Fire Escape Neighbor

Fire Escape Neighbor

Spring was brutally hot and sticky. To make matters worse, the air conditioning in my apartment building wasn't working. And building management didn't care. Their only efforts toward repair were lip service. My fourth-floor apartment sweltered day after day. Sleep was elusive and fitful.

On an early Friday evening, after going home to shower and change, I was seated in Swan's, a restaurant near home, at a table for two nursing a beer while I looked over the menu. Pretending to take my time to decide what to eat so I could luxuriate in air-conditioned bliss. The place was busy but not crushed. No one wanted to suffer walking anywhere on still blistering hot sidewalks if they didn't have to. The staff wasn't pressuring me.

A woman I didn't know approached my table. Dressed casually in a loose-fitting, sleeveless yellow blouse, khaki cargo capris pants, and running shoes with no socks, it was obvious she wasn't restaurant staff. "I think we live in the same building," she said. "Seven-sixty-three Chesnutt?"

It was where I lived. I didn't remember ever seeing her, but I didn't know everyone in the building, "Are you new to the building?" I asked.

"Since early April. I got settled in just in time for the hot weather to arrive and the air conditioning to go on the fritz."

"Lucky you. Something I can do for you?"

"Do you mind if I join you? There are seats at the bar and tables available, but I hate eating alone. Plus, I wouldn't mind making some friends in the building. The neighbors on my floor are a bit stand-offish."

I took a second to look at her. I guessed she was about my age. She was very attractive and had a friendly smile. Dishwater blonde hair, pulled into a tight ponytail, disappeared below her shoulders. Tall. About five-nine. Sapphire blue eyes.

I gestured at the seat across from me. I probably would have offered the seat to almost anyone from the building that asked to join me. I hadn't stopped interacting with people. I just hadn't been seeking anyone to keep me company. When she put her hands on the table, I saw she wore several rings, none a wedding band or engagement ring. "Which apartment are you in?"

"Five-ten. You?"

I laughed softly. "Four-oh-eight. I'm almost under you."

Her eyes darted to my left hand and my wedding band when I lifted my beer to take a drink. "You're married. Having dinner without your wife tonight?"

"Widowed," I responded.

"Recent enough that you're still wearing your wedding band," she said contritely. "I'm sorry."

"Nineteen months, two weeks, three days. Not that I'm counting." I knew the date of my wife's death. But not the actual count to the day. I'm not sure why I answered that way.

"Would you like me to sit elsewhere?"

"I'd have told you to go away." I tried not to sound unfriendly. I think I succeeded. She didn't seem to take offence.

She extended her hand, "Lydia Beck. Liddie," she smiled.

I shook it. Her hand was soft and warm. Her grip firm and confident. "Neil Markham. Everyone calls me Neil, mostly. Sometimes stuff that's a bit less complimentary," I deadpanned.

She laughed. "Anything I should be concerned about?"

I grinned. "Nah. I'm a plant engineer. I also have production responsibilities in a thermoplastic molding shop. It's hot there all the time. Even when it's cold outside. You can't imagine some of the names I'm called in this weather. The crew in the shop doesn't worry about whether I hear what they're saying. I know they're just venting about the working conditions. We take care of them. Lots of water, electrolyte drinks, and frequent breaks away from the ovens."

"You a hard-ass boss?"

"I don't think so. I try to be fair and respectful. Ask rather than order. Say thank you when a task or job is complete. Praise when it's deserved. I tell them stuff they don't like sometimes. Mandatory overtime, for example. And, of course, not everyone meets expectations, so I must deal with that. Comes with the territory. They understand that. Most like and respect me. Everyone left the shop for a couple hours on the day of my wife's services. I caught hell from the production manager when I returned to work because it interrupted production. She told me to make an example of one or two. I told her I'd quit if she insisted that I discipline someone. And I'd quit if she took it upon herself to mete out some kind of punishment."

"How'd that work out?"

"I still have a job and so do all my people. No one got written up." I took a moment to drink. "What do you do for fun and profit, Ms. Beck?"

"Liddie, please. I'm marketing manager for a small regional media company. It owns a couple of small-market cable TV stations, four radio stations highly rated in their markets. All within a couple hours' drive. Several on-line subscription content sites, and a handful of those free print publications that you see at supermarkets and diners."

Maybe she's a little older than she appeared, I thought. "Sounds exciting," I chided gently.

"I like it most of the time. I'm the new gal in charge. Making changes. Annoying subordinates that don't want to change. So, some days I'd rather be getting a root canal," she grinned. She shifted gears. "Is spring like this here all the time?"

"Spring? No. Summer can get unbearable, but it never starts this early. Most years summer has a few days of unbearable heat and humidity followed by some rainy spells or otherwise tolerable weather. I can't remember an April and early May this hot."

"Have you decided what to order?"

"I have."

"Mind if I look at your menu so I can order when the server returns?" I slid the menu to her. "What's good?" she asked.

"Everything. Order something that strikes your fancy. I doubt you'll be disappointed."

"What are you having?"

"The blackened mahi-mahi sandwich platter. I've had it before. It's popular. They always have fresh fish. It's mildly spicy with a peach-mango salsa on it. Lettuce and tomato on the side. Comes with crispy dirty fries and coleslaw. The slaw is excellent. Made in-house. Has crushed pineapple in it."

A young woman came by a few minutes later while Liddie was still looking at the menu. "Are you ready to order?"

"I'm almost ready," Liddie said. "You go first, Neil."

"I'll have the blackened mahi-mahi sandwich platter. And another beer, please."

When the server turned to her, Liddie said, "I'll have the same but with a glass of chardonnay." The girl rattled off three chardonnays served by the glass. "What's the house chardonnay?"

"Our house wines are Rodney Strong."

A pricey but good wine, I thought.

"I'll have the house chardonnay, please."

"What should we talk about now?" I asked.

"Any idea where a single gal can meet a nice guy?" Liddie asked lightheartedly.

"I wouldn't know. I've never wanted to meet a nice guy," I deadpanned.

"You prefer bad boys?" Liddie rejoined, wearing a straight face. She was quick.

"Okay, I deserved that," I laughed. "I haven't done the dating thing for a long time, so I really don't know. I met my wife at the state university branch here. We were together for two years in school, got married a year after we graduated. We were married three great years before she got sick. One so-so year and ten very difficult months." I changed the subject to talk about her. I didn't want to dwell on my late wife.

I enjoyed bantering with Liddie as we waited for our meals. She was smart. Probably smarter than me. Or at least a different kind of smart. She had a quick, sharp wit, and a sense of humor about herself. She took as good as she gave. By the time our food came, I liked her. A lot. And felt guilty about it. We talked very little while we ate. The way Liddie attacked her sandwich after her first bite told me she liked it. Her coleslaw disappeared almost as quickly as the sandwich.

"I don't want to go back to my apartment," she said as she nibbled at a fry after she finished her sandwich and coleslaw. "The fans in my living room and bedroom just don't cut it."

"I know what you mean." I looked around. "I'd like to stay here where it's nice and cool, but I can't eat or drink enough to tie up the table. Besides, it looks like they have a crowd in the bar waiting for tables, now."

Our server arrived just then. "Can I get anything else for you?"

I didn't want dessert. "Just the check," I said after Liddie said "No, thank you."

She took a pad out of her pocket, did some quick scribbling on it, tore off the check, and set it on the table. "Pay at the register, please," she said. "Thank you and have a good night," she added before she wheeled around and hustled off.

Liddie grabbed the check before I could get it, "My treat," she said.

"Uh-uh. Give it to me. We at least split it."

"You can get it next time," she said.

"There's going to be a next time?"

"Any reason there shouldn't be?"

I couldn't come up with anything that wouldn't make me sound like a misanthrope. Even though I enjoyed Liddie's company, I couldn't shake an underlying sense of guilt. Like I was cheating on my wife. I knew it was stupid. Cheryl was gone. But the feeling was real enough. "I'm leaving the tip," I said.

"Okay," she conceded.

"How much?" I asked, then quickly added, "Never mind, I can figure it out." I dropped some bills on the table that I was sure was a generous gratuity.

I waited off to the side while Liddie paid the check, getting a disapproving glance from the woman at the register. She'd only ever seen me there alone. Once Liddie paid, we went outside together. The sun was low enough that the street was finally shaded but heat that collected all day still radiated from the sidewalk.

"What now?" Liddie asked. "My apartment is sweltering."

"Mine, too."

Liddie locked her arm in mine. "I've got an idea. Trust me?"

"I don't know. That's asking a lot. You seem like a dangerous character."

"I promise you'll get home safely."

"Not that pleasant a prospect, but okay."

"Alright then, this way."

She tugged me in the opposite direction from our building, her arm locked in mine. I didn't feel she was being clingy. Just assertive. It still made me a little uneasy. An underlying guilt roiled my stomach a bit. We didn't walk far, only a couple blocks. She stopped in front of a movie theater I'd walked by many times but had never been in.

"It'll be nice and cool here," she said.

I felt nervous though there was no reason to be. We weren't going to take seats in the rear and make out like a couple of high school kids. But I hadn't gone to a movie theater in years. The last time, while still in high school, I went to see aStar Wars triple feature with Jenny Garten, a fellowStar Wars nut. Jenny and I weren't dating. We were friends that grew up together. She was the girl that lived across the street. We met when we were both five. We watched the movies, ate popcorn drowned in butter, and drank sodas. I never went to see a movie with my wife. She didn't like going to the movies. Said she could never stay awake. She often fell asleep if we watched a movie at home.

Liddie tugged my arm again and led me to one of the revolving brass doors. She let go of my arm and gently pushed me into one of the openings, then stepped into the one behind me. Once inside, she took my arm again and led me to the box office.

"This one's on you," she said with a grin, then added, "We'll consider it even."

I took my wallet out. "What do you want to see?"

"I don't care." She declared as she looked at show times. "That one starts in a few minutes. Let's see that."

I bought our tickets. Liddie pulled me toward the snack counter after an attendant took our tickets. After waiting for a few people in front of us to make purchases, she told the kid behind the counter, "A small popcorn," then looked at me with a grin.

I paid the kid and pocketed my change, ignoring the in-your-face tip jar. Taking my money, making change, and handing me a purchase doesn't get a tip.

Coming attractions had already started when we found seats. The difference in temperature from outside made it feel downright frigid. At first, the chill was a shock. I almost wished I was wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt, maybe even a light jacket. It soon felt like heaven. We settled in to watch the movie. I don't remember anything after the introductory scene. I didn't even make it to the opening credits. Once I acclimated to the temperature, I fell asleep. The theater was nearly empty when a kid in a red usher's jacket woke me and told me the movie was over. We had to leave. Apparently, Liddie fell asleep, too. Her head was against my shoulder, her hands in her lap. She spilled half the popcorn.

It rained while we were in the theater. There were puddles in the street. The fine mist that greeted us was exhilarating. We both wore big smiles as we walked home. Liddie didn't hold my arm on the way.

When the elevator stopped at my floor, Liddie said, "Goodnight, Mr. Markham."

"Goodnight, Ms. Beck."

We didn't exchange a hug or a kiss. We were just two new acquaintances escaping the heat together. But we shared a smile as the elevator door closed between us.

The heat and humidity didn't let up. By early June, the building was beginning its third month without air conditioning. Everyone was fed up with it. An attorney living on the second floor organized a tenant's meeting at a nearby Elks Hall. It looked like nearly everyone from the building attended. By the time the meeting was over, a rent strike had been agreed to. Our next month's rent was to be redirected to an escrow account the attorney would set up the next day. All future rent would be escrowed until full building services were restored.

Despite being notified of the rent strike, building management didn't believe we'd follow through. The shock of receiving no rent got their attention, though. They blew a fuse on the first of July. Eviction was threatened if rent wasn't paid immediately. The attorney told us to expect as much but it was a hollow threat. Eviction took months to work through the courts, during which evictees paid no rent. Plus, the landlord would rack up legal expenses. The landlord's contract breach wouldn't garner any sympathy in court. It would be a much more costly affair than making repairs.

The attorney responded, copying everyone via email, by citing language specifying building services in the lease agreements. Services that included HVAC. He also reiterated that rent was being held in escrow and would be paid once contracted services were restored. After the landlord consulted their counsel, they folded. Inside of a week, a contractor was on the roof with a crane in the alley, replacing the chillers.

Three days later, my apartment was comfortable when I got home from work. I showered and sat on my couch with my eyes closed, wearing only a pair of gym shorts. A few weeks later, a letter and a check were in my mailbox. The attorney negotiated a nice rebate on the previous two months' rent.

At the end of August, a condo conversion was announced. I used a chunk of Cheryl's life insurance proceeds to buy my apartment. The motivation to avoid repairing the air conditioning became obvious. The building owner hoped to pass the repair costs on to the inevitable condo association.

Liddie and I acknowledged each other from across the room at the tenant's meetings but hadn't talked those evenings. After our dinner and movie together, I saw her in the building occasionally. We greeted each other at the mailbox. Shared an elevator sometimes. I ran into her at the supermarket twice. She always offered a friendly greeting and usually engaged me in a brief conversation. Though we knew which apartments we occupied, we hadn't exchanged phone numbers or visited each other.

I maintained the routine I fell into after Cheryl passed away. Work, home, work, home, phone calls with my parents, sister, and brothers. The occasional call to Cheryl's parents was always wrenching for obvious reasons. And others apparent not so obvious. I attended a family birthday party for my niece at my older brother's place across town. I maintained my physical conditioning, but the bulk of my free time was spent in solitude at home.

I shed my sweaty work clothes when I got home one Saturday and changed into a tee shirt and loose-fitting jersey shorts. I was in my kitchen deciding what to have for dinner, leaning toward a chef salad, when a tapping at the kitchen window got my attention. Liddie was on my fire escape. Smiling at me. I opened the window.

"Hey," I said. "How've you been?"

"Great! How about you, Neil?" she asked as she stepped through the window.

I barely heard her. I was distracted by what I was looking at. Liddie was wearing the same yellow blouse she wore the night she approached me in Swan's. When she ducked down to step through the window, I got two views into her blouse. One through the armhole, the second down the front of her blouse. She wasn't wearing a bra. I also got a good look at her Lycra-clad backside as she twisted through the opening. When she stood up, I forced myself to suppress a gasp. I watched her nipples grow erect in the cool air of my apartment and poke against her shirt. I was living as a near recluse, but I was still a healthy male with all the urges that came with that. I felt my body beginning to respond to what I saw.

Liddie repeated her query, "You doing okay, Neil?"

I snapped out of my brief trance. "I'm fine, Liddie. What's up? Why did you take the fire escape?"

She grinned widely. "I wasn't entirely sure you'd answer if I knocked on your door. I knew you were home. I saw you get on the elevator. What are you doing tonight?"

For some people, I might not have answered the door. I would have opened it for Liddie. "The usual. I'll do some reading. Maybe watch some TV but probably not. Go to bed early so I can get up and go to work in the morning."

"You have to work on Sunday?"

I'd lost track of the days. We were busy at work. Working Saturdays to meet production demand. "Oh. No. I forgot it was Saturday. I had to work today. The days run together. You know how it is."

"Why don't you come up to my place? I'm having some people in. Mostly couples. Some from the building. I could use a handsome guy by my side. So, I'm not the odd gal out."

"I don't know, Liddie. I'm not much of a party guy these days."

"C'mon. It won't be so bad. You can eat some of the overpriced food the caterer is delivering. Have a beer or two. Something stronger if you like. I won't ask you to spend the night. I won't try to fix you up with anyone." I saw her eyes dart downward briefly as she grinned. "Though it looks like a little affection might do you a world of good."

I looked down. I wasn't fully erect, but I was headed there. I began to stammer out an apology. "I-I-I'm sorry. I-I-I-I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay, Neil. It's my fault. I didn't consider how I was dressed before I came down. I'll forget about it if you come up for a while." She grinned again. "Besides, it's nice to know I can have that effect if I want to. So, I'll see you upstairs?"

I gave in. "Okay. I'm come up for a while. No promises about how long I stay, though."

"Fair enough. Dress casual. I'm wearing a blouse, shorts, and sandals." Liddie said. "I'll wear a bra, too. Don't want to arouse you unnecessarily," she teased. "Everyone has been told seven. Why don't you come up a few minutes earlier?"

