Jake never wanted to touch someone so much in his life.
Here he was in his second month of social distancing, doing his civic duty by staying home, trying to help bend the curve.
He knew it was the right thing to do and in truth he didn't begrudge the sacrifice at all. At least he had a home to be confined to. Whatever it took to save lives. What he didn't expect though, and what was really starting to get to him, was how horny he had become as a result.
He had been in a bit of a dry spell before the health crisis anyway. He had broken up with his girlfriend about three months before. Work had been pretty demanding over the winter months and he was looking forward to getting out more in the springtime. Now, with the whole lockdown, he had all the time in the world, but he couldn't go out even if he wanted to.
And what made it worse was the woman on the third floor.
She had moved into the apartment right below his just two months earlier. She was, quite simply, a thing of beauty. Charcoal hair with skin as pale as a winter moon. A lithe body that seemed to float up and down the stoop of the brownstone they shared. He had first seen her when she was moving in, carrying boxes from a van, looking elegant even in jeans and a plaid workshirt. She had delicate features with intelligent green eyes that flashed with curiosity and humor. He was drawn to her at once.
He had first spoken to her when their paths crossed in the lobby. They were both checking their mailboxes.
"All moved in?" he said to her with a friendly smile.
"Still living amongst boxes, I'm afraid," she smiled back.
He detected an accent. French?
"My name's Jake. I live on the fourth floor."
"I'm Juliet. I ... live in a forest of boxes."
He laughed.
"So I've heard," he answered. "I noticed an accent. Are you French by chance?"
"Yes, I am. Have you been to France?" She sounded genuinely interested.
"I have. Several times. I love it there. Paris is amazing."
"Ah, that's my home. I find New York amazing too."
She was nice. Complimenting my city and all.
"You know," Jake said, "Riverside Park is two blocks that way and it's really beautiful this time of year. I mean, it's not the Luxembourg Gardens but...if you need to escape those boxes."
"I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip," she said with a winsome smile.
Later, he kicked himself for not asking her out right then and there. At least offer to show her around the park. But he didn't and now, with the lockdown, there was no chance of spending any real time with her.
Jake had moved to Manhattan two years before and rented an apartment on the Upper West Side. He worked in Chelsea as a visual designer at a tech startup. He'd come to New York after breaking up with his longtime girlfriend. They'd each gotten job offers in different cities and decided to go their separate ways. Not that they didn't care about each other. It just felt like the right thing to do. They were living on separate coasts and wanted to be free to live their lives. Jake had gone out with a few women during his time in New York but he was single now. Single and searching.
In the City, Jake felt like a kid in a candy store. Every party he went to, every bar he visited, even the office he worked in was filled with attractive women. Especially now that Spring had sprung, as New Yorkers ventured out after the long winter, the mood in the city had changed. Women in skirts and sheer blouses striding down the avenues. He'd smile at them and usually they'd smile back. It made him feel the world was full of beauty and possibility. Now, housebound and socially distanced, that part of New York's charm was nowhere to be seen. People would take wide berths when passing each other in the street, often times wearing a mask, and always averting their eyes. No, he was feeling socially isolated to the max. And he was horny as hell.
Then, one day, something remarkable happened. He had just gotten out of the shower when he noticed something on the floor -- someone had slipped a note under his front door.
"Jake -- I took your tip and strolled Riverside Park. The crocuses were lovely! Just what my soul needed. Merci bien, Juliet"
At the bottom of the note, there was a postscript:
"212-575-1212 -- in case you want to compare notes on urban parks"
He slapped the paper against the palm of his hand. Good things come to those who wait.
As Jake dressed, he thought about his next move. Should I wait to call her? Not come off as too needy? Nah, she took the first step, it's up to me to reciprocate.
He found his phone and tapped in the number.
"Allo," she answered with a lilt in her voice.
"Hi, it's Jake. I got your note."
"Oh Jake. Comment ça va?"
"Glad you enjoyed the park," he replied.
"The flowers were beautiful," she said. "It felt so good to get out in nature for a bit."
"Tell me about it. It feels good to actually talk to the someone from the outside world. I've been feeling a bit like Robinson Crusoe."
She did a short intake of breath as if to say "Oui."
"D'accord," she said. "I was feeling like Tom Hanks with his volleyball."
"Right," he chuckled. "Cast Away, wasn't it?"
"Ah, tu aime les films? Are you a movie fan?"
"Big time. Before the lockdown, I'd go to the movies all the time."
"Moi aussi. Me too. I miss them a lot."
We have things in common. Keep it going.
"Seen anything good lately? Anything you'd recommend?"
"Let's see. I saw 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' on streaming. Je l'aime beaucoup. I like it a lot."
"I saw it too. Fantastic. Great visual storytelling."
"Exactly," she agreed. "The two women were wonderful in it."
"I'd say 'let's go see a movie sometime' but it's not in the cards."
"Tant pis. Maybe in a few month."
"Yeah, maybe in a few month."
There was a silence.
"Listen," he said, "I'm heading out to the store. Can I get you anything."
"That's sweet. Where are you going?"
"Zabars. Getting a loaf of bread and some cheese. I'd be happy to pick something up for you."
"I love the Greek olives there."
"The black ones or the green ones."
"The black."
"You sure that's all you want?"
"Olives would be heavenly."
"You got it," he said.
Jake headed out wearing his mask. There was a bounce in his step as he strolled down West End Ave. For the first time in a while, he felt optimistic. Like there was something better waiting for him around the corner.
When she opened the door of her apartment a couple of hours later, Juliet found a small white box with a 3x5 note card leaning against it. On the card, filling the entire space, was an intricately drawn, old-fashioned movie ticket, complete with "Admit One" in vintage block lettering. Along the bottom, the fine print was written in perfectly-formed hand-written letters:
"Redeemable for a film of your choice anywhere in the city and state of New York to be viewed in the accompaniment of your neighbor Jake at a mutually agreed upon time and place. Includes an assortment of popcorn, beverage, movie candy, and of course -- kalamata olives."
She laughed as she headed to the kitchen. She placed the box of olives on the counter, still studying his drawing closely. She took a banana shaped magnet from the refrigerator door and used it to affix the card at eye level. She looked out the window, thought for a moment, and then looked back at the card. Then she reached for her phone, tapped Recent, and selected a number.
"Hello," Jake answered.
"I accept," she said, simply.
"Excuse me?"
"Your invitation ... I accept."
