Page 1 of Fluffing the Stallion

one

CLAY

Why is college so expensive? I got lucky when I received a partial scholarship in my sophomore year, but now in my last semester as a senior, that money is long gone. I had to scrape together the money for my tuition payment last semester and my current job barely covers my rent. I can’t seem to save enough money to get ahead or cover the last few classes I need before graduation.

My parents try to send what money they can, but with four younger brothers—one that’s in college and one that is a ravenous athlete—they barely have enough money for them. I can’t add to their troubles.

Sighing, I toss my backpack on the couch and flop down, glad my roommate isn’t here yet. Dario is a good guy, but he likes to talk and ask questions about my day and I’m in no mood for it. Today, I need to figure out how I’m going to get the money to cover my tuition or four years of education will be down the drain. I can’t go back to my dead-end town, working at a big box store or factory until I drop dead. There’s nothing wrong with those jobs—they pay decently and have benefits—but that’s not my dream. My dream is to open my own fitness center and my degree in business management will get me there.

What won’t get me there? Wallowing about not having enough money to cover my tuition.

Sighing longer and harder than I did before, I reach into my backpack and dig my laptop out. I pull up job listings for my area and come up with absolutely nothing. Everything either needs degrees I don’t have or experience that would take me a decade to amass.

Giving up as suddenly as I start, I slam my laptop down just as Dario comes in. He looks at me with concern when he sees how roughly I’m handling my expensive laptop. It’s the one thing I’ve spent excessive money on, a fact he well knows as I’ve grumbled to him about it.

“You okay, bro?” he asks, eyebrow raised as he tosses his backpack on the floor.

That’s what I mean about Dario asking questions. Sure, it’s harmless, but it’s rare that I can get away with being bummed out without him wanting to know if I want to talk about it. I really don’t, but his question seems to have unlocked some irritated part of me. Even though I don’t want to talk, I answer his question, I may need to bounce some ideas off him, see if he can help me come up with a solution. “No, I’m not. My tuition payment is due in three weeks, and I don’t even have a quarter of it. I’m three months away from graduation, but I don’t think I’ll make this last payment.”

“That blows,” he says, shaking his head. “I know you said your folks can’t help you, but is there anyone else?”

Leaning back into the cushions, I dig my fists into my eyes until colors pop behind my lids. Even then I don’t let up. “No. I wish. It wouldn’t be a problem if I had gotten even one of the scholarships I applied for this year.”

“I’m sorry, dude.”

Sitting up, I look at Dario with a sad smile. “It’s fine. I’ll figure something out.”

Dario stares at me long and hard, as if he’s trying to analyze me. It’s a little unnerving. Tentatively he says, “I can probably help. You might not be interested, but it’s good money. All legal,” he rushes to say when I open my mouth.

“Yeah? Tell me! I’ll literally do anything. I just need a job for a few months.”

“You say that now. I’m sure when you find out what it is, you won’t sound so sure.” He stands and ambles over to the kitchen, digging around in our junk drawer and pulling out some papers. He shuffles through an envelope and pulls out a card.

I take it from his hand and look at it. “Jake Mallard. Who’s that?”

“A guy I work with. He owns a video distribution company. They need someone for a spot they have open. Urgently. I’m sure he’d hire you on the spot. But you have to be into it.”

I nod, flipping the card over and finding an office phone number. “What’s the position?”

Smiling slyly, he says, “They need a fluffer.”

My eyebrows furrow. “A fluffer? For like pillows and shit?”

Dario stares at me for a moment, then laughs. He laughs so hard, tears roll down his eyes. “Oh god. Do not look it up. Come on, we’re going to see Jake now. He’ll get a kick out of that, then he can tell you about the position. You down?”

Shrugging, I pull on my jacket, grab my wallet and follow Dario out the door. I’m not sure why it’s so urgent, but whatever. If he can hook me up with a job, I’ll fluff the shit out of whatever needs fluffing.

Is it some kind of home decor thing? It sounds like a decor thing, like puffing up pillows and staging homes or something. From what I know about Dario, he works on a clean-up crew. I’m not sure where, but he makes pretty good money. Enough to pay his tuition, cover our groceries every week, and pay all his bills in advance. I wanted to ask him before to get me in where he works, but always lost my nerve. I hate asking for handouts. Right now isn’t the time to be proud, though. I need money.

“So what? I fluff pillows and shit at the distribution company? That can’t pay well.”

Dario’s lips twitch, as if he’s fighting back a smile. “Oh, for what you’ll be doing, you’ll be paid very well.”

I sure hope so. That’s if I get hired. I don’t have much work history. I’ve worked at my current job since freshman year, so I guess they can say I’m dependable. And I can stack some shelves and put stuff back where it goes. Other than that, I don’t know shit about fuck.

We travel about twenty miles outside the city, where concrete buildings and alleys meet lush green fields and rolling hills. What could possibly be out here? I’ve never heard of any distribution company in this town. I didn’t know there was a movie distribution company anywhere in Georgia except for Atlanta. Having one in small Speartree Falls is a little weird.

Shaking my head, I decide not to ask questions and lean back against the seat, eyes closed. I’m sure all questions will be answered in due time. Right now, I need to focus on doing well for this interview. Sure, I wasn’t called in for it or anything, but Dario knows the owner. Even if Dario puts in a good word for me, I have to impress the owner so I don’t make my roommate look like a jackass that refers people that can’t pull their weight. Regardless of if I know about fluffing pillows and staging homes or not, I have to give a good first impression. Firm handshake, eye contact and active listening. That’s what my freshmen orientation class said you should do at job interviews. Let’s hope that works this time.

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