"Okay," I agreed, still a little reluctant. Then I grinned. "Want me to take the fire escape, too?"

"Why not? It's the shortest route. I'll leave the window cracked so you can let yourself in. I've got to get in the shower and change before the caterer arrives. See you in a bit." She turned to climb back through the window. I got an even better look at her butt.

I closed the window after Liddie went up the fire escape stairs. I decided to grab a quick sandwich. I brushed my teeth, shaved, and showered, then got dressed. Shorts, a magenta-colored polo shirt with my employer's logo, white ankle socks and running shoes. At six-forty-one I climbed through my window and went up the fire escape stairs.

Liddie was on the other side of her dining table, arranging food and what not. I knocked on the window. She looked up, smiled, and motioned me in.

"You look nice, Neil. I'm going to have to keep my eye on Bonnie once sees you!"

I took a deep beath. Liddie looked incredible. She wore black jersey shorts that weren't tight but didn't hide anything about her shape. I imagined her backside looked incredible. A sleeveless, royal blue blouse accentuated breasts contained by a low-cut bra. It didn't look like she had any makeup on her face. Her hair was tied back in a tight ponytail that kept it off her neck.

I grinned after her sisterly hug. "You look good enough to eat! Who will I have to protect you from?"

"Probably no one," Liddie sighed. "I wouldn't mind if some nice guy pursued me tonight, though none will. All the men are married or at least coming with someone."

"Who's Bonnie?" I asked. My wife once introduced me to someone named Bonnie that lived in the building. But it was a long time ago. I couldn't picture her.

"She lives two doors down from me in five-fourteen. She's the only other unattached woman coming tonight. Her brother is visiting so he's coming with her."

"Maybe he'll be interested in you," I teased.

"Nah. I've already met him. Not my type."

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Everything is all set. I need to fix my face quickly. Answer the door if someone comes before I'm back."

I looked around Liddie's living room, kitchen, and dining room. Her apartment was laid out mirror-image to mine. Her decor couldn't be more different though. Cheryl and I furnished our apartment with bargain antiques we found at tag sales or consignment shops. We had a leather sectional couch and a king-size bed, but those were our only pieces of modern furniture. Liddie's furniture was all modern, Scandinavian design. It wasn't Ikea. My walls were decorated with photos Cheryl took and wildlife prints. Abstract art hung on Liddie's walls. One caught my attention. It filled the wall above her couch.

I don't know much about art. But I saw similar works in the Museum of Modern Art when my parents took us to New York for one summer vacation. I stepped closer and looked for a signature. I was surprised by the one I found. Even I knew the name. It was the same as on some of the works I saw at the museum.

Liddie chose that moment to return. She'd put on a little makeup and soft pink lipstick. "My grandfather gave that to me. It was delivered to my apartment one day, shortly after I started my first job after university. Papa was originally from Los Angeles and went to high school with the artist. They remained friends. The artist died a few months after he sent that to my grandfather."

"That's an original? It's gotta be worth a fortune. Don't you worry about it being stolen?"

"I don't know exactly how valuable it is. I'm sure more than I can afford. But my grandfather gave it to me. I'll never sell it. If you were a thief and broke in here, what would you take? Certainly not that. It's big. Unwieldy to make off with, without drawing attention. Difficult to sell. You'd look for something easier to carry off and dispose of. Cash, jewelry, drugs. It's firmly attached to the wall. It's alarmed, too."

Just then the doorbell rang.

The next hour was a blur of introductions and small talk. Most were people Liddie knew through work. Three couples I recognized from the building. I felt uneasy through all of it. Not because anybody was unfriendly. The discomfort was all me. Liddie kept me by her side the whole time, which allowed me to breathe. And kept me from fleeing.

Liddie's doorbell rang again after the gathering was in full swing. Liddie asked me to get it while she ran to the bathroom. I felt odd about it. It wasn't my party. But I acquiesced.

I opened the door to a woman Cheryl had once introduced me to. I'd been in a hurry to get to the bank before it closed that day. I'd apologized and scooted immediately after the introduction. When I saw her, I remembered her. Her name was Bonnie. She was with a guy that was unquestionably a sibling. He looked just like her.

"Hi, Liddie will be right back. I'm Neil," I said, offering my hand.

"Hello, Neil," she said as she accepted my hand. "I'm Bonnie. We've met before. This is my brother, Patrick."

I offered my hand to her brother, "Nice to meet you, Pat," I said.

He took my hand, too. But the handshake was unenthusiastic. "Patrick," he said, not returning my greeting. Only telling me how he preferred to be addressed.

"Patrick," I repeated and stepped aside to let them in. Patrick cut off his sister and stepped through the door first. Bonnie's perfume had a spicy bite that made my sinuses twitch.

I hung back after I closed the door and watched the two of them wander into Liddie's apartment. Bonnie was about five-two or five-three. Lithe and fit. Small waist with nicely shaped hips. Nearly flat chested. She was cute. Straight brown hair cut in a stylish bob that just grazed her shoulders.

Bonnie was wearing bright blue Lycra shorts that fit like skin. Her blouse was a dark red, silk-like material unbuttoned to below what I thought would be an unnecessary sports bra if she wore a tee or camisole under her shirt. I couldn't help but watch her ass as she made her way into the apartment. It, too, was nicely shaped. And lacked panty lines.

Liddie materialized at my side just then. She hooked her arm in mine and grinned at me. "I think you liked the view as Bonnie walked away from you."

I shrugged. "She has a nice butt," I conceded.

"I don't know her well. But watch yourself around her."

"What's that mean?" I asked.

"We work at the same place. I keep hearing she's something of a bitch. I know she's not well-liked. I've seen a few instances when she didn't play well with others. But I haven't had any trouble with her. She also has a reputation as a maneater." Liddie hesitated for a moment, then grinned at me. "On second thought, Neil, forget I said anything. Maybe she's what you need to shake you out of your doldrums. C'mon, I should say hello to her and her brother."

I had a premonition that the conversation wouldn't go well. But she had my arm. I dutifully went along.

"Bonnie! I'm glad you came," Liddie said. She turned to Bonnie's brother. "Patrick," she said indifferently. He acknowledged her with only the slightest of nods. Apparently, he thought as little of Liddie as she did of him. Patrick drifted away immediately. "Bonnie, this is Neil, my escort for the evening."

Bonnie looked me up and down this time. "We've met. His wife introduced us a few years ago. How's Cheryl doing? I haven't seen her in a while."

I felt the color drain from my face. Word got around the building when my wife died. I got so many casseroles and sympathy cards I lost count of them. Many, from people I barely knew. Some from people I didn't know at all but apparently knew Cheryl. Bonnie's question left me dumbstruck.

"Bonnie, Neil's wife passed away some time ago."

"Oh. Now that you mention it, I think I heard that," she said unapologetically. "So, are you two a thing now?" Bonnie asked snootily.

There's nothing like being kicked in the nuts when you've already had the wind knocked out of you.

Liddie's reaction surprised me. She bristled. She let go of my arm. For a moment, I thought she was going to throttle Bonnie. She leaned toward her and hissed softly. "Get the hell out of my apartment, bitch. Go quietly before I throw you out."

Bonnie turned on her heels to walk away from us. But Liddie grabbed her elbow. "Before you go, you owe Neil an apology."

Bonnie looked at me and sniffed. "I'm sorry, Neil," she said unconvincingly. Then she went to Patrick, who was talking to a couple from among Liddie's work colleagues. She tugged his arm. "C'mon. Let's get out of here," I heard her say. Patrick looked at her oddly but didn't argue. He didn't even say goodbye to the couple he'd been talking to.

Liddie watched Bonnie and Patrick until they were out the door, then turned to me. "I'm sorry, Neil. I felt obligated to invite Bonnie because she turned me on to this apartment. I knew she doesn't get along with many of the people at work, but I had no trouble with her before this. I like to come to my own conclusions about people."

"Are you going to have trouble with her at work because of this?" I asked.

"No. She can't do anything to me. She's a buyer. She wouldn't dare take me on at work and has little to do with me or my group. What's she gonna do? Neglect to buy toner for my printer?"

Despite desperately wanting to go home, I stayed until other guests began leaving. I didn't leave through the window. Liddie thought that might strike her remaining guests as odd. I thought it would be amusing. I left through her front door and took the stairs down. I was in bed within a few minutes of entering my apartment.

Liddie gradually became something of a fixture over the next year. Once or twice a week we did something together. Almost always something humdrum. She'd show up at my window and invite herself in to watch TV with me. Sometimes, she prevailed upon me to go to her apartment for a meal or dragged me out to accompany her while she shopped. Grocery shopping became something we did together.

Liddie never overstayed her welcome. If I told her I wasn't up to having company or going out, she didn't press it. She wouldn't take the first no, but I never felt pressured. I didn't often turn her down. I found I liked having her around. She lifted my spirits when we were together. She had an aura of cheerfulness that was infectious. She made me feel like I could have a life again.

In early September, the Friday after Labor Day the next year, we had one of those spectacular late summer days. Humidity was low. The temperature was pleasant. The kind of day that tells you summer is winding down and autumn is on the way.

Liddie hung out with me after I got home from work that day. We'd cooked a simple meal together and binge-watched a Netflix series until she began yawning a little before ten. We made a quick plan for the next day. She kissed me on the cheek, went out the kitchen window, and up the fire escape.

Liddie knocked at my door before lunch the next day. We were going to have lunch together and spend the afternoon in a nearby park. She had her bicycle.

"A tuna melt with tomato, okay?" I asked. "I've got pickles, olives, celery sticks, radishes, and bell pepper strips on the table already."

"I can live with that," Liddie said.

"Swiss, American, cheddar, or butterkäse?"

"What's butterkäse?" Liddie asked.

"A German cheese. You'll love it."

"Okay. I trust you won't poison me. At least, you haven't so far," Liddie quipped.

I didn't say anything when I put the sandwiches on the table. Liddie picked up her sandwich and sniffed it before taking a bite. The look on her face turned almost orgasmic.

"Oh my god!" she said, her mouth still full of sandwich. "This cheese is incredible. What did call it? Butter what?"

"Butterkäse," I responded.

"Where do you get it?"

"At the supermarket deli counter."

"I better be careful. If I start buying it, my ass will get so big I won't be able to get on the elevator."

I laughed.

The weather that day was nice. Almost as nice as the previous day. The temperature was warmer, but not unpleasant. The sky was overcast. Rain was forecast overnight and Sunday. Liddie and I leisurely rode our bicycles to the site of a free concert in the park. We grabbed hot dogs from a vendor after the concert. We walked our bikes home from the park exit. There were too many pedestrians to ride on the sidewalk. Motor traffic was heavy and treacherous.

"Want to hang with me for the evening," I asked when the elevator stopped at my floor. "We should be able to find something to watch on the TV."

"Sure. I don't have anything going on."

Liddie ran up to her apartment to wash and change. I showered while she was gone. I pulled on a tee shirt, boxers, and gym shorts. I opted to go barefoot. Liddie was wearing gray Yoga pants, a scoop-necked blue tee over a gray sports bra, and sandals when she returned about an hour later. I was a little surprised she knocked at my door instead of my window. But then I saw the forecasted rain had begun.

"Popcorn and a beer?" I offered. "Or would you prefer wine?"

"A beer sounds good. I won't turn down popcorn."

"I'll make the popcorn and bring beers. Why don't you find something to watch?"

We stretched out on the sofa in my living room after Liddie decided to string together a Humphrey Bogart marathon. Normally, we sat at opposite ends of the couch with our feet up on the coffee table or one of us sat on the couch and the other sat in a chair. Liddie stretched out next to me so we could share the popcorn. There was plenty of room. It wasn't like she was on top of me.

When I awakened Sunday morning, I was still sitting on the couch with my feet on the coffee table. It didn't happen often, but I'd done it before. Usually after having a bit too much to drink. Again, not a common occurrence. Liddie and I had polished off a six-pack between us. Silent, digitally generated fireworks were playing on the TV. I didn't remember falling asleep. I vaguely remembered seeing the opening credits forThe African Queen with Liddie leaning against me. But nothing after that.

It took a moment to realize I wasn't alone. Liddie was curled up with her head on my lap, her left hand resting on my hip.

I soon realized I had a problem that might embarrass Liddie. She was curled up on the couch. Her head was resting on my leg, facing my abdomen. Her hand was near my usual morning wood. The leg of my shorts and my boxer briefs were bunched up. My erection was protruding from my shorts. The exposed tip at the corner of her lips. Under her open mouth. That was bad enough. What I feared would make matters worse was the big wet spot on my shorts, leg, and crown. She'd been drooling while she slept.

I was reluctant to move. But the clock said it was after seven. My bladder was crying for relief. I stretched my legs a bit. Liddie moaned softly and stirred. She didn't wake up at first, just adjusted her position slightly. But then her hand slid onto my erection and stopped at the wet spot in my shorts. On top of my morning wood.

Liddie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. My erection twitched involuntarily. A moment later, Liddie's eyes fluttered open. It took a few seconds for the situation to break through her morning fog. When it did, she stiffened and sat up with a jerk. My condition drew her attention further when her hand slid my shorts up farther as she sat up, fully exposing my condition. Liddie looked at me with a blank expression. When she saw I was awake, she flushed so brightly the room should have been bathed in a pink glow. Her hand shot from my lap when I pulled my shorts down to cover myself.

"Sorry about that," I said. "I didn't want to wake you, but I need to use the bathroom."

Liddie slid over a bit. I stood, which put the now tented, large wet circle right at her eye-level when I turned toward the hallway. Worse, she was wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand when she saw the wet tent in my shorts. Liddie gasped audibly. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but she flushed redder.

I used the ensuite bathroom, shedding my wet shorts and underwear first thing. I took care of business then washed before brushing my teeth. I pulled on clean underwear and shorts then headed for the living room. The hallway bathroom door was closed when I passed it. I went into the kitchen to make coffee. Liddie showed up just as I pushed the start button on the coffeemaker.

"Good morning, Liddie," I said while I retrieved two coffee cups.

"Morning," she replied sheepishly.

I smiled at her when I turned around. I didn't smirk. I smiled. She blushed bright pink again. She was still embarrassed. Maybe even humiliated by the situation she woke up in.

"Want some breakfast? Coffee will be ready in a few minutes."

"Ah," she temporized, clearly uncomfortable, "I think I should go home."

"You sure?"

"I think so."

"Okay." I wasn't going to argue with her. I sort of understood. She had to deal with whatever was going through her head. To me, it was no big deal. I had already put it behind me.

"I'll see you later," she said.

"I hope so."

I watched as she turned on her heels, grabbed her purse from the living room, stopped at the door to slip her sandals on, and practically ran out the door.

I thought about the last year as I made my breakfast. Liddie became my best friend. Almost by default since she was the only friend I saw frequently. I was pretty sure she held me as her closest friend. At least here where she hadn't known anyone when her employer moved her here. Liddie wasn't easily embarrassed. Our banter often included double entendres and off-color jokes. She was never embarrassed. But then, she'd never awakened with my dick in her mouth.

I doubt I gave it any thought that morning, but Liddie changed me. I was less of a recluse. My sister had commented that I seemed more sociable recently. I'd accepted more invitations from my parents and siblings. I played with my nieces and nephews when I visited. For a long time, it had only been greetings and cursory hugs. I accepted a few invitations from long-time friends. I wasn't the life of the party, but I was coming out of my shell. There was one thing I hadn't done. Date.

I didn't see Liddie for almost a week. It felt like forever. The first time I ran into her was on the elevator the following Friday evening. She mumbled, "Hello," then we endured an awkward ride down on what must be the slowest elevator on the planet. Just before the elevator door opened on the first floor, I initiated a conversation.

"Are you okay, Liddie? Do we need to talk about Sunday morning so we can get past it?" I'd already put it behind me. Except for being worried Liddie was avoiding me.

Liddie looked embarrassed for a second. "It was an awkward way to wake up," she said with a smile and a bit of pink flushing her cheeks.

I grinned as we stepped off the elevator. "I've awakened in worse ways," I said as I turned to face her.

