My name is Sangeetha, but everyone calls me Sani. My parents were born in Southern India, but I was born in England (Cardiff). I grew up in the US when they split up and my mom came here along with her best friend. I've been in Nova (Northern Virginia) ever since.
My mom and her friend (Loris) had just finished nursing school before coming here. Her family was originally from Barbados, and they'd known each other since elementary school.
My Auntie Loris had a baby when I was 13. Damon and I were raised like siblings. I used to baby-sit him almost every day. We lived only a few doors away and literally lived in each other's houses.
I often wondered why we actually didn't.
Damon eventually went away to school and then moved to Chicago for work. We all kept in touch but the distance didn't make seeing each other that easy. We'd get together for the occasional holiday or our mom's birthdays.
Auntie Loris passed away from cancer 10 years ago. Damon kept the house and rented it out. When my mom passed a few years ago (also cancer), I kept the house but moved in. For a few years Damon and I lost touch.
On my 48th birthday I got an unexpected call from him. Not only was he wishing me a "Happy Birthday", but also telling me he was moving back home.
I was ecstatic - I really missed my "little brother". I couldn't wait to see him again.
Two months later he was back at home.
Unfortunately, we hadn't been able to see each other as often as we'd liked to (only twice since he's been back). So we made plans to spend a weekend together decorating his "new" place.
I got to his condo that Thursday night after my last client (I'm a physical therapist). Damon had already ordered a pizza (veggie, my favorite) and opened a chilled bottle of wine.
Boxes were still everywhere.
"Still a disorganized mess, just like when you were a kid." I chided as I gave him a big hug.
"Didn't want to disappoint you." He shot back.
Damon is about 6'0" and stocky - he'd been a wrestler in college. He'd only recently started sporting the bald-look, with a close goatee.
I'm about 5'8" and a little thicker than I'd like to be, especially in the hips. I've developed a "bubble-butt" that won't go away no matter what I do.
We spent that evening catching up and reminiscing until very late. I went to sleep in his bedroom and he slept on the couch. The next morning after coffee we got hard-core with the unpacking. By the end of the day we'd emptied every box and arranged the majority of the house.
We decided to take things easy for the rest of the weekend and relax.
On Saturday night we ordered Korean take-out and popped open more wine. The Blue-Ray player was in the bedroom so that's where we went to watch movies (just like when we were kids).
We both stretched out side-by-side across the bed. Damon wore sweats and a t-shirt. I wore my yoga pants and a cotton-tank (I'd taken off my bra to get more comfortable).
After the second or third bottle of wine I was feeling more than a little "warm-n-fuzzy". Maybe a little horny too...
When the last movie we wanted to watch was done, Damon started to say goodnight and move to the couch.
"Nooo..." I pleaded like I was still a kid. "Stay here. I miss you."
"OK..." he laughed groggily, as he turned off the TV and the lights.