Chapter 2

Once Spring arrived in full force, I spent more time outside working on the garden. Even though my late wife, Debbie, had been the one with the green thumb, I tried to maintain the flower beds. If nothing else, in her memory. Cancer had taken her just as I had retired, squashing our post-retirement plans. As much as thoughts of her tugged at my aching heart, there had already been so many tragedies in my endless life. At the end of the day, all I ever did was what I always did—adapt once more, harden my damaged soul, and move forward. Day after day.

But this had always been Debbie's house. It had been her way to keep me for herself, if not for as long as we wanted, at least while I was transitioning into the latest phase of my life. But now she was gone. And it hadn't taken long to let them ask me back to help. So, now I was busy at work once more, while also seeking a smaller place to live—with less memories.

Between clearing and replanting the beds, I did minor home repairs. Furthermore, as the trees and lawn greened, I took time to lounge around, staying outside more and more. Since my consulting business didn't take up much time, I scheduled my own virtual meetings. So, my primary determinant of when to saunter outdoors became if Mandy was in their yard. If she was out, I was out. While always greeting her with a wave and a hello, I would keep my distance, sitting in swim trunks or loose gym shorts and working on my tablet. All the while, she made a game of flashing glances whenever she thought I wasn't watching.

Every once and a while, her husband, Charles, was outside as well. Almost always, he would come over to chat about his latest business venture or an upcoming trip. Turns out he traveled a lot and for long stretches, which explained his bored wife's need for entertainment. All I told him was that after retiring, I now provided consulting from my home with the occasional short training trip. When I offered no details, he raised his eyebrows and tilted his head, but asked no more. Likewise, the first time he stepped close enough to scan the extensive scarring covering my frame, he said nothing when his eyes returned to my face.

"Some of my contracting involved interesting government work," is all I said before sipping my beer and staring out at the greening trees.

One day, Charles had just packed and was heading out for another long trip. As we sipped beers in his garage, he shoved the last of his luggage into the back of his compact car.

"Say, Jim." He looked up after slamming the trunk lid closed. "Look, you know we just moved here and well, Mandy doesn't really know anybody." He glanced at the house and continued. "She had been a stay-at-home mom while Susan was growing up. She talks about starting to work, but well, she says she's still getting settled."

"Yeh, I know how that is." Taking a sip, I nodded and turned to him. "My late wife, Debbie, had to do that every single time we moved. Find a job, get good at it, then we'd be transferred. Finding friends was always a challenge."

Charles nodded in understanding. "Could you just keep an eye on her? I mean, it's kinda isolated up here. I haven't even seen the other neighbors over there." He gestured to the two homes set back beyond the far side of the broad asphalt cul-de-sac.

"Sure. No problem. I do travel occasionally, but usually only for a day or two."

"Thanks, man. I, uh, well ... Just thanks."

After shaking hands, I wished him a safe trip, and he departed, his taillights disappearing into the gathering evening gloom. Sighing and then chuckling to myself, I sauntered home.

From then on, whenever Charles was away, I never bothered with shorts outdoors. And, since it was lighter in the mornings, I dragged my weights to the pool deck for post-swim workouts. In addition, work permitting, I gave up my swimsuit and lounged by the pool, working on my laptop or just enjoying the sun—no skin cancer for me. Each sunny day, as I soaked up the sunshine with my headphones in, the warmth loosened my nude frame and I gained the added benefit of teasing Mandy. The only thing separating our yards was a black iron grating fence, so she could see me lounging nude.

Early on, that was too much for her and Mandy's shadow would only flit in her windows, but one day I jolted in my chair when she stepped out to sun herself by their pool. Oh, she was so much fun; her dark sunglasses hiding her wandering eyes. However, all I ever did as this continued was acknowledge her with a quick wave and greeting. In response, she gave me an even quicker wave and then tore her head away from me. But each time I lay back to rest or did languid laps, if she thought I wasn't watching, once again her eyes tracked my every movement.

At the same time, Mandy's swimsuits got smaller and smaller. Petite though she was, their taut material highlighted her lean, well-formed frame. Charles had mentioned she had been a physical education instructor at one time, and it showed. Her spare frame hosted a pair of large, yet firm, breasts. Which, most of the time near me, were topped with sharp points.

Playful or hungry, that her efforts failed to get a reaction from me grated on her. Every time I packed up to leave her alone, I would catch her face falling and her shoulders slumping. And if she remained outside, she would shoot furtive glances at my house for any sign of my return. Taunting was fun too. So, some days, when I was feeling particularly impish, I would depart as soon as she settled into her lounger, greeting her in passing, never to return.

Whenever Charles was home, I could tell. If Mandy were outside, she wore conservative one-piece suits, whether her husband accompanied her or not. After a while, I decided to just continue my naked lounging. What was interesting, was that Charles would glance over, but say nothing. Though, whenever we chatted, I would wrap a towel around my waist. If Charles and I were talking, and Mandy approached, but I would remain focused on him. Several times, her face pinked up when I caught her quick glances at my towel.

Oh, Mandy was going to be so much fun to tease.