Valerie stared out the kitchen window at her neighbour across the alley. She'd met Patrick when he'd moved in, and while he had been polite, they hadn't maintained any contact more than a smile and wave if their paths crossed. But she'd been up close to him and that face had stuck in her memory. He was so pretty.
She looked back down at her hands in the soapy water. Valerie had been married to Toby for just six months now but had started to imagine Patrick making love to her, closing her eyes tightly when Toby made his inexperienced advances; in order to see Patrick's gorgeous face. Her neighbour had long, dark curly hair, wonderfully pronounced cheekbones, the greenest eyes she'd ever seen and the plumpest, reddest, most kissable lips.
Of course she loved Toby, he adored her, but he wasn't very confident in his love making and she needed someone to take charge. She imagined that her beautiful neighbor could be that lover. Not that she'd ever really sleep with him. But could it hurt to imagine it? In her mind, he was so masterful and knew just where and how to touch her, to awaken her desire. Toby did his best, but needed guidance, and Valerie was quite often too lost in her own little fantasy to actually guide him.
She stood at the kitchen sink, slowly washing up their tea things, staring out of the window, straight into Patrick's kitchen window. Her neighbour had been up and about early today, and had driven off, looking very cheerful, then gone all day. As she rinsed off the dishes his car pulled up. He had someone with him and Valerie craned her neck to see. It was ok. It was another guy. Quite a bit shorter, sandy haired, stocky build and as he looked about him, he looked straight through her window. He smiled, showing beautiful straight, white teeth and dark brown eyes.
Valerie was curious and prolonged the washing up. Her heart sank as the soapy water cooled. She watched them carry box after box into the house, laughing and smiling all the while. They were moving in together. She watched them in their kitchen, surrounded by boxes of possessions, as they embraced.
She felt sick, like she'd been betrayed. How could he? She pulled out the plug impulsively, splashing herself. She dried her hands quickly and rushed upstairs, tears running down her cheeks.
She knew she was being silly, and had intended to throw herself on the bed and have a good cry, but instead blew her nose and looked out of the window. This gave her a good view into into his living room and across to his bedroom. There was a teddy bear sitting on the floor by her window (a Valentine's Day present from Toby) and she took great delight in kicking it clear across the room. She leaned on the window sill, her jaw rigid and her teeth grinding.
Her perfect lover was gay. That was just perfect. Even in her fantasies she could get no relief.