"I wish this heat would tamper off a bit," his friend's husky voice mumbled. Sweat was evaporating before it even hit the ground.
Construction work was especially difficult during this time and the next two week's assignment was the roof of a rich, giant attorney's office - one of those "partner" corporations.
"These yahoos would appreciate our work more if they came up here to join us, don't you think?"
"You have a way with words, Brody. Keep up the good work you do. That's all that matters. They are doing their work; we do ours, right?"
His friend, Brody, grinned and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "You're the one with the words, pal. Chuck should be here soon with some water and popsicles, maybe. I hope he gets the cartoon ones. I always eat those with my kid."
The two men ended their brief break and shuffled the work materials into the next spot. While Brody continued jabbering on about his kid and what his kid likes, does, and says, his young friend smiled and hammered away. The manager didn't like missed deadlines and neither did bill collectors. Between the heat and the hammer, his thoughts scattered until they were off the roof and into the traffic below. Work, work, work drummed onwards.
Chuck broke the assembly line with his cooler and quick remarks. Water bottles were distributed around and curious little popsicles.
"I guess he read your mind, Brod."
"Are these the animal ones, Chuck?" Brody shouted.
"Whatever they had, you prick!"
Brody, with his cheeky grin in the middle of a red face, handed his quiet coworker a cool treat. "I think you got a green one, bud."
Unwrapping the popsicle, the young man would've dug right into the treat but he stopped short. His voice changed pitch. "A turtle."
"That's my kid's favorite!"
"I used to have pet turtles, remember?"
"Yeah, Chet, you did. Wonder whatever happened to them?"
Chet stared at the popsicle. "Off to the next adventure, I guess. You want this one, Brod?"
"Keep it, bud," Brody said with a mouthful, "You look like you need it more than I do."