In the Eighties, when I broke up with the wife, I needed a place, fast. Since she looted the bank accounts, I didn't have much capital to work with, so I was thrilled when a friend told me about a one-bedroom apartment over a store-front. It wasn't much to look at, but it was home. Thanks to friend's generosity and full garages, I was able to muster the basics in pots, pans, and furniture, and rented a van to move it all in.
After my buddies helped me move in, I was bringing in clothing when I ran into the other tenant. My place covered the front of the store, hers covered the rear.
"Hi, can I give you a hand?"
I had known it was a woman, but hadn't seen her yet. I looked up the stairs, and she stood, barefoot, in a tee shirt and cut-off jeans. She was about 45, twenty years older than me, with blonde curly hair, almost an Afro.
"Hi, thanks, I think I got it," I said, climbing the stairs. The landing is small, with my door on the left, hers straight ahead, and she stepped back to give me room. Now, I could see how tall she was, my height, 5'11. The tee shirt was basic white and she wore no bra, the large brown nipples pressing through the thin fabric. And despite her age, those major melons stood high and firm.
Her eyes followed mine, and she said, "Sorry, I was jumping into the shower and when I heard you, I wanted to say hello. I'm Sandy." She held out her hand.
I reached to shake it, but my arms were full of clothes and I almost dropped them. She laughed and caught them with me before they went back down the stairs. "Here, let me hold them while you unlock the door."
Contritely, I obeyed. "I appreciate this," I said, taking the armful, and I felt awkward by our closeness in the exchange.
I plopped the stuff on the couch and turned, she had followed me in, looking around. "You have much better furniture than Brad did. And a Color TV!"
"Yeah, one of the few things the ex let me take."
"Oh, another marriage down the drain, huh? I never took the plunge. Judging by the success ratio I see, I saved myself a headache!" She threw back her shaggy head and laughed.
"Yeah, you're probably better off. I'd offer you a drink, but I haven't been to the store yet."