Chapter 3

Ester approached the house next door, climbed the steps, knocked on the door, to have it answered by Henry, wearing his usual faded jeans and T-shirt.

“Hello, Ester. What can I do for you today?”

“I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me, Henry. I’m not trying to be nosy, but I am curious about a few things.”

“Let’s sit on the porch and do this, it’s such a beautiful day out and I haven’t turned on the air-conditioner just yet.”

“OK.”

Once they were comfortably seated, he turned to her and asked, “What’s bothering you, Ester?”

“Nothing’s really bothering me, Henry, but I’m just wondering about all the comings and goings on here lately. There seems to be a lot of traffic lately, at all hours of the day, and I’ve noticed that most of the visitors are men. Henry, are you gay?”

“Well, well, right to the point, I see. No, Easter, I’m not gay. Rather, I’m bisexual as I enjoy both men and women. Does that bother you knowing that now?”

Ester turned a bright shade of red when he told her that.

“No, it doesn’t bother me. I was rather hoping...” she was too embarrassed to finish her statement.

“Ester, are you hitting on me, after all these years?”

Silence.

“It’s ok, Ester, nothing to be embarrassed about. To be honest, I find you to be quite attractive.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ve seen you watching me when I’m working in the garden, rather intently, I might add.”

“I didn’t realize you’d noticed.”

“How could I not, Ester? Even at your age, you’re something for the eye to behold and I’d have to be blind to not notice.”

“But that black gentleman that was here yesterday...” she started.

“It was the last time he’ll be here. He came by to tell me he’d found someone else and last night was a ‘farewell’ for both of us. Honestly, I’m going to miss him. Now, let me ask you something, please.”

“Only fair, I guess. Go ahead.”

“Why aren’t you attached? Surely an attractive woman such as you would have gentlemen callers coming and going, as well.

The redness returned to her face.

“Well, I’ve never considered anyone after the hubby passed. I just wasn’t interested in doing anything anymore, didn’t want to be ‘attached’ and ‘tied down’ again. I admit, I do like my freedom but it can be lonely at times. I keep myself entertained with my hobbies. I don’t have a TV – never wanted one – so I sit on the porch and read or do my cross-stitching.”

“I’ve seen you out there many times.”

“For a gentleman your age, you seen to keep busy. I like watching you from the house, especially when you’re in the garden ... without your shirt on.” She paused a minute to fan herself with her hand. “There’s not much of an age difference between us and I’ve wondered...”

“ ... what it would be like to be with a black man?” Henry finished.

“Well ... yes, I have thought about it. Does that bother you?”

He stood up, grabbed her hand, pulled her close, and gave her a huge kiss.

At first, she was shocked but then he felt her relax and return the kiss and it wasn’t long before their tongues were entangled in each other’s mouth.

The kiss lasted only a brief moment, but they held on to each other quite a bit longer, Ester nestling her head just below his shoulder, after all he was a bit taller than she is.

“That was wonderful,” she told him. “You have the softest lips.”

“Thank you. I can honestly tell you that no one has ever told me that.”