The New Neighbor

I looked around the living area, I had my work planned for me in the next few days. I had just moved in last night, boxes were everywhere. Now is one of times I wished my friends lived closer.

My new home was an older home that had been renovated and updated. They had done a very nice job on the renovation.

I had spent the day with movers the past weekend and set up the furniture items. I figured I would do this in small intervals as my employment allowed. But, the first thing on the list was a quick run and work out.

I donned my running shorts and shirt, put on my running shoes and did a couple quick laps. I got back to the house and hit my home gym setup.

I was just getting into a good rhythm when the door chime sounded. That puzzled me because I didn't know anyone here as of yet. All my friends told me it would be a week or so before they could come to visit and see my new home.

I went to the door in my shorts with no shirt, just a hand towel around my neck. There stood before me was the cutest young girl, actually very pretty girl. She was definitely a teenager by her figure, with auburn hair with natural red high lights, fair skin and pale blue eyes. She had my attention.

I looked at her a moment waiting for her to speak, she looked up at me, eyes wide and mouth open slightly. I smiled at her standing there holding a box. I spoke to her as her eyes traveled up and down and her face flushed slightly. I was guessing it was a welcoming to the neighborhood.

‟Yes, may I help you, Miss or is it Ms?"

‟I..I..I brought you some cookies."

She rushed the last part, has she extended box out to me. I took the box noticing the weight of it.

‟Wow. That is very kind and friendly. Thank you Ms....?

I chuckled lightly as this nymph suddenly nibbled her lower lip. I spoke again extending my hand.

‟Hello, my name is Gerardo, Gerardo Aguilar."

I waited for a response a few seconds. The response came back in a soft tone.

‟I, I'm Christina."

I gave a slight chuckle.

‟Well Ms. Christina. Again, Thank you for the cookies. Would you like to come in? Now the house is still a wreck, boxes everywhere."

Just then a heard a woman call out her name, with a bit of harshness in the tone. Her head swiveled quickly then turned back to me.

‟I, I gotta go."

She twisted to leave and spoke again.

‟It's just Christina, no Ms."

She practically jumped off the the porch and disappeared to the right. I caught a glimpse of her after she crossed the street. She entered a yard slightly diagonally from my house.

I giggled a little while shutting the door taking the cookies to the kitchen. I opened the box to see what kind of cookies were in the box. There had to be two dozen or more extra large chocolate chip cookies, and a note. The first letters were in all capital print.

'KEEP OUT!' then 'For Bake Sale!' MOM!!

I laughed thinking someone is now in big trouble. I left the box and went to finish my work out. I was about twenty reps in my routine when the door chime sounded again. I began to chuckle.

I got to the door and I could here muffled voices. I reached the door and pulled it open, mom's head was turned with her closed hand raised, she was speaking to Christina, harshly.

‟This is so embarrassing!"

She didn't turn to look and attempted to knock or pound on the door.

Mom, came forward off balance crashing into my chest. I caught in my arms as her hand then upper body fell into me. She looked up at me in shock and startled from the fall she thought she was going to get, I straightened her back up on her feet.

She was breathing quickly from the fall she believed was going to happen. Then she, like her daughter, gave me the once over look. I smiled noticing her gaze was slower, Christina was giggling a little. I smiled and spoke first.

‟Can I help you, Ms...? Besides stopping you from falling." I grinned. ‟Are you alright?"

Mom's face, like her daughter, blushed quickly and deeply. She looked just like her daughter, just some years older. Same auburn hair and skin tone, an inch or so taller, same eyes, with a few more pounds. I waited for a response.

‟I,,I I'm okay, sorry about that. I'm Julia Hornsby."

I smiled, even the same stammer. I extended my hand, introducing myself as I spoke, and then gave a chuckle. Christina began to giggle now.

‟I am Gerardo Aguilar. Nice to meet you, not many women instantly fall me though."

Julia turned even deeper crimson as she spoke again glaring at her daughter.

‟This is embarrassing. Those cookies my, CHILD, brought over to you. I was wondering if you would let me have them back, there for our church bake sale."

Julia began explaining what they were for and she didn't have enough time to bake any more. The cause was a good cause, I have had some relatives that benefited from these kind of things. I asked how much she would get from her bake sale, she told me seventy five dollars for each box. She had two boxes. I was still standing there in only my work-out shorts.

