Main Street is lit up with the late evening sun. It’s still hot, but you know the cool air will start to push down the mountains and into the valley. First, it will find its way into the dark, shady places. Eventually, it will settle over the whole city and night will begin.

You have been up since sunrise. You slipped into your jeans and boots, threw on a black tank top, and tied your long hair back. You grabbed a banana on the way out the door and filled your coffee mug for the ride across town. Work starts at 6:00 am. You are the only woman on a team of concrete finishers. All day long you will be in the blazing sun. Bent over, setting forms for sidewalks and driveways or standing ankle deep on pour days, spreading, leveling, and finishing slabs. Your job demands every bit of physical strength and stamina your body can muster. And you work as hard or harder than the guys, because it’s their world. You are an anomaly. But, the money is good and the work never-ending in this boom town.

But, tonight, you are not one of the guys. You came home and scrubbed yourself from grey to pink. You slipped into that black dress, put on the long pendant necklace, and slid your feet into your calf-high boots. You are already so tan, you add a little eye shadow and dark red to your lips. Just enough that you start to feel like a woman again. You keep your hair down, pulling some to the side in a loose braid to keep it out of your eyes, the rest flows down your back. You are going out tonight.

You still feel the sun on your back as you walk down the familiar sidewalk. You are passing shops and art galleries. They were filled with tourists earlier in the day. They’ve all closed for the evening, but the bars and restaurants are open. Almost all of them have opened the front of their restaurants so the patrons can sit in the open air to enjoy their food and drinks. You are looking for a place to pause, a friendly face. It’s the same feeling from when you were a kid and you walked down the long aisle of the school bus. Who has a spot for me?

But, finally you spot him. He has also cleaned up nicely. Sitting there in his crisp, white, collared shirt, dark jeans filled out with muscular legs, and leather boots. He sees you and waves.

Standing up, he takes off his hat to greet you, “Hey! You came! I’m glad I don’t have to eat alone.”

“Oh, I’m a little surprised myself!” you reply. “It was nice of you to ask.”

“It would be a shame to skip a birthday. You have to celebrate those!” His smile was sweet, as he pulled out a chair. “I ordered some chips and guac, already. Want a beer? Or a birthday margarita?”

“Yeah, that sounds good. I’m starving! Let me take a look,” you say grabbing the small drinks menu. You are thinking to yourself, be calm. This is nothing. Just friends.

“Man, I hope its not awkward for me to tell you this, but you look amazing! It’s hard to imagine you as anything other than one of the guys.” He says, laughing.

You look up smiling. “Thanks. I’m terrible at getting out. Usually I go straight from my work clothes to a frozen dinner in my pajamas.”

“Well, not tonight. Pick your drink, girl. Let’s get to celebrating!” He said, lifting his glass.