She playfully swatted my butt with the back of her hand as I stepped out of the elevator. "You would say that."

"I'm going to Swan's for dinner. Do you have time to join me?" We hadn't been back there together since the night we met.

"I have a couple errands to run. But, sure. I planned to get a bite while I was out anyway."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe we could put it behind us.

Our meal went much like any other time we hung out together. We mostly talked about inconsequential stuff. A bit about our jobs. I'd been promoted recently. I was now engineering manager for the plant which meant I had the maintenance staff but no production responsibilities. I already knew her company had expanded by merging with another small media group. She'd been worried that she'd be redundant, but her counterpart had accepted a separation package and retired. She had a dozen new reports. What we didn't talk about was Sunday morning.

I beat her to the check this time. I agreed when she insisted on leaving the tip. When I went to the register, I got a smile from the lady ringing up our tab. Instead of the disapproving glance I received the last time, when Liddie paid the check. We went our separate ways outside. She still had errands to run. She didn't ask me to go with her. I didn't offer to keep her company.

There were subtle changes about the time we spent together after our second dinner at Swan's. We were sitting closer to each other. At the dinner table. On my couch or hers while we watched a movie or a TV show. She sometimes leaned against me. Or wriggled in until I put my arm around her on a chilly night. I never gave any of it a second thought.

In early October, I had a small envelope in my mail that I knew was an invitation of some sort. I didn't recognize the name in the return address. I opened it first when I got to my apartment. It was an invitation to my youngest brother Chris's wedding. The date was only three weeks out. I grinned when I saw the date was so close.

I'd met his fiancé, Janice only twice. The first time at my brother's university commencement. The worst hadn't started yet for Cheryl. But I was distracted. Worried about the still unknown results of the most recent imaging. I was terrified. Cheryl somehow remained cheerful and just enjoyed the day and the long weekend away from home. The next time I saw Janice was at Cheryl's services. I wasn't at my best.

I called Chris immediately.

"Hello, Neil," he said when he answered.

"Your future father-in-law has his shotgun cleaned and loaded?" I needled.

Chris laughed. "We haven't told them yet but I'm pretty sure they've figured it out, considering how fast this is all happening. You're coming, right?"

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss it for anything. But you better keep close tabs on her. I might be tempted to steal her away from you."

"Hey, no problem! You can have the sleepless nights, two AM feedings, and middle of the night diaper changes. And the inconsolable screaming," he laughed. I sensed a bit of uneasiness when Chris hesitated. "Are you coming by yourself? Or will there be a plus one?"

That hadn't even crossed my mind yet. I hesitated. "Can I get back to you on that in a few days?"

"Oh? Is there something going on I don't know about?"

"I have a friend I might bring. She's just a friend. There's no romantic entanglement. We're not dating. She lives upstairs from me."

"Let me know soon. We need the final head count. Plus, we need to know how many rooms to hold at the hotel. It's not going to be a big affair. Only about sixty guests last I heard. But at one point it was only forty, so maybe I don't really know."

"Who's your best man?" I asked. I was pretty sure I already knew.

"Who else? Jerry. We were together every other time I got in trouble. Why should this be any different?"

We both laughed. Jerry had gotten married under similar circumstances a few months after Chris graduated from university. I couldn't attend Jerry's wedding. Cheryl was in the middle of six weeks of chemo and radiation. She was in no condition to attend. I wouldn't have left her at gunpoint. I didn't like leaving her to go to work. Fortunately, my mother spent my work hours with her and took her to appointments when I couldn't.

Chris and I talked for a few more minutes. Updates about our parents, our sister and brother, and our nieces and nephews. Chris and Janice lived an eight-hour drive away. Her mother and stepfather were a couple hours closer. The wedding was near where Janice grew up, in the same area where her folks lived.

I considered whether to ask Liddie to go to the wedding with me. I didn't mention it the first couple times I saw her. The wedding was at eleven AM. That meant she'd have to take at least part of Friday off from work during a time when she was probably almost overwhelmed.

Getting a few days off from work wasn't a problem for me. I'd occasionally filled in for the woman that previously had my new job. Once for the three months of her maternity leave. The transition to my new role was seamless.

I got the invitation on Tuesday. By Saturday, I decided to ask Liddie. For one thing, I knew Janice had a sister that was divorced, no kids. Chris once offered to introduce her. I hadn't met her, but Chris assured me I'd like her. I didn't want to go there at the time. Or then, either.

I called Liddie late that afternoon and invited her down. She countered that she'd rather I came up. She'd already started dinner and everything would be ready in about an hour and a half. I agreed, though the timing threw me off. Our meals together were simple affairs. Something that didn't take much time or effort to put together. Chef salads, burgers, pasta, or sandwiches. Take-out or delivery Thai, Chinese, or Italian were often on the menu.

She caught me off-guard by asking me to bring a dessert that would pair well with a roasted turkey. I changed into chinos and a dress shirt. I still wore running shoes. I ran out and bought an apple pie from a nearby bakery.

The hallway smelled like fresh-baked bread when I got off the elevator. Liddie's apartment smelled like Thanksgiving at my mother's when she let me in. The kitchen looked like Liddie spent most of the day cooking. Two aromas I recognized immediately. Roasted turkey and baking bread. There were other smells mixed in, but I didn't immediately identify them. Turkey and hot bread predominated.

"What got into you, today?" I asked when I saw her kitchen. It wasn't a disaster, but her efforts were on display. The dishrack was stacked with cleaned prep utensils and pans.

"I don't know," she told me with a sheepish grin. "I just felt like cooking. I went a bit overboard. I didn't even think to invite you up until you called. It'll take me a week to eat everything. But hey, who doesn't like Thanksgiving leftovers?"

"You're not nesting because you're pregnant?" I joked.

Liddie eyerolled. "Yeah, right. Last I knew sex with a man was involved at some point."

"Anything I can help you with?" I asked.

Liddie opened one of her ovens. "The bread is ready. Can you carve the turkey while I set out the rest of the meal?"

"Sure."

"I'll be right back."

Liddie was gone for about three minutes. She returned wearing a dress. It was a nice dress that looked good on her. It wasn't a knock your socks off outfit. The skirt was mid-calf length. The bodice was modest. Fall colors, yellow, brown, and maroon in a fallen leaf pattern. Hose and low black pumps on her feet. I could picture my sister or sister-in-law wearing something similar for a holiday dinner at my parents' house.

Liddie laid out dinner while I carved the turkey. Homemade cranberry sauce, dirty mashed potatoes, creamed pearl onions, roasted Brussel sprouts with garlic and bacon crumbles, chestnut stuffing, gravy, butter, and fresh-baked bread. There was enough food to feed six or eight.

"What prompted you to cook a Thanksgiving dinner?"

"I found fresh turkey at the butcher counter. Once I put it in my cart, I just went with it and made another trip through the market to buy everything else."

I transferred sliced turkey from the carving board to a serving platter. Before I could pick it up, Liddie grabbed it and put it on the table.

"Wine, beer? I have apple cider, too, if you prefer non-alcoholic."

I wasn't in the mood for wine or beer. I didn't want to drink cider then have apple pie. "Ice water?"

Liddie smiled. "You know where the glasses, ice, and water are."

"You look nice, Liddie. But you didn't have to change for me."

She smiled. "It'd be criminal to eat this kind of a meal in yoga pants and a long-sleeve tee shirt. Hungry?"

I inhaled deeply, enjoying the aromas. "I was a little hungry when I headed up. I'm starving now," I said enthusiastically.

"Good. Let's eat."

After the meal, I helped Liddie put away the food we'd barely put a dent in, load the dishwasher, and wash what couldn't go in the dishwasher. I didn't object when she packed leftovers for me to take home.

"Liddie, can I ask a favor?" I asked as I put away the last of the dishes and she cleaned the sink.

"You mean stuffing your face and sending you home with bunch of leftovers isn't enough for one day?" she asked breezily.

"What are you doing two weeks from today?"

"I don't know. No plans. You have something in mind?"

"My brother is getting married. Would you go to the wedding with me? Before you say yes, it's a bit more of a commitment than just putting on a dress and hanging out with me through a ceremony and reception."

"How so?" Liddie asked.

"The wedding is about a six-hour drive from here. We'd have to leave on Friday. It means two nights in a hotel. I'll pick up your room. You just need a nice dress and shoes. You'll have to tolerate a meal with my family Friday night."

"Tolerate? Are they horrible people?"

I laughed. "No, they're mostly okay. They'll just have a lot of questions about who you are."

Liddie grinned. "Like, who's the hot babe with Neil and why haven't we heard anything about her?"

"Yeah, something like that. You'd be the first woman they've seen me with since..."

Liddie interrupted. "I get it. Don't worry, Neil. I can explain we're just friends and nothing else is going on."

"That's not exactly what they'll want to hear."

"I'm happy to go with you, Neil. How do we get there?"

"I'll rent a car for the weekend. Do you have a dress?"

"I think I can scare up something suitable."

"So, you'll go?" I asked.

"I'm in. Is it a big affair?"

"No. A small wedding. My brother said about sixty guests. It would probably be bigger but it's short notice."

"Sounds like there's already something for everyone to talk about."

I smiled. "Yeah, my brother's fiancé is pregnant. Not sure how much of a scandal it is. They've been living together for several years. I don't know her family. I've only met Janice twice. I'll call my brother and tell him I'm bringing a friend."

I called my brother the next morning, gave him Liddie's name, and asked him to reserve two rooms.

Liddie and I carried on for the next two weeks like we had been. We spent a few evenings together. Did our grocery shopping together. We didn't typically pass each other going back and forth to work. My workday started at six AM and ended at about four or so. Liddie began and ended work later.

I took the day we were leaving and the following Monday off from work. Liddie didn't take the whole day on Friday and was going to work Monday. She had a Friday morning meeting she didn't feel comfortable missing. She dropped a suitcase and garment bag at my apartment Thursday night. I picked up the rental car right after work Thursday and parked in the building garage. Friday morning, I loaded our bags in the rental car and drove across town to pick her up at her office.

"All ready to go?" I asked after she put her computer bag in the back seat and got in.

"No, I've changed my mind. Take me home," she said without looking at me.

My jaw dropped and I took a deep breath. "Okay. Why didn't you just call and tell me? I'd have left your bags in my apartment."

Liddie shook her head. "Of course, I'm ready."

The drive was mostly uneventful. Getting out early meant we missed Friday afternoon traffic. We did hit a construction zone with the typical issues. Despite signs like "Right Lane Closed, two miles" and "Merge left. Right lane closed ahead," many ignored the warning. Traffic backed up where the right lane ended. We still made decent time, arriving at the hotel at five-forty.

When we got to the hotel, things got interesting. I let Liddie check in first.

"Lydia Beck," she told the desk clerk when he asked for the name on her reservation.

"You're in seven-sixteen with Mr. Markham. He hasn't checked in yet," he said as he typed on the keyboard in front of him while looking at the screen after a quick glance at Liddie. "Mr. Markham is listed as the responsible party. But if you'll give me a credit card, I can let you into the room and replace your card with Mr. Markham's when he arrives."

"I don't have my own room?" Liddie asked.

"It's a suite. Two bedrooms, two baths, and a connecting living room."

I stepped forward. "I'm Neil Markham. It was my understanding that we'd have separate rooms."

"Let me check." He typed some more. "There's a note here. Ms. Patterson's fiancé, Chris asked to reserve an additional four rooms late last week. We were a room short of their needs unless we doubled someone up in a suite. We were able to accommodate him by putting you and Ms. Beck together in the suite. Mr. Markham said it would be okay. Is it a problem?"

Liddie spoke up first. "No, it won't be a problem," she told the clerk, then looked at me, "It's fine, Neil."

"We're giving you the suite for the same price as two separate rooms, Mr. Markham." The clerk took my credit card when I offered it. After handing it back to me, he said, "If you're attending the Patterson-Markham dinner, it's in a private dining room at Rossini's beginning at seven." The clerk indicated the direction to the restaurant. "Elevators to the tower are down the hallway to my left."

It wasn't what I asked for, but it wasn't the end of the world. Liddie and I had separate rooms and baths. But my brother could have warned me about the lodging arrangements.

Once we were in the room, I called my brother while Liddie looked at the bedrooms. While I waited for him to answer, Liddie asked if I cared which room she took. I shook my head. She took the room to the right. She returned a moment later and went to the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room.

"Wow! Nice," she exclaimed as she looked out.

I left a brief message when my call went to voice mail and joined her at the window. The view from the balcony overlooked the bay adjacent to the hotel. The trees on the far shore displayed the first signs of autumn. Sailboats and powerboats were docked at two nearby marinas.

"Not bad," I said when I saw the view.

"Same view from the bedrooms," Liddie said. "But only half the bedroom wall is floor to ceiling window. The bedrooms don't have a balcony."

My phone chirped while I was looking at the bay. "Hey, Chris," I said without looking at who was calling."

"Where are you?" my brother asked.

"In my suite. Nice of you to let me know the change in room arrangements."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Things got a little out of hand last week. The guest list is almost doubled from what we first discussed. It's still a relatively small affair. The last count Janice gave me was seventy-six. You're joining us for dinner?"

"Liddie and I will be there. Seven o'clock?"

"The dining room is ours from seven until ten. Cocktails and appetizers at seven. Dinner at eight."

"Where are you?"

"Everyone has a room on four or five except Janice and me. I'm on seven with you guys. Janice is with her folks at their home tonight, though."

"Jacket and tie tonight?" I asked.

"Collared shirt, nice pants, and shoes is okay. Mom bought dresses for tonight and tomorrow. That means Dad will be in a jacket and tie. Unless he wants to sleep outside with Skeeter when he gets home."

I grinned at a story I remembered hearing. Obviously, I wasn't there. But family lore was Dad tried to leave my grandparents for his wedding in faded and patched bell-bottom jeans, an American flag tee shirt, and sandals. Grandma blocked the door and made him change into the tux he'd rented under protest. She couldn't do anything about the long hair she hated. But he wore the tux. Grandma somehow missed he still wore sandals. Or maybe she was just tired of fighting and took the tux as a win. The sandals are in all of Mom's and Dad's wedding pictures. Dad still has all his hair. It's a distinguished steel-gray now. Still shoulder length. I don't ever remember it being short. Dad still hates getting dressed up. But Mom inevitably wins out when she wants him in something other than jeans.

"Who's at dinner?" I asked.

"Immediate families. The wedding party and spouses. Janice's sister is the maid of honor. She has a friend with her."

"Alright, I'll see you at seven," I said and ended the call.

Liddie looked at me and smiled. "You're wearing a jacket and tie," she told me.

"I am?"

"Yup. I have a nice dress to wear tonight. I'm not going to dinner with a guy that looks like he just got out of work on casual Friday."

"Okay." Fortunately, I packed the only two suits I owned along with Jerry Garcia neckties that added a splash of color. Mom hates my ties. Despite being a baby boomer, she isn't a Dead fan.

"I'll be ready by seven," Liddie told me, then went into her room and shut the door.

I was ready to go before seven. I turned on the TV and watched the sports and weather on one of the local network affiliates. Just before the news show ended, Liddie's door opened. When I saw her, I was speechless.

Liddie's hair was in a simple chignon. Not a hair was out of place. Her dress was a burnt orange with a form-fitting V-neck bodice and a flowing skirt that ended just below the knee. She spun to show off. The skirt lifted enough to show the nude stockings she wore had lace tops. She wore a simple gold chain with a multi-colored fire opal pendant that hung just above modestly displayed cleavage. Her three-inch heel shoes were the same color as her dress.

"You look nice, Neil," she said with a grin. "You'll look even better when you close your mouth," she added with a soft giggle.

"I'm sorry, Liddie," I said, feeling sheepish. "I forget how beautiful you are sometimes. Wow!" I hesitated. "You're gonna get me in trouble tonight."

"That's the plan," she said slyly. "Shall we go?"

"Ah, yeah."

"Oops, I forgot my bag." Liddie went into her room and came out with a small, black clutch. "Okay, I'm ready."

I wasn't sure I was.