I invited them inside telling her they were in the kitchen. They stepped just inside the door and stopped as I dashed back to the bedroom to put a shirt on.

I came back went to the kitchen and opened the box taking out one cookie. I took the box back to Julia handing it to her and three dollars for the cookie I kept.

Julia thanked me for being so understanding as she glared at Christina and that her daughter would be over to help me put things away. I tried to beg off on the help but, Julia wouldn't have it. I was not to unpack anything. I noticed Christina smirk a little, that girl acted like she just received a bowl of ice cream.

Julia evidently didn't look in the box until the next day at their church event. I had taken a few days vacation time to put the house in order so Monday I was at home. She came to visit.

I invited her in and she had her son with her. I offered her coffee and her son a juice box drink. I asked what I could do for her and told her no I had not unpacked any boxes. Which I had not started on yet. I helped her son up in a tall chair next his mother before I began a brew.

Julia chatted me up a bit until the coffee was ready. I took notice she had lip gloss on, ear studs, and nicer clothing than Saturday. I was dressed in, 'at home', casual.

Julia finally got to the reason for visit. She thanked me for the contribution to their church's cause, repeatedly. I just smiled and told her it was for a good cause I have people I know that have been in need. Her next question caught me off a bit.

‟Huh? is your wife out shopping?"

I be bad, at times. I spoke in a certain tone of voice.

‟No, no, honestly, I don't where she is or care." I replied.

She turned a nice shade of red as she spoke.

‟Oh,, oh, I am sorry I didn't mean to pry. I just thought...." Julia said.

I quickly cut her off.

‟No, I'm being facetious. I owe the apology. I am not married nor have any thoughts of marriage at this time." I told her and chuckled.

‟Oh, I see." Julia said back.

I saw the wheels turn in her mind as she gazed at me, but she stayed silent. I could have fun with this conversation.

‟No, I have never been married, but maybe if I can find that right, type, someone, or person."

I emphasized, type, and grinned. That pretty well ended the chit chat we were having, Julia quickly excused herself. She gathered up her son but was courteous and left. I don't know if I poked a hornets nest or not, time will tell.

I was busy unpacking my things in my bedroom when I heard the door chime. I looked at the clock and realized my, cookie snatching offender, was here. Christina and her mother were both at the door.

Julia was dressed to work minus the lip gloss, Christina was dressed more for flirtation.

We started with the kitchen items first. We got that done then it was time for them, well, Julia to get home and start supper. Christina or Chrissy, offered to stay longer, that wasn't happening according to her mother. I had a good idea why since Julia now knew I was a single man.

I needed to stop and get some thing for supper. They went home and I cleaned up and went out for dinner. I found a nice little family owned restaurant with good country food, like my grandma use to make.

I was awakened by my phone alerting, it was the company where I work. They called me to go trouble shoot a company's system, it was 5:00 AM. I didn't get back home until Thursday early evening.

I had stopped and picked up a dinner plate at the Mom's Country Diner. I was getting some things out of my Prius when I heard a, relieved, voice. It was Christina.

‟Where have you been?"

She did seem to have a concerned look on her face. I smiled and explained I had been called out of town for work. She accepted my explanation, then offered to help me get my things inside. I saw Julia come across the street her son, Little John, in tow.

‟Chrissy what are doing over here bothering Mr. Aguilar?"

Chrissy spun around and immediately began explaining she was just trying to help get my things inside. Julia gave her the raised eye brow look. Then pointed to their house telling her to take her brother with her, Chrissy took her brother away grumbling.

She turned to me and apologized for the interruption and bid me a good evening then followed behind her children. I chuckled as I took the last of my things inside thinking 'That young lady is going to be my Albatross'.

I finally managed to finish getting things put up and put away. I was getting back into my routines. It was Saturday I was up early like usual and dressed for my run.

There was a park two blocks over, I heard it had a nice running trail. I walked over to it.

I met an older lady doing some stretches. I bid her a good morning as I rested a moment. I began watching her, she was an attractive woman, with a nice sized rock on her left hand.

She caught me looking and smiled. I introduced myself and she did like wise her name was Laura. I asked her where the running trail was and its lay out. She told me, while looking me up and down.

‟So it is pretty much flat." I said in a bit of disappointed tone.

Laura giggled lightly telling me 'Yes, not much of a challenge'.

