A free mind was a perennial fountain of inspiration for any writer and hence having a control freak for a wife had its own uses. Paradoxical? That was one of the weird combinations that life threw up from time to time.
Jim had successfully written two novels which were selling well, not best-sellers his agent had gently reminded him. And for a 28 year-old-man, he was doing quiet well. His wife Lily took care of his appointments, travel plans and everything else, including deciding what he should wear and eat. This left him free to think creatively and so he let her take control of everything, except his mind.
The young couple traveled often and stayed in any place Jim selected, if he thought the atmosphere would stir his muse. Once the writer placed his finger on a locality on the map, the wife took over and arranged a well-furnished house to stay in.
Now, Lily was driving while Jim listened to music and tried to give shape to his characters as the evening sun went down slowly in the summer sky.
Jim and Lily were of the same height, 5.5 feet tall, and had pleasant features. They were a perfect foil as a couple; no stepping on toes or overlapping of roles. To their friends, it looked like Lily was the dominant partner. But it was a symbiotic relationship, they had explained to people who had, as is their wont, tried to drive a wedge between them.
Since Lily was thorough with the topography of the town they were going to, she located the house easily. Even as she parked the car in front of the house, a cheerful neighbor on the left side of their house greeted them loudly. Lily and Jim waved back and smiled. No harm in reciprocating the warmth displayed by friendly neighbors, the couple thought. The man was in white shorts, blue t-shirt, wearing a hat and was watering the plants in his small garden.
Lily and Jim went into their house which had two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. It was well-furnished with couches, chairs, a fridge, TV and beds and well-kept. That was exactly what Lily had wanted.
The couple carried into the house their two suitcases, mainly containing dresses, and their laptops. They bought any other essential things as and when they needed, preferring not to carry around too many stuff. Jim always said that if you traveled often, you learnt to pack light.
After they placed their laptops on a table in the bedroom and washed up, Lily went to make some tea and Jim looked out of the window and saw the neighbor still inspecting some plants in his garden.
By the time Lily finished making tea, Jim had put two chairs on the porch and a small teapoy and was waiting for her. She placed the tray on the teapoy and sat down.
"Nice place, Jim my dear," Lily said.
"Don't we always chose the right location," Jim smiled.
As they sipped the tea, the neighbor waved at them again.
"I am Peter. Tell me if you need help or anything. Drop in later and check out my wine," he said and the couple introduced themselves and said they would pay a visit soon. Peter continued inspecting his plants and snipping dead leaves.
Ten minutes later, Jim and Lily changed dress to visit their boisterous neighbor who they felt was too friendly for comfort.
"Do you think we should go to his house immediately," Jim asked.
"Oh! come on Jim. He called us and he looks nice, though he sounds imposing. But it is bad manners to ignore him, don't you know," Lily said and that was the end of the confusion, if there was one.
It turned out the overenthusiastic Peter was 35 and lived with his wife Jane who looked to be around 30. Peter ran a bar which was doing well. Both looked younger than they were, trim and good looking.
Jim noticed from the corner of his eyes that Jane had big round boobs unlike Lily's which were the size of berries. Hot neighbors, he thought.
"So Jim, what is your line,"' Peter asked as the four settled down on couches with the promised wine in their hands.
"He writes novels, has published two so far and he is planning his third," Lily gave a short introduction.
"Oh! Jeez! That's great. I always wanted to meet writers and see from close how their mind works," Peter said raising his glass.
"Yes. He goes off into his imaginary world now and then and I know he is fleshing out some characters and creating situations. I understand, and let him fly free in his own world," Lily said.
"Hmm ... dear, don't you feel bored?" That came from Jane.
