Author's note: This story is a re-write and re-edited version of Helping Margaret. All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older. This piece is a small piece of the pie. This should've been in the 'Mature' section. I thought it would be. But, according to my friend David, there's a bit more to it. Also, thank you for reading. Enjoy!
*****
With most of our bags and boxes finally brought into our new apartment, mom and I both decided to take a break and settle down for a few minutes in our new apartment's kitchen. It was a very nice cozy little place. A far cry better than what we'd been living in back in Ohio.
"Can you believe it, we finally made it to Florida!" She exclaimed.
I could tell my mom was excited. I was too, actually.
Life had been pretty chaotic for us these past few months since dad died. It was a fresh start for the both of us. And we both needed a fresh start.
We both sat there pretty well exhausted from hauling all the boxes up stairs. This was a third floor apartment.
Let me catch you up to speed with everything.
My name is David Armstrong. I'm 21 years old, with short light brown hair and brown eyes, I stand at 5'10" and 180 lbs. Not muscular, but well-toned. I just completed Massage Therapist School.
My mother's name is Diane, she's a Beautician. She's 43 years old and as beautiful as ever with lovely green eyes and the smile of an angel, standing at 5'6" and 130 lbs., with long brown hair that extends just past her breast.
We've just completed relocating from Cincinnati, Ohio to Tampa, Florida.
My dad, Tom Armstrong, was killed in a car accident a few months ago, and we'd finally received his Life Insurance payout of $500,000.00, and mom and I both have always wanted to live in Florida. Our plan is to start a Beauty & Massage Parlor business. She does hair, make-up, facials, and I do Massage Therapy. And now here we are sitting in our new kitchen, taking a break and catching our breath with a nice cup of coffee.
As mom and I looked out the window, we could see a few birds flying through the air, and there was a slight breeze blowing through the Palm trees, and the beautiful Florida Sunshine was starting to set. It was picture perfect. I just couldn't imagine it could get any better than this.
Mom and I both sipped on our coffees and looked out the window. Aside from the birds and palm trees, and the sun setting, there were only a few people down below walking and making their way along the towns sidewalks.
"Isn't this lovely?" Mom said in her typical dreamy voice.
"Yes, actually it was quite lovely." I answered.
I sat there, looking out the window in my own dreamy eye sight.
The coffee tasted good, the music from the birds flying by was beautiful, and the sun seemed to be setting down slowly with a smile.
As I took another sip of my coffee, our doorbell rang. Although, it was really a 'ring'. It was more like a musical chime consisting of several Christmas bells.
Mom and I both looked at each other. We were brand new in this apartment. We didn't know anyone here yet, and therefore we weren't exactly expecting any company.
"Well, I guess we're already popular!" Mom said with her usual cheerful smile.
"Yeah I guess we are!" I answered back.
"Do you want to do the honors sweetie?" Mom asked.
I could tell that she was relaxed and she was also just as exhausted as I was. She was in no mood to get up.
"I'll get it mom." I said with a grin.
"Such a lovely son I have." She said while bringing her coffee back to her warm smiling lips.
***
As I reached for the door handle, the bell rang again. I instinctively rolled my eyes.
'This must be an impatient person.' I thought to myself.
I opened the door, and there in front of me stood a woman who appeared to be in her 50's. I couldn't tell exactly. But she had to be at least 50. She wasn't beautiful, but she was attractive. She had shoulder length wavy brown hair, hazel colored eyes, and she was around 5'8" and probably weighed 180lbs.
"Hello!" She said with a loud and cheerful voice.
"Hi!" I said back.
Our smiles connected instantly, and so did our eyes.
"I'm Margaret Fuller, I live there!" She giggled as she turned her head and pointed back towards the door behind her.
She was our next door neighbor. She lived right across the hall.
"Well, hello Margaret, I'm David. David Armstrong. And I...'we' live right here!" I said with a laugh.
"Well, David, it's a pleasure to meet you!" She said again with her cheerful laughter.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you too!" I said.
I didn't even realize it, but I was holding out my hand for a handshake.
She extended her hand and began shaking mine.
Her hand felt warm and soft, and her smile was beautiful. I instantly took a liking to her.
"Sweetie, who's at the door?" I could hear mom calling to me from the kitchen.
"Mom, we have neighbor, her name is-" I stopped suddenly. I couldn't remember her name, even though she'd just told me a minute ago.
Margaret giggled a little bit more as she stood there shaking my hand.
"My name is Margaret, and your name is 'David', remember?" She giggled.
"Oh yes, sorry, Margaret." I said.
I could tell my face was turning red, and by the looks in her eyes, I could see that she could see that my face was turning red.
"David, why don't you introduce me to your mom!" She giggled again.
For a brief moment. There was some silence, and some awkwardness. But then our handshake finally broke, and I turned my head back toward the kitchen.
"Sweetie, aren't you going to bring our guest in?" Mom laughed from the kitchen table.
***
"Hello!" Margaret said cheerfully with her out-stretched hand. "I'm Margaret Fuller, your next door neighbor, and you are?"
Mom stood up from her chair and stretched out her hand and smiled.
"I'm Diane Armstrong. I'm his mom." My mom said with a bright smile and motioning to me.
Margaret looked back and forth between my mom and I for a few seconds before her eyes started looking at the one last chair sitting before her.
"Oh yes, please, please, have a seat, I'm sorry. I'm just so exhausted from the move; I think all of my manners have gone out the window. I'm sorry!" Mom said with red-faced embarrassment.
"No, don't be silly!" Margaret exclaimed.