This story was co-written by Belegon and Biplaymate420, with Belegon writing the male point of view and Biplaymate420 the female point of view. The direction was affected by decisions we both made and we often rewrote earlier action to fit with a new idea. We hope the result pleases all of you as much as it did us.
Andrew
I was living in a third floor apartment on a little cul-de-sac. I liked the complex because it was close enough to downtown to make for an easy drive to the office and far enough away to keep the rent only moderately outrageous. Plus I have always liked having a balcony.
When they made the complex they had carved out a small canyon, built around the edges and put the parking in the middle. The buildings made a U shape against the canyon walls. The windows and balconies of the apartments faced the parking lot and each other, since behind us was just iceplant and dirt. I liked to sit on the balcony in the evening, drinking a beer and having a cigar.
Not only was the summer weather perfect for it, but also since I rarely arrived home before dark it made for a great relaxing ritual to ease my mind away from the complexities of work. I almost never went out during the week. I would take it easy and save my wild side for the weekends. Since my job responsibilities were completely focused around the fluctuations of the stock market, I never worked weekends or holidays when the market was closed. It wasn't a bad thing. I enjoyed my quiet times.
Because of the way the apartments were built, most of us got to know each other, at least by sight. We would say "Hi" at the mailbox or the pool, that kind of thing. As it was mostly young professionals and couples, it rarely went beyond that. Despite the college campus being nearby, this complex was pretty quiet. The higher rents kept the college kids out. For the most part it was just us yuppies and we all kept our business to ourselves.
The first thing I noticed about the new neighbors was their truck. That might sound weird, but there is a simple explanation. It was almost exactly the same as mine. A blue Toyota with a black scratch resistant bed. The only difference is that theirs was the king cab version.
The guy was named Bryan. I bumped into him several time over the next few weeks. He and I both liked to work out before going to the office, so I ran into him in the little gym by the laundry room. He and his fiancée, Joanne, had moved from the east coast when he accepted a promotion at work. She had gone back to finish selling the house and some other things, but she would be here soon.
So the first time I ever saw her was under rather unlikely circumstances.
I had spent a rather long day at work. I ended up being the last one to leave the office. It was not the first time and it would not be the last. I actually liked working late. It was so much easier to actually get things done when I was not being interrupted to baby-sit people who were worried that their retirement was to going to be pushed back three years because Sun Microsystems took a temporary 1/8 of a point drop.
When I got home I just wanted to get out of suit and tie and relax. I put on shorts and a tee and poured myself a scotch, chose a rather illegal but very good cigar out of the humidor and turned out the lights. My eyes were tired enough from staring at the computer for the last 12 hours. I went out on the balcony to enjoy the night breeze and my vices.
Ten p.m. had proven to be a good time for this kind of dark contemplation. The early risers were in bed and the night owls were still down in the Gaslamp quarter pursuing midweek drink specials. It was typically just me and the ocean breeze.
I guess that is what drew my eyes down to Bryan's place. Bryan was one of those early risers and he was normally lights out and snoring away by now. His place was one floor down and across the lot from mine and I could see right into it with his lights on and mine off.
His kitchen lights were on and he was sitting on the couch with his back left shoulder to me watching television in his living room. I could look right over his shoulder and even see the TV show he was watching. Hey, wait a second. That was definitely not broadcast TV. I was not much for the networks but I knew enough to know that the rules had not relaxed that much. You cannot show that particular activity no matter how late it is. Must be missing the fiancée I guess. I dipped the end of my cigar in the scotch, took a long pull and suddenly broke into a coughing fit.
Joanne
I was finally done. I was moving on to a new life. I had finally finished tying up the loose ends and sold the house. Escrow had closed, I had shipped what little was left and now I was ecstatic to be getting back to the new place. I could not wait to see Bryan. I was hoping that he would still be awake. He had never been much for late nights, and even thought he had been here long enough to adapt a little to the three-hour time difference it would still feel later than it actually was to him. Three weeks since we had been together. I
needed
him to be awake!
The ride from the airport went quickly enough. Or maybe it just seemed that way in comparison to the endless hours on the plane. I was exhausted from all of the running around and the travel. As the Yellow Cab pulled up in front of our stairs in our little cul-de-sac of apartments, I allowed myself the slightest of smiles. I could see the flicker of the TV's light against our windows above. Thank God he was awake. C'mon Bryan, notice the cab and get down here so I can squeeze you. I'm tired but I need you more than rest.
I paid the driver and struggled to get everything out of the taxi and in my arms so I could do it in one trip up the stairs. Once I saw Bryan I was not going to want to leave, even for one minute. I ended up with my keys in my teeth but I managed it. If I had known the mood Bryan was in I might not have bothered.
I dropped my suitcase by the door and swung it open with a flourish, ready to receive Bryan's grateful greeting and claim the rewards for all my hard work. As I stepped inside our new home he looked over from his spot on the couch in front of the television and gave me a twisted little grin. He did not move to get up, just sat there looking like he was getting away with something evil.
