The truck was loaded and the movers had left for the house. Her new house, while smaller than the duplex she had been living in, was HER house. Well, hers and the bank that loaned her the money to buy it!
After touring the empty house, checking for anything left behind, Kaylie went into the bathroom and splashed her face with cool water. She looked in the mirror and reached for a towel. Surprised to find only thin air, she chuckled to herself. Of course, everything was gone. She ran her fingers through her auburn hair, trying to give it a less wild look and with a final sigh, left the house.
On the short drive to her new bungalow, she thought back to the afternoon. The mover, Jordan, who’s time and attention had been diverted by her, who had fucked her and laughed with her, whom she had never met before. He was now waiting for her in her new sanctuary, unloading boxes and furnishings. How was she going to face him?
Kaylie parked on the street outside the small, neatly manicured white home. She smiled to think she was finally “home.” She had saved for many years, had worked hard to reestablish her credit rating after the damage her ex husband had caused and was finally seeing the fruition of her dream. She walked slowly up the walk and almost lifted a hand to knock. Again, she giggled to herself.
She opened the door and could see the men in the dining room placing the table where she had hoped they would.
“Gee whiz, Jordan! She is a hottie!” Larry drawled in the local vernacular. “I bet she was good.”
Jordan glared at Larry and said, “Shut the fuck up, asshole. Regardless of what you may think, she is a lady and will be treated like a lady!”
Kaylie blushed and started to turn toward the door when Jordan saw her from the corner of his eye. The grimace on his face brightened with a smile.
“Hello, ma’am. I apologize for the remarks my partner made.” The words flowed smoothly and with confidence.
Kaylie was speechless. Her face, bright red with embarrassment, she cast her eyes to the floor. She fought tears as she wrung her hands in front of her.
“I am going upstairs to unpack a few things. Lock the door on your way out,” she mumbled.
Kaylie hurried upstairs and went to her bedroom. Boxes lined the wall furthest from the queen size bed. She longed to lie down and either have a good cry or sleep until this nightmare was over. Of course, she could do neither. She went to the wall and started taking boxes down. She placed them strategically about the room so as to facilitate unpacking. As the afternoon wore on, her clothing was folded and placed in her dresser, her closet was full of dresses and shoes and her bed was made. Still, not wanting to face the two men, she reached for the last box.
She pulled the tape from the box and pulled out the first object that her hand touched. As she was lifting the skein of nylon rope from the box, she heard a sound from behind her. She pushed the rope into the box and slapped the leaves shut over its contents.
“What are you doing here?” she said in a shrill voice, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and annoyance.
Jordan looked at her for a moment, his eyes softening, and said,” I just wanted to make sure you were okay. That is all, ma’am.”
“Well, you could start by not calling me “Ma’am!” Kaylie replied with a harsh glint in her eye.
“Yes, ma…Kaylie.” Jordan gazed at Kaylie, as if swimming in her essence. He felt a stirring, but something more. He wanted her to feel good, to feel better, to not have to face the humiliation that he had caused. Something about Kaylie, made Jordan want to care for her and protect her. He stepped forward slowly, yet with confidence. His hand outstretched toward her.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Kaylie. We are two consenting adults and it has been an emotional day for you.” His voice caressed her with its deep timbre and gentleness.
Kaylie felt a tear begin to slip down her cheek. Jordan reached out, and slipped his index finger over it.
“Don’t cry. Please, don’t cry.” Jordan pleaded in a hushed tone. He moved closer, inhaling the scent of her perfume combined with the musky odor of the aftermath of their sex. His arms reached for her and she, without hesitation, slipped into them. He held her as a brother would, stroking her hair and whispering comforting words in her ear. They stood for a few minutes, finding comfort and companionship in one another’s arms, in the arms of strangers, until Jordan led her to the bed. Gently, he sat her on the edge and held her. He slipped a finger under her chin and raised her face. Jordan leaned forward and tenderly kissed each eye, swollen and red from her weeping.
