Arriving home from work, I listened to the answering machine as I took of my dirty work boots and clothes. “You have 14 new messages…” says the machine as it continues to play through the recorded list of callers I missed. A barrage of telemarketing calls, one call from the brunette I met last weekend at Charlie’s Bar, another from an ex-girlfriend that just won’t quit and one message from my best friend asking me to return his call right away. Immediately, I dialed his number and waited. I hate calling their place because their machine always picks up but someone is always at home.
“Hey ya’ll! Its me. Pick up the phone.” I say into the mouth piece.
After a moment, I hear a click then Sammy’s sweet voice saying, “One second. I’ll take the phone out to him.”
I hear a series of footsteps and closing doors. As I listen, I begin to wonder why Sammy and I never became friends. I’ve been her husbands best friend since before she came into the picture about 13 years ago yet she seems to indifferent towards me. People tell me she’s funny and smart but in all this time, I’ve never seen it. Suddenly my thoughts are interrupted by Steve’s voice, “Hey, man. I called to tell you I won’t be in town for six months. I was hoping that you could stop by and check on the wife for me when you’re in the neighborhood.”
“I’d be happy to but Sammy doesn’t like me, Steve.”
Steve responds with a laugh, “Look, you’re my best friend. Besides, who else can I trust around her. Most of my friends are dogs!”
“You have a point.” I say as I think about Sammy for a moment. The two met while she was a dancer and she never lost that hard body. “ I’ll drop by when I can. Tell her if she needs anything to call. ”
“I will. Thank you!”
“When do you leave?”
“Monday.”
“Wow. That’s soon!” I responded. We talked for a few minutes about golf and my latest fling then closed the call. From this point on, my weekend was shot to hell because I couldn’t stop thinking about Sammy being alone in that big house in the country for six months.
The weekend passed slowly and Monday came. I got word that I would start working just three miles from Sammy and Steve’s place in two weeks. I would be in the neighborhood often. I scheduled a time to check the site on Thursday afternoon and cleared my schedule afterwards to stop by. I didn’t know what I was going to say or do but I felt compelled to stop by soon.
The week drug on slowly with my usual routine; work, home, messages, eat, sleep. Until finally Thursday arrived. I dressed in my best to meet with the investors and contractors then headed off in my pickup to the job site. We reviewed blueprints, walked the property then quickly devised a plan. The meeting went by quickly as I found my way returning to my truck again to leave. I drove down the highway going over what I might say to Sammy when I arrive. ‘I was in the neighborhood’ seems so clique. I pulled into their long, narrow drive way to find Sammy out front planting flowers. She hears me coming and rises to her feet. Her overalls and work boots were muddy as here her knees and a spot on her cheek. Her hair was hidden beneath a baseball cap except for a few strands that had fallen out about her face and neck.
I exited the truck and approached her, watching as she removed her gardening gloves. She brushed her right hand against her pant leg several times then reached to shake my hand. I quick and friendly yet firm handshake followed by a shy smile. Her eyes sparkled with the color of the sky. My heart began to pitter patter and my palms became sweaty as our handshake ended. “What brings you out here today?” she started.
“I was in the neighborhood.” I said without thinking then wanting to kick myself afterwards. Sammy giggled and offered me a drink. “That would be great. Thank you.” I told her how I came to be in the neighborhood today and offered to help move some boxes into the shed. From the looks of the place, it would be safe to assume that she’s been doing some spring cleaning.
“Thank you but that will have to wait. I just started yesterday and I have more things to put in those boxes.” she said as she smiled and sipped her drink. A silence came over the room. I scanned the room while trying to think of something to say while keeping my eyes to myself. This became a harder task than I imagined. Sensing that I’ve become uneasy, Sammy started by saying “Steve tells me you’ve found a new girlfriend. How’s that going?”
“Going and gone, I’m afraid. It seems that I don’t have much luck with women.”
“Its not luck. Its choices. You pick the easy women. What happened to the thrill of the chase?” she asked in a manner suggesting that she expected no response. She grabbed her drink and made her way to the front door grabbing her gloves from the bar on the way. I quietly followed her into the sunlight. Without word she returned to her business of planting flowers. I glanced around to admire the quiet country. This place is very different from where I live twenty miles away. My attention quickly returns to Sammy who is now on her knees in the moist soil. Her hands carefully remove small plants from their containers then placing them gently in the ground. Her long slender fingers gather dirt to help secure its place.
