All persons having sex in this fictional story are over eighteen years of age.
I never saw it coming. Maybe no husband does I suppose, but I completely trusted my wife, Carol. I was in love and wasn't looking for anyone else, so why would I be checking to see if she was? I was completely love blind.
Carol found whatever she was trying to find in the person of her boss, Charles. He was ten years our senior, sophisticated and was attractive for his age. Money was the main difference between he and I and that was apparently what she wanted. Our love for each other be damned. Three years of what I thought was going to be a perfect marriage ended when Charles took my former bride on a week long cruise one spring day over two years ago.
Carol seemed almost sad when we signed the divorce paperwork at her lawyers, but by that time I was just ready for the whole thing to be over. I'd loved her but if she didn't want me, then to hell with her. She and Charles were married two months after our divorce.
*****************
After Carol and I's house sold I found myself a small two bedroom home in an up and coming part of town. It had a small yard that I twittled around in, planting flowers and small bushes. I'm sure that it looked like an elderly widow lived there but I was quite proud of my landscaping, if not my life.
Several months after moving in to my new home I was weeding the front flower bed when a moving truck pulled in next door. I cleaned some of the dirt from my hands and knees and walked over to see if the new neighbors needed any help moving in.
The first person I came across was a rail thin fellow with quite a few tattoos, some on his face. I'm not a big fan of tattoos, so I don't have any, but if I did get some I don't believe I'd get them on my face.
He was friendly enough saying 'Hi' and shaking my hand and introducing himself as Pete. I asked if he needed any help and he thanked me several times over the next couple of hours as we emptied the truck.
An hour or so after we started hauling things inside a beat up little Honda Civic parked in the driveway in front of the box truck. A cute girl got out carrying a large box into the house. 'Wife' I immediately thought to myself, although I didn't notice a ring on Pete's finger.
The girl, young woman I suppose, saw me as she came out of the house to get another box. "Hi. My name's Olivia." she said holding out her hand to shake.
"Michael." I told her. "Where are you two from?"
"Oh, we're from across town on Jefferson Street. Pete and I are engaged and plan on getting married in a few months." Olivia told me holding up her hand to show me what appeared to be the world's smallest diamond on her engagement ring.
"Congratulations and welcome to the neighborhood. I think Pete and I have moved in all the big stuff so I'm going next door to fire up the grill. You folks don't have to worry about dinner tonight. It's on me."
Olivia looked like she might cry and thanked me, giving me a friendly hug. She was soft and her hair smelled sweet when we embraced. Little Mike immediately took notice. I quickened my step and headed off next door so as not to be embarrassed.
I grilled some chicken patties and a few hot dogs that I had, not knowing my new neighbor's tastes. The two walked over to my deck through our adjoined backyards an hour or so later. "That smells wonderful, Michael." Olivia said stepping up on the deck.
"There's beer in that cooler over there Pete. Help yourself. Olivia there's also a hard seltzer in there."
"I can't drink." Olivia stated.
"She's a preggo!" Pete told me proudly.
"Well, congrats on that as well! Your lives are certainly changing quickly."
I have a weakness for pregnant women and a picture of petite Olivia with enlarged breasts and a swollen stomach immediately popped up in my mind. My loins began to stir.
I plated the meats and took them to the table as we all sat down. Both of their stomachs growled as I started dishing the food out. "You two sound hungry." I joked.
"We spent most of our money on that truck so we haven't eaten much today." Olivia replied.
That concerned me, though I tried not to show it. "Welp, there's plenty to eat now, so dig in." I stated trying to keep the fact that a pregnant woman missing meals broke my heart.
The way they both went after their sandwiches made me believe they hadn't eaten anything all day. I went in and brought out the baked beans that were warming on the stove and shoveled a spoonful on each of their plates. That got me two full mouth smiles.
Once they had finished eating, two sandwiches and a large helping of baked beans for Olivia and two sandwiches, two hot dogs and baked beans for Pete they both stood, thanked me and went back to their new home for the night.
++++++++++++++++
I made it my goal to make sure that my neighbors always had a big dinner. Those poor kids were starting off with less than nothing. Their house payment and insurance probably left them with very little spending money. I asked Pete why he decided to buy a house and not just rent an apartment.
"Even with insurance and interest the payment is only $200 more per month than an apartment. My dad cosigned for the loan or we never would have gotten the house."
"Pete, you know that Olivia can't skip meals while she's pregnant. You two let me know when you need food. Don't go hungry. Do you understand? I have a good job and I want to help. The thought of you two going to bed hungry saddens me."
"We appreciate everything you're doing for us Mike. I don't know how we'll ever repay you."
"Where do you work at Pete?"
"I used work at Janey's Breakfast Bar in the mornings but my dad got me on driving a parts truck to Pittsburgh."
"That's an overnight run. How often do you make that?"
"Twice a week. I have a local run on the other days."
"What about Olivia? Does she work anywhere?"
"She works at Janey's. We worked together for two years. Where do you work Mike? We never see you leave your driveway."
"I work from home. I'm a software developer so it's all computer work. When is Olivia due?"
"She's only three months along so not for six or seven months. Shoot, I better get back over there or she'll wonder where I am. See you later."
Face tattoos or not Pete was a good kid. I really worried about those two raising a child though. I needed to ask around and see if I could find Pete a better paying job.
+++++++++++++++
I was finishing some programming the day after Pete and I's talk when I heard screaming from outside my window. It sounded like Olivia. I ran out front, towards the screaming, and found Olivia cornered by a big dog next to my front porch. It was ole Chief from a couple doors down. He was big but wouldn't hurt a flea. "Chief! Leave her alone!" I yelled causing him to lope off back home.
Olivia ran out of the corner and leaped into my arms almost knocking me down. "Thank you Michael. I don't like dogs. They scare me and he was HUGE."
Chief was big. I think he was a Mastiff. "That was Chief. He probably wanted to lick you and love on you just like every other male in this neighborhood."
There was silence between us for what seemed like minutes. I was in shock at the words that came out of my mouth. Freudian slip?
Olivia gave me the raised eyebrow look and slowly climbed off of me.
"Male dog...I mean...not..you know...I wasn't..." I stammered.
Olivia was now laughing uncontrollably at my embarrassment. "You should see your face Michael! I wish I had my phone. I know what you meant, silly. Thank you for saving me from being licked." she laughed walking back home.