Cocktail hour was fun. I caught up with my parents and siblings and got introduced to Janice's family. They were nice. Or at least on good behavior. My brother's friend, Jerry, seemed to have grown up now that he was the father of two girls. His wife was a sweetheart, with an innocent, childlike aura. Jerry laughingly told me it was because she didn't know how to act around adults anymore.

I spent much of the night with Liddie by my side. But after dinner, I found myself in a group with my brothers Adam and Chris, and Jerry. Liddie was across the room with Janice, Janice's sister Teresa, our mother, and Janice's mother.

After the obligatory discussion of the mediocre season the Red Sox had suffered, and the prospects for the Celtics and Bruins (much better than the Sox fared), Chris suddenly looked at me with a weird expression.

"What?" I asked, figuring he had something off-the-wall rattling around in his head.

"Liddie's really just a friend?"

"Yeah. Why?"

Chris shook his head but didn't say anything.

Adam shook his head, too. But he didn't keep his thoughts to himself. "I always knew the middle brother was the dumb ass," he said to Chris. "Are you out of your fucking mind?" he asked quietly, looking at me and grinning.

I tried to change the subject. But Jerry decided to weigh in, too. "Christ, Neil, she's gorgeous. Even Teresa's friend keeps checking her out. And he isn't being even a little discrete about it."

"C'mon guys. She a friend that lives in my building. There's nothing going on."

Their response was a chorus. "Uh-huh."

I chose that moment to look in Liddie's direction. Their little group had broken up. My sister Evelyn, Janice, and Liddie were talking. The mothers and Teresa had rejoined their men. Liddie smiled and waved surreptitiously when she saw me glance her way.

Mom's admiration of Liddie was understated when I said goodnight to my parents. "Liddie's delightful, Neil. You're lucky to have such a good friend."

My sister didn't say anything except, "See you tomorrow, Neil." But she looked at me like she was disappointed somehow.

Liddie took my arm as we left the dining room. We were alone on the elevator. I suspected she had a little buzz going from having several glasses of wine.

"You okay?" she asked after the door closed.

"I knew you'd get me in trouble."

"I did no such thing," she said defensively. "I was the perfect lady tonight."

"I have no doubt."

"What did I do?"

"You were yourself."

"Was I supposed to be someone else?" she asked as she held my arm for support.

Yeah, she was buzzed. I was almost holding her up. "Of course not." I reached an arm around her and hugged her briefly. "Honestly, I wouldn't want you any other way."

Liddie looked confused and clutched my arm again. We rode the rest of the way to our floor in silence. When we got off the elevator, Liddie's heel got caught in the gap between the elevator car and the floor and broke. She started to stumble but didn't fall because she had my arm.

"Shit," she said. "These shoes are brand new." She handed me her bag, bent over, and retrieved the heel while I held back the elevator door. Then she held my arm tighter as she took her shoes off. "Guess I won't be wearing these again."

"I'll buy another pair for you," I said. "It'd be a shame if you didn't wear that dress again."

"Are you flirting with me, Neil Markham?" Liddie asked.

"Just saying thank you for being a good friend and coming with me this weekend."

Liddie seemed a little woozy as we made our way down the corridor. "That's too bad. Probably for the best, though. If you were flirting, I probably couldn't control myself." Then she muttered, "Maybe I should have skipped that last glass of wine."

"You okay?" I asked once we were inside our suite. "Need help to your room?"

"I got it. Good night, Neil."

"I'll see you in the morning. What time do you want to get up?"

"Three tomorrow afternoon sounds about right."

I laughed. "Breakfast at seven, okay?"

"Whatever," Liddie said as her door closed behind her.

I called the desk and ordered room service for seven AM, scrambled eggs, a fruit platter, pastries, and a pot of coffee. It wasn't ten-thirty yet but between the drive, dinner, and the exchange with Liddie on the elevator, I was exhausted. I stripped down to my skivvies, hung up my suit, and got ready for bed. I went out like someone threw a switch and turned me off.

I opened my eyes to the red LED digits on the nightstand alarm clock. It said four-oh-three. The room was cool, but my back felt incredibly warm. Something was pressed against it. I looked over my shoulder. Liddie was curled up in a ball. Her back against mine.

I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. I wondered why Liddie had crawled into bed with me. She hadn't tried to wake me. I was surprised I didn't wake up anyway. I decided to let her sleep.

When I went back into the bedroom, Liddie had changed position. She was still on her side. Still facing the same way. But she was no longer in a fetal position. She was laying diagonally across the bed. Her left leg was stretched out straight; her right bent at the knee. Her right leg was protruding from under the sheet and blanket from just above the knee. She was taking up most of the bed. She was wearing pajamas; a light-colored, shirt-like top and matching pants. I was a little surprised she wasn't still wearing her dress. I pulled a pillow and blanket from the shelf in the closet and went into the living room, stretched out on the couch, and promptly fell asleep again.

A knock at the door woke me. Light coming from the balcony told me it was morning. Probably breakfast, I thought. I quickly retrieved a robe from the bedroom closet, pulled it on, and tied it off as I went to the door. I opened the door right after a third knock.

"Your breakfast order, Mr. Markham," said a guy in a white chef's coat and black pants pushing a cart.

I pulled the cart in and signed the check, adding a suitable tip. He thanked me and departed.

Waking Liddie up might be fun, I thought as I headed into the bedroom. Liddie was still sprawled out diagonally on the bed, taking up nearly all of it. I squeezed into a space between Liddie's right arm and still bent right leg. I gently shook her shoulder. She stirred but didn't awaken. When that didn't work, I ran a finger very lightly along the arch of her exposed foot. She jerked her foot away.

I grinned to myself and thought, "Okay, time to get evil." I gently rubbed her upper back. Liddie whimpered softly but still didn't wake. I kneaded her right trapezius for a moment then moved my hand to her neck and massaged gently. She mm-ed softly, smiled, and opened her eyes.

"Good morning, beautiful," I said softly. "Thank you for an amazing night," I continued. "Breakfast is here."

Liddie smiled and her eyes drifted closed again. A moment later her eyes snapped open. She pushed her torso up and rolled over to sit up. She looked around, bewildered. "Why am I in your room?"

I tried to look confused. "You don't remember last night?" I asked, sounding hurt.

"I remember breaking the heel on my shoe. Feeling light-headed when we walked down the corridor. I remember going into my room and putting my pajamas on." She shook her head and muttered something softly. I couldn't tell what.

"You don't remember coming in and making love to me last night?" I asked, trying to sound hurt. "I'll never forget it. You were amazing!"

Liddie didn't buy it. Not for a second. She frowned at me. "You're full of it. I did no such thing. Things would feel a lot different if we had. I certainly wouldn't be wearing pajamas. And you should be so lucky." She pushed my shoulder emphatically. "Move so I can get up." She sounded annoyed. Almost angry.

I laughed softly but didn't move. "I woke up at four because my back was hot and something heavy was pressed against it. You were curled up in a ball, sound asleep, with your back against mine. I got up, went to the bathroom then took a pillow and blanket to the couch."

"What does 'something heavy' mean? Are you saying I'm fat?"

"Of course not. You were curled up, leaning against my back."

"Why did you move to the couch? Was sleeping next to me so distasteful?"

My little joke had backfired. I'd opened a can of worms I hadn't anticipated. I'd intended some gentle teasing. Liddie wasn't amused. She'd put me on the defensive. "I didn't say that. I didn't think you'd want to wake up in bed with me." I should have stopped talking right then. Instead, I blundered on. "I'm happy to share my bed with you any time you want."

Liddie became indignant. "Oh, really? Is that why you've never kissed me?"

"I've kissed you!"

"No, you haven't. Not once! I get a hug sometimes. I'm the one that kisses you. I know, it's always on the cheek. Now, get out of the way. You said breakfast is here. I'm hungry."

I got up. Liddie strutted past me without a glance, went into her room, and closed the door. Emphatically. I brushed my teeth and pulled on a pair of exercise shorts I packed in case I decided to hit the hotel's health center. I was seated at the table on the balcony with a pile of scrambled eggs, a bowl of fruit, and a cup of coffee when Liddie opened the slider. She put a plate across from me holding a small helping of eggs and a bear claw, and a bowl of fruit. She went back inside then returned with a cup of black coffee.

"Let's start over," Liddie said evenly. "Good morning, Neil." Liddie looked at me over her coffee cup as she took a sip. Her expression was neutral. Neutral wasn't necessarily a good thing.

"Good morning, Liddie." I took a moment before saying anything else stupid by stuffing a forkful of eggs into my mouth. While I chewed my brain processed a million thoughts per nanosecond. But what kept jumping to the front of my thoughts was her comment that I'd never kissed her.

I was somehow drawn to Liddie like I'd never been drawn to a woman except for Cheryl. For some reason, she enjoyed my company from the moment we met. She had somehow managed to get me to become sociable again. She was kind. Funny. Smart. Affectionate in a way that no longer felt uncomfortable. She didn't take herself too seriously. She was stunningly beautiful but in an understated way. If you put Liddie in a roomful of showy beauties, she'd be the one your eyes would be drawn to. Not because she tried to make an impression with her appearance or the clothes she wore. Vanity wasn't in her nature. She projected an aura of self-confidence. She knew who she was and was comfortable with it. Not to mention she'd look great in a greasy burlap sack.

"Can I start with an apology?" I asked.

"Go on."

"First, I shouldn't have said what I did earlier." I took a breath. "It was inappropriate." I took a deeper breath. The next part was difficult. Even after knowing Liddie for months and coming to consider her my closest friend, there was still occasionally a niggling guilt about being so comfortable with her. This wasn't one of those times. "I value our friendship, Liddie. Maybe more than I've shown. More than I can say. I'll try harder. You deserve more from me. You've been far more giving than I have." Without realizing it, I'd suggested something different going forward.

Liddie took a bite of her bear claw. She sipped her coffee after she swallowed the bite of pastry. All the while looking at me with a blank expression. "What does that mean, Neil?"

I took a beat to think. "I'm not entirely sure. But I'll try to be a better friend. Can you give me some time to work it out?"

Liddie looked down. Ate a couple strawberries. I cringed at the possibility that I'd alienated the one person that had ended my self-imposed isolation. Had gently pulled me out of the funk I was in. Liddie looked up at me.

"Apology accepted. You've been a good friend, Neil. Not a great friend but a good one. You could be more than a friend. If you want to be."

It was that moment when I realized that Liddie had never mentioned having a date. It suddenly made sense. If I considered what Liddie had just said, in combination with her complaint that I'd never kissed her. Her slightly inebriated comment that she might not be able to control herself if I was flirting with her practically hit me over the head. Liddie had been dating almost the entire time I'd known her. I just never knew it was me she was dating.

It unsettled me. I had the same queasy feeling in my gut as I did one day after Cheryl and I had been seeing each other for almost a year. When some things about the time we spent together caused a sense of panic. I was almost convinced that Cheryl was about to break off our relationship. It was when I knew that my life would be so much less without Cheryl in it. Now Liddie had me on that same edge of panic. And for many of the same reasons.

"If you'd prefer not to go to my brother's wedding, I'll understand. I'll give you the keys to the car so you can do something else if you like."

Liddie smiled. A barely discernable change around her eyes and her lips. There was something different about it. I wasn't sure what. "Are you kidding? And not wear the dress I brought? You're not getting off that easy," she told me. Liddie got up and went inside. Just after she closed the slider she said, "It's almost eight. I've got to get ready if we're going to your brother's wedding." The next thing I heard was the door to her room closing.

I refilled my plate with eggs and fruit. Had another cup of coffee then gathered up our dishes and put them on the cart. I brushed my teeth again, shaved, took a shower, and put on some clothes that I could lounge in until I had to get dressed. I sat on the balcony, daydreaming, and watching the activity in the bay. I heard not a sound from Liddie.

I came out of my room at ten-fifteen after changing into an olive gray pinstriped suit and a yellow dress shirt. I wore my favorite tie, a brilliant blue Jerry Garcia necktie. Everyone complimented the tie when they saw it. Except my mother. She made a face whenever she saw it.

My cell rang. "Hey, Chris." It was a fifteen-minute drive to the church. My brother was riding to the church with Liddie and me.

"I'll meet you in the lobby," he said. "I'm leaving now."

"Liddie is in her room. Still getting ready."

"I hope she won't be much longer."

"Hang on a second." I knocked on Liddie's door. "Almost ready?" I asked.

"I'll be out as soon as I put my shoes on," she said through the door.

"We'll meet you in a few minutes," I told Chris.

"Okay."

Liddie's opened her door and came out right after I put my phone away. My jaw hit the floor. Gob smacked isn't strong enough to describe my reaction.

Liddie's hair was another flawless chignon. Different from the previous night. Again, not a hair was out of place. I couldn't begin to imagine how she managed it. Her silk dress was a color I'd only ever seen once before.

I was about twelve. Mom and I were home alone at dinnertime. My father, brothers, and sister were off somewhere. Mom and I took dessert out onto the back deck.

"Neil," my mother whispered after we'd been sitting for a few minutes. "Look at the clothesline."

I turned and saw a rather nondescript black bird perched on the lower line. "Yeah, so?"

"Watch. You'll see."

I watched the bird again for a moment while it made repeated jerky movements. There was nothing notable about it. But then, a passing cloud moved out of the way and the late afternoon sun illuminated the yard. The bird turned an amazingly vibrant, iridescent blue. It turned in our direction and changed back to the nondescript black. It turned away again and once again lit up in the same brilliant hue. Almost as soon as I saw the color transformation the second time, it flew off. I don't remember learning what kind of bird it was. Or maybe Mom didn't know. I always watch when I spot a black bird. I've never seen another like it.

Liddie's dress left me speechless. Though tamer by comparison, she looked spectacular in the dress she wore the previous night. She turned heads in work attire that was appropriately professional. This dress was shorter than anything I'd seen her wear. Not scandalously short. But short enough that when she strutted toward me, I caught the tiniest glimpse of the lace tops on her stockings. The bodice was closely fitted to her torso. It displayed a bit more cleavage than I was used to seeing, but it was still modest. She carried a sequined black clutch with a red, blue, and yellow paisley shawl over her arm and low black pumps on her feet.

"Ready?" she asked with a sly smile as she strode past. I hadn't moved a muscle except to turn my head and follow her progress. "Are we going or not?" she asked when she stopped at the door.

"Uh, yeah, we should get going," I responded.

I felt like I did at Tammy St. Jean's house one night while her parents were out for the evening. Partway through a heated make-out session in her room, I watched in utter astonishment after she pushed me away. She pulled her camisole shirt off. She undid her bra and let it slip off her shoulders. The first breasts I'd ever seen in real life. The first I touched with nothing covering them. I was awestruck. Fascinated. Terrified I'd do something wrong, and she'd get dressed again. Tammy giggled at my reaction.

Liddie didn't make a sound. But I'd bet anything she wore a self-satisfied grin as she waited at the door with her back to me.

After I opened the suite door and stepped out after her, I took the initiative for a change and held her hand, instead of letting her take my arm. She didn't say anything or look at me, but she didn't pull her hand away, either. Instead, she squeezed gently while I held her hand. One of the elevators was already going down when we got to them. We waited as the other car came up to us. We rode down in silence. A couple we didn't know got on at five and another got on at four. The two couples knew each other. They were dressed for a wedding. I didn't see them at my brother's reception.

Chris was standing in the middle of the lobby when we got there. Clearly fidgety and nervous.

"Ready to go?" I asked when I stood beside him. He was looking in the opposite direction when we approached. I couldn't suppress a grin when he practically jumped out of his shoes. "Nervous about something?" I needled. That earned me a poke in the ribs from Liddie.

Chris got "Ffff" out but cut it off before the inevitable "uck you." I'm unsure if he cut it off because Liddie was with me or because he saw how amazing she looked. He wasn't as slack jawed as I was. He recovered quickly. Wouldn't be wise to be mesmerized by a woman other than your bride-to-be on your wedding day.

"Where are you parked?" Chris asked after a moment.

I found the question amusing. "Don't worry. I'll show you to the car." I couldn't resist needling him again. It wasn't often Chris was nervous. He had once confidently stepped to the foul line and nonchalantly drained two free throws to tie the score with nine seconds left in the semifinal of his high school state championship basketball tournament. His team lost by seven in overtime, but Chris' calm demeanor extended the game for another eight minutes.

