours, he just started and was her son, Ethan. We were eating lunch when I met him for the first time.  Don't look up know Leona but here comes my handsome boy. Brittany spoke so proudly of her son. But she wasn't wrong. He was indeed very handsome. He was about 5'10 with dark brown hair just long enough to lay over, his skin was lightly tanned from the spring sun and his ice blue eyes stared right through my soul. I forgot to exhale for a moment while I took him in. He was kinda built, probably a medium shirt would fit if it wasn't for his thoroughly worked out shoulders and arms. I had to grab my water to wash my food down before I choked on it.  Hey mom! Ethan greeted her.  Ethan this is Leona my friend. Sit and eat with us? Brittany pleaded with him. He complied offering up just a smile  Well when you ask like that how could I not?  I'm sitting here just silent as I'm trying to process why I'm reacting to him in such a way. He is handsome sure but ive seen other handsome men.  I have to run to the restroom. Brittany excused herself after just a moment. I nodded to acknowledge I would see her later. But immediately felt anxious about now sitting alone with Ethan. My palms starting to sweat and gulping down my water.  Leona, right? He inquired. I nodded with a slight grin. The way my name rolled off his tongue was like he had been saying it his whole life and we were beat friends.  I hope my mom hasn't told you too many embarrassing things about me. I came here to work for the summer before going to College. Is that what your doing? He tried to start up a conversation. Ummm. . . it's complicated. I'm still figuring out what I'm doing. But I have a little boy and in the mean time of figuring it out I still got bills. I chuckled to lighten up the heavy topic.  How old is he? Your son? He is just turned 2. I have a picture. Do you wanna see? I grabbed my phone as Ethan nodded to pull up a picture of my beautiful toddler. His blonde hair and baby blues have his mommy wrapped around his fingers. I find an adorable picture of him playing with a set of buckets for babies to share. Ethan smiled while taking in the picture. He is a handsome boy. He must get that from his mom. He stated as he then made direct eye contact with me. I could feel the blood filling my cheeks and knowing I was now blushing like a fool. There was a pause were we both just smiling. And just like that the lunch bell rang ending our moment and queuing all the workers to return to our work areas. Before I could say a word. Ethan got up to get to work with a quick, "I'll be seeing you later." And strolled away. Somehow, I knew he intended on making sure he would see me later.  I scurried back to my work station before I was late replaying the compliment in my head over and over knowing Ethan thought I was beautiful. I had not a stitch of make-up on and had been working all morning and he thought I was beautiful. I can't recall the last time I was told that. Probably not since I had had Brock.  Brittany watched over me the rest of the day seeing I was a little peppy after lunch.  How was the rest of lunch? She interrupted my thoughts.  Good. Showed Ethan a cute picture of Brock and then the bell rang and I came back here. Our lunches go by fast. I answered.  She smiled in return, Ethan loves kids. He is gonna make a great father one day. She mused. I smiled in return feeling like I agreed even knowing so little about him. He seemed to have a kind spirit.  The day went on and my shift came to an end when I was waiting at the time clock to pinch out Ethan was already there waiting. I gave him a small smile. The rest of your shift go smoothly? He asked. I nodded in return, feeling I might ramble if I spoke. He reached out and tucked a strand of my fallen blond hair behind my ear. My cheeks are blushing again. Good. I'd hate to hear otherwise. I'll see you in the morning?. He questioned. Again my heart had skipped as his hand was so close to my face. I could only nod again. He turned, clocked out and shuffled away. I also did the same back to my car. Sitting there feeling like a child not knowing how to use my words in front of him. Then I knew I had to head home. Where AJ will only use grunts to communicate with me and I would spend my evening playing with Brock and feeding him. That would be my highlight. Brock, my sweet baby boy. He was the light of my world. And that seems like the only positive thing left about my marriage. Thinking that along with my behavior today, I could just feel the wave of gulit wash over me. My drive home was in silence. I had to keep my head straight. It didn't matter what Ethan thought, I was married even if unhappily. I could honor those vows and our son. I would set this straight tomorrow.