Friendly Neightbors(closed for Opensesame54321)

[latenightlover]

It was a cool August night almost like any other night and Andy patiently waited for his oven timer to ding. 'Oh I hope she likes this' he thinks to himself as he paces around the kitchen, the floorboards creaking a little as he walked. His tall 6'3 frame moved back and forth with ease as he waited impatiently. The slight tingling in his knee let him know he'd been working to long once again but he wanted to get this done before taking the rest of the evening off.

The kitchen itself was a mess with mixing bowls and spoons and bowls of flour and sugar everywhere. He was a professional baker and ran a business out of his home so it always looked like that. It was a wonder he got any work done at all sometimes.

The timer finally went off and he made his way to the refrigerator and pulled out a beautiful looking 3 tier red velvit cake. It was a simple red velvit cake but he was proud of it. He made his way over to his cake decorating station where he spent the next hour decorating it. When done, it was completely covered in a butter cream base and then he had pipped the words "WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD" in chocolate frosting on top of the cake under an image of his new neighbors house.

Done with his deorating he started to get butterflies as he made his way toward the door with his newest creation. Slipping is shoes on and picking his keys up from the cup next to the door he gingerly made his way out of his home and over to his neighbors house. 'I really hope she likes this' he thinks out loud as he makes his way across his yard and into hers.

Making his way up the stairs to her front portch he catches his foot on the top step and trips, almost sending the cake tumbling to the ground but he recovers. This causes him to loose his balance however and he lands shoulder first against her door with a loud thump. 'Well there went knocking like a normal person' he thought as he regained his posture just before the door opened.

 

[Opensesame54321]

For the umpteenth million time that day, Willow Garten finished unpacking a box. She was glad that she had taken time off from work, or she would never finish the job. She hated packing, and even more, she hated unpacking. Occasionally she would run across a box full of crap that made her wonder why she had packed it.

It was pure luck to find this house. By day, she worked as a jeweler. Well, at least that was the plan. Right now she worked at a jewelry store but she was working to get her GIA certification which would really help her. The 20 year old knew just what she wanted. And right now, what she wanted was to be through unpacking.

This house had just opened up. She had been looking for an apartment but this house had cost the same and a house gave her more privacy. She had been told by the seller that the neighbors were very friendly and accommodating and we're sure to be very welcoming. That sounded good, and she hoped that she would fit in the neighborhood.

She emptied the box and tore it down. The trash men were going to have quite a load when they picked up, and her spare bedroom still had a load of boxes waiting. The first thing she had set up was her bedroom. She wanted to make sure that she could at least get a good nights sleep while she unpacked. And the house basically looked good, with the majority of boxes to unpack waiting. She looked at the green sleeveless top and shorts that she wore and released her red hair from the band holding it out of the way while she worked. The curls tumbled down around her shoulders. Grey eyes looked back at her from the mirror. She looked okay enough to go grab something to eat. Maybe she could get something quick.

She was arguing with herself when she heard a thud at the front door. Was it a knock or someone trying to get in? A quick glance through the peep hole showed a man smiling. Taking a chance, she opened it to find a tall, good looking man standing there. Ah, her first neighbor to meet. And it looked like he was bearing food! 'By all means, invite the man in, Willow!' She told herself.

She smiled at him. "Would you like to come in?"

 

[latenightlover]

Andy:https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=lE1Pq6xt&id=1A2EE16C28FEBBA311904D77A3B553B4E4268AD7&thid=OIP.lE1Pq6xtH3oZsVu9Ww26KwDIEs&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fbloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com%2fheraldtimesonline.com%2fcontent%2ftncms%2fassets%2fv3%2feditorial%2ff%2f7a%2ff7adc560-dd10-11e5-bece-cf57ed4ca416%2f56d130dff36b6.image.jpg%3fresize%3d507%252C760&exph=760&expw=507&q=Jason+Springgs&simid=608000885165067620&selectedIndex=2&ajaxhist=0

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Andy smiled as the door opened and the woman offered him to come in. "I hate to intrude but I brought you a house warming gift. My name is Andy Nelton, I live next door." He propped the cake up effortlessly in one hand has he pointed to the left. As he points several tattoos catch your eye in the light of the moon and portch light. The most intricate one is one that says "Sophia" in the middle of it with hearts all around it taking up most of his forearm.

