#johnoh

               I park against the curb, just behind a sporty convertible. I look at the time. I’m fifteen minutes early. I don’t want to seem too eager, even though I pretty much already have the job. I get out of my car and lean against the door, my back to the house. I glance down at my phone before jumping when I hear a door slam shut followed by a woman storming down the walkway towards the convertible.

               “Are you my replacement?” she snaps at me. I’m a bit too shocked to even respond. “Good fucking luck. He’s a fucking asshole,” she spits before jumping into her red convertible.

               Great. I should probably take that as a major red flag, but fuck, I really need a steady paycheck right now.  I walk towards the house. I’m already filling with dread. Depending what they pay, I can probably put up with this bastard for a few months. As I approach the front door, I notice a ramp next to the small set of stairs. It’s the only thing that really sets this house apart from the rest. I knock on the door and wait a few seconds before a woman opens it.

               “Hi, uh, I’m here about the job,” I say and she gives me a small smile.

               “Hello. Come in! You’re early,” she says as she steps aside.

               “I don’t like being late,” I say.

               “She’s already here?” asks a man as he walks into the entryway. I think he mostly meant to ask that to himself.

               “I’m Jenny, and this is my husband, Jay,” says the woman. I shake both their hands.

               “I’m Sara,” I say and they both give me weak smiles.

               “Come have a seat. We can talk a little about the position,” Jenny says as she leads us into the living room. “Can I get you anything?”

               “No, I’m fine. Thank you,” I say as I take a seat. The air is so thick in this house. They know I heard and had an encounter with the most recent caregiver, and I’m sure it’s rather embarrassing for them.

               “Hilda spoke very highly of you,” Jenny says. I nod along. “I’m sure she warned you about John.”

               “Sort of,” I say.

               “He hasn’t really accepted what happened, and doesn’t know how to deal with it. He’s never liked people doing things for him, so having someone take care of most of his basic needs is hard for him. It’s no excuse, but that’s why he can be difficult to care for. He’s even like that with me at times. We’ve been through several caregivers. We would just like to be upfront about this,” she says with a sigh. He can’t possibly be that bad, can he? He’s a grown man.

               “John wasn’t like this until the accident. He’s had a really difficult time coping with everything,” says Jay.

               “I can imagine,” I say. “What exactly would I be doing for him?”

               “Mainly taking care of his needs, helping him bathe, prepare meals, help with physical therapy exercises, and taking him to his appointments when we aren’t here,” says Jenny. “It’d mostly be for a few hours a day. Some days would be longer depending on how he’s feeling or if he has appointments. We’re here at night after work, but we do plan to be out of town in a few weeks. If that’s a problem, we can reschedule. We had hoped the last caregiver would last a bit longer.”

               “That’s fine. I do have a CNA license, by the way. I took a course in high school and then in community college,” I say and she smiles.

               “That’s wonderful. So have you been a caregiver before?” she asks.

               “No, ma’am. Not exactly,” I say and she nods. Hilda probably told her my situation.

               “Of course, we can offer you room and board if you’d like. It might make commuting easier,” she says. “You’d be the first to accept that offer, though.”

               “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

               “Really? Well, if you change your mind, you can let either of us know at any time.”

               “Thank you.”

               “Well, are there any other questions? Oh! I almost forgot. Your pay is $400 a week. Is that alright?” she asks. I have to stop myself from letting my jaw drop.

               “That sounds good to me,” I say and shake both their hands.

               “Great! We have some paperwork for you to fill out just for taxes and such. Feel free to ask us any questions. I guess the next part would be for you to meet him,” she says, standing up from the couch.

               I follow them down the hall. She knocks on the door before walking inside. I expect to see him listening to music or maybe playing a guitar with headphones in since he was a musician. Instead, he’s lying in his bed with his back to the door.

               “John, this is Sara. She’s your new caregiver,” Jenny says very softly. He doesn’t even attempt to get up or look over his shoulder. He stays silent. “John, don’t be rude.”

               “What’s the point in meeting her if she’s just going to be gone by next week?” he asks.

               “Sorry,” Jenny says and I shake my head before walking over to him.

               I walk over to him and stare down at him. He has quite an attractive face, but his attitude is making him ugly in my eyes. He doesn’t even look at me.

               “Nice to meet you,” I say. “I think we should at least shake hands or something since we’re going to be spending quite a bit of time together.” Nothing. He just looks through me. “I guess we’ll try this again tomorrow. See you then.” I walk away from the bed and towards his parents. The three of us walk out of the room.

