The Last Chimes of Fall

"No, I don't mind." She said. "Are you interested in the house?"

"Well to tell you the truth, I wasn't even looking for a house. I just happened to see the place by accident this morning and, ah, well thought maybe I'd just like to take a look at the place."

"Sir, may I...

"Oh I'm sorry," I apologized, "please, call me Brent."

"Okay Brent, thank you. I was going to ask the size of your family, the house isn't very large you know, although you could finish the basement for more living space."

"Ah, well I really don't have a family," I said; "well, at least not living with me. I'm divorced and my two daughters live with their mother. I live in a three bedroom condo right now, and from what saw, I'm sure it's bigger inside than that."

"Okay, when would it be convenient for you to meet me at the house? I'd be happy to give you a tour. Out of all the houses we have listed, that little place is my favorite," she told me. "I just love it, if I could I'd buy it myself."

Normally I would take that as a sales pitch but she sounded so sincere when she said it. "Ah, yeah, actually getting together might be a problem. What hours do you work? I work in the city and, with the traffic and everything, I usually don't get home till past seven. Do you work on the week-ends or no?" I asked.

"Yes of course I do. What are you doing right now Brent?"

"I'm at the golf course," I answered. "I couldn't leave here until we're done playing."

"Well, would you be able to stop off on your way home?"

Not only did I want to see the house, but now I wanted to see the woman behind the voice, so I agreed to meet her at the house on my way home. As I pulled into the drive for the second time that day, I saw a little Honda Civic up by the house so I pulled up behind it. I took one look at Sandy as she got out of her car and my heart skipped a beat.

Since the divorce I really hadn't dated very much. I did have one six month relationship but there was really nothing between us so I broke it off. I guess I just kept comparing every woman I met to Kris and there wasn't one that came anywhere close to her in any category.

Kris was even worse. She hadn't had a single date since we broke up. Between our neighbors, mutual friends, and the girls, I knew that as a fact. I told her I didn't expect that and she should go out and have some fun but she remained hopeful that we would someday be together again and would not do anything to jeopardize the possibility. In the meantime, she would devote herself to raising our daughters.

Sandy extended her hand to greet me. The first words that popped into my head were, 'what a woman!' She was elegant, almost regal in appearance, yet extremely friendly in her demeanor. A guy could easily get lost in those deep blue eyes and she had a smile that would warm a naked Eskimo. It took me a few nonchalant glances but I finally saw there was no wedding ring. My heart fluttered just a little more.

As she took me through the house I could see that her statement about loving the place was not just a line, she really did. Her face just beamed as she took me from room to room pointing out all the things that made the house special.

I thought I had seen everything there was to see but Sandy kept the best for last. "So what do you think so far?" she asked with that radiant smile.

"I love it, I really do. When I saw it this morning there was just something about the place that was drawing me to it."

"Good. I was hoping you would like it. I don't really know you but I have the feeling you would be very happy here. But wait," she said taking my hand and starting toward the back door, "you haven't seen the best part yet."

Sandy led me out to the back porch. It was a pretty large wooden porch but the best part was, to the left of the door was a wonderful two person swing strung with four chains from the overhang. "Come on," said Sandy with excitement. 'Come and sit on the swing with me for a minute."

You couldn't tell from the front, but the house actually sat on a hill. As you looked out over the back yard you could see a grove of trees in the distance and just to the right of them was a small lake.

"I come over here by myself sometimes and just enjoy sitting in this swing and watching the beautiful sunsets over the lake," said Sandy. "It's so quiet and peaceful; the only thing that could make it better would be the enchanting music from a wind chime hanging right over there."

I already knew I was in love with the house and was going to buy it, but now I found myself developing feelings for the woman sitting next to me. "Well," I said coyly, "you can come over and sit on my swing any time you want."

She turned her head, looked deeply into my eyes, and gave me a small smile. "I knew it," she said. "I knew it as soon as I saw you. This house and you are the perfect fit."

"So, what do I do with my condo?" I asked.

"Where is it?"