You also notice as he points one of his fingers is badly dislocated and pointing in the wrong direction, though it doesn't seem to bother him any. He has a scruffy beard growing on his face and it looks like he hasn't shaved in quite some time. His short crop top hair cut reminds you of someone out of the military and you believe that might have been a former occupation but your not sure.

"If you would like I could join you in partaking? Otherwise I could leave you be."

 

[Opensesame54321]

I hate to intrude but I brought you a house warming gift. My name is Andy Nelton, I live next door.

Hello Andy. I'm Willow Garten. I've been unpacking all day and could certainly use a break." She noted the direction that he pointed and nodded. "Yes, the kitchen is through there."

If you would like I could join you in partaking? Otherwise I could leave you be.

She smiled. He seemed a pleasant enough guy, though he did look like he had been through quite a hard life. Military? It was a possibility. "Oh, by all means, let's have some now. I think that the dishes and silverware are unpacked. Let me wash then real quick to make sure that they are clean enough."

She quickly followed Andy into the kitchen and pulled out a couple of plates and forks and a knife for cutting the cake. After cleaning the silverware, she did so with the plates.

"What kind of cake is it? Oh, let me look and see just what I have to drink in the fridge." She opened it and called out to him. "I'm a bit limited as to what I have to choose from. There's some coke, and unsweet tea, and a bit of milk. And of course, water. I'm having the tea."

 

[latenightlover]

Andy made his way inside her house, licking his shoes off as Not to bring in any dirt. He set them next to the door and then follows her into the kitchen.

As she set about washing dishes to eat with he found a roll of paper toweling on the counter and helped her dry the dishes. Once done he cut them two slices of cake.

"Its red velvet with a butterbream base and chocolate icing on top. Best enjoyed with new company and a large glass of tea. I hope you enjoy it, I made it myself."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Its red velvet with a butterbream base and chocolate icing on top. Best enjoyed with new company and a large glass of tea. I hope you enjoy it, I made it myself.

"Made it yourself! I guess I picked the perfect neighbor to move next door to! Thank you very much for making me feel welcome. In fact, the previous owner told me that this was a very friendly neighborhood and I can see that she was right."

She filled two glasses with ice and poured the tea. Pulling a lemon out of the fridge, she washed it and cut it into quarters.

"I don't use sugar, just lemon. If you need sugar in your tea, there's a sugar bowl on the table."

She grabbed a couple of towels and led the way into the living room. Setting down her plate of cake on the coffee table, she set out a couple of coasters for their drinks before inviting him to sit on the sofa. Placing a towel down for him to use as a napkin, she sat on one end.

"Have a seat. Sorry that the dining room table still has boxes on it. Unpacking is the pits!"

 

[latenightlover]

"Well I take my tea unsweetened as well, just ice for me" Andy says as he grabs his glass and follows her into the living room. He takes mental note of the boxes on the table before setting his cake and tea down on the coffee table and then taking a seat across from her on the floor, not wanting to be to forward to sit next to her. His knee pops loudly as he takes a seat but it doesn't seem to phase him. He sits with his legs folded on the floor, a kind of impressive sight for a man as tall and long as he is. His jeans tighten across his thighs as he folds his legs and he has very thick muscular legs. A large bulge is visible over his right pocket as he sits.

"I have my own bakery so it wasn't really much trouble at all to make this for you. And its not the only gift I got you." he paused and reached into his right pocket, sighing a little as he pulled a medium box free from it.

"There that won't be digging into my leg now" he says playfully. The box its self is wrapped in gold wrapping paper with a white ribbon tied around it.

