"The Neighbour" by Joy Rajan

            I looked out my window unaware that I was watching my neighbour. I couldn’t pull away from the window. I felt so draw to the sight of her soft beautiful hair, her gentle skin glistening under the sun. A gush of win blew by and her hair followed.  O please turn around. Please turn. She did and she saw me and waved. I waved back. My god you are beautiful.

            “Who mommy?” I turned to see my daughter looking up with me; it was as though she could read my thoughts. I her large hazel eyes sparkled with idle curiosity. I merely smiled and pulled her up into my arms. I watched as she snuggled up to me and I felt myself, helplessly looking into the window watching the new neighbour.

            Thoughts kept streaming down my face – and I could see all that I was thinking expose – projected out of the window for the whole world to see. I caught myself hoping that she (the neighbour) would not undress and go into her hot tub. It is Saturday, 3:30pm, her usual time to get nude in her hot tub. And every time I was here by this window hoping that I could go in with her and feel her lush soft body so close to mine.

            It has been a year since my husband left me. And now it is has just been Sophie and I. I lost a lot when my husband I divorced. I was thankful to my parents for buying us a comfortable home so that my daughter and I could start over. The door bell rang. I looked out the window and the neighbour was gone. I heard Sophie running down the stairs I ran after her.

            I looked through the door and saw my sister and to my surprise the neighbour beside her. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

            "Hi ya Sis! Brought a cake from Mum. Don't ask. And this is Melissa. Melissa this is my big sister Laura." "Nice to meet you." "Likewise." "Come on Sophie!" "Okay." I watched my sister disappear with my daughter. "Your daughter is sweet." "Thank you." "You're welcome. I know you've been watching me from your bedroom window." I swallowed hard. "It's okay. I've been doing it to get your attention. I confess I've been watching you dress." "I see. I guess this makes us even." She smiled salaciously and brushed her breast up against my arm. I breathed heavily and closed the door behind me.

            I entered the kitchen and found my sister making tea and Sophie cutting up the cake and serving everyone.

            "Come Mom! Everything is almost ready." "I'm sorry for intruding like this Laura. I know you weren't expecting company." "O that's quite alright. It is actually a treat to have people over for a change. And you are most welcome to come over any time Melissa." "Is the tea almost ready Lana?" "It is. Come on Sis. Relax for a change." "Where is your washroom?" "O just down the hall Mel. You'll see it." Melissa excused herself. "So? What do you think?" "About Melissa?" "Yes." "What do you mean? She's quite a taker isn't she." I looked at my sister baffled. "O please. I've always known you were into girls Sis. I don't know why you married Brad. Dad was happy don't get me wrong but Mum and I knew better.

            "Have you forgotten already? First Alison, then Ashley, then Marie? They weren't just your friends. Don't look at me like that. I know what you are thinking. We are almost twins you know, even though we are a year apart." "You're right. What about you? No guys in your life?"

            "No not yet. Not sure if I want to date. I guess I need a break, especially with Mat." "What happened with you and Mat? O that is a long story. To make it short he kept making excuses and made me buy everything. Seriously the guy worked in low paying jobs and he didn't bother going to school and getting his act together. He hardly made money and still wanted to turn one of the rooms of his basement suite into a gym instead of getting a roommate. He could barely pay rent. To make it worse he wanted me either to move in with him so I buy him sixty inch tv and share the "gym room" with him. I dumped him. Anyway don't change the subject."

             I shook my head. "What a loser. I am glad you saw right through to him. You were always the smart one. Anyway how do you know Melissa?" "School.  She asked me out once." She said laughing. "I turned her down. Girls are great but I can't have anything but friendships with them. I'm straight and boring." She smiled. "Thanks." "What are sister's for." "True. But I never expected that you'd be the one setting me up." "Big deal. Anyway, just give it a shot. She lives next door anyway."

            "I know. I confess I watch her." Lana laughed. "I mean come on the woman goes naked in her hot tub and I'm sure everyone else can see it." "Actually no. I've been in her hot tub. Yes nude. It's fun. And to be honest no one else can see in. Except when I was over -" "What?" She smiled. "Her hot tub is only visible to your bedroom! O that's why she keeps looking over my shoulder. She's been watching you. O that's too funny." Melissa came in.

