Home Gym
Joe E Hartley
August 2021
Vicky moving in next door was the most exciting thing that had happened on this street in at least a month and Stan was not about to miss out on the theater. He sat on his front porch sipping a cool drink as he watched the movers carry box after box into the 2 bedroom/1 bath house that mirrored his own.
He lived in an older neighborhood full of older neighbors. To put it mildly it was boring. He watched as the movers started to carry in furniture; chairs, tables, a TV, a bed, lamps and all the other items a person needs to make a house a home.
Sometime as the movers were unloading, Vicky came over to introduce herself. She, like Stan, and most of the neighbors appeared to be in her 70's. She looked to be fairly fit, as if she did at least try to work out on occasion. "Hi, I'm Vicky. I just bought the house next to you."
Stan replied, "Welcome to the neighborhood, I'm Stan and if there is anything you need, please let me know."
He eyed her up and down and was very pleased at what he saw. She would make a welcomed addition to the neighborhood, but he feared this would be the last time he'd see her. Most of his neighbors rarely left the confines of their modest dwellings. He doubled if he'd recognize any of his neighbors if he saw them on the street.
"I may just do that. I had to downsize quite a bit before moving here. I figured that I didn't need all the baggage, so I got rid of it. I believe that if I need anything I'll just go out and get it; no sense lugging everything around if it no longer serves its purpose," she shared.
Stan, wasn't certain, but he wasn't sure she was only talking about things, "Like I said, feel free to ask for anything you want, I have nothing but time these days and a lot of stuff."
"Well, in about another hour or so all my stuff is going to be inside the house, then comes the hard part of finding places to put it all. Is there a place close by that can deliver something to eat?" Vicky asked.
"It all depends on what you like, but this is an older neighborhood and other than Meals-on-Wheels there is not many people here who call out for delivery. Most around here are on a fixed income and just can't afford it. There is a pizza place I've used before, if you don't mind spending for delivery. I also some leftover meatloaf and potatoes from last night and I always have wine if you're not too picky," Stan offered.
"That would be so nice of you. Are you sure it's no problem? Sounds like this is the neighborhood for me. I too pinch pennies. Maybe we could exchange meals on occasion, since it's hard to cook for just one unless you don't mind eating the same thing for a week until it's gone," Vicky smiled recognizing a fellow cook.
Vicky excused herself as she needed to direct the movers and make sure they placed everything where she wanted. It would be hard for her to move her furniture by herself if the they left it in the wrong place. Although if might be a good excuse to see Stan again if she needed his strength to help her move some item. She was impressed that for his age he looked good. She was sure he worked out, but he indicated that he did not have a lot of money either, so she doubted he went to a gym. Maybe he worked out at home.
Vicky shook her head to get her fantasy out of her head and to focus on the tasks at hand. After another hour and a half, Vicky, hot and sweaty, looked over all that had been accomplished. The boxes were all in the correct rooms and a few of them had even been unpacked and their contents put away. Her bed was made and in the correct position as were the night stands, her dresser, and most of her clothes put away either inside the closet or in her dresser.
She was hot and hungry when she heard Stan's voice yelling out from her open front door. "You've been working non-stop for the better part of 6 hours now. How about taking a break and getting something to eat?"
"Has it been that long? I am hungry, but I must look like hell."
"You've been working and I don't mind. Come one over and have some meatloaf and a glass of wine." Stan offered. He had noticed that her t-shirt was soaked and stuck to her like a second skin. He knew he should say something, but he was enjoying the view.
"Okay," she said, "let me just lock up," she closed and locked her front door then followed him over to the adjacent house.
Vicky followed him into a house that mirrored the one she had just left, but this one was neat. "So, this is what it can look like when it doesn't have boxes scattered all over the place," she joked.
"I must smell a fright, I really need a shower," she confessed.
"You need to eat first, then you can take a shower here. I'm sure you are not all unpacked yet." Stan offered, thankful that she hadn't noticed the display she was providing for him.
He must have thought the last too out loud, because Vicky pulled her shirt away from her chest. "I guess I should have put something else on," she acknowledged. She continued to hold her shirt away from her body.
Stan offered. "I can offer you a robe, but it is so hot, I'm certain that would not be comfortable. Why don't you just eat something then take a shower to cool down. We are both adults. I'd offer not to look, but that would be a lie," he said with a smile.
Vicky smiled at his honesty, "What the hell," she responded letting go of her top. It again formed a second skin against her breasts.
Stan smiled and offered her the plate of meatloaf, "I hope you like it,"
"I'm sure, I will," she replied taking a slice, a few potatoes, and a spoon full of corn.
Stan set a glass of wine in front of her and raised his glass in a toast, "to new neighbors."
Vicky raised her glass, clicked his and repeated the toast, "to new neighbors,"