Making my way to her, I watch as a bee lands on her back. I remember Steve telling me that she was allergic to bees. Kneeling down to shoe it away, she looked up to be from beneath her ball cap. I’m momentarily swept away by the spell she casts upon those who get close enough to see the windows to her soul. She intimidates every fiber of my being yet her naturally sensual ways leaves me thinking things that I should never think about my best friend’s wife. “Bee.” I say to her quickly. “You’re allergic, right?”
“Yes. I am. Thank you. I only have four plants left. I’ll be finished in one minute. Care to join me for a beer? Or do you have other plans?”
“No. I don’t have any plans. Are you sure its okay?”
“Of course.” she said with a knowing smile then continuing on with her chore. “Please, make yourself at home.”
“Thank you.” I said in return. I went to my truck and took off my blazer and tie then tossing them into the passenger seat. I grabbed my smokes and cell phone. As I turned around, Sammy was picking up plastic containers to take to the trash.
“All done.” she says as she walks away. “How ’bout that beer?”
I followed her into the house quietly through the back door and into the kitchen. She bent down to take two long necks from the fridge then handed one to me. I reached for it, touching her hand by accident sending a tingling sensation through my hand and up my arm. “I wonder why we’ve never taken the time to know one another.” I said, thinking out loud.
“I know you through Steve. I know all about everything.” she said with a playful smile that only sparked my curiosity.
“Everything?”
“The important stuff.” she said knowingly.
I sought to change the subject as she obviously knows more about me than I do her. I made small talk then asked when I could return to help with the boxes. While we finished our beers, we made plans for me to stop by again in a week. I have to admit, I was looking forward to that day.
But the week seemed to go on forever and I found that I could think of nothing or no one else.
That Thursday, I reported to work at my usual time. I made plans to be at Sammy’s around 5 o’clock but I got off early. I arrived at their place at three to find Sammy sunning in the back yard. I knew I caught her by the way she threw on a summer dress over her thong and bikini top. Her face was red from being in the heat and her skin glistened in the sun from the tanning oils. The sweet smell of tropical fruits tickled my nose as the soft music from her stereo faded in and out as the breeze came and went. “You’re early!” she says as she makes her way to my vehicle.
I could only smile in return. I couldn’t lie to her and say I was sorry because I wasn’t. I felt like my timing couldn’t have been any better. With few words, I removed the boxes for her and placed them in the storage shed. When I was done, I found her standing on the porch still in her summer dress holding two long necks. I grabbed the bottle from the bottom this time as to not make the same mistake as the last time. We took seats quietly. I couldn’t think of one thing to say when suddenly Sammy says boldly, “I make you nervous. Don’t I?”
I swallow hard and look at her in attempt to say no but the word “yes” came out instead.
“I get that a lot. I don’t understand why but maybe its not for me to understand.” she said in a wise manner before finishing off her beer.
I finished mine then I made plans with her to stop by again in two weeks. “If you need anything…” I said to her.
“..call. I know. Thank you.” she said as she walked with me to the edge of the porch.
As I backed my truck out, I watched as she slipped into the darkness of the porch then disappearing into the house. I knew I couldn’t wait two weeks to see her again. I also knew I couldn’t betray my friend’s trust.
*****One week later *****
One week later, I went bar hopping with my friends. I passed the exit to my house and as if my truck were on auto pilot, I pulled into Sammy’s drive around 3am. She heard me pull in and met me at the door in her robe. “What brings you by? I didn’t expect to see you for another week.”
I didn’t acknowledge her question. I tried to act cool as I walked towards the door. “So, what are you doing?” I said.
“Watching a movie. Its almost over. Come in. I’ll make some coffee.”
“Thank you.” I said as I made my way into the door. She stood to hold the door open for me then locking it when she closed it. I turned around and looked at her from head to toe as she stood looking me dead in the eye. I stepped forward into her personal space. She eased back in her stance a bit but stood her ground. I placed my hand on her hip and moved closer. Her head tilted up to keep eye contact. I wanted to kiss her so badly. With my free hand, I reached up to place it on her cheek then moved in for the kiss. As our lips met, I felt a warmth come over me.
I quickly stepped back stumbling on myself. I placed a hand on the couch and regained my balance. “Coffee?” she said. I nodded and she left the room. How could I? Would she tell Steve? I took a seat on the couch then finished the movie she had been watching.
