She was part of an all male road
Nathan and Vick were floated in
crew, repaving highway 251 through
first thing Tuesday night, being put
the desert; working the swing shift due
directly under Wendell with Natalie.
to the triple digit-heat during the day.
They had heard there was a lone
The guys on her crew saw her as one
female on the road crew, but like
of them, often inviting her to throw
everyone else, just assumed she was
back a few beers when they knocked
some badass lez trying to prove her
off early, inviting her to poker night,
manhood by hangin’ with the boys.
and NFL, NBA, MLB parties and the
Didn’t bother her one bit what they
family barbeques they had on the
thought of her, she didn’t live for them.
weekends. Natalie had no problem treating
The weekend was rolling up fast and the highway would be crowded
them like her brothers, after all, she
with travelers trying to reach one
spent so much time with them, knew
destination or another in a hurry; so
their families as if they were her own
with the added crewmembers and
and knew many of their secrets;
added equipment, the progress
secrets that she kept like a priest
doubled up. By Friday, the repaving
during confession.
was complete and they would have
There were rumors and
the holidays off to relax. Wendell did
grumblings that their numbers would
what he did best, planned a weekend
increase on swing even though they
barbeque and invited the newest
were ahead of schedule. The powers
crewmembers to join in.
that be wanted the roadwork done as
They shut down early Friday
soon as possible so the traffic could
and decided to meet at the sports bar
return to its normally heavy flow, so
for drinks. Natalie opted not to meet
the weekend crew was added to the
up with the crew wanting only to go
fivers so they could finish before the
home and take a long hot bubble bath
holiday rush.
as she asked for a rain check.