            "What are you two ladies talking about?" I stopped and sat back into my chair. I felt myself blush. Lana just laughed. And Sophie giggled. "You." Sophie replied. I blushed even harder. Melissa just winked at me.

            After tea. I put Sophie down for her afternoon nap and Lana excused herself. She had errands to run. I didn't believe her. I knew it had something to do with Mike the barista guy in the new coffee shop that opened in town. Melissa and sat on the couch finishing up the last bit of tea.

            "Thank you again for having me over." "You're welcome. I had fun. You should come by more often. I-" Melissa put her finger on my lips. She placed her mug down and took mine out of my hand. My heart began to beat so loud I could hear it. She cupped my face in her hand and reached in to kiss me. I felt my shoulder drop. I placed a hand on her lap and the other on her waist. She wrapped her arms around me pulling me closer to her. I felt her breath all over my face and her tongue in my mouth. I felt a rush all over my body and I returned her kisses. Before I knew it I was on top of her on the couch and I could no longer hear the television. We lost ourselves in each other.

            I felt my hand slip under her shirt and began caressing her soft elegant skin. I could feel her hand stroking my back as we continued making out. It was so intense. I could feel myself getting hornier. My underwear was wet. Her breast was pressed up against mine and I felt her hand grabbing my ass. I ran my hand down her body and unbuttoned her pants and slowly slipped it off. I stroked her pussy and heard her moan. I didn't want it to end.

            "I'm sorry." "No don't. Don't stop." "I won't. Are you free for dinner?" "I am." "Great can you stay. I already cooked." "I would love it. Maybe stay the night?" "Sure." She undid my jeans and placed her hand on mine and began rubbing it. "You're wet?" "Don't stop please." "You want me don't you." "I do." She pulled her hand out and sucked my cum off her fingers. I kissed her and shoved my tongue in her mouth and I could taste myself in her mouth. "Do you want me to stop now?" "No just fuck me!" "Yes I will."

            She took my clothes off and laid me on the couch. She licked my body and sucked on my breast. I moaned. I looked down and saw her sucking on my pussy. I felt her tongue inside me and her hand teasing my breast. And -

            "Mom?" I woke up. I looked around and Sophie was looking at me worried. It was just me on the couch. Melissa was gone. She had left with my sister. I sighed. She had a nightmare. I comforted her. The phone rang.

            "Hi this is Melissa." "O hi Melissa." "Hi! Thank you again for tea. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I won't lie I do go in the hot tub nude but I didn't do it just so you'd watch me. It's something I just do. I just find it liberating. I have no idea why I said that. But I had to. And I confess, I am not in anyway upset that you watch me. And I do look out for you. Ever since I noticed you -how can I say this -you take my breath away Laura and I hope you feel the same way about me." "I do." Silence. "Can I take you out? Nothing fancy just dinner?" "Yes. I look forward to it." "Great. I'll pick you up at six?" "That'll be just fine. I get home from work around five. So-" "Okay, we'll make it six thirty then. I'll see you then? Say hi to Sophie for me." "I will. Bye." "Bye."

            I called Lana.

            "Hey Sis!" "Melissa just asked me out and I said yes." My sister screamed on the other line. "Lana? What do I wear?" Lana laughed. "Calm down. I'll come over tonight. My boss let me work from home. I doubt that was a good idea 'cause I am a queen when it comes to procrastinating. But this. This is a serious matter." "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you." Sophie watched me confused.

            "You're going on a date Mom?" "Yes Honey. Do you remember Melissa?" She nodded. "Well she likes me." "Like the way Daddy used to?" I nodded. "Okay. When is your date?" "Tomorrow." "Will you still read to me?" "Of course." She smiled. "I like Melissa! Can we have dinner now?" "In a bit. Aunty Lana is coming over for dinner. We'll wait for her okay?" Sophie nodded.

            I was so grateful that Lana came. We had dinner and she helped me put together an outfit.