               “Tomorrow?” Jenny asks.

               “I figured you’d want me to start right away,” I say. “Sorry if that was a little presumptuous.”

               “No! I just…I didn’t think you’d accept after that,” she says.

               “I’ve been treated worse. Trust me. I don’t think there is anything he can throw my way that I haven’t already seen,” I say with a shrug.

               “Oh. Well can you be here at nine tomorrow?”

               “I sure can.”

               I decide to take a cold shower in my parents’ bathroom since it’s probably the nicest shower I’ve ever seen. It’s huge and has real stone on the floor. I really like being in this big house by myself, even if it is quiet. Maybe one day I’ll move into a place of my own, but not any time soon. It just isn’t practical.

               The only bad part to my parents not being home when I’m here is the fact that I have to fend for myself in the kitchen. I don’t know where anything is, or how to really cook, so I end up just snacking on things or microwaving any leftovers my mom stowed away in the fridge just for me. I’m not so lucky this time. I decide to make some pasta, but have a hard time trying to find anything to go with it in the cabinets. As I rummage about the kitchen, I hear a knock come from the side door. I walk over to see my parents’ neighbor and my mom’s best friend, Veronica. I open the door and she seems very surprised to find me on the other side.

               “John! How are you?” she asks with a smile.

               “I’m great! How about you?” I ask as I lean in to give her a hug.

               “I’m okay,” she says. That’s when I eye the two bottles of wine in her midst. “Is Jen home?” she asks.

               “Uh, no. She’s out of town right now.”

               “Oh.”

               “Do you want to come in, though?”

               “I don’t want to bother you,” she says.

               “You won’t be. Come in!” I say, flashing her a smile. “How have you been?” I ask as she steps inside.

               “Better, but I’m getting there. How are you, John? I haven’t seen you in so long!”

               “I’m well,” I say as I shut the door. I smell something burning. I look over at the stove to see water bubbling from the top of the pot, and into the eye. “Fuck!” I shout before running over to turn the stove down.

               “Didn’t Jenny teach you how to cook before you left home?” she asks with a small laugh.

               “She tried. I’m not a good student,” I joke.

               “Well, I haven’t eaten any dinner yet either. I could make us something.”

               “You don’t have to do that, Veronica.”

               “No, but I’m sure Jenny wouldn’t like to get a call from you because you’ve set fire to her gorgeous kitchen either, now would she?”

               “You’ve got me there,” I chuckle. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll help.”

               “You can start by opening a bottle of wine and pouring us each a glass,” she says with a wink.

               “Now, that I can do,” I say as I take one of the bottles of wine from the countertop.

 ***

                 Veronica and I cook together while sipping white wine. I chop everything while she stirs the sauce for the pasta, which looks a hell of a lot better than the concoction I came up with. We late everything and decide to sit on the back deck to enjoy our meal. I’ve always liked Veronica. She’s been my mother’s best friend for fifteen years. She has a son named Matt who is only a few years older than me.

               “I’m really glad you came over,” I say as we clean up in the kitchen.

               “I am too. I’ve had a terrible day, and this definitely made it better.”

               “Why is that?”

               “Bill and I split up. I don’t know if your mom told you.”

               “She didn’t. I’m sorry to hear that.”

               “Thank you, but it was for the best.”

               “It’s still sad,” I say and she nods.

               “Why is it that men always go for someone younger?” she asks as she pours another glass of wine.

               “Some do, but not all. I’d rather be with someone older, or at least have them be on the same intellectual level as me.”

               “See, your mom raised you right,” she says as she jokingly pinches my cheek. “You turned into such a handsome man. I can’t believe it. I remember how awkward you were when I first met you.”

               “I still am sometimes, just give me a chance,” I say, causing her to laugh. “I know it’s not the same as talking to her, but you can talk to me about what’s troubling you if you’d like. I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”

               “Thank you,” she nods. “It’s mostly because the divorce was finalized last week. He’s already moved on. She’s half his age. It feels like such a slap in the face to me. Like he replaced me with a newer model. Literally,” she says with a snarky laugh. Veronica was a model before she met and married Bill. I remember my mom telling me that as a kid, and since I was smack dab in the middle of puberty when I met her, it only added to how hot I thought she was even back then. She hasn’t changed a bit.

               “I don’t see why he would feel the need to. I don’t see anything wrong with you.”

               “You’re sweet,” she says before leaning over to give me a kiss on the cheek.

