Love Thy Neighbor

by Kimberly Smith

  “What if I am?” He said meeting her eyes.

  “What about Vanna?” she asked as if he were cheating.

  “What about her?” He replied.

  “Don't you like her? I thought the two of you hit it off. She's perfect for you.” Petunia said pleading her case.

  Before Daniel could say anything the waiter appeared with their food. He waited trying to think of a way to tell Aunt P. to mind her own business without being disrespectful. He knew that the things she did, were done out of love, but he was not going to allow her to influence who he dated. After the waiter left the table he spoke. “Aunt P. I do like Vanna as a neighbor, but I'm not attracted to her in the sense of dating. I am however interested in Kayla.”

  Petunia's fork clanked against the plate. “What?”

  “You heard me. I want to get to know her better. I'm a grown man and I don't need you to approve of her.” He said leaning forward meeting her gaze.

  “You're just so different.” She started talking again.

  “Yes and you know what, I love those differences. Aunt P. she makes me feel alive, like anything is possible. May be the difference you have a problem with is that she's black.” He accused.

  “I do not.” Petunia protested. I have no problem with black people. I'm not prejudiced.

  “Then what differences are you referring to? You haven't even tried to get to know her. Have you spoken with her at all since last week?” Seeing the look on her face, he knew the answer to his question. “I didn't think so.”

  Petunia sat back in her chair looking at the determined set face of her godson. He was taking a stance on this. She didn't really have anything against Kayla. She had just decided that Vanna was the one for him, but he clearly didn't see it that way. She smiled at him, a real genuine loving smile. “Okay, I promise to stay out of your love life and I will get to know her. You know I only want what's best for you and I want you to be happy. I will get to know her.” That was the last thing Petunia said on the subject. They spent the rest of their lunch talking about her upcoming anniversary party and what she could get for Stanley as a present.

  After lunch the walked around the various stores in the strip. They went into a few of them to examine possible presents for Stanley. Although Aunt P. didn't choose anything in any of them, she had a lot of ideas of what he might like. Daniel checked the time; he guessed that it was safe to head home. Whatever Stanley was up to should be done by the time they arrived back at the house.

  Daniel was nearing their street when Petunia said, “Wow, that tow truck is towing a car that looks just like my old Corvette. I mean just like it.” Daniel saw the truck passing and had to admit it did look a lot like the car he'd seen her driving when he was younger. As he pulled up in front of their house. Stanley was standing outside talking with Kayla. Petunia got out of the car before Daniel could get out and open her door. The garage door was still up and her car was gone. He followed her.

  “Hello Kayla.” She spoke and then directed her attention to Stanley. “I just saw a tow truck driving away with what looked suspiciously like my Corvette.”

  Before she could say anything else. Stanley held up his hand halting her. “It was your Corvette. I got tired of it taking up space in the garage.”

  “Did you sell my car Stanley Herbert Coleman?”

  Daniel could see this was going to be a big fight between them. He grabbed Kayla's hand, who had been watching with a grimace on her face, and pulled her back to his car.

  “It would be best if we don't get involved in this.” he said to her when they were by his car.

  Kayla looked back over her shoulder as Petunia's voice rose. “Maybe you're right.” She turned to find him looking at her with a big smile.

  “Did you just come from work?” He asked.

  “Yes, In fact I should get back to the garage.”

  “You have oil or something on your face.” He said.

  Kayla looked at her hands, which were just as dirty and then smiled at him. “It would do me no good to clean it off, in half an hour it will be dirty again.”

  Daniel laughed with her. “What time are you getting off work?” He asked her.

  “I don't really know. It may be late. Why?”

  “Can I call you later?”

  “Since I don't know what time I will be finished, how about I call you when I get home?”

  She said tilting her head back to look him in the eye.

  “Okay, doesn't matter what time.” He just wanted to talk to her.

  Kayla looked over to Stanley and Petunia who were moving towards the house. “Okay, I really have to go.” She pointed. “Are they gonna be okay?”

  Daniel glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah, She's got him wrapped around her little finger. I bet you a hundred bucks he will end up getting the car back even though it's been years since she drove it.”

  “Well I'm no fool so I'm not taking that bet.” She said moving to cross the street to her truck.

  She hopped in, started the truck and waved to him as she passed him.

  Daniel watched as she drove away. Even with oil and dirt smudges she was incredibly beautiful. He was surprised that Aunt P. gave in to their argument so easily, but she was full of surprises. Right now she was giving Stanley the blues and he couldn't wait to hear about it tomorrow at the poker game.

  Chapter 6

  Kayla

  When Kayla returned to the garage she went over the Corvette with Lee taking notes. “This is in pretty good condition. Like Stanley said it needs some cosmetic changes and some tender loving care.” Kayla gave Lee a list of parts to locate and order for those changes. Once she got under the hood and examined the engine block she was certain that she could have it ready in time for anniversary party they were having in a few weeks. At the end of the day she spoke with the rest of her crew about the tasks that needed to be completed on the new project.

