by Payne, Jenna
“Who could that be,” she wondered aloud. She went to the door with Lisa watching from the hallway.
“Hi Bret, come on in. This is my friend Lisa. Lisa this is my new neighbor Bret. I invited him to join us.” Blossom loved the surprised look on Lisa’s face. She covered it quickly and smoothly shook his hand. Soon they were sitting around the patio table with beers and burgers on the grill.
Dinner went smoothly and they had a good time. Blossom could not help the looks she gave her new neighbor from time to time and he was returning them easily. He was just too good-looking to ignore, she told herself. Even Lisa was caught by his good looks and Blossom knew there was not a more happily married woman in the world than her friend. As it began to get dark Bret excused himself graciously.
“Thank you Blossom and Lisa for letting me crash your dinner. It was great and the company even better,” he said. Blossom noticed him smiling at her when he said the last part. They walked him to the door and said goodbye. He shook Lisa’s hand and then Blossom’s. His thumb rubbed her hand in an almost caress when he did it. She bit her lip slightly and smiled in an obvious return flirt she hoped Lisa did not catch. They stood on the porch and watched him walk back to his house. Once he was inside, they went back in.
“Okay, so he was flirting with you honey and unless I am mistaken you were batting it right back at him with your pretty lashes,” she said laughing. Blossom blushed but smiled and shrugged. Of course Lisa had noticed.
“I am not complaining mind you. Somebody should go after that man. I can’t so I am just as glad you get the opportunity. Too bad about his leg. Those SEAL guys don’t like quitting the field. Having been sent back home must have been a blow,” she commented. Blossom realized she was right.
“Well, whether our flirting comes to anything or not, I am glad we could give him a nice, low key welcome to the neighborhood,” she said honestly.
“You’re right of course. By Friday he is going to be inundated with offers for dinner and food will be dropped off. He won’t have to cook for a week or two,” they laughed. Blossom knew she was right about that. It was a good thing, but she imagined a bit overwhelming. He seemed like a man who would prefer a low key existence. Lisa helped her clean up and they poured some coffee and she walked her friend home. It was a ritual they had when one went to the other’s house. No reason for it other than friendship. When she got home she rinsed out the coffee cups and watched television for about an hour before calling it a night.
Blossom had a wonderful dream of peace and tranquility on a beach with her neighbor Bret, holding hands and laughing. It was very comfortable with many a flirty glance and smile. She was sure it was leading to something when a crashing noise woke her up with a start. She wondered what it had been, when there was another louder crashing noise. It sounded like one of her windows being broken. She leaped out of bed to see what the matter was. Grabbed her robe as she went out the bedroom door, her pleasant dream forgotten.
***
Backyard Cooking
She flicked on the living room light and saw one of the big windows on the front of her house crashed in and the curtains were tangled and torn. Suddenly there was another crash and the second exploded inward and she gave a brief scream jumping back. She heard laughter as something like a stick was poked in, knocking out the rest of the glass and tearing down the other curtain. All she could see were shadows of the perpetrators. She rushed to the hallway closet and grabbed a baseball bat as she heard the laughter fade and someone shouting.
She rushed out the front door and in the street light one house down she saw Bret pointing down the street and Mack from across the street taking off running. Bret had his phone out and was limping and pacing in front of her house keeping an eye on her. She made sure her robe was tied tight over her skimpy night gown as she looked at her destroyed front window with furry. She noticed too what looked like spray paint on her house! Whoever did this was going to pay for it. She could hear Bret on the phone.
“Don’t know, ensign,” said Bret into his phone. “It sounded like kids. I chased them off and one of our neighbors, Mack, is chasing them down now. They had a head start, but he is with the fifth battalion so I imagine he’ll get them.
