I was working late one Thursday night, trying to get a little bit ahead of the game so that I could enjoy a long weekend. I work from home, and while you'd think that would allow for as much free time as I care to take, that's hardly the case. I'm a freelance writer, and there are always deadlines I need to meet, and they usually all come at the same time.
So, this particular Thursday evening, I was burning the midnight oil, finishing up a rough draft of a piece that was due early the next week. Just as I was shutting down my laptop for the night, my doorbell rang. I jumped. My house is at the end of a dirt road, and though I have a few neighbors within walking distance, I've never had any of them visit at this hour!
I rose and peeked through the curtains at my front window, my heart still racing. I had my cell phone in my hand, just in case I found myself in need of making an emergency call to the police, but realized that it was my neighbor's son, Mark. He was a few years older than me, probably in his late 30s, and he was fairly good looking. I'd only met him casually a few times when he was visiting his dad, so I was surprised to see him on my doorstep at midnight.
My next thought was that his dad, Mr. Carson, had been hurt or had a heart attack. I flipped on the porch light and quickly opened the door.
"What's wrong? Did something happen to your dad?" I asked. Mark smiled, his dark green eyes glinting in the porch light.
"No, sorry to bother you so late. Dad's fine. He's asleep. I, uh…well, this is kind of lame, but, I was up and saw your light on and thought I'd stop down to see you, that's all. Dad always tells me how you check in on him and all. I appreciate that. Just wanted to thank you in person."
"Oh, well, you're more than welcome," I replied, at the same time wondering why his thanks couldn't wait until the next day. I didn't have time to ask.
"Um, mind if I come in for a bit?" he asked. He was tan and I could tell he took care of himself, his full chest rippling against the navy t-shirt he had on.
"Well, um….no, I suppose…"
He came in at that, brushing against my arm as he passed by. I felt an involuntary thrill pass through my body.
"So, Carlie…that's your name, right?" I nodded. "Carlie…you look like you were working," he said, nodding toward the now shut down laptop, papers still spread over the table nearby. "Am I interrupting?"
"Oh, no…just finished up. I was going to be heading for bed soon," I said, putting all of my papers together, feeling just a little invaded as he glanced over them.
"Hm," he nodded, looking around my simple living room. The house was small, but cozy. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "It's too quiet here for me to sleep well. I'm used to the city noises, I guess. Maybe you could help me out?"
"I'm not following…how?"
Mark walked over to me now, standing directly in my personal space. His eyes were fastened intensely on me now, roaming from my face to my hair and back down, across my ample chest…
"Maybe you could…make some noise with me, Carlie…help me get to sleep?"