She bid me a good day and started off. She stopped about twenty yards. I had just started, when I got to her I stopped as she looked at me.

‟Would you like me to introduce you to the trail Gerald?"

‟Well, that would be very nice. That's very kind of you." I replied.

Laura said she would like to just do a fast walk, I agreed to that. We began at a decent pace while she talked, well quizzed me. She found I lived on Hardwood Ave. and she seemed to know Julia. It seems her and Julia talked occasionally.

‟You're the new family that moved in across the street from the the Hornsby's?"

‟Yes, but...."

She cut me off asking if anyone had cleaned up the place. She informed that it was a dump, she wouldn't put a dog in that house, I laughed.

Evidently she was one those people that over load their ass with out forethought. She immediately went red and began back tracking. Then her phone chimed it seemed her husband was in the park and needed to speak with her.

I bid her a good-bye and started to jog off, she wanted me to meet her 'Teddy Bear', so back we went to where we began.

I saw a man standing at the trail head as we jogged back this time. Laura gave him a wave and in a minute we were face to face. Laura was catching her breath. I as I reached out to shake hands, Laura swept in giving her man a good hug and a kiss on the cheek and a big smile.

‟Sweetie, I like you to meet Gerald Aglar."

I chuckled as I reached out again giving my name properly in Spanish. He looked at my hand then reached out. He gave me his name which surprised me as I felt a softness in the grip. I felt I'd stepped into some thing.

‟Jeraldine Jones, or JJ if you wish. I see you have met my partner." JJ said, a bit gruffly.

‟Maybe we can all get together, we know some really cute men." Laura said, cheerfully.

My cunning plan might have just bit me in the ass as I blushed. I gave a nervous chuckle telling them I would see them again and would let them know. I bid them farewell and turned and jogged away. I didn't think much more about it.

It was a short trail I ended up finishing my jog on the way home and still didn't get my full run time.

I was passing by the Hornsby's and spotted Christina on the porch. I called out and waved as I was in my cool down walk. She didn't seem so, enthusiastic to see me. I smiled outward and inward, the plan to seem to be working.

Then her father stepped out I stopped as I was about to the cross street. He was about my height and overweight and when I spoke to him he looked, or seemed grouchy.

‟Hi, I'm your new neighbor just moved....."

‟I know who are and I don't like beaners or queers. Now get off my property."

That touched a nerve for some reason.

‟I ain't on your property, dipshit. This is a, public sidewalk, you don't own it."

Christina bolted inside and Julia came running out as he stepped off the porch. She placed her hand on his arm, then glared at me.

‟You get yourself on out here, leave us be. Come on John let's go in, I getcha cold beer, ta settle ya." Julia said.

She made Chistina go inside the house with them. I turned to cross the street as I heard him mouth off again. Now I felt sad for Julia and her kids. Then his next door neighbor called out to me, I looked over to see man waving me over. I hesitated and he motioned to me again.

‟Sorry about Mr. Asshole, people on this street are pretty friendly. I'm Don, Whitter. Welcome to the neighbor hood." He said.

He reached out in greeting, just as a feminine voice spoke slightly behind me.

‟And I am Cindy." She said as she extended her hand.

‟I am Gerardo Aguilar. It nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. and Mrs. Whitter." I bowed slightly and took her hand.

‟Well aren't you the gentleman." She said smiling, then a little giggle.

I wasn't sure of age but they seemed bit older than me. We chatted a bit before I was asked if I was married, I told them no. I got that once over look from Cindy.

‟Really?" Cindy said. ‟No, girl friends or...?"

I shook my head no and smiled.

‟Not yet, haven't really met the right lady." I told her. ‟I do have some lady friends, but nothing as, clicked."

‟And no, man, friends?"

I was amazed really how fast news travels here, I would have to be mindful of that.

Don scolded her a little, I thought I should go. I bid them a good day then moved across the street heading for my house. I was stopped again by an older feminine voice as I reached my side of the street. I stopped to chat with Mrs. Atkins who lived right next to me.

She was a much older widowed lady, her husband had passed some years ago. We chatted for a while, I found I liked her. She liked to talk, and said she was happy to see someone nice had moved in next door. I gave her my number telling her if she needed anything to give me a call, then left crossing through the yard.

Time seemed to pass quickly and I was left alone for the most part.