  It was past eleven when she finally got home. She showered and threw on an old t-shirt and shorts before going up to her TV room at the top of the stairs. Getting comfortable tucking her feet under her she found a program to watch and called Danny.

  His voice was soft and gravely as if she'd woken him. “Hello.”

  “Hi, did I wake you?” We can talk tomorrow,” she said feeling bad about how late it was.

  “I was just dozing waiting for you to call. So you're home now?”

  “Yes. I got in a lil bit ago and now I'm all cleaned up. No car oil or dirt smudges.” she replied.

  “What are you wearing?” he said with a chuckle.

  “Really, you want to know what I have on right now?”

  “Yes and I want to know what you are doing. I'm trying to picture you exactly as you are.”

  “I'm upstairs in my TV room, sitting on the sectional with my feet tucked under me and I have on a t-shirt and shorts.”

  “What color?” He asked. She could hear the smile in his voice.

  “My shorts are pink and my shirt is white.” Two could play this game. “What are you wearing and what are you doing?”

  “I am also upstairs, but I'm laying in bed in the dark.” He paused not sure if he wanted to tell her the truth of what he was wearing.”

  “And?” she prompted.

  “I have on pajama bottoms.”

  “Aw man.” she whined. They both laughed.

  “Disappointed?” he asked smiling.

  “A little, but I'm sure you're every bit as sexy in pajamas as you would be naked.” She would love to continue this line of thought, but thought it would be better if their first phone call didn't turn to phone sex so she changed the subject. “Tell me about your day?”

  Danny told her about his day and more than once said something along the lines of knowing that his life must seem terribly boring to her. Kayla stopped him the second time he said it. “Don't assume that's what I think. It sounds like that's what you think and if it is, there is only one person who can change that. Right?”

  Dann
y took a deep breath and sighed. “You're right. Tell me about your day. Where do you work?”

  Kayla wasn't sure if she wanted to get into how successful she was just yet. She didn't think that Danny was the type to be intimidated by her success, but she wasn't ready to find out either. Plus she made a promise to Stanley and if he came by and saw the corvette he might let it slip and she couldn't let that happen. “A garage, silly.” she giggled hoping to keep her vagueness from showing. She knew that he would know that she made good money or she wouldn't have been able to afford to buy her home. She was still adjusting to how much wealth she had and her father had always told her no one needs to know what's in your bank account unless they are helping you pay your bills.

  He laughed, “I know that. Have you worked there long?”

  Kayla pulled on a strand of her hair twisting it into a faux dred. “No, just a few weeks.”

  “Do you work certain hours and certain days of the week? I noticed that you were working on Saturday. Do your days off rotate?”

  “The garage is open Tuesday through Saturday from ten am to eight pm. I however, love my job so much that I go in early and stay late a lot.”

  “All work and no play... as they say.” Danny quoted.

  “Ah, but Kayla is not a dull girl.” She said.

  “No you're not.” He agreed. He did not think she was dull in any way. “What time do you go on break? In case I wanted to take you out for lunch.”

  “Well,” She started, “I can pretty much go at any time as long as you give me an hours notice.”

  “Cool.” He said then asked, “What are you doing two weeks from tonight?”

  Kayla thought for a moment realizing that was the night she was to deliver the Corvette to Stanley at the Dallas Country Club for their anniversary party. He had invited her to attend as well. “Working.”

  “Can you request a night off? I'd like you to go to an party with me?”

  Kayla laughed, tickled that he was inviting her to a party she was already invited to, but of course he didn't know that. “Sure I can.”

  “Great I will pick you up at seven.” he said sounding relieved.

  “I live right next door to you. I can meet you out front.” She said.

  “I am a gentleman and I will come to your door.” He said in a fake haughty voice.

  Kayla laughed, “But of course sir. Please forgive me.” she matched his fake voice. She yawned and added. “I've enjoyed our talk, but I am fading fast.”

  Danny wanted to keep her on the phone, but responded. “Goodnight and sleep well.”

  “Goodnight Danny.” Kayla disconnected the call and placed the phone on the table before pulling a throw over her legs and sinking down into the cushions of the sofa. She liked talking to him. He was funny and sweet.

  *****

  Daniel

  Daniel laid his phone on the the bedside table, smiling to himself. He wanted to continue their conversation, but he could tell she was tired and he knew that her job was probably physically demanding. He pictured her sitting with her smooth brown legs tucked under her wearing close fitting pink shorts and a cropped white shirt, her breasts full and nipples showing through the material. He wanted to feel her soft lips against his as he kissed her. He lay there touching himself intimately imagining that it was her hand stroking his hardness.

