I lived in a large townhome community in the mid-1990s. As a 40-year-old recently-divorced “straight” man I developed some friendships among the neighbors. Some of the friendships “evolved” to a higher level. This is about two of those neighbors: Maria and Jerry.
I lived in an end unit and Maria, a divorced, attractive, Hispanic female in her late 30s. was my next-door neighbor. We became friends with benefits after my divorce and shared some meals and intimate moments, but were never in an actual relationship. Maria had a key to my house and had an open invitation to use the hot tub in my back yard. Rarely, if ever, was Maria in my hot tub alone while I was at home. That was sort of an unwritten rule, but that rule was soon to be broken. Another unwritten rule was Maria would never share my hot tub with another male, whether I was at home or not. However, any and all of Maria’s female friends were welcome to share the hot tub with her. I never knew if that occurred, but I often shared that fantasy with her. I guess she never got the hint. Maria was an officer in our Community Association and we often shared gossip about some of the residents. Jerry was often a subject of discussions.
Jerry was a tall man, about the same age as me. As a serial sunbather at our community swimming pool, he would spend nearly all weekend days laying out in his skimpy speedos. When I first met Jerry, he was quite fit but as the years passed, he put on a few pounds and became a little beefy. Not exactly fat but not thin either. I believe he still wore the speedos of his younger days as they seemed to become one size too small. Jerry’s package was always very prominent when he sunbathed, often to the consternation of the neighbors. On rare occasions, I sunbathed when Jerry was there, I’m sure he saw my eyes avert to his healthy bulge. Rumor had it Jerry was a frequent porn viewer. His house was right next to the pool, and according to Maria’s conversation with neighbors, Jerry’s blinds were always closed. A few people mentioned to Maria that when passing by Jerry’s front window they could see feint images flickering on his TV screen. Personal experience later confirmed the rumor.
One day Maria told me some of the residents came to her to complain about instances when Jerry appeared to be sporting an erection under his speedos and touching himself while sunbathing. As she observed my body language and facial expression when she told me about this, it was apparent I was intrigued about the situation. I assume for that reason she asked if I would talk to Jerry about. While it was difficult to conceal my excitement about the opportunity, I managed to keep a straight face and agree. Not even for a second did I fool her.
I returned home, anxious to tell Maria how things turned out but much to my dismay she wasn’t home. Later that evening she came by with eager anticipation to hear all the details. She was delighted with one outcome (or outcum) but a bit disappointed about the other. It turns out my initial mission was a failure as Jerry continued with his erection displaying sunbathing. We celebrated my victory with an evening of passionate sex.
Jerry, Maria, I continued with our random “meetings” for a while, one of which was a threesome at my house. Maria came away disappointed at Jerry for his utter lack of interest in her, but I made up for it by my obvious attention to her. Jerry ended up pleasuring himself to climax. That was the last time I hooked up with him. I continued to share some intimate moments with Maria until she moved away a couple of years. We stayed in touch and I was happy to learn she remarried to a very lucky guy. In retrospect I consider Maria to be a missed opportunity. I could imagine us spending the rest of our lives together. I suppose we really loved each but our mutual physical attraction got in the way. I know we will always have a place in each other’s hearts and memories, and oh what memories.
Jerry is a different story. I have tried to live my life without regrets, but the hookups with Jerry challenge that goal. Those encounters were strictly for the purpose of getting my rocks off and nothing more. A few years after our brief dalliances I encountered Jerry at a grocery store. We passed each in an aisle and he either didn’t recognize me or chose to ignore me. I was shocked at his appearance; he looked like the walking dead. Time and the sun were not kind to him.
A few years later I met my future wife and we have been together ever since. I sold my townhouse and recently learned a former colleague moved in to a unit across the driveway from my former. I am grateful the walls don’t talk.
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