            "How do you know what I should wear?" "O I confess Melissa called me after you hung up and asked me where to take you. She is just nervous about all of this as you are. She hasn't dated in awhile since her wife died two years back. I'm not tell you where she is taking you. But she has it all planned out. So relax and you'll be fine." "Her wife?" Lana nodded. "Don't bring it up. And don't tell her that I told you anything. But her wife was killed in a car accident. Drunk driver." "O. What does Melissa do?" "She's a detective." "Really?" Lana nodded. "I know I had the same reaction when she first told me." "You never talked about her before." "Well Brad was always around and he was such a homophobe so I left it." I nodded.

            "Well Sis. You are all set! Thanks for dinner. I have to go. Mum's waiting for me." "You see her a lot." "Well someone has to visit her grave and dad's too. Did you seriously like the cake?" "You made it didn't you?" "Does it taste like the way Mum made it." I nodded. "Better actually." Lana laughed. "I know she hardly put any butter in anything she baked. She was too worried about dad's heart. Little did they know - Yea I am not finishing that sentence. Okay. I'm off. You should come with me sometime. It'll be good for you." "Maybe next week. Text me." "Okay. Take it easy. Bye my little princess!" "Bye!" I smiled as I watched Sophie waving at her aunt.

            I went of to work. I could not stop thinking about tonight. My date. I cannot believe it took me twenty-eight years to finally go out on a date with a woman. I sat at my desk glaring at the amount of paperwork I had to.

            "When they hired us to work in the civilian sector, I guess neither of us expected all this hey Laura?" "No Nick. At least not this much. Anyway it isn't going to finish itself."

            "Hi everyone! Can I have you attention. This is our new detective, Detective Melissa Heart and this Detective is our Records Management team." I shrunk back in my chair hoping that Melissa would not see me. She didn't, or at least I didn't think she did. I sighed, relieved. I know that we were going on a date but working in the same building as her, I don't know if I could handle it.

            "Wow, she is gorgeous!" "O Nick. Just keep your eyes on your screen." "What? Don't pretend you didn't notice?" "What do you mean?" "You're so gay Laura. Everyone knows it." "I'm just here to work." He just laughed. I got up and made my way to the ladies room.

            "Hey Beautiful!" I turned. It was Melissa. "Hi." "You are adorable. Being shy around me. You know it is only a matter of time before people find out that we're dating." "Well we haven't gone on a date yet." "I know. I'm looking forward to tonight." "Me too." "Are you okay?" "Yes I am. I have to confess something." "O?" I could see the colour fade from her face. "I dreamt about us last night." She sighed and laughed a little. "I've been dreaming about us since the day I met you." "Sex?" I blurted. She looked at me. "Come here. You need a hug." I hugged her. I laid my head in her neck and I felt my pulse subside. She stroke my back. "Don't worry okay. It'll happen when it does. Just breathe okay." "I'm sorry." "Don't be. I'm glad I make you horny." She kissed me on the cheek and left. I smiled. She really was special.

            And our date was even more special then I had anticipate. We had a delicious dinner at this wonderful new Greek restaurant. And she took me for a drive. The night was perfect. It wasn't cold and the sky was completely clear. We drove up the nearest peak and stopped at a view point.

            "This is my favourite spot. I'd come here a lot. It's my special place and I wanted to show it to you." I looked out. You could see the entire city from where we stood. "Well? What do you think Laura?" "It's beautiful." "Not half as beautiful as you." I turned to see her coming up to me. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me softly. I kissed her back. She pulled away and smiled.

            "What are you thinking?" "That for the first time it's just love that I've always wanted." "Same. And with you here, and in this moment Laura I could safely say that I could love again." I rested in her arms as we watched shooting stars fly across the night sky. She kissed me on my forehead.

            I never forgot that evening. It was heavenly.

            Work got busier. I saw less and less of Melissa. We hadn't even gone on a date since that night. I messaged Lana and we went to visit Mum and Dad's grave. I told them about my date and about Melissa. I don't know why I hadn't gone to see them before. My sister was right, it did feel good to see them.

            When she could she would pull me aside to kiss me and before I could blink she was gone again. Even on weekends I noticed that her hot tub was empty. Her home was empty. She did text me every night without fail. And we did see each other every day and she would smile at me. But that was all.

