This ongoing story is a fantasy based very loosely on actual events and real people. As always, any similarities to any persons, places, or things, or anything you have heard before is a complete accident.
*****
My mutual masturbation with Jamie became a nightly ritual.
I mean, I didn't really have anything else going on in my life anyway. Even on a night when I went out to dinner with a friend or spent time with my family, it was easy enough to make my way home by 9pm. I would be there, in my recliner, watching television, waiting patiently for the knock on my wall. Jamie would be there, usually fresh out of her shower, ready to go. Yeah, it was kind of silly, in a way. At this point why didn't one of us just go over to the other person's apartment already?
I think, deep down, it was good for both of us. There was kind of a connection without a connection, if that made any sense. We both got to feel like we were being with someone without really being with someone, to be in a relationship without really being in a relationship. With Jamie's past and me getting over my divorce, I think it just worked for us.
The first few nights were pretty much carbon copies of our first encounter. She moaned as she fingered herself to orgasm and I jerked off listening to her. She said goodnight and I cleaned myself up and went to bed. After a few days we started talking a little more. I moved one of my rickety kitchen chairs over the wall so I would have a place to sit as we talked. I made a mental note to move the chair if anybody ever came to visit. A chair sitting all by itself next to the wall looked weird.
"The last person to live in that apartment before you was an elderly woman," Jamie said. "She was a nice lady, always baking cookies."
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"She had a bad fall," Jamie said, "One day I came home from work and the paramedics were here. She broke her hip. Her family moved her into assisted living. I guess her lease was almost up anyway. It only happened a few months ago."
"That sucks," I said.
"Yeah, so now I have a slightly younger neighbor," Jamie said, and giggled. She was always making fun of our age difference any chance she got.
"Hey!" I said, but I was laughing too.
There was a pause, and I glanced at the clock. It was 9:45. I realized it was nearing my bedtime, and I reflexively yawned. I really was getting old, I thought. I can't even make it to 10pm anymore.
"Rich?" Jamie asked.
"Yes?" I replied.
"Is what we're doing crazy?" She asked.
I felt a chill creeping down my spine. She's having doubts, I thought. This is coming to an end. It was fun while it lasted, I guess. Still, I was compelled to give her my honest opinion. "A little," I said, "But it works for us," I added quickly.
"That's the thing," Jamie said, "This was fine for a while, but now I kind of want... more."
I swallowed. "More what?" I asked.
Jamie paused. "You know," she said, as if I should've picked up on her meaning, "More than this. More than just us through a wall."
"Oh," I said, and I felt dejected, thinking that she was putting an end to our relationship.
"So, what do you think Rich? Do you think you're ready?" Jamie asked.
"Ready for what?" I asked.
Jamie laughed. "Ready to be together. In person."
"Oh!" I shouted, relieved. I could feel my dick stirring. "Sure!"
Jamie paused. "So..." she said after a few seconds, "My place or yours?"
"Oh... well... ummm," I stammered, trying to shake my sleepiness.
"Fine, my place then," Jamie said. "Come over when you're ready. The door will be open."
When I'm ready? I thought. I'm ready now. I've been ready for days. Still, I thought I should go make sure I look at least somewhat presentable. I hopped off the rickety old chair and went to the bathroom. My boxers were around my ankles and I stumbled as I walked. I studied my penis, making sure there wasn't any leftover cum on it from our mutual masturbation. I pulled up my boxers. My hair was more or less in place, my t-shirt was... well... on. I'm about to go have sex, I thought. If I walked in looking like a slob, would it matter?
I went looking for condoms and realized I didn't have any. Buying condoms was on my to-do list. It was only the last week or so since this thing with Jamie started that I even started to think there was any hope I'd be having sex anytime soon. Oh well, hopefully she'll have some, I thought. I took a deep breath. I could feel my heart pounding. I was ready.
I opened my door and peered out into the hall. It was empty. Either everyone was already home or still out for the night. I closed my door but I left it unlocked. What the hell, I thought. If somebody went around trying doors and found mine unlocked, I didn't have much worth taking. I tiptoed down the hall to Jamie's door. Why did I feel like I needed to be quiet? I had no idea. Would anyone care if they saw me going into Jamie's apartment?