The time was minutes after 7 30 p.m.. I had just stepped out of the pool and plopped into one of the vinyl strap aluminum-framed chairs along the edge.
Duncan apartments newest resident, a girl whom I yet to meet, caught my eye as she came through the doorway. The short strawberry-blond with green eyes and a pear-shaped figure was wearing a Navy-blue bandeau top bikini with hipster bottom and Dahlin Navy sandals.
She descended the latter into the shallow water and straightened out face down. I watched her swim seemingly effortlessly to the opposite end then roll head over heals and swim back.
I wonder what she does for a living. How old is she? Where did she come from? I would love to chat with her.
I like girls. Six years ago at age 25 I had broken up with my then fiance' Jon just days after the fateful first encounter with Jenny.
My romance with Jenny had turned out to be short-lived. She broke my heart when she said, "this relationship means nothing to me." No man had ever broken my heart so badly.
The new tenant swam a few more laps then came out of the water and took a seat next to me.
I asked, "when did you move here."
"Just the other day," she replied. "I'm waiting for a big furniture order."
"That may be a long wait."
"I'm Allison."
"I go by Stevie or Stephanie. It doesn't matter."
Allison nodded. "You can call me Alley."
"I'm on the 4th floor. I moved here 5 years ago after my divorce."
She asked, "how long were you married."
"It didn't last long. I got married when I was 24. It didn't feel right."
Not the time to tell her I like girls.
"What do you do for a living?"
"I'm an RN at University of Illinois Hospital. What kind of work do you do?"
"I'm a licensed clinical therapist in a private practice for 4 years now."
"Where's your practice located?"
"Evanston," I replied.
"Do you work with adolescents?"
"Exclusively," I replied.
I steered the conversation to more interesting topics.
"I have a transparent Kayak. I love to go out on the Lake. I went out this morning for about an hour."
"I've never been on a Kayak. I've been on a sailboat."
"It's good exercize and it's enjoyable."
"I enjoy a good romance, usually an audio book. I download them."
"Who do you like to read?"
"I'm reading 'Jerico' by Ann McMan."