“Mrs. Talon is on her porch looking as pissed as you would expect. Her whole front windows were broken out.... That’s right.... I will check in a moment....Ok, thanks ensign I appreciate it.” Bret hung up and limped over towards Blossom. She noticed he was not wearing his brace and was only in flannel pants and a t-shirt with slippers. Her neighbor across the street was coming out of her house, making sure it was safe as Bret came up Blossom’s walkway.
“Are you okay Blossom. You didn’t get hurt did you?” His concern was comforting to her. She moved toward him to lessen the distance he would have to walk on his leg. Unfortunately that was a mistake as a sharp pain went through one foot, then another,
“Shit! Damn!” She cursed realized what she stepped in.
“Glass,” she told Bret before he could ask. She had to grit her teeth and hobble over to the wall. Bret had a flashlight. For some reason the porch light was not working. They heard sirens as Bret helped her pull two shards of glass out of the pads of both of her feet. Soon the military police had arrived, and they were as angry as she was. They did not like anyone harming their people. Knowing they were on the case made her feel better. Once the glass was out she could walk a little better and went out to the front gate. She told the MPs what she heard and so did Bret.
Mack came back looking angry. He had not caught whomever it was. Soon most of the neighbors were out of their homes and standing around in the street discussing the incident. It was almost amusing but when the police realized that the perpetrators had the smarts to unscrew her porch light for privacy, it became obvious that these people could be dangerous. They had planned it. Strangely she wasn’t so much scared as angry and determined. She wanted to go inside and make coffee for everyone, but Lisa vetoed that and soon Marcy, Mack’s wife was passing out coffee. Meanwhile, the neighbor men were discussing plans to board up her window until she could get it fixed. Blossom told them they did not need to do that, but they wouldn’t hear about it.
“You should probably stay somewhere else for a while until these hooligans are caught, dear,” Marcy said. Blossom shook her head.
“Thank you Marcy, but I am not letting anyone chase me out of my house,” she said softly.
“Maybe not, but you are coming to mine for the day to get some sleep,” Lisa said and she knew that tone. She did not bother to argue.
“Ok, but I come back tonight. By then these wonderful friends will have boarded my windows and I will be able to lock up tight. How is that?” she said to her friends and neighbors. They nodded, not liking the idea of Blossom staying in her home alone after this incident, but understanding her desire to do so. They were all worried about her.
“I’m so grateful for all of your support,” said Blossom. “But I can’t leave it, even for a short while. I just have too many memories and everything I own in this house. I hate the idea of leaving it,” she told them honestly. She realized she really meant it and decided there really was no way she could ever move from this place.
Bret had to go to work as did others. Soon, daylight began spreading across the neighborhood. Lisa escorted Blossom to her house and she limped along. Lisa had Blossom soak her feet, and prepared a big breakfast for. Then Lisa ushered Blossom to the spare bedroom. Blossom was sure she would not sleep but her adrenaline had faded. She was out almost as soon as she closed her eyes.
When she awoke she stretched and felt amazingly rested. She got up and picked up her robe, realizing she did not have any other clothes. As she opened the door Lisa was coming down the hall to her. She was looking sprightly in a red and blue summer dress over a white t-shirt with flip flops.
“Hey sweetie, you’re up! I was just coming to check on you. Do you want food first or a shower?” Blossom felt her eyes widen.
/> “Shower please,” she asked.
“Okay then. You have some fresh clothes in the bathroom to put on. I raided your closet. I also borrowed that dress of yours I love so much. The one with the sparkles. I have a thing with my sister Sunday, I hope you don’t mind?” she said. Blossom hugged her best friend and told her she could take what she wanted. Then she went to the shower.
When the shower was done she felt fantastic and her feet barely hurt at all. She put on the fresh underwear, tank top and Capri pants that Lisa had got her. Then a long, light, silky blue blouse to her hips that swirled around her off of her breasts. She had always loved it and Lisa knew it. She went out to the kitchen, where Lisa gave her a sandwich and salad.
