HANNAH
I recently moved into The Meadows, a secluded adult community. When I first paid a visit to the Meadows, I fell in love with its natural surroundings and its privacy. Being an outdoorsy girl, I enjoyed the thought of throwing on my hiking boots, grabbing my camera and exploring the state park.
The Meadows held a monthly mixer in their clubhouse. I thought this might be the best way to meet other people but these type of events have always made me uncomfortable. Ever since I was a young girl, I have had a hard time talking to people because of my shyness. This would be the perfect opportunity to come out of my shell.
I decided to change up my attire for this evening: button down sweater, allowing a nice view of my breasts, a pencil skirt and heels. I double checked my face in my compact, took a deep breath before entering the clubhouse.
I was surprised by the number of people inside. The complex was still under development, building new units but I rarely saw other people. The age of the crowd was a mixture of early 30's to late 60's. A quick scan of the room and my eyes fell onto the bar area. Maybe a little alcohol would help me relax. There were several men and women sitting at the bar, engrossed in their conversations when I approached.
"May I have a gin and tonic please?" I ask the bartender.
I look around the room again while waiting for my drink. My eyes were drawn to a man and woman talking by the door. The man was tall and handsome in a dark suit while the woman was wearing a form fitting dress and heels. The woman touched his arm, threw her head back and laughed loudly. I couldn't stop looking at him especially when a smile spread across his face, a gorgeous smile. He then looked away from the woman and his eyes met mine, smiling at me. Embarrassed by my staring, I quickly look away and turn towards the bar. The bartender places my drink in front of me and I hurriedly take a drink.
A young guy bumps into me, spilling my drink on the bar.
"Hey you're new here. I know, because who could forget a sexy ass like yours."
His hand reaches down and pats my behind. From his movements and his speech, he is visibly intoxicated.
"Please don't touch me." I move his hand away from my body.
"What better way to get to know each other." His hand returns to my bottom, groping it.
"I think the young lady said don't touch her." The man from the doorway is now standing by the drunk creep, his hand firmly holding the the drunk's arm. A look of pain falls over the drunk's face as he removes his hand and
walks away from the bar.
"Are you okay?" The handsome stranger asks looking down at me.
"Yes I'm fine. Thank you for helping me out."
He holds his hand out to me. "My name is John. I live in 222."
"Hannah, I live right next to you in 224." I continue holding onto his hand.
John starts to chuckle, looking at our joined hands.
"I'm so sorry." I quickly pull my hand away, looking down at the bar.
"No need for apologies neighbor." John holds up two fingers and motions for the bartender.
"I didn't mean to take you away from your girlfriend."
"What? Are you talking about Courtney?" John points over to the tight dress lady. "She is definitely not my girlfriend."
John hands me my drink, lifts his glass up. "To new friendships." Our glasses clink.
John and I settle in at the bar, sitting next to each other, talking about our jobs, our interests and life before The Meadows. I feel incredibly comfortable and relaxed around him. I sneak glances at him while he talks, noticing his soft green eyes, the way they crinkle in the corners when he laughs, the waves in his brown/gray hair.
I feel cool air blowing on me and notice the air conditioning vent right above us. John sees me shivering, removes his suit jacket, places it on my shoulders.
I smile. "Thanks, you are such a gentleman."
He says with a wicked smile spreading across his face. "Not all the time."
My eyes grow wide.
"I get very competitive on the soccer field playing for my work team."
"Oh" I say faintly, laughing nervously.
"Hmm what we were you thinking about?" John leans in closer to me, raising his eyebrows.
I start to stammer. "Nothing...I...I'm sorry"
"Hey it's okay. I'm joking. I told you, don't apologize." John lays his hand on top of mine.
"I'm sor..." I stop as I see John shaking his head. "Okay, no more apologies."
"Good." John reaches into his wallet and places several bills on the bar. "Hey I don't want to cut this short but I have an early meeting in the morning. Can I walk you back to your place? I think I know the way." John says with a wink.
We leave the bar area and exit the clubhouse. As we walk, John points out the different units, telling me about the occupants including Courtney. He tells me how she is 26 years old and has been pursuing John since he moved in.
"She is a nice girl but far too young for me. I like a more mature woman who doesn't play games and knows what she wants."
John turns to me as we stand in front of my door, his face close to mine. "Do you know what you want Hannah?"
I nod my head yes, close my eyes, lean into John and kiss him.
John pulls his head back, brushing his hand across my cheek. "Q ue sueñes con los angelitos Hannah."
I watch John turn away, unlock his door and walk into his unit.
JOHN
"What just happened there?", John asks himself as he enters his condominium. Shaking his head, he sighs and tosses his keys on the table by the door and heads toward his bedroom to change out of his suit.
It has been six months since John moved to The Meadows after his three year consulting gig in Mexico City ended. Moving back to the States after the extended assignment in the crowded Capitol City has brought nothing but pleasant surprises. Beginning with The Meadows itself. The absence of smog hanging over everything, to say nothing of the wide open spaces and brilliant blue skies, actually took some getting used to. But the most pleasant change of all involved women. As exotic as the dark complexioned, brown eyed Mexican beauties were, the truth was John preferred wholesome American women. Like Hannah, his new neighbor.
Entering his bedroom, John whips off his tie and shrugs out of his suit coat, pausing to hang both items in his closet before sitting on the edge of the bed to untie his shoes. Kicking them off in the direction of the closet, John stands and reaches for his belt, unbuckling it with one swift motion. He unbuttons his pants at the waist and slips out one leg and then the other. Clad in navy boxer briefs he glances at his reflection in the floor length mirror and decides to keep on the white Oxford cloth shirt with the button down collar. He has a stack of them in the closet freshly folded from the laundry, ready to be packed for the next trip out of town. Just as grabs his favorite jeans, he hears the doorbell ring. Stepping into his jeans, John heads to the front door, pulling up the zipper as he goes. As he enters the foyer, he sees Hannah through the side entrance way window. John opens the door to find Hannah standing there blushing.
"Hi, John.... I'm so sorry to bother you. But I appear to have locked myself out and I don't have a spare key and I'm so embarrassed. And...."
"Hold on, Hannah. Slow down for a second and stop apologizing. I've locked myself out lots of times. I will be happy to help you out.", john said smiling.
"Why don't you come on in and sit down. Can I get you a drink? A glass of wine perhaps? I was about to get myself a beer."
"If you wouldn't mind, John, I'd love to have a beer." Hannah said, smiling.