I watched the changes that came over him. Slowly at first. Gradual. Changes, that had you not known johnnie like I do, may have gone unnoticed. His attire, the way he wore his hair. Simple, little things which when all the parts were added up, became greater than the whole. But what I didn't know at the time was that what was going on with johnnie would soon be my fate as well.
But first, let me start by telling you who I am and what I knew. Well, what me and most of the neighborhood knew. You see, in our little community every one's business is either known, talked about, or as in johnnie and Cindy's case, both.
And there was talk. How could there not be?
johnnie and Cindy moved into our little Southern Maryland neighborhood. It's really just a peninsula, a circle of a lane where the houses on the outer half, the right-hand side, face the water and the left-hand side homes are land locked.
johnnie and Cindy bought a lot at the head of the cove. The water is deep enough there for them to have installed a pier and bought a nice boat. A cabin cruiser. The Welcraft Coastal, 34' in length it came with twin inboard engines, full electronics, and most importantly, a party deck where johnnie and Cindy could host 8 people comfortably.
The home they built was nice. Not too big. Not ostentatious, but well-built and roomy. I happen to live across the street from the couple and got to know johnnie pretty good as he would come down every chance he could to supervise the construction.
johnnie is, well, how to describe him? He's a short dude; about 5' 6". A stiff wind could blow him away as he could be called slender. From the back, one might confuse him as being a woman. His hips were a bit too wide for a man, his ass a bit too plump, his shoulders a bit too narrow. Otherwise, johnnie is a nice guy. He's friendly, and has traits which my wife calls sweet. His disposition is pleasant, what some might call yielding. Never loud nor boasting, johnnie keeps a low profile. I always had the feeling that there was some under lying secret he was keeping to himself. Call it a gut feeling or intuition. But there was something unspoken which he managed to keep inside himself.
Cindy was a sharp contrast to her husband johnnie. She was a dish. Taller than he, she is nearly 6' tall. Her Amazonian build could have landed her a role as Wonder Woman. Large pointed breast, narrow waist, big fat booty, and legs. Legs any one would love to part. She dressed sexy too; short skirts and blouses that enhanced her breasts, tight pants which showed a well-defined camel toe. You just knew she wore thongs because her tight pants and shorts would have had to have a panty line, had she worn them.
Her hair had been bleached nearly white but somehow it suited her. Her eye make-up was unusually heavy and always on. Her lips, her fat, luscious, inviting lips were made to suck cocks. I mean no disrespect but you people out there, you know what I'm talking about.
She was brash, direct, and a sharp contrast to her demure husband.
The neighborhood ladies thought she looked slutty but the men all agreed she looked fuckable. Cindy had a window of doability which may only close when she leaves this earth. We were all jealous of johnnie. Yeah, we love our wives but even those of us on a strict diet can look at the menu now and then.
And there was not one of us who didn't think that she had married him for money. I mean it's like Marilyn Monroe marrying Wally Cox, that's right, Mr. Peepers himself but without the glasses.
I watched johnnie do the landscaping himself. Cindy, sitting in the shade with a cool drink barking orders like an over seer. He did a wonderful job though, even with Cindy changing her mind and having johnnie re-plant specimen shrubs, change the walk-way, things like that.
It was during this time that his attire began to change. I noticed that he went from jeans to very short and tight shorts when doing yard work. His tops also started to become smaller, tighter, and more revealing.
I had to ask my wife if I was seeing things when I noticed that his arms and legs were completely devoid of hair.
She concurred with my assessment.
Once the place was complete and they had their use and occupancy permit, they threw one hell of a party. They hosted the entire neighborhood. I watched Cindy work the room. She chatted up the women and openly flirted with all the men. She was completely at ease around all the people she had only just met.
johnnie, on the other hand, kept his low profile. Hardly noticeable, his job was to refresh drinks and offer snacks he carried around on a tray. Polite? Oh yes. Quiet? Absolutely. He seemed almost like the hired caterer. He appeared to be content in the secondary role he played.
While most of us male guests wore Dockers and boat shoes, johnnie wore what could only be described as women's clothes. The extremely tight white stirrup pants and espadrilles and cropped T-shit gave him a feminine air and was the cause of some derisive comments by my fellow neighbors.
The party wound down after mid-night and I heard Cindy tell johnnie to clean the mess, "I'm going to bed now. Please don't let me get up in the morning and see that you haven't completed your chores."
I helped him clean for a while and asked him what's up. "I mean she isn't going to help you?"
johnnie, ever the quiet guy shrugged, "It's okay Damon. I don't mind, really." Then he went about sorting out the glasses, ash trays, and plates.
When we finished, he looked at me and opened himself up as best he could. "Damon, it's complicated. Some people would not understand our arrangement but it suits us. Let's just leave it at that for now."
I didn't press him. Que sera sera I figured.
When I went to say good night, I was surprised that johnnie hugged me. "Thank you so very much Damon. You're a jewel."
I didn't obsess over that tender hug but it did cross my mind a couple times that night and the next day oat the office.
I got home from work on evening and my wife, whose name is irrelevant to this tale, told me that Cindy had a visitor. "A large black man drove up around ten and Damon, I swear I saw Cindy in a negligee when she opened the door."
"How long did he stay?" I asked.
"What? You think I'm a snoop?"
I knew she was but didn't respond. After 20 years of marriage, I knew when to pick my battles and where the traps are.
"I think he was at the party but didn't see much of him," she said.
I tried to keep from being interested but my curiosity was piqued. "Did you see him leave?"
"No Damon. What? You think I kept track of everyone there?"
"No dear," I said and left it at that.
Still though, I wondered about my new friend. So I made it my business to watch for strange people and cars.
I didn't have long to wait. Friday evening around 8 or so I saw an Eldorado pull into johnnie's driveway. A large handsome but stern looking black man emerged. I watched as johnnie came out to greet him. It was obvious to me that they knew one another.
The black man spoke and johnnie listened, nodding and saying something I was unable to hear.
Then the man went to johnnie's door where I saw Cindy waiting. Christ but she looked good. Wearing a flowing gown that even from the distance I was, I could see it was transparent. They kissed and the black man groped her, cupping that fine ass that all the guys in the neighborhood wished they could fondle.
johnnie was bringing an overnight suit case from the car and hurried past the still kissing couple on his porch.
It became clear to me then and there that or the three of them had a thing going on. But what could it be? I was certain there was sex involved. That was evident when I saw Cindy and their black friend kissing. But why was johnnie carrying his suitcase and why had he stood there and listened to what appeared to be a stern chewing out?
Call it bad judgement on my part but I was determined to find out what was going on over there.
I spoke to my wife (who shall remain nameless for the sake of her reputation and my well being) and she suggested we try to sneak a peek in one of their windows later that night.
"I don't know dear. What if we get caught?"
"We won't. Are you chicken or what?"
She knew which buttons of mine to push.
"No. I'm not chicken. What are you? Back in the third grade or something?"
"I'm just really curious Damon. Just like you. Admit it."
"I already did. I told you I wanted to find out what was going on. Christ. Can I be any clearer?"
Years of marriage had eroded our filters. I love my wife and she loves me but familiarity breeds contempt they say.
We did the unimaginable and became peepers that night. Or rather, we tried. Under cover of darkness, my wife and I, dressed in dark clothing, snuck across the street and around johnnie and Cindy's house. "I thought you said there was a window into their bedroom," my wife said.
"It's there babe. It's just too far off the ground for us to see in."
"Great. I'm out here with the great Mr. Cat Burglar who can't even find a fucking window," my wife said with disdain.