“I hope you don’t mind the cold food, but it is too hot to cook tonight. So let me see, your house has been spiffed up. The windows are boarded and they even managed to get the graffiti off. It looks ready for new windows. I am also certain your fridge is filled with food, already cooked, that will last you a while. I snuck in a six-pack for you. My contribution to your sanity,” she said. Blossom finished chewing and got up to go hug her friend. She teared up a little at all of her kindness and Lisa teared a little too. As they broke apart and wiped their eyes she giggled.
“I did not know you wanted beer that bad, Blossom!” Blossom laughed and smacked Lisa’s arm.
She finished her lunch, and then her friend walked her home. There were several neighbors out and they applauded her coming home which made her blush.
“Well, we decided we all are going to take shifts to keep an eye on things around here. Bret, me, and Brian down the street are splitting the night to watch. It is a Friday night so there is no worries about having to go to work in the morning. No arguments Blossom, we take care of our own, right? They still can’t prove who did this so until they do we will be keeping watch, as will the MPs,” Mack said. She was almost overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness that she almost teared up. She saw her house and was amazed.
The windows were boarded but had been painted to match her house color, and the spray paint was gone. Her front flower bed had been cleaned up and it looked fantastic. She turned back to her friends in surprise.
“I hope you like it Blossom. It is just temporary until you can get them fixed but we wanted it to look nice for you,” Marcy told her. She couldn’t help walking over and hugging her and sniffled again.
“You people are so wonderful, I don’t know how I will ever pay you back. This seems to be a little above and beyond the call, you know,” she said. Mack grinned.
“We are the Navy. It’s what we do,” she smiled back and caught Bret’s eyes. He was standing at the back of the crowd of neighbors. He winked at her and she grinned scanning the crowd again. She recognized everybody. Even little Bella’s mother Kelly.
“You even painted the boards. I never would have thought of that. It looks so much better,” she told them gushing about their work.
“That was Kelly’s idea,” Marcy told her motioning the woman forward. Blossom was surprised. She came forward and she looked embarrassed. She also looked better than she had when they met.
“You helped me and mine and kept my little girl safe. Anything you ever need Blossom, I will be there. They may not be able to prove those hooligans from the park did this, but I am convinced. It is the only thing that makes sense. So to me that means you are being abused because you helped my daughter. I do not like that,” she said softly. Blossom hugged her too.
After a little while the neighbors dispersed, and Blossom went back into her house and looked around. The front room had been cleaned and there was no trace of glass. There were new curtains hanging that were similar to her old ones. She remembered something Lisa had said and went into her kitchen. Sure enough her fridge was full of casseroles and her counter had several pies. She grinned and cut herself a slice. Screw the diet, she was going to enjoy herself tonight. She was sure there was no chance of anything happening, after all the neighborhood had shown their support so strongly.
By ten o’clock she was bored. She had slept through much of the day, so she was not tired. She had eaten half a pie with whipped cream, plus a few brownies and felt stuffed. She grabbed the little cooler and took it out to her back porch with the beer. She sighed sitting back in the recliner. She looked up at the stars and smiled as she sipped a beer. She was relaxing, not just after the assault on her home, but also from her realization that she wanted to stay here. Whatever happens to me, she thought, is going to happen here.
She had drunk four beers and was feeling a happy buzz when she heard the screen door open at Bret’s house. A small light came shone on his patio and she heard him sigh.
“Hey Bret, is that you?” she asked getting up. He came to the fence and smiled.
“You okay, Blossom?” he seemed concerned.
“I am fine, just couldn’t sleep. Want a beer?” she asked him cheerfully. He smiled and held one up.
“Great, I have an idea, stay there,” she told him and went to the back of her house where she kept her lawn tools. She grabbed a step stool and carried it over to the fence and then climbed to the top rung. She was pleased at how good her feet felt too.
“Here we go. Your yard is higher up than mine. This way I won’t get a crick in my neck. Thanks for everything you have done for me. We just met and you are going out of your way. It is appreciated,” she told him sincerely. He shrugged.
