DIY store and Jack's workshop

Emotionally completely stirred up, I stroll towards the parking lot in the backyard. Into the van and off to the hardware store.

When I arrive, I get out and am reminded by the breeze blowing under my skirt that I have to be careful how I move. At the hardware store, I buy insulation material and wooden planks to insulate my van and clad it with wood from the inside. Also, everything possible for the electrics and wiring, with a solar panel for the roof. When I've checked everything off my list, it's off to the loading ramp. Luckily, one of the employees even loads everything into the van for me. Perfect.

I thank him and head off to Jack's workshop. Always following the voice of Google Maps. Finally, I arrive at Jack's workshop. I get out of my van and look for Jack, whom I can't find in the parking lot. So, into the workshop, but I can't find him there either. "Hmmm, what now?" I think. Jack doesn't seem to be there. I decide to unload the van, the packages with the wood, the solar panel and all the electrics, as well as the insulation material, are quite heavy. I have opened the rear tailgate of the van to lean forward and get some wooden planks out of the cargo area. Suddenly, I hear a cough behind me. I immediately turn red because Jack is standing behind me and can look straight up under my short pleated skirt. The neon green thong practically jumps into Jack's face. I'm almost naked in front of him. Quickly, I straighten up and pull the skirt down. "Oh God, this is embarrassing!" I'm totally horrified. But Jack doesn't seem to be uncomfortable. He grins at me cheekily. Then he offers his help, but I tell him that I'm almost done. Jack disappears back into the workshop and continues his work. However, the whole situation doesn't leave my head. My thoughts are really messing me up. This had to happen.

After a while, I have unloaded everything and drive the van into the workshop. It's clean and tidy, and Jack is working on a customer's pick-up in the other workshop next door. Shyly and full of shame, I go over to Jack and make myself known: "Hey, Jack, I'm sorry, you shouldn't have seen that. I didn't have any clothes left this morning, and the only thing I could find were short skirts. I didn't want you to see me like that."

Jack looks at me and examines my outfit: "I was already wondering what you were wearing. But now I know why you look like that, but I have to say, it suits you, kid. But it's definitely not optimal for the workshop." Jack laughs loudly, and I laugh along. "Phew, I was lucky that he reacted so relaxed. That could have gone wrong," I think.

All day long, I lay the power cables and other lines so that I have electricity and light everywhere inside the van. I attach the solar panel to the roof of the van and install a large battery storage unit in the van. If I'm going to be on the road for longer later, I definitely want to be autonomous. Tomorrow, I'll insulate the van and maybe already attach part of the wood paneling. I also need to buy a roof rack on which I can store water and gasoline canisters. I'm very satisfied with my progress and am kneeling on the loading area with the doors open when Jack comes into the workshop room. He can again look directly between my legs and at the neon green thong. This can't be true. Again, I turn red. This is totally uncomfortable for me. Jack grins from ear to ear again. He puts the two bottles of cola on a workbench and leaves the room again. Then he comes back and holds a pair of overalls in his hand. He holds them in front of my nose and laughs: "Here, I think this is better for work."

I don't know what to answer. And just nod stupidly. Then we drink the ice-cold cola together and chat a little. In my outfit, I feel uncomfortable on the one hand, but on the other hand, I also enjoy Jack's looks, even though he's not my type at all and much, much older. A feeling that I only know from soccer when the men and boys came to watch especially because of me. At least that's what my teammates said. I tell Jack about my visit to the comic shop and that I'll be supporting Brad there tonight. Jack just wishes me good luck and a nice evening.

I really have to hurry now to get home because Brad is probably already waiting.