"Rumor around town is that your a jeweler...I hope you like this" he said offering her the box. "I also hope you don't find me to...forward."

 

[Opensesame54321]

She was surprised when he sat on the floor, impressed that he was able to sit down with apparent ease despite the loud pop that his knee gave. It was even more surprising that this large man endowed with a number of tattoos had baked this delicious cake that would rival any fine bakery.

I have my own bakery so it wasn't really much trouble at all to make this for you. And its not the only gift I got you.

The obvious bulge in his pocket turned out to be a gift wrapped in paper and a bow. Her eyes opened wide in amazement.

There that won't be digging into my leg now

"You bought me a gift? That is so sweet, but you don't even know me."

Rumor around town is that your a jeweler...I hope you like this. I also hope you don't find me to...forward.

She carefully opened the box and found a jewelers loupe inside. She looked up at him shocked.

"Andy! A jewelers loupe? I had been meaning to get one. But these things can be expensive. This is a rather grand gift to give someone you have just met."

She carefully checked it out, thrilled to its beauty.

"Yes, I am hoping to one day become GIA certified. And in the meantime, I am turning the little storage house in the backyard into a studio where I can work on my off time. Thank you, Andy. Though it really shouldn't accept it, I will. Again, thank you! And this cake is absolutely delicious."

She took another bite of cake. "Have you always owned your own bakery?"

 

[latenightlover]

He smiled a wide smile as she thanked him for the present.

"That isn't an issue at all, I'm so glad you like it! If you need help setting up your shop let me know. I'm very good with my hands" he says holding them up to gesture with. He notices his broken finger and winces "Well...mostly...that finger makes things interesting sometimes."

When she asked about him owning his own bakery he shook his head "No I haven't always owned my bakery, just since I retired from my first job..." he hesitates a moment. "I don't suppose you are a football fan are you? I played professionally for 9 years. I miss it very much but sadly between my finger, my knees, my back, my hips...pretty much my everything I had to retire. I started the bakery as something to do to keep me sane while my brothers continued to play. I was the only one to leave the team that year...well other than free agents."

 

[Opensesame54321]

That isn't an issue at all, I'm so glad you like it! If you need help setting up your shop let me know. I'm very good with my hands. Well...mostly...that finger makes things interesting sometimes.

"I just may do that. You know, those tanks of gas are quite heavy. I've got my bench out there but I need to build some shelves, you know, for storage and things like that. I have stuff that needs to have a surface to work off of, like my torch, my pickle pot, stuff like that. If you would like, some time I'll take you out there and give you the grand tour of my studio."

No I haven't always owned my bakery, just since I retired from my first job...I don't suppose you are a football fan are you? She shook her head. I played professionally for 9 years. I miss it very much but sadly between my finger, my knees, my back, my hips...pretty much my everything I had to retire. I started the bakery as something to do to keep me sane while my brothers continued to play. I was the only one to leave the team that year...well other than free agents.

"It must be awful to not be able to do something that you love so much. It looks like you took quite a beating playing. Are you sure that you're comfortable there in the floor? The couch would certainly be more comfortable. There's plenty of room up here." She pet the couch cushion beside her.

 

[latenightlover]

He gets up off the floor and joins her on the couch, not wanting to be to forward but also needing the support for his back. He reaches forward for his plate of cake and cup of tea, setting the plate in his lap before he leans back into the couch with an exhale. It had been the first time in several hours that he took the time to relax.

"Well I was an offensive linemen so we take the most abuse" he says simply in response to her noticing all his injuries. "This happened when a defender stepped on it and the cleat knocked it out of socket" he said holding up his finger. "I got him back though...but thats not a story for present company" he says with a sly grin crossing his face at the memory.

"I would love to take a tour of your shop, if your not to tired I could even help you get it more set up tonight...I mean...if your up for it. You look kind of exausted so I'd understand if you wanted the rest of the night off."