            "Hey Sis! How are things?" "All right I suppose. Sophie started grade one. I appreciate you helping me out. Sorry about my work schedule." "O that's okay. I'm happy to help you out Sis! How's Melissa?" "I don't know. I hardly see her. We haven't gone on a date since that evening." "O? Hasn't it been a month." "I know. I think work is more important to her than I am. I don't think this is going to work out the way I wanted to. And I'm still horny." Lana laughed. "Okay I'm coming over. We'll watch a chick flick okay?" "Sure."

            I put Sophie to bed and Lana stayed the weekend over at my place.

            "I should just move out of my apartment and move in here with you guys." "Where did that come from?" "Well I am here almost every day." "It's that guy isn't it? At the coffee shop? He asked you out didn't he?" Lana nodded. "Sure! You can have the room down the hall from Sophie. Just don't bring him over to spend the night if you know what I mean." "O gosh! No. Not with Sophie here. Plus we have only been dating for two weeks and so far it is okay." "Wait doesn't he work at the coffee shop near your place?" "Yea." "You want to move here to avoid him. not to be nearer to him." "You read my mind." "Okay." "Great the movers are coming tomorrow." "Lana!" "What? I know you. You would have said yes anyway." I laughed.

            The door bell rang. "I'll get it." I said and got up. It was Melissa.

            "Hi." "Hi." "Laura, please let me explain. I know I haven't paid much attention to you." "Just spare me the details please. We went on one date I thought you felt something for me." "I did. I still do." "Did you find another girl?" "Yes." "I figured." I was about to close the door on her, but she stopped me. "It isn't like that. This is Margaret. My daughter." "I did not know that!" Lana screamed from behind me.

            "I don't know what to say." "My wife never told me she was pregnant. And I know I never told you, but I was married before. She didn't die in a car accident. She survived and we had a child." "And what, she is alive still and you are still married? Really?" "Yes really." "So what was the point in wanting me then, to be your next fling? I'm sorry but I have no time for that in my life." "Laura wait. My wife just killed herself last night. We've been going through a bad divorce and I have final custody of my daughter. Just please let me in." "Not tonight. I can't." I closed the door on her and walked away. I went upstairs and had a long hot shower. From my bedroom door I saw the two of them enter their home and I could see Melissa looking out for me. She hurt me so badly but I could not stop reminiscing  about it.

            A week passed and I was finally able to muster the courage to call her.

            "Did you want to come over for tea and talk?" "I would love nothing more. Please let me invite you over for a change." I agreed, "I'll be there in half an hour."

            Nervously I got dressed and Sophie and I walked over to her home. Sophie smiled at me. I just winked at her.

            Margaret opened the door and I could tell Sophie was excited. She always enjoyed meeting new friends and playing with them. I let the two of them play together and I sat down looking curiously at Melissa's home. It was so neatly decorated. It had such a zen feel to it. She even has small waterfalls around.

            "Thank you for coming." I nodded slightly. "You've gone through a lot. I know how divorce can mess things up for a person. I've been through it. I'm sorry I was harsh." "No you had a right to be. Is there any chance you can forgive me? I really want to start over again with you. I couldn't stop thinking about you." "And I you." "Do you still dream about me?" "Every night." She smiled. She talked and opened up to me about everything she had been through. I shared my struggles with Brad, how he'd come home every night, a new woman dropping him off at home. I could never ask him anything. He would just yell at me and that night when he hurt Sophie was the last straw.

            "My parents took the two of us away and we moved here. I had to start all over again, from scratch. But things are so much better now. Sophie's a lot happier. She's such a confident kid." "And you? Don't you feel alone?" "I do." She reached out and held my hand. "Will you let me be in your life? I don't want you to be alone." I smiled. She reached over and kissed me.

            O that kiss! I loved it. I have waited for it. How I wanted more of it. I had to have more. I kissed her back. She made me feel so alive. My anger for her subsided and I felt   love for her again

            We dated again. She tried her best to see me and we spent as much time as we could. A couple months had passed and one night she asked, "Can you stay for dinner? I can get my niece to watch the girls. I think it's time that we spent the night together." "Yes. Yes it is." I went home and grabbed Sophie's things. We had dinner and I wore the sexiest negligé I could find. I went up to her bedroom. She had lit candles and played soft music and she took me into her arms. I had to pinch myself when she kissed me. I knew it wasn't a dream and this was really happening. After all what she and I had well, it's just love.