The sun was rising over the mountains and creating patterns in the grove next to my backyard. I tried making out the patterns without getting up but it was too exciting. So I got up and went out on my new balcony to breath in the air. A breeze floated up from the river and brought with it a cool smell of dust. At least that's what I imagined it was. Driving into the valley from the airport the day before I had noticed how the fields alternated between groves of nut trees and the low fields where the tomato harvest was well underway. The trees looked so lush in the blistering heat and then contrasted with the plumes of dust from the tomato trucks zipping recklessly back and forth on the narrow country roads.
I was divorced now a few years so when I got invited to take a job here, I jumped at the chance. My son was in college back east so there was nothing anchoring me anymore to that place.
I relished the new climate even if it was foreign to me. Hot, dry, bright, and no more humidity. I bought myself a little townhouse in one of those housing developments where the houses were packed together like sardines but the interior was open and spacious. I had made the purchase over many video calls with a realtor without ever setting foot here, so waking up in this new place without furniture was even more odd than the first night anywhere else I had moved before in my life.
The whole upstairs was a master suite, with a bathroom larger than my bedroom in my former house. There was a small guest bedroom downstairs but otherwise the main level was one giant space for living and cook. I could imagine it would be tough with kids running around but it felt perfect for me at this stage of my life.
Out here on the balcony from my bedroom, I enjoyed the cool breeze knowing it would be 50 degrees hotter by mid afternoon. Looking around I could see nearly every backyard down the block. Despite the similarities, they were all had noticeable differences, some had small pools, some had fake grass and some looked like desert gardens of small spiky plants. Mine was brown and scorched as the previous owner ignored it, but the realtor had said enthusiastically, "it's a blank canvas!"
A woman next door was out watering her patio plants under a pergola covering well established plants. She was wearing a short robe and while I couldn't discern much about her from my vantage point, I could see she was shapely in the right way, tanned legs, and auburn hair. Her house must have been the choice lot since it was on the corner with a field on the far side in addition to the grove that lined the backs of our houses. Her yard seemed a little more designed than the ones to the other side of me like she had been her longer.
She saw me and waved as if my watching her was the most natural thing in the world. I guess the stereotype of this being the most friendly state in the union were correct. I waved back and headed inside. The moving truck would arrive soon and I remembered seeing little coffee shop on my way into town which was just what I needed.
...
Later that day, the moving truck came and went. There wasn't much to unload but I wouldn't have to sleep on the floor tonight. I went to the grocery store, it was a local chain--at least I'd never heard of it--and I was taking my time trying to figure out where things were, the long aisles reminding me of the view into the grove out my back deck. Surprising no one, the produce section was full of large colorful items that would put any place in the east to shame. I spent the most time there wondering how deep into the winter I would be making a fresh things for dinner.
As if reading my thoughts, a voice next to me said, "these are all local, you should see the peppers over there."
I turned and was met with a smiling face. She was likely my age but glowing as opposed to the toughness the east coast wore on people my age. Her hair was highlighted in stunning shades of auburn, either from the sun or from lots of money. Having been here only 24hrs I didn't know the difference. While a little shorter than me and by no means large, she had a curvy and soft appearance that I had grown to appreciate as I aged. And a delightful flowing sundress that highlighted her skin tone.
I smiled back reflexively, "thank you! I'm thinking of making a salsa tonight."
"Can't go wrong here." She reached in front of me and took some giant plum tomatoes, put them in her cloth bag and moved on. She gave me a lingering look as she went back to her cart. I watched her as she walked off and once she got to the other side of the section, I realized that this was likely my new neighbor. Her breezy light perfume lingered behind teasingly begging me to follow.
We moved through the aisles opposite each other so we kept passing. At first barely an acknowledgement but by the time we both ended up in the wine section at the far end, we had spoken several times--it would have been awkward not to.
Pulling up next to her cart where she was standing studying the reds, I said, "since I'm new to this area, can you recommend something local?"
Without looking up at me she reached out and selected one and handed it to me. "It's a Zinfandel from near where I grew up a little ways from here. They might only have like a decade left growing this type of grape since it can't handle the rising temps. But it's one of my favorites."
I looked at her and then the bottle. "Thanks, and some local knowledge too." I paused, "that makes this a pretty special bottle then."
"You get attuned to the landscape living here," she smiled.
"My name is Eric," I held out my hand.
"Sandra." Again the broad smile as she took my hand.
"I think we might be neighbors actually?" I offered hoping I was right.
"Ah my watcher from the balcony, did your furniture get unloaded ok?"
"Mostly, Yes thank you. Still need to put some... actually most of the stuff together really. "
"Well look, I need to get on with my errands but why not swing by later? I can tell you all about the area." She winked, "bring that wine. I probably have more places to sit than you."
...
The sun was still blazing hot despite its low angle as I walked the short distance from my front door to Sandra's later that evening. The breeze was back and compared to what I was used to on the east coast, this was downright pleasant.
I knocked.
Sandra opened the door without too much delay and waved me in. Her house was cool and shaded, the AC of these new houses easily keeping everything under control.
"I got some glasses out already." As if that was going to be a concern of mine.
She brought me out to the patio I had watched her work around earlier this morning and gestured to a chair in the shade while she uncorked the wine. "So Eric, what made you move here?"