 

[Opensesame54321]

He looked tired as he sat down beside her on the couch. She could certainly understand that. He was like a bear of a man, and the tattoos made her think of a biker. But surprisingly, Andy seemed to have a sensitive and caring side. And he did seem tired. She herself was tired after a day of unpacking box after box.

Well I was an offensive linemen so we take the most abuse. This happened when a defender stepped on it and the cleat knocked it out of socket. I got him back though...but thats not a story for present company

"Well, it certainly looks painful. I'm sorry that I really know nothing about football. I tried watching it once with an old boyfriend, but all I did was make him angry with my questions."

I would love to take a tour of your shop, if your not to tired I could even help you get it more set up tonight...I mean...if your up for it. You look kind of exausted so I'd understand if you wanted the rest of the night off.

"Oh heavens, let's do it another day. You look tired too. And I want to make sure that I've got everything out there. I need to get a few things. So who was it told you that I made jewelry? I've got quite a ways to go before I get really good, but that takes hard work and determination. Just like in football.

She smiled at him. This guy seemed really nice and welcoming.

"Would you like some more tea? Or cake?

 

[latenightlover]

Andy smiles as she makes the good point on waiting "Thats fine we can wait for another day. Its been a long day and I'm enjoying getting to know you."

"So other than jewlery what do you like to do in your spare time?"

When she offered him more cake or tea he shook his head "No I'm okay for now, thank you for the offer though. I made the cake for you to enjoy."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Thats fine we can wait for another day. Its been a long day and I'm enjoying getting to know you. So other than jewlery what do you like to do in your spare time?

She smiled. "Well, right now, in my spare time I unpack boxes. It's getting pretty old but it's a necessary thing." She gave a chuckle. "So, when you're not baking what do you do to unwind?"

 

[latenightlover]

"Well if you ever need help I am just right next door and I'd be more than happy to help you unpack or move furnature or what ever you need." He offers and then smiles at her.

"Hmm...thats a great question...well I bake but you already knew that. I like to read and I love to go out fishing and I'm on a bowling league. I also play cards and very seldom I like to curl up on the couch and play video games. They dull your mind but every once in a while its nice to totally tune out life."

 

[Opensesame54321]

"I will certainly be taking you up on that offer. I too love to curl up on the couch, though it is usually to read trade magazine. Lapidary books and such. And I do like to play card games though the games I like really work better with more than 2 people. Like Uno, and things like that."

She smiled sheepishly at him. "I'm afraid that I'm not very athletic. I'm rather a bit of a klutz. Every time I try some kind of sports, I break something. Snapped an ankle when I tried ice skating. Broke an arm I tried basketball." She chuckled. "I'm very accident prone on that kind of stuff. Even walking across a room, I'll trip and fall. I am not graceful. But when it comes to the arts I excel at that sort of thing."

She picked up a crumb off of her plate and quickly popped it in her mouth, shamefully licking her fingertips.

"I can tell that you excel at baking as this cake is delicious."

 

[latenightlover]

Andy let out a soft chuckle as she described her lack of coordination and athleticism.
"Believe it or not, I actually had a strength and conditioning coach like that back in my playing days. He could trip over anything or nothing at all...I swear part of my conditioning was to catch him when he tripped."

"Well thank you" he said smiling warmly at her compliment of his baking skills. "If you would like, I could take you out to eat, it looks like you don't have much here, and you really shouldn't unpack on an empty stomach tomorrow. I know its late but I know a place where we can go."

 

[Opensesame54321]

If you would like, I could take you out to eat, it looks like you don't have much here, and you really shouldn't unpack on an empty stomach tomorrow. I know its late but I know a place where we can go.

"Andy, that sounds wonderful. To tell the truth, I have been working all day and I am very hungry. If you will just give me about 15 minutes, I'll clean up and get out of my grungy clothes."

She headed for the bedroom to change and at least make herself presentable to go out in public. She brushed her hair and cleaned the dusty smudges off of her face. God, she had not known that she looked such a mess.