Milton just minded his own business right before midnight. He spent the last half-hour reading a novel in his living room. The thirty-eight-year-old man would usually decide to watch TV shows from his online subscriptions. But now, he was in the mood to delve straight into classic literature. He read the first few chapters of Cervantes's Don Quixote while listening to classical music on his stereo system. Reinhold Gliere's Harp Concerto had played at a low volume.
Milton immersed himself in the author's timeless words on a calm Saturday night. Higher temperatures had settled in the city of Simi Valley, which experienced a serene atmosphere in the beginning of August. The air conditioning was kept on, even as the heat had already died down after sunset. The weather in California would stay this way for the next week or so. Milton didn't mind the hot and dry summer days. With the city receiving a much-needed cooldown in the evening, the man continued to read Don Quixote while the second movement of Gliere's Harp Concerto reached his ears.
But then, he began to hear a strange noise. He stopped reading and concentrated on what could have been right outside his door. It sounded like footsteps, followed by a slight thud. Milton turned off his stereo system and set his book on the coffee table. He grew cautious as he a burglar could have infiltrated the place at the worst possible time.
Milton reached the front door and took a peek through the peephole. The light on the front porch revealed something on the floor. It appeared to be a person lying flat on the concrete. It started squirming in a slow fashion. Milton opened the door. He immediately recognized the man on the floor.
He shook his head in shame. "Did you have to use a Lyft to get here?"
Keith slowly sat up straight. "Hello, Milton. What're you doing in my house?"
Keith was Milton's next-door neighbor. The twenty-six-year-old man had a wife and a steady job. He had blond hair, and currently wore a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt. He also squirmed like a typical drunk man who fell to the ground.
Milton crouched down. "You're at the wrong house. Yours is right next to mine."
Keith giggled as he brushed a few strands of his blond hair away from his face. "You're funny, you know that?"
He was clearly inebriated. Milton just had to wonder how many margaritas he had in order to be like this. He tried to bring Milton up off of the floor, but the younger man almost fell right back down.
Sighing, Milton pulled him into the house and closed the door. "Do you have your keys?"
Keith chuckled as he slowly checked his pockets. "I think I left them somewhere. Maybe back at the bar. Or maybe back in fifth grade."
Milton couldn't help but feel amused by Keith's lack of awareness due to his excessive alcohol level.
"Well, I hope your wife is home."
Keith waved it off. "She's got to be sleeping right now. Maybe she's having a nightmare about llamas."
Milton almost laughed. "Come on. You're going to have to rest."
He brought him back up off of the floor and led him into the living room. He laid the married man down on the sofa.
"Let me get you some water."
Milton went into the kitchen and grabbed a cold bottle of water from the fridge. He returned to the living room and felt relieved when he found Keith in the same position as before. He lay flat on the sofa and gave a smile.
He couldn't stop giggling. "Hello, Milton. I didn't expect to see you here."
Milton handed him the water bottle. Keith rubbed his eyes. "Jeez. I can't remember how many drinks I had."
Milton replied, "You don't have to."
Keith took a long sip of water. He let out a loud sigh when he finished. "That's refreshing."
Milton sat down beside him. "Man, your wife isn't going to be pleased when she finds out about this."
Keith sat up from the sofa. "She doesn't have to. I'll be good as new tomorrow morning. She'll see."
Milton rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right."
Keith checked the brand label on the water bottle carefully. "Oh, it's my favorite."
Milton chuckled. "Mine, too."
Keith leaned his head from left to right to produce a cracking sound from his neck. "Oh, it feels so good to be here."
"Yeah, I'm sure you are."
Keith's tone of voice had become a little more flamboyant than usual. "I think I should stay here for a little while. I like you. You're the best company a man can get."
"I'm flattered."
For some odd reason, Keith licked his lips and crept a little closer to Milton. "Let's hush up about this. I don't want my wife to know anything."
"What are you talking about?"
Keith rubbed his fingers against Milton's bare arm. "I've always dreamed about this moment."
The married man mimicked a mild kiss with his lips. "I wish we could stay together. It'll be fun. You and me in paradise."
Milton stood up from the sofa. "Stop it. You'll do a lot better than this tomorrow morning. Come on. Get some sleep. You're going to need it."