coffee was fresh, and there was enough ice in the soda machine.
He also took care of the trash bins out by the gas pumps. It was his least favorite
part of the job. So many people let trash pile up in their cars only to clean it
out while pumping gas.
It was around this time of year when Emily would usually turn up again. He had
become used to her returning in late May and would start feeling excited.
He pulled the trash bag out of the fourth bin when a car pulled up next to the
pump.
“I see you still like taking care of the trash,” Emily said from the car.
“I can't trust anybody else with it,” William told her.
Emily got out of the car. She stepped forward to hug him, but the smell of the
trash kept her away. Her hair had grown a few inches since he last saw her.
“Man, people throw away some smelly shit,” she said, covering her nose.
“They do,” William said, used to the smell.
“How are you doing?” Emily asked. “I went by the apartment but you obviously
weren't there.”
“Yeah, I'm still working the same days as I was last year,” William told her.
“Was that my stuff in the apartment?” she asked. “I'm pretty sure that was my
toothbrush in the bathroom.”
“It is. I didn't feel right about throwing it away,” William confessed.
“So I take it we're still a summer couple?” Emily pried. She glanced into the
window of the gas station and noticed the young blonde woman behind the counter.
“Or did you find someone?”
William turned to glance at Samantha inside the building.
“No, she's a new hire. She's only seventeen so I would never try going out with