“Well, I think you are able to tell I like you. I also like being able to be of use. After this damn injury I haven’t felt quite myself. I am glad to help,” he said and seemed a little embarrassed. He was a soldier; she understood.
“Well I hope you can tell I like you too. I am glad to get a neighbor that I get along with. Not that I haven’t before, it is just you never know, you know?” she said clumsily. Good job Blossom, she told herself sarcastically. He just smiled and accepted it.
They stood at the fence awhile and he leaned against it with one arm. She leaned on both elbows, knowing it would frame her breasts in her tank top and he could not miss them. She did not care right then. Being near him was starting all sorts of feelings in her that she had not had in a long time, and she was grateful as well as frustrated too. She was not sure what to do. Soon they were holding hands and talking softly with their faces close. He leaned forward to kiss her. She did not see it coming and smiled against his lips. They stayed that way for a while tangling their tongue in a delicious way. When they broke apart they were both breathing a little heavily.
“So where do we go from here Blossom?” he asked her.
“Well if I hadn’t had four beers I might try climbing the fence so we can see if the recliner would fit, oh—” Her words were cut off when he reached over the fence and grabbed her. He picked her up and she tucked her legs in so she didn’t bang the fence. He set her down next to him.
“Or that will work,” she told him and giggled. They kept hushing each other as they went to his patio and got comfortable on the wide recliner.
“This seems comfortable enough, what do you think, my beautiful neighbor?” he asked in a husky, incredibly sexy voice.
“It works for me, and so do you,” she answered in a low sultry tone that surprised her. Her body was sending her all kinds of signals and she was not going to argue about it, not now. They began kissing again only this time they could reach each other. They began exploring each other’s bodies while taking off each other’s clothes, layer by layer. She gasped when he palmed one of her breasts and kissed the other one. Her hand found his warm, firm member and it grew in her hand. One of his hands found its way between her legs and when her clitoris was teased she arched her back with a gasp and soft moan. She had not felt anything like this ever. She wrapped both arms around his body and kissed his neck and chest, rolling over so she was lying with him over her. She could feel his hard member against her and their sweat was mingling. She was craving to go further. His teases between her legs had her gasping for more and he lifted
his hips as he lowered his head to her chest. When he entered her he sucked on one of her breasts and she felt an explosion of desire merging into a roaring pleasure. Their hips moved in perfect time and his wonderful shaft penetrated to her deepest places. He pushed into her and touched her in a way no one had before, either physically or emotionally, not even her husband. She needed this, and him, so badly. Receiving his lust and passion, finding it matched hers, was a great gift. Her orgasm was something that shook both of them for a long time.
Afterwards, they lay entangled together, getting their breath back.
“Now that was backyard cooking,” she said softly. They both started laughing. She snuggled against him happily.
“I want to think you Blossom. Since I was injured I have not felt right. I felt like I was missing something. I haven’t felt like I was of any use to anyone. Then when you needed help I was able to. It was my pleasure to help look out for your wellbeing. As you noticed last night, I was smitten when we first talked over the fence. I was not sure what to do about it. The fact that you responded, treated me like a man, not an invalid means so much to me. I feel like a man again and you are a big part of that,” he said and kissed her. She smiled.
“You are very welcome. I would love to take credit but I did not know I was doing all of that. I am glad it worked though, because it worked for me too. I have not been with a man in six years. I have ignored flirting and just kept my head down. You were the first man I have seen since then that got me wanting to flirt again. I was not sure I knew how, or that I would remember how to do what we just did in a way that we would be pleased with. We have both been injured, Bret, and we are now able to heal. At least that is what my almost drunk mind is thinking,” she said, and kissed him in return.
They held each other for a while and decided they better separate. They thought that once this whole thing was over they could date in plain sight. Until then it would just confuse matters. He helped her back over the fence and they kissed one last time. Now she could sleep.