               “I just tell the truth. In fact, I always had the biggest crush on you as a kid,” I say as I rub the back of my neck. I feel my cheeks turning a little pink.

               “Really?” she asks, as if she’s surprised.

               “Well, yeah. You’re gorgeous, and always have been. Bill is an idiot for leaving you.”

               “Here I was thinking that I just wasn’t attractive anymore.”

               “Not possible,” I say with a smile.

               “Still a flirt, I see,” she laughs.

               “I wasn’t trying to! Not that I wouldn’t flirt with you, because you’re hot—fuck.”

               “Aw, John!” she laughs. She can tell that I’m embarrassed. “I get it. You’re just trying to cheer me up, and it’s definitely working. It’s a nice compliment coming from a younger man. I know I shouldn’t be like that, but it’s not something you hear very often when you get older.”

               “Even you?” I ask and she nods. “I find that surprising.”

               “I should probably head home now. Thanks for dinner.”

               “No, thank you! And for the wine,” I say as I hand her the other bottle. “You don’t have to go unless you want to. I’m not doing anything for the rest of the night.”

               “You don’t want to hang out with an old lady all night,” she giggles.

               “You’re not an old lady.”

               “John, I’m older than your mother.”

               “So?”

               “You’re in your twenties. You should be out with friends or at a bar.”

               “I like quiet nights at home sometimes. Plus, you have a whole other bottle of wine. It could be dangerous if you drank that by yourself.”

               “Really now?” she asks with an eyebrow raised. I nod my head and she smiles again.  “I guess I need someone to help me finish it.”

 ***

                 Veronica, or Ronnie rather, and I finish the second bottle of wine in no time. We have a long and lovely conversation about music. I didn’t know that we had so much in common. I catch myself staring at her lips as she talks to me. I quickly avert my eyes elsewhere, but I just end up staring at another part of her body. I know that I shouldn’t find her attractive, but she’s gorgeous. I guess my boyhood crush never left.

               I notice that when Ronnie is flattered, she puts a strand of her honey brown hair behind her ear. Her blue green eyes light up whenever they lock with mine. Is this actually happening? Or is it just the wine? I hope not. I know she’s older, but the crush I had along with how well we’re hitting it off right now makes me forget about her age. She’s so much more than that. I never realized how interesting she is until now, being given the perfect opportunity to get to know her.

               “I should probably go home now,” she says as she plays with her empty wine glass before placing it on the coffee table.

               “Are you sure?” I ask and she smiles.

               “You actually want to keep talking to me? I thought I was boring you.”

               “No! God, no. I could listen to you for hours.”

               “Well, you already have.”

               “I wouldn’t mind a few more,” I say as I boldly rest my hand on top of hers. She looks down at our hands before glancing back up at me.

               “John, honey, I’m twice your age.”

               “I know that.”

               “I think we drank too much.”

               “I’m feeling just fine. I have a very attractive woman in front of me.”

               “Your vision must be impaired too,” she says with a nervous laugh.

               “Then I guess it always has.”

               “When did you become such a charmer?” she asks.

               “About halfway through that second bottle of wine,” I say, causing her to laugh. I see her laugh lines. Her face has barely aged, merely been delicately kissed by time. I lean in and give her a kiss. At first, she pulls away, but only to press hers against mine. She parts her lips and I cup her face before deepening the kiss.

               “John,” she mumbles against my lips as we begin making out on the couch. I move my mouth to her neck and she hums. “Shit,” she curses.

               “What?” I ask before kissing her collarbone.

               “This is so wrong, John. We shouldn’t be doing this.”

               “Why not?” I ask as I move back to her neck as my hands slip lower down her spine.

               “Because! I’m twice your age. I’m your mother’s best friend. What would she think of this?” she asks and I pull away.

               “There’s a lot she doesn’t know, and she’s perfectly fine not knowing.”

               “John.”

               “She’d probably be a little freaked out,” I admit and she smiles.

               “I think more than that. John, you’re such a sweet guy, but you’re still a kid in my eyes. We can’t be doing this.”

               “What’s so wrong with it? So what if you’re older than I am? Bill did the same thing,” I say, immediately regretting what I’ve said when I see her face fall.

               “I should head home,” she says softly before rising to her feet.

               “Ronnie…”

               “Have a good night, hun.”

               “Ronnie, I didn’t mean to say that,” I say as she walks towards the kitchen. I begin to follow her.

               “It’s fine. That shouldn’t have happened, alright? But thank you for the flattery. If you need anything while you housesit, you know where to find me.”