"About twenty minutes south of here," I told her.

"Well, if you still have some time, I could take a look at it, take some notes and list it for you."

"Don't you have a significant other you have to get home to?" I was fishing.

"No," she said. "I'm divorced as well, have been for many years. I do have a son but he's in college right now so my time is my own."

"In that case I'll make a deal with you." She gave me a questioning look. "When you're done going through my place and taking all your notes, you let me take you out to dinner." She hesitated but not for too long.

"Alright, you have a deal."

While Sandy looked around my condo and took notes, I grabbed a quick shower and changed clothes. I really wanted to take her some place really romantic but we had known each other for all of three hours. I didn't really think that would be appropriate but I hoped I would get that chance at a later date.

We wound up at a nice little Italian place that Sandy recommended. The food was good but it was the conversation I found fascinating. Neither of us talked about our former spouses but we did talk about our kids. I, of course, pushed out my chest when I talked about Brea, my oldest, who was already sixteen and would be a senior in high school next year. Catherine, my fourteen year old, was also in high school and already starting to talk about boys.

Sandy told me she had one son, Ron. He was a sophomore in college and was studying for an engineering degree. I don't think there was anyone around our table that couldn't tell we were both very proud of our kids.

The conversation finally got around to ourselves. Sandy asked what I did for a living and seemed to be impressed when I told her I had my own photography studio.

"Really, wow my son would like to meet you. Photography is his hobby. It's been a passion of his since he was a small boy. He just loves it. If we get a chance this summer, maybe I could drive him down town and you could give him a tour of your studio?" she asked. "It would make his whole summer."

"Absolutely," I said. "Just give me a heads up so I know you're coming and I'll have the red carpet down for both of you."

"Actually," she said a little hesitantly, "please don't take this the wrong way, but it surprises me a little. I would think you must have a lot of artistic talent to be successful in that field, yet your condo is decorated rather sparsely and with very basic furnishings."

"Yeah, I know," I said a little embarrassed. "Both of my daughters are always after me to spruce the place up. You're right, I'm extremely creative in my work but I guess I'm just a pretty simple guy when it comes to my living quarters."

"Well," said Sandy, "I took some classes for interior design in college. Not enough to make a living at it, but I do have a good eye for what works. You know how I love that house so if you'd like a few tips from time to time, just let me know. I'd be happy to help out."

Wow, I thought. I know an opportunity when I hear one. "How much would you charge?" I inquired.

"Oh I wouldn't charge you anything Brent, don't be silly."

"No, I don't mean for a few tips, I want you to be my interior decorator. You can do the whole house, everything including finishing the basement. What do you say?"

She looked stunned. "Brent, that's a great offer but I've never done a whole house before. I'm not sure I'd know where to start. No thanks. Like I said, it's a great offer but I'm just not that good."

"Sandy I saw the look in your eyes when you took me on that tour. You love that place as much as I do. You have experience, training, I can't think of anyone I would rather have. Maybe we could even work on it together. Please, at least think about it. It could be fun for both of us."

Sandy promised to think about. We talked just a little while longer but it was getting late and we both had work the next day. We had taken two cars so I walked Sandy to hers then reached my hand out to shake. She took my hand but stepped in closer and gave me a peck on the cheek. It surprised me, but the bigger surprise was the erection growing in my pants. I wondered if she could see me blush under the parking lot lights. She smiled then drove away.

There were only two people in my life that ever gave me a hard-on that quickly and that easily, Tanya, my highs school sweetheart, and Kris. All the way home I wondered, was it just that it's been so long since getting laid, or did it mean more? Did it mean this was someone special?

For the next week I talked to my banker and got my finances all lined up. I wasn't going to tell anyone about the house until I closed on it. Sandy and I got together a couple times for paper work but she always seemed to be all business and I was beginning to think I misread any signals I thought I saw that night at dinner.

Everything went smooth as silk and thirty days after I had been sitting in the swing with Sandy the house was mine...well, mine and the banks. I picked up the phone and called my daughter. Brea picked it up and sounded so mature as she said hello.

