When the pandemic hit last year, most of my office was told that it's going to be working from home for a while. Except for me. I'm the entire IT department. I work for a small insurance agency and it was going to be my responsibility to make sure the rest of the office could work from home. Luckily, I only had to go in for a couple of hours a day in the actual office. The rest of my time was spent answering my cell and resetting passwords.
I live in a three story apartment building about a mile from my office. I don't really talk to anyone else in my building, other than to say hi in the lobby, or at the mailboxes. One afternoon, I heard my across-the-hall neighbors opening and closing their door over and over. I poked my head out the door and saw that they were moving out. I said good bye to them and went back inside. I wondered if maybe their apartment would stay empty for a while. Not that I had a problem with neighbors, but it always seemed nicer to have the end of the hallway to just myself.
After a month of no one renting it, the door was open one day when I was about to head out to work for my short-shift. I saw a woman's back as she was carrying in a box. She had shoulder length blond hair and she was wearing jeans and a loose t-shirt. Roughly my height, around 5' 8"ish and had some nice curves. Not fat, but not skin-and-bones either. Her ass filled out the jeans she was wearing very nicely. I was just wondering if she was going to the local community college when she put the box down and turned around.
She saw me and said "hey neighbor! I'm Marie!"
We were each standing in our doorways, at least 6 feet apart. We didn't shake hands because of the proximity restrictions. I was a little surprised because there was zero chance she was going to the college. She had to be at least 20 years older than me. Mid to late 40s for sure. Maybe 50. I'm crap with guessing ages. I had just been checking out the ass of a woman my mom's age. Not that there was anything wrong with that, I just found it kinda funny. She had a kind face, that had slight laugh and smile lines and blue eyes. I couldn't see exactly how big her tits were because of the shirt she was wearing, but they were pretty large. I guessed she would've been a knockout when she had been my age because she was pretty now.
I smiled and said "nice to meet you, I'm Erik."
She replied "likewise. I just moved to town for a job, but before I could even start, they told me that I'd be working from home until further notice. This quarantine is a drag. I guess I'll be hunkering down for a while. I'm 'high risk' so my doctor said to take this seriously. Hopefully there's some good delivery places around here, I don't have much food in here."
I told her about a few places nearby that delivered and told her to just knock on my door if she needed anything. Marie told me she would. I readjusted my mask and left to go to work.
After two hours at the office, mostly to make sure it wasn't on fire and that none of the servers died, I went back to my apartment. Marie was still getting settled, I didn't want to bother her, so I was just unlocking my door when I heard her say "hey Erik, do you mind giving me a quick hand? I just need to scoot this couch a little."
I replied, "of course, no problem."
I went in and together, we pushed her large sofa against the wall in her living room. Her place was mostly still moving boxes and jumbled furniture, but I was sure she'd get it set up fast.
She said "thank you so much. That thing is heavier than it looks. How can I thank you properly? Have you had dinner yet?"
I replied "no, but you don't have to do anything. I have something in my freezer to eat."
She argued "oh come on. Lets try one of those places you told me about."
I relented and told her about a Thai place and told her that I'd be back over in 15 minutes. I went to my apartment and checked emails to make sure none of the office employees needed anything, then went back to Marie's place. We ordered food and they said it'd be there in 30 minutes. Marie didn't have her kitchen table set up, so I assembled it for her while we waited. We chatted while I worked. She was widowed five years ago, and didn't have any kids. She was very easy to talk to. Probably because I wasn't nervous around her like I usually was around girls. Not that I wasn't attracted to her, but it's not like I was going to hit on woman my mom's age.
There was a knock on the door and she went to answer it. She picked up the food that was dropped off and we ate on paper plates. The food was good and the conversation was lively and pleasant. We laughed and I thought that this would've been a good date under any other circumstances. She asked me if she knew which app had the cheapest grocery delivery.
I said "I'm sorry, I don't. But if you give me a list, I can go get you things if you don't want to leave your apartment. I have to go out everyday anyway because I'm essential. I always wear a mask though, and my company tests us every 3 weeks. I just got a negative result 4 days ago."
She replied "oh I couldn't ask you to do that!"
I countered "honestly, it's not a problem. Just give me a list."
She agreed and said "well at least let me pay you."
I laughed and said "not a chance."
She said "well fine, but at least let me cook for you. Frozen food will probably kill you."
Marie got the Thai menu that came with the food and started writing out a list. There was probably 15 things on it. Usual things, fruit, veggies, loaf of bread etc. She also said that she needed AA batteries. At least a 12 pack. I figured she had smoke alarms that needed AAs or something. I told her that I'd go to the market after my shift tomorrow, and that I'd bring her the groceries and she could cook if she wanted. Marie thanked me and gave me some cash to get everything.
The next day, I went by the grocery store and got her things. Including two six-packs of AA batteries. When I got to her apartment, she answered the door wearing a pink tank top and shorts. She was barefoot and wasn't wearing any makeup. Marie looked good without it.
I looked around her place and said "you've been busy! You're almost completely unpacked!"
Marie thanked me and took one of the grocery bags from me. We went to the kitchen and put everything away. She said "thank you! You're a life saver."
She tried to get me to keep the change but I refused. I didn't have anything to do for the rest of my afternoon unless I got a work call, so I asked if she wanted any company while she unpacked. She said she would and I helped her empty boxes and hang up framed pictures. I was glad she let me hang around. My life was getting pretty lonely without anyone at work, and unable to meet up with any of my friends.
At one point, I was hanging up a large picture above her couch when she said it was crooked. Marie came over from where she had been standing behind me. She reached up to adjust the picture and I glanced down and saw her cleavage through the top of her tank top. Her boobs were bigger than I had thought last night. I quickly looked up hoping she hadn't seen me looking, but she had. She didn't say anything about me looking, but she did smile a little. I thought that, yeah, she definitely would've been a knockout in her younger years. Hell, she was still pretty hot now.
After the last frame had been put up, she started making dinner. I offered to help and together, we made lemon chicken and rice. It was much better than the junk I usually ate. Shortly after dinner, I went back to my apartment. Over the next week, we fell into a routine. I'd go to work, come back to the apartment building, and we'd spend the afternoon and evening together. Mostly at her place, but sometimes at mine too. We talked, watched tv and movies together, played cards, and generally just enjoyed each other's company. I found myself scoping her body more and more. I'd sneak glances at her cleavage or check out her round butt when she'd bend over. I'm sure she noticed me looking occasionally, but she never mentioned it.
After the first week, Marie gave me another shopping list. She asked for another six-pack of AA batteries again. I got everything she asked for, but I was curious as to why she needed so many batteries. I figured I'd offer to get some that recharge next time if she asked again. As we were unpacking the groceries, I asked her about it.
"Marie, do you want me to get you some batteries that recharge? What are you using them for? I might be able to save you some money." I told her.
Her cheeks colored a little and said "it's embarrassing why I need them, so promise you won't laugh. I'm only going to tell you because you're really my only friend in town."
"Hey, I don't judge, I promise I won't laugh." I swore. She fretted for a moment and I could tell she was worrying that I'd make fun or something. I said "you don't have to tell me if it's none of my business."
She blurted out "no no, it's fine. It's for my vibrator, okay?"
My mind had been leaning toward something like that and I just said "oh okay."
Marie said "that's it? Just 'oh okay?' That was mildly mortifying for me."
I shrugged and said, "nothing to be ashamed of, I masterbate all the time."
She chuckled and said "well I'm glad you're not embarrassed thinking about the old geezer across the hall fucking herself silly."