The Janitor

Guess the scene. 💕

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You push open the heavy glass doors of the building, your joints creaking almost as much as the hinges. The lobby is dimly lit, the cool air refreshing after the warmth of the summer evening. As you shuffle towards the security desk, you spot Jim, the security guard, leafing through a magazine. As he looks up and spots you, a warm smile spreads across his face.

"Hey, old man."

"Hey, Jim," you greet him, your voice gravelly but cheerful.

"How's the jam business going? Got any good deals at the Lemontown farmers market?"

You chuckle, feeling a swell of pride. "Oh, you know it. Martha made a batch of strawberry rhubarb last week that sold out in an hour. We've got a booth there every Saturday. You should come by and grab a jar sometime."

Jim grins. "I just might. Always up for some good jam."

"Well, I'll make sure to tell Martha," you reply.

"Thanks. It's just, last time I went to the market, there was this guy selling honey with the bees still buzzing around in a glass case," Jim chuckles, shaking his head. "Almost gave me a heart attack."

"Oh, you mean Dave?" you laugh. "Yeah, he's got a flair for the dramatic. But his honey's the best around. Martha uses it in her jams sometimes."

"Really?" Jim raises an eyebrow. "I'll have to try some. Do you also know about the woman with the neon green hair and all the weird pickles?"

"Yeah, Miss Patty," you say with a grin. "She swears by her garlic-dill-pickle-mustard combo. Claims it'll cure any illness. Not sure I'm brave enough to test that."

Jim laughs. "I bought a jar just to see if it lives up to the hype. Haven't opened it yet, though. Maybe I'll bring it by the next time we see each other, and we can both give it a try."

"Deal," you nod. "But only if you bring crackers. Can't face that concoction without something to dull the flavor if it's as bad as it sounds."

Jim grins. "You've got yourself a deal, old man. And I'll make sure to swing by your booth for some of that strawberry-rhubarb jam. My wife will love it."

You chat a bit more about the market, exchanging stories about the best deals and the quirkiest vendors. Eventually, you glance at the clock and realize it's time to get started. Moving slowly, you head towards the janitor's closet, your sanctuary of supplies.

Inside, you change into your uniform, the familiar fabric settling comfortably on your shoulders. You gather your tools: mop, bucket, spray bottles, and, of course, the trusty vacuum cleaner. Tonight's first stop is the marketing firm on the fifth floor.

You lug everything to the elevator, pressing the button for the fifth floor. As the doors slide shut, you take a moment to reflect. Life has been good. Sure, you're old now, and the work can be tiring, but you're happy. Your kids are all grown up and thriving in the big cities. Soon enough, you'll retire, and then it'll be just you and Martha, making jams and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

The elevator dings, and the doors open to the fifth floor. You step out and immediately notice two figures standing awkwardly near a desk. It's Young Green, the owner/one of the staff of the firm, and someone you don't recognize. Green's face is flushed, and the other person is hastily straightening their clothes.

You clear your throat, breaking the silence. "Evening."

Green jumps slightly, his/her blush deepening. "Oh! Good evening. I didn't hear the elevator."

The other person mutters a quick "Good night" as they brush past you, heading for the elevator. You give them a nod and a polite smile, then turn your attention back to Green.

"Late night, huh?" you say, eyeing the dinner plates and remnants of a meal on a small desk nearby.

Green laughs nervously. "Yeah, just working on a project. Want some of this? We ordered too much."

You accept the offer, grabbing a plate and picking at the leftovers. As you eat, you can't help but notice the way Green glances at the elevator, a soft smile playing on his/her lips.

Ah, young love. You can't help but think they'd make a cute couple. You remember those days, the thrill of stolen moments and secret smiles. It warms your heart to see it still alive in the world, even here, in this office. Young Green and the new hire, they seem to be at the beginning of their journey, just like you and Martha once were. Maybe, one day, they'll look back and smile at these moments too.

With a smile on your face, you watch as Green heads back to his/her office, leaving you to your work.

You start vacuuming, your thoughts drifting back to your own younger days, the excitement of new love, the dreams of the future. Life has a funny way of working out, you muse. And as you clean, you feel a warmth in your chest, knowing that soon, your days will be filled with jam-making and market mornings with Martha.

The vacuum hums steadily, a comforting sound as you move through the office, thoughts of the blooming romance between Green and the new hire swirling in your head. One cute story to tell Martha when you get home. She'll love hearing about Young Green's office love story.