"Hi honey, how's my girl?"

"Hi Dad, I'm just fine. I got an 'A' in my history test today," she said all excited. History was one of my favorite subjects and she knew that would please me.

"Fantastic honey, I am so proud of you." We talked a little more about school then I broke the news. "I was wondering what you guys are doing over the week-end? If you're not doing anything important would you want to help me move?"

"Move? Dad, where are you moving to?"

"I bought a house, honey. It's not far, it's only about twenty minutes away."

I heard Brea yelling to her sister and Kris, "Hey, dad bought a house." Through the phone I could hear everyone's shock. Between her sister and her mom, Brea was trying to answer a dozen questions.

"Honey," I tried to get her attention back. "Honey, tell Catherine and your mother, if they want to see the house, they have to first come over to the condo Saturday morning at seven and help me move some things over."

Brea repeated what I said and I heard Kris say, "Tell him we'll be there," which Brea relayed back to me again.

After saying our good-byes, I had just set the phone down when it rang again. I answered with my usual business greeting.

"Hi," I recognized the voice as Sandy's right away.

"Hi, how are you?" I inquired.

"Okay, I just wondered when you were going to be moving?"

"Saturday morning," I answered. "I have a small truck rented and my kids and a couple of friends are going to help me."

"Oh I see. Well I was going to offer to help but it sounds like you have it covered."

I was really getting mixed signals from this woman. First she seemed like she might have been interested but when we sat down to sign the papers she was all business, almost cold. Now she's offering to help me move? I don't get it. All I knew was that I liked her a lot and I wasn't going to turn down spending time with her.

"Hey, I can always use more help," I said trying to sound as inviting as possible.

"Okay, I'd love to," once again her voice sounding very friendly. "I have something for you anyway. I forgot to give you the spare set of keys."

"Well I'll tell you what. I know you live up there. No sense in coming all the way down here just to go all the back up there. I figure we should be there about nine o'clock. Why don't you just let yourself in and wait for us there."

Sandy agreed and I had everything all set for the move. By the time Saturday morning rolled around I had everything packed and sitting by the door. Between the six of us we had the truck packed in a little more than an hour. I thought we would beat Sandy there but as soon as I pulled in the drive I saw her car up by the house. As we walked in we all smelled the aroma of fresh coffee.

What a great surprise. Sandy already had the java brewing. When we all followed our nose to the kitchen we found she had pastries already sitting out on the table for everyone. I had only seen Sandy in her business clothes and was very impressed with the cute ass I saw covered in blue jeans.

Sandy turned around when she heard us approaching. "Good morning everyone," was her delightful greeting complimented with a big smile. "I thought you might be hungry so I stopped at the bakery on the way over for some goodies. Everybody dig in."

Before everyone sat down I introduced Sandy as my real estate agent. She joined us for breakfast and fit right in like she'd known everyone for years.

As soon as everything was in the house my two buddies took off which left Kris, the kids, Sandy, and me. The girls were busy running around having fun rearranging all the furniture every five minutes while the three of us talked. Finally Kris told the girls it was time to go.

"This is a darling home Brent," Kris said as I walked her to the door. While we were still waiting on the girls, Kris lowered her voice, "I didn't realize you were seeing someone," she said a little sadly.

I saw just the slightest evidence of moisture dulling the color of those beautiful green eyes. "We're not really seeing each other Kris. I do like her, but so far all we've done is had dinner together."

"Ah huh, that'll change, take my word for it. I saw the way she looked at you. She cares for you...a lot. We women just know these things. She is very nice and I'm sure you guys will be very happy together." Kris, trying to keep me from seeing, tuned her head away as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

Just then Brea and Catherine came running up. Both Sandy and Kris were very cordial saying good bye. Of course the girls were their usual bundle of energy all the way out the door.

Sandy and I were finally alone. I wondered if Kris was right. This is the first time I'd felt like this about a woman since my divorce, but could I really open my heart again, or would I chicken out, afraid of being hurt for the third time.