               “Veronica, I really am sorry,” I say and she nods. “Let me walk you home.”

               “I’m just next door. Thanks, though. Goodnight,” she says and pats my cheek.

               “Goodnight,” I nod.

               I cannot believe I fucked that up.

 ***

                 I feel horrible for what I said to Veronica. I didn’t want her to feel bad for what we had done, but that was the last thing I should have said. To get my mind off of last night, I invite over the guys to play pool and have a few drinks with me. No matter how many distractions I have, I can’t seem to get my mind off of Veronica. We seemed to really hit it off last night. It’s strange to think that could happen. She’s significantly older, but I felt something between us. I crave more from her.

               “John, what’s wrong with you? You barely talked to us all night,” Tim says as he gets ready to leave after all the guys have already left.

               “I’m fine, man.”

               “Your mind seems elsewhere.”

               “It kind of is, but I’m fine. I promise,” I say.

               “Alright, but if you get too lonely here, call us up again,” he says and I nod before he makes his way out the door. I see Veronica taking out her trash next door. Maybe I should go over there and apologize. I don’t want things to be weird, especially since she’s so close to my mother.

               “Veronica?” I ask as I walk towards her house.

               “Hey, John,” she says as she puts her trash in the garbage can.

               “I wanted to apologize for last night. I was really out of line.”

               “Well, thanks for the apology,” she says quietly.

               “I also wanted to say that I hope you find some happiness. You deserve it. You’re a gorgeous woman, Ronnie.”

               “Again, I’m flattered.”

               “I’ve always thought that. I’m glad I can finally say it.”

               “What are you doing?”

               “What?”

               “John, you should be flirting with women in their twenties, not forties.”

               “Maybe I don’t want to,” I say and she tries to hold back a smile. “Ronnie, last night was really great. You can’t deny that we had some kind of chemistry.”

               “No, but it’s so wrong. I’ve known you since you were a kid. I’m friends with your mother.”

               “But we’re not doing anything wrong. We’re two consenting adults.”

               “I suppose so, but what would Jenny think?”

               “Is that what you’re so worried about? What do you think about this?”

               “Answer my question first.”

               “Fine,” I sigh. “She’d probably freak out. She wouldn’t like this.”

               “That’s why we can’t let what happened last night continue.”

               “But I want it to.”

               “John…”

               “Is it my age that you’re having an issue with? Is that why you want me to be freaked out about yours?” I ask with a smile on my lips.

               “No,” she laughs. “I just can’t believe a 27 year old is attracted to me.”

               “Well, I am. You’re so easy to talk to, Ronnie. I loved that last night. It’s not just the fact that I’m physically attracted to you.”

               “That’s good to know,” she says as she blushes.

               “So, what do you say we have dinner again? I’ll order something since my cooking skills aren’t that great.”

               “Sounds good,” she smiles.

                 Dinner doesn’t go exactly as planned. When we go inside, we become distracted with each other. One thing leads to another, and we end up lying naked on the pool table. I’m so stunned by what’s happened that I don’t even hear a word Ronnie’s saying.

               “John,” she snaps and I turn my head to her.

               “Yeah?”

               “Was it okay?” she asks as she searches my eyes.

               “Are you seriously asking me that? It was fucking amazing. Wow,” I breathe. That was quite honestly the best sex I’ve ever had. “Where did you learn to do that thing with your tongue?” I ask and she smirks.

               “I learned that one on my own,” she says as she leans in to give me a kiss. “Do you mind if we move this back to the couch or something? This is really uncomfortable.”

               “Not at all,” I say as I sit up. I stand, not even bothering to put my clothes back on. “Hold on,” I say and take off her panties. She’d put them back on just a moment prior, but I need them off of her now. I delicately place the black lace on the dark, green felt of the table. I take her leg into my hands and slowly kiss up to her thigh. She’s in incredible shape. She could pass for late thirties, honestly.

               “John,” she sighs before my head is buried between her thighs. I feel her fingers thread through my hair before she guides my head to where she wants it. Usually, I want to be the one to take charge, but this is a welcomed change. I feel her heels dig into my back. She must be enjoying this. “Oh, God. John,” she moans. I can’t help but smirk when she does that. I can tell she’s getting uncomfortable on this table, they’re not exactly the coziest surfaces to have sex on. I pull away and she whimpers which causes me to smirk.

               “Let’s go upstairs,” I say, helping her sit up.

               “Okay,” she says as she gets up.

