She moved to town about 6 months ago and I could tell she was not enjoying the new job or city. She had found a rewarding job right out of college, but the working life culture shock along with loneliness in the new city had taken the sparkle out of her big green eyes.
I first met her when she moved in next door. The giant box she was carrying appeared much too large and heavy for her small slender frame. I introduced myself and helped carry the larger items into her new apartment. Although I was in my late 30s, I had a strong athletic frame that made lifting heavy items a fairly easy task. I suppose the help I offered enabled me to be her first trusted friend in the area.
Since we both arrived home from work around the same time, we would often see each other in the parking lot and discuss the events of the day. It became such a regular event that I often felt a lack of closure on those days when I didn't chat with her. As months passed by, I witnessed her perky upbeat attitude turn more mellow. There was a sadness in her face and tone as she talked about her demanding boss and the older co-workers who refused to respect her opinions solely because of her youth. I tried numerous times to convince her that the co-workers were just jealous.
After our evening chats, I could sometimes hear the later events of her evenings through the thin apartment walls. I could hear news reporters on her TV discussing the days events, I could hear the loud grunts and clangs of dumbells as she worked out, and I could hear her angelic voice singing. I heard these noises even on Friday and Saturday nights. It saddened me to think of her being alone so much, but the most I could do was invite her out with my friends. She came out with us a couple times, but I could tell she didn't enjoy watching sports with groups of men who were 15-20 yrs older than her.
As the months rolled by, our friendship had progressed from a neighborly level to more of a trusted friendship. It was about midnight when I heard her loud piercing scream next door. I jumped out of bed and ran over to her apartment with a baseball bat. I pushed on her ajar apartment door and saw a large man pushing her against the wall. I stormed in and incapacitated the intruder.
We were up nearly all night as she tearfully retold the events to the police officers. Her hand remained wrapped tightly around mine up until the officers left. I slept on her couch that night in the hope that she would feel safe enough to get at least a couple hours of sleep before her big meeting the next day.
I saw her in the parking lot the next day as she came home from work. When she say me, she ran over and hugged me tightly. I felt her supple breasts prop tightly against me as she rested her her head and beautiful wavy brown hair against my chest. She was tired, had a rough day, and craved the safety of the man who could protect her. I wrapped my arms around her and listened to her hushed sobs.