We had no idea where this might lead although we both felt we were on a slippery slope. Yet it was a slippery slope of our own making and we both knew the next step would place us on the cusp of the slide, the point of no return. Hand in hand we took one more step.
Who are we? We are two humans on a path to one of two destinations. One destination means our union, the other our destruction. There is a third possibility of union then destruction because of our union. We are not blind to the outcomes and take our path with complete resignation.
We stare at the horizon trying to glimpse what we can't see over the horizon. With no further delay, we leapt onto the slippery slope. We sighed in unison as we felt our bodies mold to the other. We became one body in an instant of desire, lust, and passion. We felt our bodies reaching our mutual release until we cried out in one voice. We had more love to make before we reached complete satisfaction.
Who gave whom more satisfaction? Were we in some kind of contest? Our bodies gyrated in pleasure, each touch releasing energy driving us toward a new goal. We were a tangle of legs and arms trying draw us more tightly together. We reached a new peak and slid more deeply down our slippery slope.
Onward our desire drove us. Where were we getting the fuel for our drive, how much longer will the fuel last, when will we reach the next stop? The next stop came sooner than we expected propelled by a third mutual release. We reached the junction of gone too far and a long way to go.
I wish foresight were as clear as hindsight.
**********
I watched as my long time neighbors loaded a moving van with the few things they decided to keep after selling off their property and deciding to retire. I knew I would miss our over the fence talks. I was in envy that they were off on an adventure that I still only dreamed of or dreamt for. A final good bye and they were off.
The next couple months saw their empty house a flurry of activity. Trades people filed in and out as extensive remodeling transformed their mid seventies ranch into something more modern and open. I still hadn't met the new owners.
My home is a cookie cutter ranch that the 70s fell in love with. Although I've updated and modernized, it is still a cookie cutter ranch. I guess, I'm kind of cookie cutter also.
I have a traditional job and make traditional money. Fortunately, I fell into an inheritance a few years ago that I reinvested in growth markets and have a nice bundle set aside for my retirement to come -- in maybe 15 years. In the mean time, I live a simple single life.
I was married once. I learned from that experience and have avoided love interests ever since. Listen, I do get out and I do dip my wick regularly with no strings attached. I do have one or two friends with benefits but only when it is safe for both of us. I prefer being discreet for myself and for my lady friends.
In most every way, I am an average almost 50-year-old male in fair shape, a little girth where my waist used to be. I'm just over six feet tall with light brown hair that gets much lighter in the summer sun. My name is Bert. No Bert and Ernie jokes, I don't go that way.
**********
The contractor doing all the reno work saw me outside a couple days ago and told me my new neighbor would move in in less than a week. Throughout the reno, he let me see some of the progress. The new neighbor decorated and furnished with all new furniture in a very stylish pallet of color and accents.
The contractor said he didn't know the new owner receiving instructions by email through a local property manager. I was on my own to make friends with whoever moved in.
As Friday rolled around, my new neighbor pulled into the drive in the evening after working hours. I like sitting on my porch evenings a sipping on a beer, maybe listening to some jazz and reading the paper or a book. I immediately noticed the new car, showroom new, pull up.
There was a single person behind the wheel and didn't appear anyone else. I made a point to wave and smile as I rose from my lounge chair and saunter toward the new neighbor.
A very attractive woman in her late twenties or early thirties smiled back and waved. Her car wasn't packed for moving but since the reno and all new furnishings, it made since she only had her clothes packed.
"Hi, I'm Bert, next door. You are my new neighbor?"
"I wasn't expecting a welcoming committee and I am glad to see I get one. I'm Sara your new neighbor." She exited her car and extended a hand. I accepted with enthusiasm. "Does the welcoming committee also help with a few bags?"
"Very pleased to meet you Sara." I wanted to jump right into questions about husbands and children and noticed a ring less finger on the left hand. "Yes, a hand with bags is highly likely and an invitation to come over for a beer and snacks later if you like."
"After three days behind the wheel driving from northern Maine, I would not like a beer and snacks, I'd love it."
We gathered her bags for two trips in, out, and back in. I explained how her contractor let me see some of the work in progress and how well it turned out. "I need your skills to make my place look better. I think it wreaks of single man."
Sara picked up on the single man with her reply, "Single, oh my lucky day. Not even in my house thirty minutes and I learn I have a single neighbor. How will he take to having a single younger woman living next door?"
"How about that beer, or maybe wine if you prefer?"
"Hell, yes! And, beer is fine."
We walked next door where Sara took a seat while I got a couple cold beers and more snacks. "I brew my own beer and it is a bit strong, close to 15 percent. It might hit you hard after a long drive."
"Single neighbor, brews his own beer, how lucky can a girl get."
Oh how much I wanted to ask, "How lucky do you want to get?" I didn't step into that breech saying only how lucky I was to discover a new single neighbor.
"Bert, you really are a gentleman. I expected a more forward reply."
"Okay, got me, I did think it." The fact was, Sara was a very attractive woman who kept herself looking fit and attractive.
"Good to know your eye sight is fine. This beer is phenomenal! And, thank you for not saying what you were thinking. It is not easy being 31 and single."
"Ain't real easy being 50 and single. If you'll allow one indiscretion, you do add an attractive feature to the neighborhood."
"One indiscretion allowed and one or two more occasionally will go a long way."
Sara stayed for two beers before saying she needed to get home to unpack and wash the road grime away. "Let me walk you home, Sara."
When we reached her door, I said my good bye with another welcome to the neighborhood. Sara smiled, gave me something of an unchaste hug and a light kiss on the lips.
"Can we talk more tomorrow, Bert? You've made me feel very welcome and comfortable."
"With pleasure, Sara. I'll have coffee ready anytime after 8:00. I do watch some of the renovation programs on Saturday mornings, always looking for ideas."
