It starts out like any other evening, the sky turning from day to night, in transition with the pinks and blues on the horizon. I finish dinner, and begin to wash dishes when a loud flash of light startles me and I drop the plate back into the sink, soapy water splashing onto the floor. Laughing at how easy I was startled, I dry my hands and walk to the large patio window. Looking out just in time to see the sky light up, I notice the clapping boom that follows it. Wanting a closer look I open the patio door, stepping cautiously over the threshold. Standing out in the open, looking up, hearing the next boom and then I instinctively count, determining how far away it is by how close together they happen.
All of a sudden a voice causes me to jump. I flip my body around to the voice, and grasp my chest like it could have stopped. Squinting to see who it is, he says he is sorry; I see my neighbor as he comes a little closer. I tell him it's okay that I'm a little on edge anyway. I find it hard to catch my breath as my eyes are suddenly glued to his topless chest, running over every sculpted muscle. Feeling my face get warmer as my cheeks turn red, I bring my gaze up to his eyes. Realizing I have on only shorts and a tank top because of the recent heat wave, I smile coyly trying to keep my attention away from his body, talking about the weather and the brewing storm. I make eye contact, then have to avert my gaze because the sky lights up. Then the thunder booms loudly, startled I launch myself toward him.