The ceremony and reception went much like any other family wedding. Janice looked angelic in her dress. Chris' nervousness went away during the drive to the church. He spent the day wearing a grin that never faded. I got an opportunity to get to know Janice a little better while we danced. I even managed not to step on her toes or her dress. As always, my father looked tortured in his suit. He removed his tie as soon as he could get away with it. It wasn't long before his jacket was draped on his chair. If he could have changed into jeans and untucked his shirt, he would have.

I stayed attentive to Liddie. I'm not much of a dancer. But I spent a good part of the afternoon on the dance floor with her. When she wanted a breather, I wanted one, too but she passed me off to my mother. The last time I danced with Mom was at my wedding. I don't think I danced with her at my older brother's or my sister's weddings. I won't say it made her day, but she certainly seemed pleased while she was on the floor with me. Despite my tie.

Chris and Janice made a surreptitious escape to their suite. They were leaving for a Caribbean cruise the next morning. After the reception, Liddie and I joined Mom, Dad, my siblings and their spouses for drinks and appetizers on the patio back at the hotel. Almost everyone went to their rooms when it started to get chilly.

Liddie wanted to go for a walk. We wandered down to the shore. A large, luxurious looking catamaran was moored offshore near the marina closest to us. It had to be a sixty-footer, maybe bigger. Liddie pointed at it.

"That looks like a nice boat," she said. "I could live on something like that."

"It might be fun. Dad had a small sailboat for a while. It wasn't very big, maybe twenty-four feet or so from the photos I've seen. Mom said he spent more time working on it than sailing it. I've seen photos of me on it while it was tied up at the dock. But I don't remember being on it. He sold it after Evelyn was born. It wasn't big enough for all of us. And if we all couldn't go sailing with him, he didn't want to make time for it anymore."

"Wouldn't it be nice to just up and sail off whenever you wanted to? To wherever you wanted?"

I laughed softly. "Sure would. It'd also be nice to be able to afford it."

"I won't ever do it," Liddie said, "but I bet if I sold the painting over my couch..." Her voice trailed off and Liddie looked pensive for a moment. Then she looked up at me. "Fantasy is almost always better than reality," she said wistfully.

"One should harbor a few dreams no matter how unrealistic," I said.

Liddie took my arm, pulled herself close to me and sighed.

We walked between the marinas but couldn't get past the security gates to wander the docks to get a closer look at the boats. I gave my jacket to Liddie when she shivered. We returned to our suite because I began to feel the chill.

I ran through the events of the day as we rode up the elevator. I weighed my exchange with Liddie over breakfast and my promise to be a better friend. When we were together off the dance floor, Liddie was either on my arm or holding my hand. I'd danced with Janice and my mother, but there were few other times we'd been separated.

The meal had some affectionate, if amusing, moments. I'd opted for the prime rib. Liddie chose the salmon and insisted I try it. She fed it to me instead of putting a piece on my plate. I'm not much for cake so I only ate a bite of it. Liddie slid close to me and ate the rest of my cake, practically sitting in my lap as she ate it, the plate still in front of me.

Despite what we told everyone, I could tell my family was looking at us as a couple. We'd certainly spent the day acting like one. Teresa's friend looked crestfallen whenever he looked in Liddie's direction.

Liddie and I held hands as we made our way through the lobby to the elevator. Liddie held my arm and had her head on my shoulder as we rode the elevator up. I began to feel a bit nervous as we walked down the hallway to our suite. I wondered how to handle the end of the evening. I had no intention of attempting to initiate a night of intimacy. A goodnight kiss was in order but what kind of kiss?

Once we were in the suite, Liddie postponed my decision for me.

"Please pour me a bourbon, Neil. I'll be right back," she said as she handed my jacket to me then disappeared into her bedroom.

I poured two bourbons and sat on the sofa. Our drinks were on the coffee table when she returned.

She'd kicked her shoes off and removed her stockings after going into her room, but she still had her dress on. To my surprise, Liddie sat on my lap, picked up her drink, and took a sip before putting it back down. She turned and put her feet up on the sofa and put her arms around my neck. I put one arm around her back and the other across her lap to her hip.

"Thank you for the nice day, Neil. I really enjoyed myself," she said with a smile.

"All is forgiven?" I asked.

"I wouldn't go that far," she said. "But you made a good start." She wriggled her butt and got centered on my legs. Her hip pressed against my groin as her butt settled into the valley formed by my thighs. Her face was inches from mine. I took a deep breath, closed the distance between us and gently kissed her on the lips. Liddie leaned back and smiled at me.

"It's about time," she whispered. She hugged me briefly and stood. She picked up her bourbon and drained it. "Good night, Neil."

I watched as she sashayed to her room and gently closed the door. She didn't look back. The only thought that ran through my head was how amazing she looked in that dress. I nursed my bourbon looking out at the bay for a few minutes then went to bed.

The next morning, it was Liddie waking me up. I felt her plop down on the bed, though the bed's brief movement didn't disturb me. "Neil, it's almost eight, we should get moving."

I heard Liddie but was convinced I was still dreaming. She featured in steamy dreams off and on that night. I don't recall ever dreaming about Liddie before that night.

"Neil, it's time to get up. It's almost eight o'clock," she said as she gently shook my shoulder.

Liddie was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. She was wearing pajamas much like those she wore the night before. Kelly green this time. Her hair was down. It was messy like she'd just rolled out of bed. I hadn't awakened to a more wonderful sight in a long time. I started to roll over but stopped. I didn't want my typical morning condition to be on display.

"C'mon sleepy head. Let's get moving. We've got a long drive, and I want breakfast before we leave. I'm starving."

"Good morning, beautiful," I said without thinking. Liddie blushed. My instinct was to pull her into bed with me and hold her when I saw her flush pink. I didn't act on it.

Liddie got off the bed, pushing against my shoulder to boost herself. "Get up," she said with a yawn and a stretch. "Before I curl up next to you and go back to sleep."

I grinned. "If you curl up next to me, you won't sleep."

Liddie looked surprised for a second. "Yeah, promises, promises," she said. "I'm going to take a shower and get dressed. I'll be ready to go in about forty-five minutes. Go eliminate that morning wood, Neil." She spun around and left the room.

I could see her bedroom door when I got up. I watched as she went through it. She didn't close it all the way. I took a deep breath and began to get ready. After finishing in the bath and getting dressed, I went into the living room. I initially intended to turn on the TV and catch the morning news but kept going to the balcony when I caught a glimpse of Liddie standing at her bed with her back to her bedroom door, wearing no more than panties.

I'd been on the balcony for a few minutes when Liddie opened the slider and stood in the doorway. She didn't come out. It was darkly overcast, breezy, and cool. Rain was falling out beyond the bay. The drive home was likely to be wet.

"Well, are you going to feed me?" Liddie asked when she materialized behind me.

I'm sure I was going to say something, but my train of thought deserted me the moment I looked in her direction. Liddie looked great in a long-sleeved camisole top that ended at her hips and jeans that looked painted on. Liddie rarely wore jeans. Two hard nipples peaked under her top.

"Are you going to feed me?" Liddie repeated when I didn't respond immediately.

Liddie had a sly smile when I returned to earth. I took a breath to buy myself another moment to get my brain focused on something other than the walking wet dream standing before me. "Sure, I'm hungry, too. Want to eat here or find somewhere else?"

"They have a buffet downstairs. Let's hit that, I'm hungry," she said.

"Okay. Let's go."

I carried our garment bags. We each dragged a suitcase. I stopped briefly to pick up the envelope containing my room summary and stuff it in my back pocket. We were alone when we got on the elevator. I didn't push the button for the lobby.

I stood next to Liddie with a smile on my face. She didn't miss it.

"What are you grinning at?" she asked.

"I was just thinking," I told her.

"Oh? You can do that? What about?"

"How happy I was that you agreed to come with me."

"You're welcome," she responded evenly.

"And how lucky I was to have you come with me." Liddie turned to look at me. "And that I had the smartest, kindest, sweetest, most beautiful, and sexiest woman I know on my arm yesterday."

"Thank you," she said softly, then reached out and pressed the button for the lobby.

"And lastly, that I'm an idiot."

"No argument here."

"Will you have dinner with me tonight?" I asked. My tone suggested I was asking her out.

Liddie looked at me wide-eyed. "Dinner like we always...,"

I interrupted her. "No. Not like always. Like when a guy likes a woman he's met and wants to get to know her better. Like I should have taken you to dinner a long time ago."

"Yes," Liddie said softly after a brief hesitation. "I'd like to have dinner with you tonight," she added. "There's not much left for you to learn about me, though."

"I think there is."

"Such as?"

"What it's like to hold you in my arms and kiss you goodnight."

"Is that all?"

"I expect there's more. I'll give it some thought."

"You forgot a trait."

"I did? What's that?"

"Most patient. Though patience has been getting in short supply," Liddie sighed.

"I'll try not to drain it further."

The elevator door opened at the third floor. A couple with two teenagers got on. We rode down to the lobby in silence. Both boys took positions that allowed them to openly gawk at Liddie.

"Wait here for me my while I run our bags to the car?" I asked.

"Only if you promise to come back."

"Well, I am anxious to get on the road. I have a hot date tonight." That earned an eye roll. I grinned. "Or you could get a table and I'll meet you in the restaurant."

"I'll wait here for you."

The drive home was frustrating. Much of it through rain. Some during heavy downpours. One lane of a lengthy section of the highway was flooded. We had to get off the highway for almost an hour. State crews were working to clear several blocked drains even after the road opened again. It also seemed like every idiot with a driver's license was on the road throughout the drive. We were on the road before eleven but didn't get home until after seven. The rain ended and the temperature had dropped by the time we got home.

As we made our way to the elevator, Liddie asked, "Would you be terribly disappointed if we stayed in instead of going to dinner? We can have our date another night."

I smiled at her. "Whatever you want to do is fine with me. Want to just call it a day?"

"No. Why don't we call D'Antonio's and have dinner delivered?"

"You place or mine?"

"Your choice," she suggested.

"I took tomorrow off so I can return the rental car and run a few errands I didn't get to last week. You're working tomorrow?" She nodded. "Why don't we eat at your apartment? You can kick back and just go to bed when the time comes. I'll meet you upstairs after I drop my bags and call in our order. What would you like to eat?"

"I'm in the mood for salty. Puttanesca sounds like just the thing."

"I'll have it delivered to your apartment. I'll drop my bag, wash up, and grab a bottle of chianti from my wine rack. I'll see you in a bit."

I ordered two servings of puttanesca for delivery to Liddie's. I'd had D'Antonio's puttanesca before. It was excellent. Loaded with garlic, anchovy, and olives. Only a short walk away, I was a regular and had been since Cheryl and I discovered it after moving into our apartment. Delivery was estimated to be an hour.

I took my time washing up. I changed into a clean tee shirt, a light sweater, clean boxers and comfortable jeans because I felt clammy from getting rained on when we stopped for gas, snacks, and drinks. In my hurry, I left without grabbing the wine or some cash for the delivery runner's tip but realized it before I started up the stairs.

The elevator door opened as I exited the stairwell onto Liddie's floor. D'Antonio's delivery girl got off the elevator carrying a big bag with our dinner. I called out to Vanessa, the owner's oldest daughter, as she turned toward Liddie's apartment. I traded a twenty and a five for the bag, getting a thank you and a big smile in return. Vanessa didn't have to wait for the elevator to return. The door opened as soon as she pushed the button.

Liddie opened the door almost immediately after I knocked. I kicked my shoes off as soon as I entered her apartment.

Liddie had changed, too. The painted-on jeans were gone, replaced by a pair of yoga pants and a long tee shirt that went halfway down her thighs. "I hope you don't mind that I changed," she began as she turned back into her apartment, then looked back at me again. "Oh, you changed, too." She took a deep breath. "Mmmm, that smells heavenly. What did you get?"

"Same as you. Balsamic vinaigrette for the salads."

"Not your usual lasagna?" Liddie asked.

"I ordered in self-defense," I teased. Liddie stuck her tongue out at me.

We ate straight out of the containers the food came in. We talked about the reception and the upcoming week over dinner. Liddie liked my mother but found my father to be hysterically funny. Dad does have a keen sense of humor. My older brother inherited my father's ability to amuse, though his humor has more bite to it. He's more cynical than Dad and it comes through in his sense of humor. My sister is a tough broad (her words, not mine). She is when dealing with my brothers and me. I got the impression that Liddie liked my family. I like them, too, despite our periodic squabbles and their tendency to worry about me too much.

It was going on ten by the time we finished eating, bantering, and cleaning up what little mess we made.

"I should go home so you can get some rest," I said once everything was cleaned up. "Thanks again for going with me." I embraced Liddie and started to kiss her, feeling less tentative about it.

Liddie leaned back away from my kiss. I once again detected the tiniest of smiles when she did it. "You sure you want to kiss me?" she asked.

"I told you I ordered dinner in self-defense," I teased. Liddie stuck her tongue out at me again.

Liddie leaned into me, put her head on my shoulder, and squeezed tightly. She took a deep breath and let it out as a sigh. "Neil, would you stay with me tonight?" she asked softly.

I wasn't sure I heard it right at first. "I can. You sure you want me to?" I asked tentatively after a moment.

Liddie squeezed me tightly again, "Well, you'd have to brush your teeth first," she teased. I laughed. "There's a caveat, though," she added. "It's chilly so it'll be nice to have someone keep me warm. I'd like you to hold me and snuggle with me tonight. But there will be no sex," she said as she looked into my eyes.

I'd been sleeping alone for a long time. A warm body next to me for the night sounded nice, even if sex was off the table. "Sure, I'd love to stay the night," I said.

Liddie stood on her tiptoes and kissed me, then broke the embrace and pushed away. I was a little disappointed with myself. I wanted to be the one to kiss her. But before the disappointment manifested, Liddie waved her hand in front of my face and grimaced, "There's a supply of toothbrushes and travel toothpaste tubes in the bathroom. Feel free to use two or three tubes," she teased. This time I stuck my tongue out at her as she pushed away, giggling like a schoolgirl.

I went into the hallway bathroom and took care of all the stuff I usually did before going to bed. Liddie went into her bedroom. She was just coming out of her bathroom when I entered her bedroom. She was wearing a set of silk pajamas, like those she wore at the hotel, but off-white. It was obvious she wasn't wearing a bra. I was still dressed.

Liddie pulled the covers down and climbed into bed on the left side but stayed sitting up. She watched me as I stood by her bed. When I hesitated, she asked with a grin, "Are you going sleep in your clothes?"

"Of course not," I said. I pulled my sweater over my head, feeling a bit self-conscious knowing Liddie was watching. I draped my sweater on a nearby quilt rack. I felt even more self-conscious when I took my pants off. The pants joined the sweater. I dropped my socks on the floor by the quilt rack. Liddie was smiling when I climbed into bed.

I sleep on the right side of the bed at home and usually begin the night on my left side. Once I had settled in, Liddie rolled onto her left side and wriggled in so that I was spooning her. I thought I'd keep my right arm on my side, but Liddie reached behind her and pulled my arm around her, held it tightly to her chest, my hand at her collarbone. I felt a nipple harden against my forearm.

I lifted my head and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight, Liddie."

"Goodnight, Neil," she sighed, then wriggled tighter into me.

It wasn't long before I realized maybe I should have thought a bit longer before agreeing to spend the night. Especially once Liddie told me there'd be no sex. As I got comfortable and warm, snuggled up close to Liddie, a problem began to arise. I moved my hips back a bit, hoping to avoid becoming fully erect. Liddie wriggled back so that she was up against me again. I decided that if she felt uncomfortable about my inevitable erection, she'd either move away or tell me this wasn't such a good idea. I should go home after all. It wasn't long before I was fully erect, pressing firmly against Liddie's buttocks. Despite what I'd resolved, I moved my hips back again, trying to put a little space between us.

Liddie surprised me. She groaned softly. Moved against me again, and whispered, "Stay where you are, Neil. It feels nice."

I relaxed. A few minutes later, Liddie's breathing was soft and even. She was asleep. I remained awake for a while.

