Everybody in this story is 18+.
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The Uber driver pulled up to the apartment building where my sister Nita lived. For an upscale neighborhood in Dallas, I certainly expected more than the usual faceless, colorless and generic architecture that you see everywhere else. Every building on the block looked alike, except for the exterior color and where they put the fake potted plants out front. Even the traffic sounded the same.
"Can I help you with your suitcase, sir?" The driver was a pleasant middle aged guy, maybe late forties. His Impala was immaculate, inside and out. I wondered if he did this full time or just as a side gig, I'd guess full time.
"No, I think I can get it, if you don't mind popping the trunk. Appreciate the offer, though." I finished out the ride on the app, leaving him a good tip and five star rating. After my initial rebuff of his attempt at conversation, he had remained quiet the remainder of the ride from DFW to the apartment building, only speaking when he had to deviate from the directions provided by the app due to construction.
I waited until I heard the clunk of the automatic trunk release before I got out. My bag wasn't that heavy and I lifted it out easily. Gently closing the lid, I thumped it twice with my palm and waved through the back window to let him know I was finished. He waved back and pulled carefully back into traffic. I texted Nita that I was downstairs and on my way up.
As I entered the building, the lobby was exactly like the one in the building where I used to live in. Even the elevator was the same number of steps from the door. I counted them out of curiosity. I punched the button for the fourth floor, where Nita lived.
When the doors opened, it again looked exactly the same as my old building, even the plants were in the same place. If we're living in a simulation, I thought, somebody needs a better imagination. I found my sister's apartment and raised my hand to knock on the door.
The door swung open and a familiar voice loudly announced "Chris!" I was immediately wrapped up in a bear hug by Nita. I gave her a quick hug back and she pulled me inside and closed the door.
She held me at arm's length and looked me over appreciatively, "You look good, Chris. Still working out some, I see."
"Yeah, I have the time now." Nita was a little shorter than I was, I could put my chin on top of her head with both of us barefoot. I had put a little weight on my almost thirty seven year old frame during my marriage, which I was now trying to lose. The weight, that is, the marriage died a while ago. Nita still had the body of a woman ten years younger, meaning she looked fantastic for a thirty three year old.
"Well, the market can be tough." Nita laughed. "Especially when you're too old for cougars and not old enough to be a sugar daddy." I really had missed her snark.
Not that she'd ever have trouble attracting suitors at any age. Nita had been blessed with genetics that gave her that timeless athletic build, with an almost golden ratio of hip to waist circumference. Topped with light brown, almost honey blonde hair and blue eyes, she had always attracted attention wherever she went.
"Please don't tell me that you've started robbing the cradle. You're better than that." I shot back. She grinned and gave me another bear hug. Leading me into the living room, she pointed out the guest bedroom.
"You can drop the bag in there. It's all set up. The hall bath is yours, I have my own." She plopped down on the couch and patted the cushion next to her. "Come tell me what's new in your life."
"Not much, The divorce became final about six months ago. I got what I wanted." All I had wanted was to be free of her. I could replace everything else I might lose.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was that much of a problem --" She started to apologize, again. I cut her off. I made the mistake of telling her one time what my ex had said, that she didn't like how close we were, calling it "not healthy" and "not right", whatever that meant. We grew up close and tried to maintain it through college and adulthood. I had fantasized about her from time to time jerking off, but I figured that was normal when you had a beautiful sister. I never felt that we were close to doing anything sexual in nature. I didn't consider holding hands, hugging and forehead kisses sexual.
"No, you weren't the problem, just a symptom. It's done, it's over, time to move on." I didn't want to discuss it ever again. "I see you did well, though."
"I did. He fought it, but when you knock up not one but two of your assistants, it's a little hard to cry foul because I kicked him out." Nita shrugged. I didn't get it, to be honest. How could anybody be married to somebody this wonderful and do that? She was not only attractive, she was smart, funny, and adventurous. "I did very well. He's not exactly hurting, either, except maybe his pride. He'll live."
We moved on to other topics, how our parents were doing, what living in Dallas was going to be like, good places to look for an apartment, and what gossip we'd heard about old acquaintances.
It was about six when she stood up, "I need food. I know a good place to introduce you to the local flavors." The only other times I'd been to Dallas, it was just to change planes at DFW. I never left the airport. Food sounded like a really good idea to me, I hadn't eaten since morning and I was hungry.
She went to change while I sat on the couch, looking out the window. It didn't take her long, she just changed her shirt and combed out her hair. She picked up her phone and summoned an Uber, we sat and chatted for a few minutes until the driver was close, and then went downstairs to wait.
I had always thought Texas was dry and hot, especially in July. Dallas was not. It was oppressively hot and insanely humid. Nita assured me I would adjust eventually. I hoped so. Just breathing made me sweat like I'd just run a marathon.
This Uber driver was a very pleasant older lady with a minivan. It wasn't as clean as my previous Uber, so I assumed she did this part time, given the kids' stuff in a bag behind her seat. She got us to the restaurant in a timely manner. Nita chatted with her the entire trip, talking about some art thing going on downtown.
The restaurant appeared upscale, staff all neatly and uniformly dressed. The hostess knew Nita by name and we were escorted to a table immediately. There were a couple of murmurs of protest from people waiting but nothing distinct that I could make out.