  He thought of what it would feel like to lay her here in his bed, spread her thick chocolate thighs and make love to her all night, to feel her wetness and have her gripping and squeezing his butt as he plowed into her over and over. Would she scream his name as she came? Daniel's hand moved faster and faster until his release spurted out of him and he called out her name. “Kayla, yes, yes. Kayla.”

  Daniel lay there for a moment catching his breath. He hadn't done this since high school, but tonight he couldn't help himself. Kayla's voice and her innate sexiness had him hornier than he'd been in a long time. He slid out of bed laughing to himself, knowing that until he got to be with Kayla, he would be self-pleasuring a lot.

  As he cleaned himself and changed the sheets, he thought about what she'd said about his life. She'd said it was him that thought his life was boring. She was right. He lived a very routine existence. He did the same things all the time. He had no real excitement in his life at all. If someone were to write a book about his life it would be the same chapter written over and over again. He wanted her to know that he wasn't just some old “white bread” guy. He could be exciting and spontaneous. He wanted to be someone that she wanted to be around, someone fun and interesting. When he was finished with the bed he lay on his back with his hands behind his head thinking and smiling before he drifted off.

  *****

  Kayla

  Kayla's arm felt like a lead weight. She tried to move it but she couldn't feel anything. She opened her eyes and found that she was still in the TV room. She moved to sit up. She turned the TV off and then rubbed her arm starting to feel tingles as it came back to life. Pushing the throw off, she stood and made her way to the half bath in the corner of the room. She'd slept on the sofa all night. It was very comfortable except for how she had thrown her arm out and it was now asleep. By the time she finished and had washed her hands most of the feeling in her arm was back.

  She spent the morning doing laundry and cleaning her house. Lee called to tell her about the cute young stud he met while trolling bars the night before. He laughed when she told him what she was doing. He found it amusing that as a millionaire she was still doing her own house keeping and laundry. Even though she had money she didn't see any reason to have strangers touching her underwear. He changed the subject asking, “What about Mr. bootylicious? Has he touched your underwear yet?”

  “Lee! You are so disgusting.” she joked.

  “I'll take that as a no. It's been a while for you Hon. You need to let him knock the cobwebs out of that thing.”

  “I'm hanging up now, you pervert.” She said laughing hardily and ending the call.

  By noon she had finished around the house and was on her way to Holly's for lunch. Holly and Matt lived three houses down from her on the same side of the street in a two-story brick home. Holly opened the door hugging her and ushering her in. “Come on in. Matt took the girls to the park for a few hours so we could have some girl time.” Kayla followed her through the house to the patio. “The weather is nice today so I thought we'd sit outside. Thank goodness the summer weather is leaving us for a bit.”

  Kayla sat at the table on the patio that Holly had set up for lunch. “This is beautiful.” She said looking around the garden and play area for the kids.

  “Thanks, I hope you don't mind grilled chicken salad for lunch. No one in this house wants to eat anything green, but me.” She laughed.

  “No, that's great.” Kayla told her as Holly served her a plate and then poured her a glass of lemonade.

  “So I saw you talking to Daniel yesterday.” Holly said as she served herself.

  Kayla laughed. “Yes we spoke.” She wondered if Holly had seen her come with the tow truck. She didn't want to give away Stanley's secret.

  “I think he likes you.” She said in a teasing voice.

  Kayla smiled at Holly and bowed her head saying a silent prayer over her meal.

  When she raised her head Holly spoke. “Matt mentioned that you two have gone out.” Kayla could tell she was hoping for more information.

  “Yes, after you all welcomed me to the neighborhood.” Kayla said as she ate.

  “From what Matt says, “You two had a lot of fun.”” She cocked her head to the side. “It's funny to me, but Daniel doesn't seem like the having fun type.”

  “What do you mean?” Kayla asked

  “Oh nothing bad. He's just more of the steady as a rock kind of guy. He's incredibly handsome and well mannered, but he doesn't strike me as the fun loving guy. What did you guys do?”

  Kayla told Holly about the night they went out. Holly seemed very surprised at the Karaoke singing especia
lly the part of him rapping. “That's very interesting. So when are you to going out again? I assume that you do like him, right?”

  Kayla smiled. “I do like him. He asked me to be his date for the Coleman's anniversary party.”

  “That's great.” Holly said, and then frowned.

  “What's wrong?” Kayla asked

  “Well I was just thinking about Vanna.”

  “Do you think she will make a scene?” Kayla asked

  “No, she's got enough on her mind right now. I'm sure that seeing you and Daniel together isn't going to be an issue.” Kayla stopped eating knowing that there was more to be said. Holly continued. “She got fired from her job apparently the scandal with her husband got back to her boss and they let her go.”