My body clock woke me just after four, like most weekday mornings. I was on my back. But everything else was different which was briefly disorienting. I took inventory. My usual morning wood. No surprise there. The mattress didn't feel like mine. There was a head on my shoulder with a few hairs tickling the side of my face and nose. That was different. A hand inside the leg of my boxers was sensuously moving up and down my erection. Imparting the most enjoyable sensations imaginable. That was very different. I turned my head slightly and met Liddie's smiling face. Once again, she softly kissed me before I could kiss her.

"Good morning," she whispered. "Sleep well?"

"Pretty good. You?" I sounded surprisingly coherent. Considering the circumstances. At least I thought I sounded coherent.

"Uh-huh. It was nice falling asleep next to you, with this pressing up against me off and on."

"Uh," was all I got out as Liddie held my erection more firmly and began moving more purposefully. I took a deep breath. "Liddie, you understand the likely result of what you're doing?" I gasped after a moment.

"Uh-huh. I enjoyed it last night. Now it's your turn," she whispered.

I gasped. "Don't you have to get ready for work soon?" I choked out. I couldn't believe I was looking for reasons she should stop.

"I've got time," she smiled. Liddie sat up. I sighed when she removed her hand from my boxers. She smiled sweetly as she began unbuttoning her pajama top. When she slipped it off, I was mesmerized. I'd caught glimpses of her breasts before. The image in my head didn't compare to the view I now had. Liddie's breasts weren't the huge mammaries of adolescent fantasy. They were perfect. Each topped by a reddish-brown, egg-shaped bud protruding about a half inch above a contracted, light brown, oval areola.

I inhaled sharply when she reached inside the fly of my boxers, gently freed my erection from its confines, and resumed softly teasing my shaft. I hesitantly reached out to caress Liddie's breasts but stopped short.

Liddie slid closer. She took my hand and pulled it to her chest between her breasts. "You can touch me," she whispered when she released my hand and closed her eyes.

I gently held her breast, marveling at its firmness. Its near defiance of gravity. I moved my hand back and forth lightly, enjoying the hard, pebbled nipple tickling my palm. I caught the nipple between my fingers and twisted gently. Liddie took a deep breath, squeezed my shaft a little tighter, and sped up her movement along my shaft slightly.

Liddie stretched out on the bed again and rested her head on my abdomen, blocking my view of her hand on my shaft. I didn't need to see what she was doing. I could feel everything she did and easily picture it. I slid my hand under her arm and cupped her breast again, gently tweaking, twisting, and pinching the nipple. While one hand continued to stroke up and down my length, the other moved under my leg and inside my boxers. When her fingernails began teasing my scrotum, I took a deep breath and let it out as a long sigh when an intense tingling sensation began to grow under her fingernails.

"Liddie, I'm going to cum soon."

"Let it go. I can hardly wait to see."

I tried to relax, though my breathing was becoming labored and rapid. My legs stiffened as the tingling sensation began to spread. I grunted when I couldn't hold out any longer. Liddie's right hand squeezed a little tighter and moved more rapidly. I threw my head back and gasped loudly as pins and needles engulfed my scrotum and shaft then shot up my spine. Liddie encircled my crown and captured the explosion of fluids under her palm. She used it as lubrication while she twisted her hand around my crown. I felt the warm fluid she couldn't contain flow down my shaft.

Liddie pumped my shaft and played with my glans until I softened. Even after I begged her to stop. Liddie was smiling while she watched my reaction to the first time a girl had masturbated me to ejaculation since senior prom. I forced myself to sit up and pulled her into a kiss that left her breathing hard.

"That was very nice," Liddie said.

"It was incredible," I countered.

"I was talking about the kiss," she smiled.

"So was I. I don't have words for what happened before the kiss."

Liddie pushed me down. "I'm going to get ready for work. I should get an early start so I can see what the staff left for me Friday afternoon."

"Want me to fix some breakfast for you?"

Liddie grinned as she got off the bed. "Not unless you clean up first. You're a mess."

I looked down at myself. There was a big wet spot on my tee shirt where Liddie had pushed against my chest. My now limp shaft was coated with cum and there was semen all over my boxers. I never made anywhere near that much of a mess when I took care of myself. "I see what you mean. I'll take a quick shower while you get ready."

I got out of bed and stripped out of my tee shirt and boxers, wiped myself with my tee shirt, and balled everything up. Liddie went into her ensuite bath. I took my clothes from the quilt rack and went to the other bathroom. I brushed my teeth, showered, got dressed, without a tee shirt and boxers, and headed for the kitchen.

I started a pot of coffee and checked Liddie's fridge to see what I could whip up for breakfast. I wasn't sure how long Liddie took to get ready for work. I settled on French toast because I could keep it warm in her oven, with warmed maple syrup and cantaloupe. I was surprised when Liddie came out of her bedroom wearing only a robe and slippers just before I finished making enough French toast for both of us. She'd showered but hadn't done her makeup or put on her clothes for the day. I poured a cup of coffee for her and put it on the table.

"I could get used to this," she said. "I can't remember the last time someone made breakfast for me."

"I'll come up and make breakfast for you any time you like," I said.

"How are you at dinner?" Liddie asked. "We usually get take-out, or we make something simple when we're together."

"I can whip up a nice meal when properly motivated," I grinned.

Liddie raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Alright, let's stay in again tonight. There's not much open on Monday anyway. Certainly nothing I consider appropriate for an official first date. Why don't you make dinner tonight? I'll leave a key for you so you can let yourself in after you go to the market."

"What would you like to eat?" I asked.

"I'll leave it to you, Neil. Surprise me. Not Italian. We had Italian last night."

"Aw, and I was gonna make my specialty. Canned ravioli." Liddie rolled her eyes at me.

We bantered a little over breakfast. Liddie lingered with me for a few minutes over a second cup of coffee. When she went back to her room to finish getting ready, I cleaned the griddle and loaded the dishwasher. I was done cleaning the kitchen when Liddie came out of her room, all ready to go to work.

Liddie handed me a key. "Add this to your key ring," she told me.

"Oh?"

"Maybe I'll want you to feed the fish when I'm away or something."

"When did you get an aquarium?" I knew she hadn't.

"Maybe someday. Who knows? Or there might be something else you could do for me. Or to me," she smiled.

Liddie went to her front closet and grabbed a raincoat and umbrella. It was raining lightly. I held the coat for her while she wriggled into it. As she turned around, I gently pulled her toward me with her coat lapels. I gave her a kiss that had her squirming in my arms.

"Damn you," she whispered breathlessly. "I was already wet once this morning. Now I gotta calm down again on the way to work."

"My work here is done," I said with a smile.

"It better not be. I expect to be impressed at dinner."

"I promise, you'll be pleasantly surprised."

She opened the door to head off to work. Just before she closed the door behind her, she looked back at me and said, "Add a stop at the pharmacy to your to-do list." Then she was gone.

I was puzzled. I'm sure it showed on my face. I could only think of one thing she might want me to pick up at a pharmacy. I was hopeful but didn't want to make any assumptions based upon the way she woke me.

I made a quick return to Liddie's bedroom and stripped her bed. I retrieved my phone, wallet, and keys. Took one look around to make sure everything was in order, loaded and started her washer, then returned to my apartment. I changed clothes, grabbed my phone, wallet, and keys again. I pulled on a rain jacket then headed for the garage to return the rental car. My phone buzzed while I waited for the elevator.

I had a text from Liddie. "You looked confused when I left. Condoms. If you want to stay the night again." I grinned and put my phone away.

My first stop after returning the rental car was the pharmacy closest to home. In a moment of wishful thinking, or maybe pure insanity, I bought a box of a dozen condoms. I returned to my apartment to drop them off and collect my mail. I took stock of my refrigerator and made a shopping list, figuring I'd get my groceries for the next few days in addition to whatever I decided to make for dinner.

After returning from the supermarket, where I'd also picked up a few things I knew Liddie needed, I put away my groceries. I packed clothes to change into before eating. Then I gathered the food for Liddie's and went upstairs to let myself into her apartment. I busied myself while I waited until it was time to start dinner. I remade her bed with fresh sheets. I put a rose from the supermarket flower shop on her pillow. The other two roses went into a vase I planned to put on her dining table.

Liddie usually got home from work between five-forty-five and six. I set the table with a tablecloth and her good dishes. I made a caprese salad with burrata and heirloom tomatoes with fresh basil, and a little oregano, covered it and put it in the fridge. I reduced some balsamic vinegar and set it aside to cool. I put it in a little pitcher while it was still warm. When the time came, I preheated Liddie's oven to 450°F, pierced the skin of two Russet potatoes, coated them with olive oil and coarse salt and put them in the oven on a baking sheet with parchment paper under them. I put the filet mignon on the counter to come to room temperature at four-thirty. I opened a bottle of Malbec I pulled from my wine rack. At five-forty, I lit the candles on the table and dimmed the lights.

I met Liddie at the door when I heard her key. I gave her a much more subdued kiss and helped her out of her coat.

"Can I get a glass of wine for you, Liddie?"

"Yes, thank you. I'm going to go change before dinner."

"Dinner will be about fifteen minutes," I told her.

"I won't be that long," she said.

I turned on the broiler, poured two glasses of wine, seasoned the filets, put them on a broiling pan, and slid them under the flame. I took the caprese salad out of the fridge and removed the cover. I drizzled EVOO and the balsamic reduction on it and put it on the table. I turned the steaks over after six minutes.

Liddie came up behind me while I was flipping the steaks. She pulled me into a kiss that curled my toes before I got a look at her. "I'm tempted to drag you to bed right now," she whispered.

"Uh-uh. It'll ruin dinner. You'll just have to wait." Liddie's bottom lip came out in a phony pout. "But hold that thought while I get dinner on the table." I handed her a wine glass and pulled out a chair for her. "Sit." All before I had a chance to look at her. She was dressed in clothes she often wore when we lounged around our apartments. Yoga pants, socks, and a heavy, loose fitting, long-sleeved tee shirt that went to mid-thigh. It was a look I'd grown used to. And liked on her.

I kept my focus while I served dinner. I took the potatoes out and put them on our plates. I took the steaks out and plated them. After putting it all on the table, I grabbed the wine and stood across from her.

"Anything I can get for you?" I asked. Liddie smiled and shook her head. She reached for the caprese salad. I joined her at the table.

Liddie oohed and aahed and complimented dinner. I appreciated the compliments. Though a nice meal, I knew steak, baked potato, and Caprese salad wasn't exactly a culinary challenge. I was happy with the steaks. I aimed for medium rare and got it right. But for me, Liddie's smile all through dinner was the best part of the meal. Well, if I'm honest, I'd come to realize Liddie wasn't just the best part of the meal; she was the best thing that had happened to me in some time.

When we finished eating, Liddie asked, "What's for dessert?"

I'd forgotten I bought dessert. "I didn't make dessert. I bought dessert for you at Le Boulangerie."

"Oh! I love their stuff. I haven't gone there since I first got here when I went in every night for almost two weeks. I stopped going because I put on six pounds. What did you get?"

"Baklava."

"Can we have that later?" Liddie asked. "I've had enough for now, but I might want something sweet later."

"I feel like I've already had dessert," I inadvertently said aloud.

"You haven't yet," Liddie smiled.

I shook my head vigorously to get centered. "Let me clear the dishes," I said as I got up from the table.

"Leave the dishes," Liddie said. "Let's sit on the couch for a while."

I oddly wondered if this was going to be one of those, "We need to talk" moments. Liddie snuggled into my side with her head on my shoulder. She just wanted to sit with me and have me hold her. It wasn't like I'd never sat on the couch with an arm around her before. But it was different this time. It felt like I was on the couch holding a girlfriend. Instead of having my arm around a friend that was a girl. If that makes any sense. I was weirdly nervous but tried not to worry or overthink.

Liddie didn't want to talk. I tried to start a conversation a couple times but all I got was a soft kiss followed by a little sigh. The lack of conversation unnerved me a little. We rarely spent time together in silence.

After we'd been sitting for a while, Liddie turned so her back was against my side with the left side of her head still on my shoulder. She pulled my arm across her upper chest. She sighed and moved my hand off her shoulder to her right breast. I was surprised to find no bra. I felt her nipple grow hard against my palm.

"Neil, I've changed my mind."

I was disappointed but kept it out of my response. "Want me to go home?"

Liddie craned her neck to look back at me. She shook her head. "No." She emphasized the word. "I want you to stay."

"No sex tonight?"

"I don't want to use a condom."

That caught me by surprise. It also made me a bit nervous. "Is that wise, Liddie?"

"I won't get pregnant. My OB-GYN installed an implant at my most recent appointment. It's past time I slept with someone other than Bob. He's earned a vacation."

That confused me. I was unaware that Liddie seeing someone, much less sleeping with someone. "Bob?" I blurted out.

"Battery operated boyfriend," Liddie said craning her neck again and grinning at me. "A girl has needs."

I pulled Liddie so she was across my lap and kissed her. We were both breathless when Liddie broke the kiss. She slid down my chest and snuggled against me.

"I've been waiting for this for some time," she sighed. "Hoping you'd come to feel the way I have," she whispered. "I almost gave up on you. But I just couldn't do it."

I squeezed her gently. "When did you start to think you wanted to be with me," I asked.

"I'd been thinking about it before we fell asleep watching Bogie and Hepburn. Waking up with my head on your lap convinced me." Liddie then softly said the first thought that popped into my head. "Your dick was practically in my mouth."

"That was weird," I said. "I felt bad. You were so humiliated you almost ran out of my apartment. I worried it was going to be a problem."

Liddie sighed. "If I acted on my first impulse, I'd have sucked your cock. I hauled my butt out of there because if I stayed, I'm not sure what I'd have done. I knew you weren't ready yet, Neil. I couldn't stay for breakfast, despite how badly I wanted to."

I completely misunderstood Liddie's anxiety that morning. "You turned bright red that morning. I was sure you were thoroughly embarrassed."

"I flushed because I was so turned on."

Liddie reached up and caressed my face. I leaned down and kissed her again. Just brushed my lips to hers. But Liddie pressed her lips to mine. Gently but firmly.

"I'll meet you in the bedroom. Give me a few minutes?" Liddie whispered breathlessly.

"Okay."

Liddie got up though she seemed reluctant to leave me. But once she was up, there was a bounce in her step as she hurried to her bedroom. I was only a few moments behind her. I went into the hallway bath and brushed my teeth and washed.

I got a little nervous as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. It wasn't like I had a first time with a woman only once. I had a few girlfriends through high school and during my first two university years. Nervousness wasn't usually the hallmark of those encounters. But only one became a serious relationship. The first time I slept with Cheryl popped into my head. I was a nervous wreck then.

We met near the end of our sophomore year. We lived close enough to school that we could commute. But our parents encouraged us to live on campus. We were able to continue seeing each other over the summer. A greater distance between us might have meant a different path for our relationship.

Though we were in different degree programs, Cheryl and I were taking an afternoon literature class together at the beginning of our third year. We hadn't slept together yet when the fall semester began. A little more than a month into the semester, Cheryl and I went to her dorm room to hang out after our Lit class. I expected to be there until dinner then go to the cafeteria together. Later, we'd probably get together with some of our friends. Cheryl's roommate, Melissa, got up from her desk chair, grabbed her computer bag, the book she was reading, and another small bag. She was gone inside of a minute of our arrival. With barely a word. She gave me an enigmatic smile as she passed me on her way out the door.

"What was that all about?" I asked. "I don't think Melissa's ever rushed off so fast when I arrived. For some reason she smiled at me as she went by."

Cheryl smiled as she moved closer and snuggled up to me. "Melissa's spending the weekend at her brother's apartment. We have the room for the weekend."

Our weekend in her room was memorable. Filled with the enthusiasm, energy, and frequency of a new sexual relationship. One that had an unanticipated emotional element. We were both on the edge of physical collapse by Sunday afternoon. Fortunately, I had no classes on Monday morning. And one I could cut Monday afternoon. I needed a day to recuperate.

I didn't project anything about my late wife onto what was about to happen between Liddie and me. Cheryl's and Liddie's appearances and personalities couldn't be more different. There wasn't anything about my relationship with either of them that was remotely similar. I'm the only thing they had in common.

