This is my first short story, any feedback would be welcomed. I'm planning on writing more so let me know how to improve. Hope you enjoy.
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Harold Thompson has woken up promptly at 8 o'clock every morning for the last six months and sees nothing but an empty side of the bed where his wife used to sleep. Her name was Deanna. He thinks about her every day how she'd always smile as he woke up and tells him good morning. Now there are no more good mornings for Harold.
At age 56, Harold was never as physically active as he was before. He spends most of his time inside keeping himself busy by doing puzzles, crafting model airplanes, or watching T.V.. He only goes outside only when needed and has yet to find any other reason to have a life again.
Harold has always been described as more or less fit especially for his age. He and Deanna would always go out for a walk everyday in order to keep healthy. However after six months of doing pretty much nothing, Harold noticed he was getting a little pudgy around the midsection. Even though he had no one to walk with he decided it was time to get up and start moving again.
Eventually he decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood. In the beginning he would walk for a few blocks and come back home. After a few days he would go further and further until he reached a mile. He would also walk faster each time until he eventually started doing a light jog. He started to enjoy himself and knew Deanna wanted Harold to enjoy himself as well.
One day when Harold was going out for a jog, he noticed there was someone moving in across the street. He thought nothing of it and was about to go for his run when all of a sudden he noticed a beautiful young woman coming outside of the house. She was a brunette, average height, fit body but on the slender side, and she had the most gorgeous green eyes Harold had ever seen. He couldn't help but stare, even though he was old, he was still a man. The brunette went to the moving truck and went to help the movers bring in boxes, she then turned and noticed Harold. She waved and smiled at him. Harold instinctively waved and smiled back and couldn't help but feel a little bit shy. He then snapped out of it and went on his way.
Throughout his jog he couldn't stop thinking about her but at the same time he felt a little bit guilty thinking it was wrong to be having these thoughts about a much younger woman especially after his wife passed away. Thoughts about holding and kissing the woman ran through his mind making him feel hot and bothered. He hadn't thought about a woman like that in years, and he and Deanna hadn't been sexual with each other even longer than that. He tried to push it out of his mind, for he knew it wasn't right and he also knew a woman like that wouldn't even be interested in a man as old as he was. However, he thought to himself, why not just be friendly and welcome her to the neighborhood.
When he got back home he washed himself up and put on a fresh clean outfit. He told himself he just wanted to make a good first impression but subconsciously he wanted to look good for her. When the movers left he walked over to her house and knocked on the door nervously. She answered and Harold couldn't help but feel a little flustered when he saw what she was wearing: a fit white t-shirt and short jean shorts which didn't leave much to the imagination, Harold thought she was even more beautiful up close.
"Hello, can I help you?" she asked.
"H-Hi. My name is Harold Thompson." Harold stuttered. "I live across the street and noticed you just moved in and I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood."
"Oh that's so sweet, thank you, I remember I saw you earlier. My name is Wendy." she said.
"Wendy, like from Peter Pan?" he asked.
"Yeah, exactly. My parents were big Disney fans." Wendy said embarrassingly.
"My wife and I used to go to Disneyland all the time when we were younger." Harold remembered.
"That's nice. What's your wife's name?" Wendy asked.
"Her name was Deanna. She actually just passed away a few months ago." he said a bit saddened.
"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. It must've been difficult." Wendy said as she touched his arm.
"Yes it's been fairly hard and a bit lonely but I'm getting through it." he said. "Well if you need anything at all just let me know I'm right across the street. If you need help with fixing anything I'm pretty good with my hands."
"Thank you, I'll be sure to let you know." she said.
"Okay, I guess I'll see you later, Wendy." Harold said with a little glee.
"Bye, Harold." she said with a cute smile. Harold blushed and walked back to his house with a little vigor in his step. He knew nothing would come of it but it didn't hurt to have a cute neighbor girl to talk to every now and then.
A few days had passed and Harold went about his daily routine secretly hoping that one of these days Wendy would come knocking at his door. He didn't care if it was to have a nice chat or to help her fix her toilet, he was just longing for that interaction with another woman. Luckily for him, that day had come as he heard a knock at his door. He went and answered it faster than he had ever did before. He opened the door and she was standing there in a tight purple tank top and fit yoga pants which accentuated her curves nicely.
"Hi, Harold!" Wendy said. "I noticed you liked going for jogs and was wondering if I could join you." Harold was surprised and excited realizing this could be a great chance to get to know her better.
"Sure, Wendy!" Harold said eagerly. "Let me just change first and we could go."
"Yeah no problem." she said. After Harold changed they both started their jog. Wendy figured Harold wouldn't be able to run as fast so she kept the pace slow. They talked while they jogged and Harold never felt more comfortable with another woman apart from Deanna. They talked about what each other did for a living and what they liked to do in their spare time, which eventually led Harold to ask if she was single or not.
"No I'm not seeing anybody at the moment." Wendy said. "I guess most of the guys I meet have always been a bit immature and I guess I'm just looking for someone who's more relaxed and easygoing."