Chapter 2: Reunited and It Feels...

I was slow to leave bed on Saturday morning. It was already almost ten o’clock, and I stood up with morning wood and bits of a lingering erotic dream where Lisa was my very first fellatio-based alarm clock.

Stepping into the bathroom, I thought it might be better to ignore my hard-on in case Lisa had expectations I needed to fulfill when she arrived. After a shower and putting on my clothing, I fixed up a quick breakfast and checked the old green fridge.

It was time for a quick trip to the Publix supermarket. I figured she would be tired and want to stay in tonight, so I picked out some groceries I could cook for her that fit with my pitiful skills. Mama tried to teach me, but I wasn’t patient or careful enough to succeed. At least I had good health insurance in case I caused myself any digestive emergencies.

Back home, I just finished putting away my purchases when I heard the front door.

“Oh, Lisa, I’m glad to see you. Please come in and get off your feet.”

She smiled and walked unsteadily toward the old sofa in the living room. Lisa was as beautiful as I remembered but completely disheveled and obviously tired.

“Would you like something to drink? To eat?”

“A can of Coke?”

“Sure. In Atlanta, it’s illegal to NOT have Coca-Cola in your fridge.”

I hoped to get a little smile, but no such luck. I brought her a can and sat next to her.

“Please, tell me what’s happened. I’m sorry, but you, well, you look like you’ve had a rough time.”

“It was bad, Steve. I lived on the second floor of a commercial building. The rain and wind were like nothing I’d ever seen, knocking out the power. The street outside began to flood, The water got higher and higher and overflowed the little sandbag barriers in front of the first-floor offices and shops below me.

“It was filthy brown water full of debris. Then I felt a sickening lurch; I think part of the foundation had come apart or was undermined. I grabbed what I could carry and sloshed my way over to where my truck was parked.”

“Your apartment didn’t have parking?”

“No, it turned out I was lucky because I parked on a street that was several feet higher than the flood water. I spent a couple of days in an emergency shelter, and that’s when I called you...”

That’s when she broke off and started weeping, with her face pressed into my upper arm. This was a completely different Lisa than I remembered from our brief time months ago. That Lisa was strong, self-confident, smiling, and flirting.

With me now, she seemed weak, miserable, and uncertain. I didn’t want to press, but I had an inkling something beyond the hurricane was dragging her down. It turned out Lisa had more to tell me, but now was not the time.

“Hey, let’s get you into a hot shower so you can get the last of the mud off, then you can put on my bathrobe and get into bed for a nap. I’ll wake you up for dinner about 5 ... Oh, sweetie, what’s wrong? Please, tell me.”

Instead of sniffling, Lisa was now openly weeping again.

“I don’t know how to say this. Steve, I’m so grateful you’ve allowed me to stay here. But, for now, I’m exhausted, and I’m desperately short of sleep. In shelters since the flood, I’ve only had a few hours each night that were quiet enough to nap. Until I can sleep for a full night, I need to be alone in your spare bedroom until tomorrow morning. I’m really sorry; I’m sure you were hoping for more affection from me, but I just, I, I can’t!”

More sobs followed, and I realized she was exhausted and fragile. I tried to reassure her.

“You are safe here, Lisa. You can stay in the spare bedroom and be totally private. Let me get your sizes, and I’ll run over to Walmart and get you some basic clothes. You know, shirts, sweatpants, panties, and a sports bra.”

She looked at me with an odd expression.

“How do you know so much about women’s clothes? Is there something you want to confess?”

“No, if I were a cross-dresser, you would already find things you could wear in my closet. I have proven my heterosexuality to you. I just want you to be comfortable. What you’ve been wearing needs to be washed, don’t you think?”

Once I had her sizes, she went into the bathroom. Minutes later, she opened the door slightly and pushed out onto the floor her muddy clothing. I carried her clothes into my laundry room, but I decided to wait until her shower was over before starting the washing machine to avoid any fluctuations in the shower water’s temperature.

Inside the laundry room, I pulled out my phone.

“Hi Mama. I need a big favor. Do you remember Lisa?”

“That girl you were all hot for, with the big...”

“Yes, that Lisa. She’s back; she’s here in my house taking a shower. No, listen. She’s homeless from the hurricane, and she asked if I could take her in. Mama, she’s, uh, she’s distraught. She won’t tell me why else she’s unhappy, but I’m worried about her.”

“So, what can I do?”

“I’m hoping you can jump in your car and drive over here tomorrow. Lisa needs help, and I think you might be better than me right now. I’ll make you dinner.”

“Oh, hell no. I will make the dinner. The last thing that girl needs right now is food poisoning. I’ll bring your father, and we’ll stay overnight. Anything else?”

“Mama, she has nothing, only the dirty clothes she was wearing. On your way, you should pick up the groceries you need to cook for the four of us. Is that alright? I’ll pay you back.”

“Fuck that payback noise, boy. Expect us tomorrow, about 11. Love you, bye!”

I settled into my recliner out in the living room with my tablet to read, although I left my ears open. I heard her leave the bathroom and walk into the guest bedroom. I heard the door close and the lock click. I had no intention of intruding, but that sound of her need for privacy hit me hard.