Liddie was still in her bathroom with the door slightly ajar when I entered her bedroom. Her clothes were strewn haphazardly. Like she couldn't get them off fast enough and didn't care where they ended up as she shed them. One of the sliding closet doors was open. I didn't look closely but I saw some intimate apparel hanging in the closet. A hanger was on the floor. Her bed was turned down.

Liddie heard me. "I'll be right out, Neil. Make yourself comfortable."

I took a deep breath and stripped down to my tee shirt and boxers.

It was only a moment after I leaned back against the headboard with a pillow behind me that the bathroom light went out and the door opened. Liddie was illuminated by the soft light of a lamp on her nightstand. She was wearing a red silk bustier that fit like paint. There wasn't a wrinkle or pucker in it. Matching red lace bikini panties and red lace stockings. The bustier cups barely covered her nipples. A ribbon held the front of the bustier closed. There was a strip of exposed skin between her navel and chest. A ribbon with a neat little bow tied between her breasts held the bustier together. Liddie's hair was tied back in a ponytail. She stopped at the foot of the bed, with her hands demurely behind her.

I must have stopped breathing when she came out of her bath. Because my lungs loudly refilled with air when my respiratory system decided to reinitiate.

Liddie climbed over the footboard and joined me in bed. "I've had this for a while, but I've never worn it. One of my girlfriends gave the corset to me. A boyfriend gave it to her, but it wasn't her size. Too big. She's a tiny little thing. He didn't last long after that."

"You told a friend about us?"

"Uh-uh. She gave it to me a long time ago. What should we do now?"

"You must have some ideas. I'm at a complete loss," I teased.

Liddie snuggled up to me and rested her head on my chest. After a moment she whispered, "I like the sound of your heart. It's strong and steady. It's not racing," she hesitated for a breath or two. "At least not yet."

Liddie shifted position. She kissed my cheek several times, moving from along my jawline from my chin to my ear. Her breath in my ear was soft and warm. It raised the little hairs on the back of my neck. I drew in a breath and turned toward her. Our lips met in a tender kiss. I rolled onto my side facing her.

I rested my forehead against hers, our noses touching. I caressed her cheek, ran my fingertips through the hair above her ear, down the back of her neck, and across her shoulder. Liddie shuddered briefly and sighed. Something about her aura changed.

"Neil, I've been distracted all day," she whispered. "I couldn't think about anything but you and tonight while I was at work. I almost left early. I must have been out of it. My assistant joked that I had too much fun at the wedding." Liddie was trembling under my fingertips.

"You've been on my mind all day, too. I stayed busy so I didn't get any more nervous than I already was." I brushed my lips to Liddie's. I lightly traced my fingertips from her shoulder across her upper chest. Liddie gasped softly. She was still trembling.

"Are you alright?" I asked in a whisper.

Liddie shook her head. "I'm a nervous wreck, Neil. I've dreamed about this. Hoped for it. Now it's happening I'm a...,"

I didn't let her finish whatever she meant to say. I silenced her with a soft kiss to her lips. Liddie moaned loudly. Her lips parted when mine did, and our tongue tips met somewhere in the middle. Our hands embarked on a sensuous exploration. I ran my fingers through her hair. Across her shoulders. Down her back. Along her side. Liddie's legs stiffened when I cupped the cheeks of her ass for the first time. A light caress across her upper chest elicited an erratic sigh. I traced a single finger along the border of the bustier cups but didn't venture inside. I relished the feel of soft skin on firm thighs and calves when I slowly rolled her stockings down.

All the while, Liddie trembled. Her fingers shook when she touched my face. Liddie used her sense of touch to explore my body. She caressed places that I didn't know could be so arousing. The sensation of her fingernail tips tracing lightly along my jaw and cheek caused me to shudder. When she reached under my tee shirt to lightly scratch my chest with the tips of her fingernails, my nipples hardened, and my breath caught. Liddie traced the waist of my boxers but didn't reach inside.

I think we could have spent the entire night just holding and caressing each other. But we had urges still unfulfilled. And growing more insistent with each kiss, caress, and breath. I was already aching when Liddie pulled my knee up between her legs so she could rub herself against my thigh. The gusset in her panties was warm against my skin. I kept my thigh pressed into her groin when I pulled away from her a bit and reached for the bow on her corset.

"No, don't," she whispered as she grabbed my hands. She rolled onto her back and guided my hand to an unseen zipper at the left side.

Despite how closely the corset fit, the zipper slid down effortlessly. When I gently opened the garment, Liddie covered her breasts with her forearm. I knelt between her legs and traced the outline of her arm, her hand, the tips of her fingers at the side of her breast and then back along the other side of her arm. Liddie instinctively rubbed herself against my leg and moaned softly. When I ran my hand along her arm, starting at her elbow, goosebumps raised on her skin.

I didn't try to move her arm. I bent down and kissed her arm repeatedly, starting at her elbow and moving slowly toward her hand. Liddie drew in a deep breath then exhaled slowly. In a series of little catches. I kissed the back of her hand and then along each finger.

After I kissed her pinky finger, I sat back. I reached for Liddie's shoulders and gently massaged her trapezius muscles. I could feel the tension in her. I didn't understand why she was still trembling. "You're shivering like a frightened bunny. Are you sure this is what you want, Liddie?" I'd never seen Liddie display any kind of nervousness. It was unsettling. And contagious.

Liddie nodded. Her voice was soft but shaky, "I don't know why, Neil. I wasn't this nervous my first time. But, yes, I want this. I have for some time."

I removed my hands from Liddie's shoulders and leaned forward. I kissed her gently. Just brushing my lips to hers. Liddie encircled my neck with her arms and embraced me tightly. The kiss she returned was fiercely passionate. Those are the only words I can think of to describe it.

Liddie's nervousness vanished. After kissing me, Liddie guided me to the breasts she hid after I first opened her bustier. I lavished them with kisses and gentle nibbles. I caught her nipples between my lips and sucked both to distended peaks topped by little brown eggs. I kept my thigh pressed against Liddie's sex while I lavished attention on her breasts. Her hips undulated against my leg; the warm, moist silk gusset was soft and smooth against my skin.

Liddie protested with a groan when I abandoned her breasts. But her complaint ended when I began licking, kissing, and nibbling my way down her abdomen. The elastic at the waist of her panties elicited a gasp when it snapped back after it caught on my chin for a second as I moved to the juncture of her legs. I rubbed my chin up and down the damp gusset between her legs. Liddie's legs instinctively clutched at my head. She gasped and moaned repeatedly as I teased her. The muscles in her thighs trembled as I pressed against her warmth.

Liddie tangled the fingers of both hands in my hair when I pressed my lips against the fabric covering her clit. I pulled the gusset aside and grazed my tongue tip to little bud so lightly I barely felt the contact. I still got a taste of her essence. It was musky and slightly salty. I relished the taste of her arousal. I kept the touch of my tongue soft and gentle while exploring her mons, lips, and entrance. Liddie panted and squirmed as I teased her. Fingers entangled in my hair held on tightly.

Liddie suddenly rotated her hips up and pulled my head against her sex. I caught her clit with my lip and pushed my tongue inside her, flattened my tongue, and licked up to her clit. Liddie shook, uncontrollably, cried out loudly, let go of my head, and pushed her panties down.

"Oh my god, Neil! I want you inside me! Please, please, please fuck me now!"

I'd never heard Liddie utter the word fuck. I ached to do what she wanted. I slid her panties down her legs and tossed them aside. Liddie pulled her legs up and spread them widely. I pulled my tee shirt off and quickly shed my boxers. My cock was nearly vertical. Liddie reached for me and pulled me toward her. She rubbed the tip up and down her lips a couple times then guided it to her entrance.

I'd only recently begun thinking of Liddie as a romantic partner. I was experiencing an urgency that surprised me. I forced myself to enter her slowly and gently. Despite being so desperate to join with her that I wanted to just push in forcefully. Liddie panted as I sheathed myself in her hot, clutching passage. She felt so incredible, I briefly worried I'd ejaculate as soon my glans parted her lips.

We began making love slowly, gently. Held each other and relished sensations we fought to extend for as long as humanly possible. But an uncontrollably energetic escalation was inevitable Our first denouement altered my world. It was explosive. Almost spiritual. I fell beside Liddie and pulled her to me. I relished feeling her overheated body against me. Her warm breath on my upper chest soothing me. It wasn't long before we were ready again. Liddie managed to rouse a third erection. Liddie looked blissfully content, riding me until I wilted, unable to keep up with her. She collapsed beside me when I slipped out of her. I held her hand and gazed at her through a new lens. I didn't gaze for long. Sleep took me quickly.

Morning was something else entirely. My body clock didn't wake me like most weekday mornings. Neither did the alarm on my cel phone. Liddie did.

I sensed something tickling my chest. I subconsciously reached for the tickle, thinking I needed to scratch. Liddie was lightly caressing my chest with the tips of her fingernails. I opened my eyes when something warm and wet encircled the end of my cock. I took a deep breath and entangled the fingers of one hand in Liddie's hair to find her ponytail already mostly askew. I think I might have taken three breaths before I was fully erect. I groaned softly when Liddie stopped sucking my cock and slid out from under the sheet and blanket.

Liddie kissed me softly. "Hi, sleepy head," she whispered as she looked up from under the sheet and blanket. She took my shaft in hand and kissed it softly. "That didn't take long," she grinned. After a moment she added, "Last night was wonderful, Neil."

"It was," I agreed, pulling her up to kiss her.

I need you," Liddie whispered. In a flash she was straddling me. "I'll drive," she grinned.

Liddie guided me inside warm, silky depths still slick from the previous night. There was nothing slow or gentle about the morning. Liddie was already dialed up to high. A woman possessed. She rode me hard and fast through two orgasms that shook her to her core.

I got to the plant twenty minutes later than I usually did that morning. I attacked my days with surprising energy and enthusiasm that entire week. I got home late the first night of my return to work. I only saw Liddie for a few minutes. Just long enough to suck my cock until I was breathless and spent on my couch with pants around my ankles and my shirt in tatters because she tore the buttons off to hurriedly get it out of her way. Liddie fended off my attempt to return her affections. She was meeting two colleagues and her general manager for dinner that night.

I'd been home less than hour when Liddie was at my door Wednesday after work. She practically dragged me to my bedroom. I had to resist a moment so I could close the apartment door behind her.

Liddie went to Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house with me. My brothers didn't react much to her presence other than to greet her by name. But my sister did. She grinned every time she made eye contact with me. I bumped into Evelyn in the hallway as she was leaving the bathroom, and I was heading to it.

"I thought Liddie was just a friend," she said pointedly.

"Why do you think anything has changed?"

Evelyn gave me her patented, "You're so full of shit your eyes are brown" glare. She even threw in a smirk. "Don't ever play poker, Neil. You're easier to read than a highway billboard. You brought her to Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving. You've hardly left her side. You've had a stupid grin on your face for most of the day. You're acting like my brother again."

"What can I say? Somehow, everything changed over the weekend of Chris' wedding."

"Let me guess. She made the first move because you were too clueless to realize you had a good woman on your arm."

"She did, but not in a way you might expect. And Evelyn, I always knew she was a good woman."

"It doesn't matter how it happened. Liddie's obviously been good for you. I'm just happy to see my brother again."

Liddie went home for that first Christmas alone. I couldn't take the time off to go with her. But I also had a sense that there was something going on with her family that I wasn't privy to.

Liddie and I fell into a comfortable but incredibly passionate relationship over the next two years.

For the first few months, Liddie can only be characterized as hot and insatiable. Many nights after work found Liddie and I in bed or even against the wall just inside the front door within moments of her return from work. There were many nights when we didn't bother to fix dinner. Instead, we'd feast on each other and sustain our strength with a quick snack or two and something to drink. Liddie rarely hesitated to favor me with sexual pleasure. And while things slowed down some after a while, my needs or desires were never unfulfilled.

For reasons I'm unsure of, we never moved in together as our relationship progressed. We rarely spent a night apart. Her apartment or mine never mattered. Often, it came down to who's fridge was better stocked that night. Sometimes, I thought it was my apartment because Liddie couldn't wait until she got to the fifth floor. She wanted me as soon as possible.

It wasn't all wine, roses, and never-ending passion and contentment. We had arguments. The typical stuff that couples get into. But nothing that ever threatened our affection or commitment.

Though I'd spoken to both her parents on the phone, I never went to meet Liddie's family. Twice a trip was scheduled to join her divorced, but amicable, mother and father for a holiday. Both times health issues interceded. My father developed a left leg embolism that almost killed him. His recovery was uncertain for nearly two weeks. His rehab took the entire holiday season and went well into the next year.

My mother's heart attack was a shock the second year. For as long as I could remember, Mom was up early in morning for a two-mile run. Many breakfasts on school days were eaten while Mom was still wearing the clothes she ran in. She'd get back to the house after cooling down, awaken us, then make our breakfast and school lunches while we groggily got ready and bickered over bathroom access. Her recovery was lengthy and stressful for everyone.

Liddie was a career woman. Something I readily accepted. She loved what she did and was surprisingly young for the position she held at the media company where she worked. There were a few brief discussions about getting married and starting a family, but we were both reluctant to pull the trigger for some reason. At least part of our reluctance involved the prospect of children.

My late wife didn't want children. Probably because hers was so fraught with dysfunction. Cheryl was the only stable member of her immediate family. I think she maintained her even keel only because her aunts and uncles made every effort to provide stabilizing influences for Cheryl, her brother and her sister. Aunts and uncles did things like attend parent-teacher conferences, school plays, go to their sports events, and graduations. Their efforts hadn't helped Cheryl's siblings. Her sister mirrored her father's path in life, her brother his mother's. Her parents never divorced but hadn't lived together for years. Cheryl's brother, sister, and parents were barely capable of taking care of themselves. I sometimes wondered why I stayed in touch with Cheryl's parents. Because of Cheryl's family history, I probably long ago came to peace with the idea that I'd never be a father.

I wasn't sure why Liddie didn't seem to be in a hurry to start a family. I eventually got an idea.

It was a few weeks after my brother's third anniversary, early November, that everything came apart.

I'd decided it was time to ask Liddie to be my wife. I planned to pop the question just before Christmas. I was confident of her answer. I saw signs that she'd be amenable. An increase in casual physical contact. Some very special meals at unexpected times. And a bump up in sexual activity that rivaled our first months together. Talk of children hadn't come up but Liddie's ticking biological clock crossed my mind.

I got home from work at my usual time on a Wednesday. Liddie normally would be an hour or so behind me. But she was in my bedroom. A large suitcase was on my bed. Liddie was pulling her clothes out of my closet and packing. She had already emptied her drawers. Her back was to me when I entered the room. I didn't have to see her face to know she was upset about something.

"What's wrong? What are you doing, Liddie?" I asked. I tried to keep the panic out of my voice. I'm sure I failed miserably.

"I'm moving," she said without turning to look at me as she carefully folded a blouse. She sniffled. "I was told this afternoon. At a lunch meeting with the general manager. The company has been sold. I've been promoted and transferred." She hesitated. "My flight to Phoenix leaves tomorrow morning at eleven. I have meetings all day Friday with senior management. The office is about midway between Mom and Dad. I get to meet my new staff Monday morning." She finally faced me when she turned. Her eyes were bloodshot. The area below both eyes an ugly gray from her mascara. She'd been crying for some time.

I was speechless. For too long, when I think about it. Liddie kept packing while I stood speechless. Her movements were rapid. But erratic. Uncoordinated. But my closet was still being systematically stripped of her clothing and her suitcase was filling. She was clearly conflicted.

"Turn it down," I finally said. "Stay here in some role." I was grasping at straws.

Liddie sniffled. "Not an option. Except for a small sales staff and a couple support people, there won't be anyone left. Almost everyone is being let go. Getting a separation package."

"Take the buyout." Unwilling to stop grasping at straws. I knew it. I said it anyway. Liddie was more than sharp enough to understand her options and process them in short order.

Liddie looked exasperated. "I'm not being let go. I'm being promoted. I have two options. I can take the promotion or quit. Resignation means no buyout."

