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It was a Saturday, as June Garrison, along with her son, Marc, waited at her new condo for the moving van. With the divorce settled, her daughter just out of college, and her youngest, Marc, set to start college in the fall, June was stepping down to a smaller place, which, she hoped, would make the transition to an empty nest easier.
The day was spent directing the movers as box after box of belongings came in. By midday, most things were inside, and the task of organizing loomed, when June heard a knock at the open front door.
"Hello?" a voice called.
June turned to find a pretty young woman smiling at the entrance.
"You must be my new neighbor!" the young woman said. "I'm Michelle, in 2C, next door."
"Oh, hello! Marc! Come meet our neighbor," June called to her son.
Marc stepped out of his room and beheld a most stunning woman. As an eighteen-year-old, he was drawn to almost every young woman he saw. But this one seemed above any he could recall. An irresistible smile and a round face, framed by strawberry blonde hair, on top of, what was to him, a perfect figure. He guessed she was in her late twenties and was instantly captivated.
As Marc walked to them, he collected himself enough to remember to make eye contact and ignore the hint of cleavage exposed by her V-neck top.
"Marc, say hello to Michelle, our neighbor in... 2C was it?" June asked.
Michelle nodded.
"Marc won't be a neighbor for long. He's off to the University of Michigan in the fall."
"Nice meeting you, Marc." Michelle smiled, holding out her hand.
He couldn't help but lock his eyes on her as he shook her hand.
"Well, I'm sure you have a lot to do today. But if you need anything, don't hesitate," Michelle added, before walking out the door.
Marc stared, as he watched those tight jeans sashay away.
"Back to work, young man!" June smirked, fully knowing how every pretty woman caught his eye.
It was well past six PM when some semblance of order appeared in their new home.
"I'm too tired to cook. You?" June asked her son.
"Not really," he replied.
"I noticed a pizza place down the road. I'll call in an order. You pick it up," June offered, knowing her son never tired of pizza.
He returned, pizza in hand, and headed up the stairs to find Michelle and a young man coming down. She was even more beautiful than the first time they met. She was in a short dress and heels that showed off her legs and form perfectly, added to the plunging neckline that gave him an eyeful of her deep cleavage. Marc stopped to let them pass, giving him a chance to look her over -- and him.
The man was a little older than her, he guessed. And the type of guy a woman like that deserved, in his mind, trim and movie-star looks.
"Hi, Marc! Dinner, I see. Enjoy!" she exclaimed, as they headed down the stairs.
"You too!" Marc called out, giving him a chance to admire her a bit longer.
"'Bout time! I'm starved," June declared, as he entered.
Over dinner he told his mother about Michelle's date.
"Good looking, huh?" his mother replied. "Better a good man. As I learned from your father, good looks aren't enough."
Sunday was spent finishing organizing and shopping for food. And with Monday, came June's first day at her new job; one of the reasons they moved to a new city. So, Marc spent the day exploring what would be his hometown for the next couple of months.
That evening, over dinner, June explained she would be working a bit late the next few days.
"I have a lot to learn at this new job. Public relations is not as easy as people think."
So, Tuesday was spent much like the previous day by Marc. He was never particularly good at making friends. And he particularly missed his girlfriend. Knowing he wasn't likely to find one before leaving for college, it was all starting to make him feel a bit lonely.
It was going on four o'clock when he arrived home, a grocery bag in his arms, when he ran into Michelle.
"Food shopping?" she asked?
"Uh, yeah. Home from work?" he replied.
"Yeah. I'm an early bird. Into work early, home early," she answered.
"Um, would you like to come in?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Thank you!" she smiled. And it was that smile that was getting to Marc.
They settled in the kitchen where Marc put away the groceries.
"So, you do your share of the food shopping?" Michelle asked.
"Particularly when I cook. Mom's working late today."
"A man who cooks! Best way to a woman's heart," she teased.
Marc blushed before rejoining, "Not a good cook. But Mom seems to appreciate my trying."
"Oh, I'm sure she does appreciate you cooking for her."
"Mostly things like pasta, what I'm making tonight. But I do have a good chili recipe." He smiled, before realizing it sounded like bragging.
"So, got a girlfriend?" she asked.
Marc blushed again. "No. Not since we moved. Had one back home."
"Was it serious?" she continued.
"Uh, I dunno. I guess. And the guy I saw you with Saturday?" Marc said, hoping to change the subject.
"Greg? Yeah. Been seeing him a couple months now. Good looking, but not the best in bed." She laughed.
Michelle saw him blush again and realized that that was not the thing to say to an eighteen-year-old. "Sorry, shouldn't have said that. Listen, I should go and let you cook. Give my regards to your mom."
Marc saw her to the door where they said goodbyes. And as he watched her walk to her place next door, he couldn't decide if her company made him feel better or worse.
Thursday, Marc was resolved. He liked her company. Maybe he could only admire her from afar, but perhaps, he could admire her over the dinner table. Knowing when she usually arrived home, Marc waited.
"Michelle!"
She turned to see Marc approaching.
"Marc!" she smiled, "Shopping again?"
"Yeah. Never made salmon before. Hope I don't screw it up."
"Oh, I doubt it," Michelle replied.
