Chapter 16

For the next two days I did absolutely nothing outside the house. I sat and watched a bit of television, caught up on my reading, even finishing two books in just one day, along with a little stitching. By the end of that first day I felt refreshed for the first time since moving in. Yes, I'd had a wonderful couple of weeks since getting here, but what I really discovered I needed was ... me time. And I took it.

I lazed around the house and even called my friends and told them that I wasn't feeling well ( a little lie, but I did need to get some rest and relaxation) and assured them all I'd be in touch once I felt better. I really hated to do it, especially since I was having a wonderful time with all my new friends, but...

Surely I'd feel better later and would then resume whatever 'activities' that come along.

Barbara called me late the second day and I told her the same thing. While I'd especially love getting with her again, right now I just wasn't really in the mood, but I didn't tell her that. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, or those of anyone else, but I had to take care of myself first.

So, I stayed in the house those two days and didn't even venture to the windows, much less open the shades. I strode around the house in my birthday suit, enjoying the solitude for a change. I felt like a much better person by the end of that second day and when I went to bed that night I made a promise to myself that I'd call and finally get to meet Lee's. I was especially looking forward to meeting the two of them.

I listened as the phone rang for the third time and I was beginning to wonder if I'd punched in the wrong number. Just as I was about to hang up though I finally heard a click and realized it was being answered.

"Hello?" said the female voice on the other end.

"Hello," I answered. "My name is Mike and I was given your name and number by a mutual friend of ours."

"And who would that be," she asked.

"Henry and LuAnn Lister," I answered.

Her voice definitely changed once she recognized the names.

"Yes, I know Henry and LuAnn," she said, lightly laughing. "How are they doing? I haven't seen them in a while."

"They're fine," I told her. "I had them over for dinner last week and they brought up your names, you and your husband that is."

"We've had some wonderful times with the Listers, did you?"

"One of the best times I've had since I've been here."

"You're in the Community now?" she asked.

"Yes. I've been here a little over a month so far."

"How do you like it?"

"It's a wonderful place, full of lovely, very interesting people," I told her.

"We've met a lot of wonderful people, too."

"I was wondering if I could interest you and Kaneda to come over one night this week. You know, to get to know each other."

"Well, Kaneda is out of town the rest of the week. He's having to settle an estate for one of his former clients who wouldn't let anyone but him handle it."

"He's a lawyer?"

"A retired lawyer," she said, again with that beautiful laughter. "He's know the man for 25 years though and was the only lawyer who handled the man's many interests, so he felt that he should do this one last thing for him. He left early this morning and I don't really expect him bac till sometime early next week."

"Well, would you be interested in coming over by yourself?" I asked, a little nervous that she'd say no, but hoping she'd agree.

"I'd love to," she answered. "I haven't been out of the house for three days and it'll be nice to get out and meet someone new. What time should I be there?"