[WESTON CALE MCLELLAN]

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The holiday rush had hit the postal office like a herd of elephants. But Wes had down his best to at least keep things in control on his end. He only had to prevent himself from talking to the people on his route, as conversations could happen.

With Christmas now over, Wes could feel like he could at least breathe more than he was able to. Cassie had commented on how flushed his cheeks looked one time after he had come over for dinner. Nothing like the holidays to get the blood pumping.

His route was done for the day, and Wes parked his truck and checked it back in. It was still early afternoon, and his bosses knew that he would stick around for a bit. As that was just his routine. He liked being at work, and so far, no one had convinced him otherwise. The only days he didn’t, was when the winery called him.

Boots on the floor signaled his arrival and Wes walked into the break room where Wes spotted a familiar face and gave a smile. “Good morning, Gabe, a decent morning, I hope?” Wes hadn’t known Gabe for too long now – as the other was mainly a clerk. But Wes liked to at least talk to anyone and everyone, especially on a single-to-single-person basis. Large crowds did not suit him well.

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12/30/22 • Uniform • Gabriel John Crowe

[Gabriel John Crowe]

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His break was well deserved after dealing with the general flow of customers, once more maintaining his composure until he was able to go into the back for a break. He sat in the chair, his thoughts oddly and blissfully empty despite the creeping discomfort of the silence. There was something disturbing about the lack of voices in the office. At least when there were voices around it was not so lonely.

“Good morning, Gabe, a decent morning, I hope?”

Turning quickly in his seat, his expression went from blank to that of a warm smile. He knew better than to try and correct the speaker over the choice of name. It had been a struggle to accept it, but some how he managed it.

"Good morning Weston," he nodded, dipping his head, "It's been a fair morning. Busy, but a good level of busy. And how was your trip out and about? No serious traffic I hope?"

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[WESTON CALE MCLELLAN]

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“Thankfully, no. Met a great Dane name alexander!” Dogs were always a treat, well, any animal really on Wes’ route. There was something about being able to say hello and give them pets or pats, depending if it was a goose or an animal that had more than two legs. “I did hear. Mrs. Lorena had an emergency blockage on her route. A tree fell in the street.”

Wes slipped off his outer layer and plopped down in the rolling chair behind the counter. He sat there silently, a moment remembering his trail and all the animals. One could say he was there, staring into space, with random smiles and bouts of giggles. But Wes snapped out of it. “Did you have anyone drop off any big orders?” Not that it was important, but Wes, as always – was curious. There was something about seeing a large box on the truck. Was it a new mattress? Or maybe a dog bed? It was a fun guessing game.

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12/30/22 • Uniform • Gabriel John Crowe