Halloween was five weeks away. The leaves were turning their fall colors and the mornings have a crispness now. I heard from two of my friends from where I used to live, Linsey and Kara. I had formed a bond with these to quirky characters. They said they wanted to come visit.

They arrived at just after noon on Saturday bearing birthday gifts, cake, and balloons, being that it was my birthday.

I heard the car horn toot a couple of times and went to the door to greet them. I didn't see or hear them and stepped out.

I saw Linsey and Kara across the street at the Hornsby's. My first thought was 'OH shit'. I could see Chrissy and two other girls standing there with Linsey and Kara, they all seemed to be giggling when Linsey stepped sideways. That's when I spotted more balloons tied to the Hornsby's mailbox. I took a chance and walked over. I saw Julia come out of her home also with little John in hand.

I heard some conversation as Chrissy introduced Lindsey and Kara to her mother. They shook hands politely.

When I reached them Kara spotted me and immediately wrapped me up in her arms planting a full kiss on my cheek.

‟Feliz Cumpleanos! Gerardo! Mi muy guapo hombre!"

‟Muchas gracias" I replied back, with big grin.

Then one of Christine's girl friends waved her hand like when your fanning yourself, spoke then giggled.

‟Si, hombre muy guapo."

That made Kara chuckle, and I blushed everyone just looked at us. Then Linsey invited the girls over to my house, Julia objected, but Chrissy pleaded saying her father wouldn't be home for a couple hours or maybe even longer. I started to agree with Julia when she surprised me saying they could, her and little John wanted to join also. So my little parade went over to my house.

Linsey and Kara started setting things up and I started making up drinks for adults and teenagers. Then Linsey pulled me to the side and asked if I had a small box like for jewelry. I frowned at her telling her let me look, I did find one.

She took it and disappeared, I knew she was up to something. Then I saw Kara sneaking around looking for some thing, these two were really up to something.

I didn't have any real teenager games but I did have a good sound system, and flat screen which entertained the young ladies. Little John and I found other things to do while Julia joined Kara and the girls.

After awhile it was time to sing Happy Birthday. Christine and I had to stand next to each other. Then Chrissy's two friends started the birthday spanking tradition, Julia nixed that real quick. Then Betty, Christine's friend, started on about birthday kisses. I saw nothing wrong with that, I looked at Christine as Linsey and Kara giggled, Julia rolled her eyes.

‟Well, Christine you are legally an adult now. You can vote, buy a car, or a house, and sign legal and binding documents." I said.

Christine looked up at me a bit puzzled. I bent in gripping her shoulders and placed a tender soft kiss on her lips. I felt her tense, then give up to my kiss. I pulled back some seconds later and felt her body follow, not wanting to break the kiss. I looked down as her eyes seem to flutter open. I spoke as I smiled at her.

‟Happy Birthday Miss Christine Hornsby."

She blushed and looked at mother who had a little frown on her face. Then Linsey stepped up announcing it was her turn. That got giggles from the girls and a shocked look from Julia. I think it was the pelvis grind, next was Kara copying Linsey and more giggles. Then Christine's two friends who seemed anxious to have their turn, I gave a quick kiss to those two little ladies. I looked at Julia with a questioning look, the young girls began to chant, she gave in to the chant.

Julia came up to me with kind of coy smile, looking up in my eyes. She placed her hands on my upper arms and leaned in as I leaned forward. I expected a quick little kiss, it started that way. Then her lips parted, then her mouthed opened as her tongue sought mine. Her hand slid up to the back of my head, I was dumbfounded.

Silence had fallen on Lindsey and Kara as the girls giggled. Kara screeched out, one Chrissy's friends was about to take a photo.

That brought Julia back the present, she stepped away quickly, wishing me a 'Happy Birthday'. Julia's face blushed going back around as her daughter frowned.

Linsey saved the moment by announcing it was time to cut the cake.

Just before cutting the cake, another surprise, Linsey and Kara presented Christine with a gift. It was a small box with a ribbon around it. Now I know why Linsey wanted that little box. They had been up to some thing, but what?

Christine opened box and her mouth fell open wide as she gasped, inside was a sapphire pendent on a gold chain. Julia's mouth even gaped as she gasped and her eyes widened. Christine's friends squealed and chattered, I was even stunned. I knew that pendant and where it came from, I would have a talk with Kara later.