"Sandy, thank you so much for all your help today. Fresh coffee and breakfast was sure a great surprise. How much do I owe you for all that stuff?" I asked.

Sandy playfully hit my arm. "Will you stop. You don't owe me for anything. I should be thanking you for the commission I just made on this place."

"Okay, well let me take you out for dinner again then."

"Not like this," Sandy said indicating her working clothes.

"Yeah, actually I should shower and change as well. Okay, give me your address and I'll pick you up in an hour."

She looked up at me. I could tell she didn't know if she wanted to do that or not. Finally she spoke up, "Okay, do you have a pen and paper? I'll write down my address."

For the first time in a very long time, I sang to myself in the shower; something I usually only did when I had a woman in my life. I drove over to the address and found it was a town home. A quad I believe they call them where every unit had a corner lot.

Again, every time I had seen her before Sandy had been dressed for business, including her make-up. When she opened the door and invited me in I was taken aback. Her soft, shiny blond hair framed her face perfectly as it cascaded over her shoulders. The small cocktail dress she wore hugged every curve of her slim body. She wore just a hint of make-up bringing even more depth to those deep blue eyes.

"Wow," I exclaimed. "Sandy you look incredible."

"Thank you," she said sounding a little surprised. "I'll take that as high praise, in deed, from a man who works with models all day."

Once seated in the restaurant we pretty much picked up the conversation where we left off before.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" Sandy asked.

"Of course."

"A blind man could see how much Kris still loves you. Why are you two divorced?"

I really wasn't ready for that question. I didn't talk about it because the subject always brought tears to my eyes. "Ah, well it's actually kind of hard to talk about, Sandy, even after all these years."

"Ah, infidelity rears its ugly head again," she said. "I thought that might be it. I won't ask any more. The same thing happened with my husband. He was a sales manager for a fastener company. Five years he worked there and never had to work on a week-end. Then all of a sudden he had to work every week-end. Sometimes it would just be Saturdays, but other times Saturday and Sunday. I got suspicious and borrowed my neighbor's car one day to follow him. I saw him walk into an apartment so I just camped outside the door. About three hours later he opened it to leave while still kissing his girlfriend, a young redhead. When he saw me waiting for him, he just closed the door and didn't bother coming home again. Ron, my son, was only eight years old at the time."

"I'm sorry," I said sympathetically.

She looked at me as if studying a road map on my face. "I'm going to be honest with you, Brent. I still remember the hurt from that, as I'm sure you do from your break up. I have not found a man in all these years that was worth risking that kind of hurt again. I like you, Brent. I like you a lot, but before I'd be willing to go any further I have to know about your relationship with Kris. As I said, she is still in love with you and I think you still love her. Is there any chance of you two getting back together?"

"Sandy, we've been divorced now for over nine years. Three times in that period she has asked me if I would come back. You're right, I do still love her, but I can not, nor will I ever get over the pain in my heart. She knows that and I know that. No, we will never be together again."

I took a sip of coffee and continued. "Sandy, from the first time I laid eyes on you I thought you were someone very special. You're the first woman in all these years that I have had feelings for. I think you put it best when you talked about finding someone worth taking another risk, I found that person and I'm hoping she feels the same way."

Sandy reached across the table and put her hand on mine. She moved her head toward me and lowered her voice almost to a whisper. "Am I the first woman to give you a hard-on with just a little kiss?" she asked with a sweet, demure smile.

I must have turned ten shades of red. She said that purposely to embarrass me and she sure succeeded. "You caught that?" I asked.

"Of course, us ladies on the prowl don't miss much," she replied slyly. "If you're done with your coffee why don't we go back to your house and see if you remember what to do with that thing."

To say I was worried on the drive home was an understatement; intense fear was more like it. I hadn't made love to a woman in years.

Try as I did to act casual and confident, my efforts fell well short.

"Are you nervous?" asked Sandy.

"Ah, yeah, I guess I am a little. How about you?"

"Yeah, a little. How long has it been?"

"Years," I answered honestly. "But you know what they say, it's just like falling off a bike."