Becoming the Neighbor's Wife

"It's about time," was all Tony could mutter. I was kind of deflated by his response. But then, I remembered that it was Christmas, and Tony was divorced and lived alone. I tried to stay up beat. "Hey, I'll even help you make a path to your garage out back--sound good Tony?" He mumbled something into his scarf, but I didn't hear him.

The snow was up to our waist in places, and once we finished with the front I started to go around back, but the depth of the snow was making it difficult. I made it two strides when Tony barked out, "You'll crush the plants that way. Come through the house, but be careful."

So, through the house I went, and once in back I started making the path to the garage. A few moments later I noticed Tony had stayed inside while I worked, and as I turned around I saw him motioning me back inside.

"Hey kid, I thought I told you to be careful. I look out for you all year and this is the thanks I get?" He motioned to my path from the front door, and my heart sank as I saw the wet and slightly muddy path I had left. I was going to protest and claim that he probably had made the mess too, but then I noticed that he had taken off his snow suit and hung it on the rack by the door. I was the obvious culprit.

"I am so sorry Tony. I'll clean it up, really, you've been a big help to me and I'm sorry." I started to come back inside and he stopped me with his hand on my chest. "Just hold on a minute--here, kick off your boots and I'll hang your snow suit by the door while you clean the floor." I gulped. I was wearing only my black bikini-style briefs and a t-shirt. It was laundry day, and I really never wore those pair of undies anymore. Oh well, I thought, as I noticed that Tony was now in just his boxers and undershirt. It's just us guys.

I stripped off the snow suit self-consciously. The inside of the suit was warm from the shoveling workout, and the cold air hit my legs as I stepped into his kitchen. He handed me a sponge and a bucket and told me to start cleaning the hardwood floor from the kitchen to the front door. I stared blankly back at him and thought to ask for a mop, but Tony was intimidating, and soon I was on my hands and knees cleaning up my muddy boot prints.