walkingreading

                 glancedup over the top of his book spied the road ahead

a tall woman sixfooter easy walking towards him

blouse

skirt

buxom

redhead                                                                  

dropping his eyes he slipped left giving her pass on his right along the edge of the roadaway from traffic should it appear nothing forwardheard nothing behind

assumed a hello as they closed and lookingup to greet her she beat him to the punch

                                                                                         Good afternun.

nice freckles Yes  A good afternoon  Howya doin

she slowed I am well, thank ye. And you?

slowing Im awright

Awright, awright. she smiledliked it in her mouth   Awright.

                                                                 she stopped   I wonder.

he pausedclosed the book on his finger  Yah

I . . I wonder if you could help me with something.

Depends

she mused It depends.  Yes.

                                 You care for mysteries?

It depends

mused deeper Depends . aye?

                                    Perhaps you’d consider . . . something unexpected?

Whellfuck how would she know

                               stridently  Yes I do 

Ahha . I thought so.

You intrigue me Its not often I hear unexpected

To be honest, it was unexpected I happened to catch you through my livingroom window not soon after I moved in. I was working.  Since, I’ve watched you walk back and forth . virtually . . every day, a bit of a fixture, albeit a moving fixture. Past couple weeks I’ve taken my lunch on the porch anticipating you strolling by.

                                                                                     How many books do you read a week?

Were I to read a book at a time a couple at least

A book at a time?

I juggle seven to ten intersperse subject matter Like changing TV channels

                                                                                Usually finish one one of them in a weektwo weeks

Hmm.

       I've waved to you a few times. You haven't seen me.

Not roadside right  My peripheral is cued left  The road

Of course of course. Makes perfect sense

                                            So . . might you kindly help me with something?

My name’s Aisling. she thrusted her hand towards him

he took itadmired her grip Joe

Would you help?

Id be happy if I can

Then come with me.

reversing himselfwalking beside her he slipped the bookmark in place of his finger and dropped the book in the canvasbag hanging from his shoulder

they crossed several lots to a fresh crushedstone drive  he recalled  little more than a month ago it was levelled  laid

he liked how it moved under his feet

he liked how she moved on it

a small bungalow front porch slider rocker separated by a wood crate candles ceramic candleholders

                                                                                                             inviting

opening the woodframed screen door he held it as she unlocked the heavy unassailable front door

entering she casually kicked off her shoes onto a colourful handtied throwrug

he followed in suit

Home Sweet Home.

the livingroom was sparse  spartan

two upholstered easychairs didnt match eclectic woodcrate between them  overhead lightfan fixture before the broad casement window facing the street a sixfoot desktable three shallow drawers  great curvaceous carved wood legs

Nice legs

Arent they though?

                     Was a good price. I asked if there was a second. Yes. Righter yet.

Righter he liked it The second’s my diningroom table.

he glanced in four mismatched woodchairs

on the desk was an tall ironworked lamp keyboard  three computer screens

Three

Yes. I work from home. I bounce around quite a bit.

                                                       Beauty and the Bane.

I thoroughly enjoy my work my space . however . . they come at a price. Social and society . . scarce.

The walls

No art. You noticed. Art’s in my bedroom.

                                             You also noticed my bookshelves.

modest  upright

You want to appraise my books, my taste.

If I may

Of course.  as he crossed the room she asked if hed like something to drink  I have water, homemade lemonade, cold coffee, beer.

absently Water please

                              And how can I help

he heard her pour two glasses

she walked up behind him

                             Here you go, Joe.

turning book in hand opened  eyes in it

                                            Millers Sexus  Hardbound    Arya kiddin me

I don’t kid, Joe.

lifting his eyes

                  Aislings blouse was unbuttoned  bra unhooked   loose

Do you think you can help me?  

1330ish,  day-between-2-Ts,  12  6. 24

2121,  Sunday,  16  6. 24