I've lived in my house for several years now and due to my busy schedule at work have had little time to get to know my neighbors or anyone else for that matter. I could go on and on about my life, but I won't bother you with those details.
Josh and Renee are my next door neighbors and they're a beautiful couple in their mid-thirties. They have three daughters and they seem to have the whole storybook marriage going on. That's why it was such a surprise to me to see Renee and the girls leave in a van to the airport for Christmas while Josh stayed behind. From the kiss goodbye that he gave to Renee I knew there was nothing wrong with their marriage, but still, to see your family leave you alone for Christmas isn't right.
Being as that I didn't bother them all that much it really wasn't any of my business. But still, Josh was attractive and his way with his little girls was so...sexy! There's something that's just so seductive about a man who's good with children...it makes you want him.
Fast forward three days to Christmas Eve and we're having the storm of the century it seems. The National Weather Service was sending out alerts on the TV almost constantly to announce new flooding in different areas and even a few rare tornadoes. I felt even more alone as nature vented her fury at the earth.
Around seven that night the rain was just coming down in sheets and I figured it was somehow appropriate for me to be spending yet another Christmas Eve alone. Naturally, I got a hot bath going and then cracked open my gift to myself for the season, a bottle of single-malt Scotch older than I am. Between the several shots of Scotch and the hot bath I was soon blissfully ensconced in the comforts of the season. Mozart, Domain & Chandon, bubble bath...life can be good even in the midst of the storm.
And then I heard a big bang of some sort and the power went out. I sighed and realized that it was my lot in life to never enjoy a moment of peace. I got up out of the bath and just grabbed my robe and wrapped it around me. Looking out the window I could see the whole neighborhood was dark.
Naturally, that was the moment my garbage cans got blown over. Loudly.
"Dammit!" I said as I padded downstairs to clean up the mess I knew I'd find. I could hear the wind outside as I went into the garage and the chill went through me as my bare feet hit the cold concrete.
The rain was almost coming down sideways and the wind was just awful. I propped the side door to my garage open with an empty soda can and went about getting the mess cleaned up and put in order so's I could get back to my warm bath all the sooner.
Once again, the Fates pulled down their panties and peed on me.
The garage door was pushed in by the wind and I watched as my soda can blew away and then the wind changed direction and I watched in slow motion, it seemed, as the only way into my warm house slammed shut.
I honestly don't remember screaming, but I guess I did. I banged on my door and pleaded with it to open and, predictably, it didn't. I gave up and sat down in the rain and just whimpered and cried knowing full well I'd be spending the night outside.
My indulgence in my misery lasted maybe two or three minutes when I heard a familiar voice and looked up to see a flashlight in my eyes.