Liddie's multimillion dollar painting crossed my mind. I knew not to go there. It probably weighed on her enough without me bringing it up. "So, resign. We can live together. One of us can sell the apartment. Living together won't be much of a change. I'll support us while you look."

"This area isn't exactly a hotbed of marketing opportunity, Neil." My closet was finally empty of her clothes; her suitcase held everything she owned that was in my apartment. "I've gotta get upstairs and finish packing. I talked to the corporate relocation specialist this afternoon on the phone. Is it okay if I give her your name as the local contact to let the movers into my apartment? It won't be for a week or two. I'm not exactly sure when. They're bringing in specialists to pack and ship my painting, too."

I nodded. "Quit Liddie. We can make it work. We can do a job search together and go somewhere together."

Liddie took a deep breath. "There's something I haven't told you." She took another deep breath. "I can't quit. I never bought my apartment. I couldn't afford it. I'm one of the few holdouts still renting. I have expenses you're not aware of. An older brother. Schizophrenia. Bad enough that he's in a hospital and he'll probably never be anywhere else. It's what drove my parents apart. We all decided we didn't want him in a state institution. The conditions were appalling when we looked at it. Between the three of us we can afford to take care of him. If I don't have an income, we can't afford his care." Liddie took another deep breath. "I gotta go. I've still got stuff to do upstairs."

I watched her close her suitcase and lift it off the bed. She stopped and kissed me on the cheek as she went by. Liddie never asked me to go with her. It felt like I'd been kicked in the nuts. I stood there, frozen in place until I didn't smell her perfume anymore.

Liddie and I stayed in touch for a while. Frequent phone calls. Video chats. She came for a couple visits. I went for a couple visits. But there were only so many long weekends. Goodbyes at the departure drop-off were tear-filled. The flights took an entire day in each direction. Inevitably, we began drifting apart. Though we still talked on the phone, the calls gradually became shorter and less frequent. Eventually, we stopped visiting each other. It was just too hard. It only took a little more than a year.

My cel rang at two AM on an early September morning. Before I picked it up, my first thought was that something had happened with one of my parents. Or at work. But it was Liddie's number that displayed.

"What's wrong?" I asked instinctively before saying anything else.

"Do you have any time off coming? Can you come see me. I need you, Neil." She was crying.

"Absolutely. What's wrong?"

"My attempted suicide three days ago. Then my father died this evening."

"I'll be there as soon as I can. If possible, late today."

"You're really going to come? I don't have the right to ask you to."

"Liddie, I'll be there as soon as humanly possible. Let me go so I can get things rolling."

"I'll let you go back to sleep now," she said softly. She was gone.

I didn't go back to sleep. I showered, got dressed and went to work. I called my boss on the way. He wasn't happy that I woke him at three-thirty but he understood the reason for the call. I woke up and asked my backup to meet me at the plant. After meeting with her and going over everything on my plate that she could do, I booked flights, went to a couple meetings, dealt with the few issues that cropped up, and headed home to pack. I tried to take a nap but was too keyed up to do anything except toss and turn.

The little regional airport that served my home city had only two airlines. One didn't have flights in the direction I had to travel. The best I could do was a redeye with a long layover. And the only available seats on the flights were in first class. Expensive as hell. Worse, I was too keyed up to sleep. I neglected to rent a car when I booked my flights. Too much on my mind. It took a while to get through the rental car center. I didn't get a car until the third counter I went to. I connected my phone to the car, then called Liddie once I was enroute. She answered before I heard her phone ring.

"You're not coming," she said softly. I could tell she was still upset.

"Are you home? I'm on I-10 headed in your direction."

"Yes, I'm home. Thank you, Neil."

"Look, I need to get off the phone. Traffic is bad. I'll be there in about an hour."

"I'm leaving for the funeral home in about a half hour. Mom's picking me up."

"Where? I'll meet you there."

"No. I'll leave a key with Mrs. Weatherby. She's right next door in three-oh-four. She knows you're coming and what you look like. You may have to go in for tea and crumpets before she gives it to you. Indulge her, Neil. She's a nice, proper English lady. Mom and I shouldn't be long. Dad already had almost everything arranged. We just have to go confirm the arrangements, approve, sign some stuff, and deliver a check. I'll rescue you if you haven't escaped yet."

"Okay." Tea and crumpets with Mrs. Weatherby wasn't high on my to-do list after only a few hours of sleep over the previous two days.

When I knocked on Mrs. Weatherby's door, she wasn't anything like I expected. Well, she was at first. Chesty. Mid-calf gray skirt. Pale green cotton blouse. A pair of running shoes, gray and mint. With neon-orange and black laces. There were flowers and green plants everywhere in her apartment.

But the picture Liddie painted didn't last long. I sat through tea and crumpets but that was as far as the stereotype held. Mrs. Weatherby, British Army Lt. Colonel Constance Smythe Weatherby (ret.), was a riot. Five-four and perhaps 130 pounds. Sixtyish. She moved like a young athlete. I'd wager she could kick my ass, or do far worse, without breaking a sweat. I won't say she cursed like longshoreman, but anecdotes and stories were punctuated with a few timely oaths.

I was grinning from ear-to-ear when Liddie was let in to "rescue" me after I'd been with Mrs. Weatherby for about an hour. When talking to Liddie, Mrs. Weatherby was the proper English lady Liddie told me about. It was hysterical. I'd have laughed about it for a week if the circumstances of my visit were different.

Liddie gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek when she greeted me. She indulged Mrs. Weatherby by staying for tea, which meant another hour with Mrs. Weatherby. Liddie was visibly fragile while we made small talk with our host, but she managed to put on a brave face.

Once inside Liddie's apartment, she clung to me and cried for an hour. It was a side of Liddie I'd never seen before. A fragility I never imagined. All I could do was hold her. And feel helpless.

The first few days Liddie was a basket case. She began to improve after her father's services and after receiving assurances her brother's injuries would heal. Her mother was less emotional. Sure, she was upset that her ex-husband had died. She still loved him. But they were just friends now. The emotional bond between Liddie's parents had dissolved. Both had moved on to other romantic partners.

Liddie and I slept in the same bed each night though she only wanted to be held at first. That wasn't a surprise. We didn't sleep together our previous two visits. Our physical relationship had essentially died off after several months of separation. Being so far apart was difficult.

Liddie initiated sex repeatedly the last two and a half days I stayed with her. I was sure it wasn't a good idea. But her need to be held and comforted, and my aching about our separation easily wore me down.

I briefly convinced myself that maybe the spark was still there. That somehow, we could manage to be together again. I can't describe how badly I wanted it to happen. There was a different kind of emotional depth to our lovemaking. A connection was still there. But it was different somehow. The passion level exceeded even the first months of our physical relationship. During our last marathon, which began in the wee hours and continued until I risked missing my midmorning flight. But despite her obvious enthusiasm and passion, I sensed a melancholy in Liddie.

Liddie talked nonstop on the drive to the airport. She was better. At least she seemed to be. She got out of her car at the departure drop-off and hugged me tightly.

"I wish I'd stayed with you and looked for a job," she said wistfully as she held me.

"I wish you had, too," I told her, thinking this was probably our final goodbye.

"Why didn't you come with me?" she asked.

"You didn't ask me to. You rushed back to your apartment so quickly I couldn't believe it really happened."

"I should have asked.' She hesitated. "Goodbye, Neil. Thank you for coming. I'll never forget you." Her eyes were watery when she initiated our hug. On the verge of shedding tears. She wouldn't look at me when she stopped hugging me. She turned away, hurried to her car, and drove off without another glance in my direction.

I watched until she was out of sight despite how little time I had to catch my flight. As I watched her drive away, I knew this would be the last time I saw her. Maybe the last time I heard from her. I made it to the gate just in time. Th gate attendant closed the door to the gangway behind me and followed me to the plane.

My flight back arrived in the early evening. My sister met me at the airport and drove me home. I could tell she was curious about how things with Liddie had gone but didn't ask. We talked about her kids and our parents. I was preoccupied, though. I participated in the conversation, but my heart wasn't in it. Liddie and I were truly over. I knew that before I went out there, but the end of my visit really drove it home. I asked Evelyn up for coffee, but she declined, citing the need to get home to relieve her sitter because it was a school night and to make sure her daughter's homework was up to snuff. Her husband was out of town on business. But I think Evelyn decided not to join me for coffee because she knew I didn't want company.

I buried myself in work when I got back. The plant was in good shape. I had a good team of engineers and techs that I could rely upon. What hadn't been addressed was my administrative responsibilities. It took a full week to get caught up. I had to force myself to leave my office to do my daily plant walkabout so I could talk to the floor-level leadership in production that kept me abreast of little issues that might not come up in meetings with the production department heads that I met with on a regular basis. I liked to talk to my technicians when their supervisors weren't around, too.

When I got home, I was down in the dumps for the first week or so. But not like after my wife passed away. Liddie had changed me and my outlook. Despite the heartbreak of losing Liddie, I didn't fall into another funk. I even dated a couple women I meet over the ensuing months. One from my health club. Another was a single mom I met at a cookout at my older brother, Adam's, place. Neither went anywhere, ending after a few dates with each. The single mom wanted a friends-with-benefits arrangement. I just couldn't get myself to go there even though she was smoking hot.

The following summer, I went to a cousin's wedding. Unlike Janice, my younger brother's wife, my cousin Emma wasn't pregnant. Or at least she wasn't when the invitations went out. I got the invitation five months before the wedding. She didn't look pregnant at her wedding.

I don't think Emma expected me to attend her wedding. There wasn't room to seat me with my family, so I was assigned fill a seat at a table where I didn't know anyone. The seat next to me was labeled Rachel Thompson. I apparently got seated next to Rachel because we both came unescorted. There was an empty seat at our table next to Rachel, but I didn't give it a thought. No one ever sat in it. There was no name card at the seat. Rachel wasn't wearing any rings, so I was hopeful that she'd be receptive to a dance or two and some friendly conversation. Rachell was about five-four or five-five. Slender. Pretty in a girl-next-door way. Brunette, with collar-length hair. Intense green eyes.

It wasn't long before I realized Rachel didn't know anyone at the table, either. Being seated with Rachel at a table where neither of us knew anyone made me suspect my cousin was playing matchmaker. I tried to strike up a conversation with Rachel several times, but my attempts fell flat. She responded, but in a way calculated to discourage further attempts. I wasn't trying to pick her up. I just wanted someone near my age to talk to. The rest of the guests at the table were nice but nearer my parent's age than mine and all well acquainted with each other. They were distant relatives of the groom.

Rachel and I didn't interact, even a little. She asked me to pass the butter once. She was distant and unfriendly. Her outrageously expensive designer dress, a woman across the table mentioned the designer when she complimented the dress, and her aloof, distant, almost hostile persona put me off. She did look incredible in her ankle-length navy-blue dress with a lace bodice and flowing skirt slit up the left leg all the way to her hip. The dress was killer. It was a damn nice left leg from what I saw of it. It was too bad the dress and leg belonged to someone so unfriendly.

Rachel stayed through dinner, but I saw her leave the venue before the cake was cut. I migrated over to join my family and spent some time with them. Emma came by and asked if I knew where Rachel was. I told my cousin I saw her go outside. I didn't see Rachel again. I left after the garter-toss, though I didn't participate. The girl who caught the bouquet was about fifteen.

A few months after Emma's wedding, I was dining alone in Swan's on a Thursday. I was in a good mood after a glowing annual review that resulted in a nice increase in my base salary and a lucrative annual performance bonus. Rachel entered the restaurant. The hostess greeted her, spoke with her briefly, grabbed a menu and led her in my direction. Swan's sent guests to the bar if their entire party hadn't arrived. Rachel was dining alone.

Rachel saw me when she was being led to her table. There was a spark of recognition on her face. She nodded at me as she walked by. I nodded politely and returned to my beer. The hostess seated her at a table immediately to my right. The hostess waited for her to sit, handed the menu to her and announced her server would be with her shortly.

"You're Neil. From Emma's wedding?" I heard Rachel ask.

I was surprised she said anything to me. "I am. Rachel, right?"

She nodded. "I owe you an apology," she said. "You tried to be friendly at the reception, but I was downright rude."

"No need to apologize. Emma shouldn't have been playing matchmaker."

Rachel smiled. "Is that what you thought?" She shook her head. "Emma didn't play matchmaker. I was in a foul mood because I had a fight with my boyfriend that Thursday night. He stormed out of my apartment afterward. I didn't see him again before I had to leave on Friday. He was supposed to go to the wedding with me. That weekend was the last straw."

"That explains the empty seat next to you."

"Would you mind if I joined you? I'm here alone." I gestured at the chair across from me.

When Jennifer, our server, came, Rachel ordered a glass of Reisling and asked if it would be alright if she changed tables to join me. The server picked up her place setting and moved it to my table.

"I've never seen you around here. Not that I necessarily would have," I said. "Visiting the area?"

"No. I just moved here. My belongings got delivered to my apartment today. I've been staying at the Radisson across town for the last two weeks. I get to sleep in my own bed tonight. Most of my stuff is still in boxes but at least the furniture is arranged. My internet gets hooked up tomorrow."

I hesitated for a moment. "I live just up the street."

Rachel's wine arrived. Jennifer asked if we were ready to order. I knew what I wanted but Rachel still hadn't looked at the menu. "A few more minutes, please?" I asked. The girl spun on her heels and sped off after agreeing to give us a few more minutes.

"I'm on Wilcox," Rachel said absent mindedly as she picked up the menu. She wasn't specific about where on Wilcox. Wilcox ran perpendicular to Chesnutt, a short distance past my apartment.

I didn't say anything again until she put the menu down. "What brings you here?" I asked.

"Work. I finished my residency a few weeks ago. I started at Mercy last Monday."

I guessed Rachel was about eight years younger than me. "You're an MD?"

"Radiologist," she responded. "You?"

"Engineering and maintenance manager at a plant across town. Not far from Mercy. How do you know Emma?" I asked.

"We roomed together for four years at Northeastern. It'll be nice to see her again. I've missed her. How do you know her?"

"She's my cousin. I've known her all her life. I don't see her much anymore, though."

"I know what you mean. My cousins and I were inseparable best friends when we were kids. I rarely see them anymore. Weddings and funerals. One or two on the occasional holiday. We're scattered all over the place. How long have you lived here?"

"About ten years in my apartment. My entire life in this area, though."

Our server returned. Swan's was getting busy. I ordered corn chowder and baked cod. Rachel ordered a Caeser salad with grilled shrimp.

Rachel and I talked at length. We even stayed and nursed another drink after dessert. She was much more pleasant than at the wedding. When it was time to leave, I grabbed the check.

"My treat tonight," I said.

"I'd rather you didn't," Rachel said. "What's my share?"

"You can get the tip. Just be generous. We tied up the table a little longer than we should have. Jennifer can use the money. She's still in school and paying her own way."

"Okay. Will you watch my purse and jacket while I go to the ladies?" Rachel asked while I was reviewing the check to make sure it was right.

"Sure."

I was surprised how quickly she returned. Rachel put three tens under her wine glass. I took the folder and stopped at the register to pay. Rachel waited for me by the door.

When we got outside, Rachel said, "Good night, Neil. I'm going this way."

"Me, too." We talked a little more on the short walk to my building. "This is me," I said when we got to my building. "But I'll walk you home."

"I'm just over there," she said pointing at the high rise on the far, opposite corner. "I can get there on my own."

"Okay. But I'll watch to make sure you get there safely."

Rachel stood and looked at me for a moment, then opened her purse and took out a business card. She handed it to me. "This is my work number. You can leave a message with whoever answers. I'm working this weekend and on call next weekend. But I'm off the following weekend."

I knew telling me all that was a good sign.

I watched Rachel wait for a walk light at the corner, cross Chesnutt, wait for another light, and then cross Wilcox. The entire time I watched her, she was focused on her surroundings and getting to her destination. After she punched in the door code, she looked over her shoulder in my direction and hesitated before she went inside. She didn't wave. She was too far away to see if she smiled.

I knew two things as I turned to go inside. I was going to call Rachel. And I was sure Rachel was going to call Emma and ask about me. As I rode up the elevator, I was confident I'd see Rachel again. Maybe I'd get to see her in that dress again someday.

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