               We rush up the staircase without any clothes on. As soon as we make our way to the top, my mouth is on hers. Our hands roam every inch of each other’s bodies. We fumble down the hall, and go into the first room we can find. We make our way to a bed, not caring what room were in. I kiss her more passionately before merging my body with hers.

               I have never had such passion filled sex, and I’ve certainly never had sex quite this good before. We try so many different positions before going back to missionary. I bury my face into her neck as my own orgasm strikes just as hers peaks. Our chests rests against each other’s. I can feel her heart beating against my own.

               “I can’t believe we just did that,” Ronnie says as she stares directly into my eyes. “Why did you bring us in here?!” she asks with a laugh. I look around the room, realizing that it’s my parents’.

               “Shit. I didn’t even realize it,” I say, feeling my face turn hot.

               “Do you want to move rooms then?” she asks and I nod. I offer her my hand to help her out of bed. She laughs and shakes her head as she rises to her feet. “I’m not so old that I need to have someone help me out of bed.”

               “Well, I just thought you might be a little weak after all that,” I say with a wink.

               “When did you get so cocky? I remember you being such an awkward, lanky thing,” she says before squeezing my arms. “Not now.”

               “Funny, you haven’t changed a bit,” I say, leaning in to give her a kiss. I rub her arms, noticing chill bumps form across her smooth skin. “You’re cold.”

               “What?” she asks.

               “I can feel it.”

               “I’m not cold, just excited I guess.”

               “Oh,” I say with a smile. Let’s go across the hall to my old room. This is freaking me out being in here,” I laugh.

               “Yeah, me too.”

               I drape my arm across her shoulders as we walk towards my room. She steps inside before I do. I can’t help but look at her ass. She’s in amazing shape. She catches me staring and I smile quite innocently at her.

               “I can see right through that smile. You think I haven’t noticed you doing that for 15 years?”

               “Really?” I ask, my eyes widening. She nods her head before lying down on her stomach on my bed.

               “It was always a little confidence booster, still is.”

               “That’s because you’re still sexy,” I say and she smiles again. I walk over to the bed and lie down beside her, propping my head up with my hand.

               “I didn’t think that the first man I’d sleep with after my divorce would be half my age, let alone you. I also didn’t expect to have sex with you today or ever.”

               “I didn’t either,” I laugh. “I’ve definitely thought about it,” I say, not realizing what was coming out of my mouth until it was too late.

               “Have you now?” she asks as she sits up. “That’s kind of cute.”

               “Cute?” I ask with my eyebrow raised.

               “Yeah,” she says before leaning in to kiss me. We begin making out again before I roll on top of her, prodding her entrance. “Again?” she asks with wide eyes.

               “What?” I ask, my eyes searching.

               “I’m just not used to this. Nice to have a man who can keep up,” she says before reaching down between us to grip my shaft.

               “Oh, fuck,” I all but moan.  She puts her lips to my neck before letting her hand go. Before I know it, we’re back at it, and I’m certainly not complaining. This woman has me moaning, something I don’t normally do. I feel embarrassed by it until she joins in. We continue our rhythm until we’re once again a panting, sweaty mess, but this time it’s on my bed.

               “I forgot what it was like to fuck a twenty something,” she laughs. I pull out and collapse beside her. I reach down out of habit, but quickly remember that I didn’t wear a condom.

               “Oh, shit.”

               “What?” she asks.

               “I forgot to put a condom on. We got in such a hurry…”

               “I’m sure it’ll be fine. I don’t have anything. Do you?”

               “No! But you could get pregnant!” I say, panicking. I do not want to have to explain that to my family.

               “John,” she laughs. “I’m a little too old to get pregnant. I think we’ll be okay.”

               “Oh,” I say, a little embarrassed. She smiles and kisses the corner of my mouth. I put my arm around her and she rests her head on my chest. “Do you need anything?” I ask and she looks up with a smile.

               “I’m okay.”

               “You sure? We kind of got side tracked with the whole dinner thing,” I say and she laughs.

               “Well, I am kinda hungry,” she says, pulling away.

               “Don’t get up. I’ll figure something out,” I say and kiss her forehead.

               “That’s so sweet,” she says.

               “I know that you’re going to be a little weak for a while after all that,” I say with a wink before walking out of my room.

               I walk downstairs to the kitchen. I smirk at our discarded pile of clothes by the pool table. Today’s been such a great day. Maybe things with Ronnie will progress. I hope they will, at least. We definitely have chemistry.

               “Whoa! What the fuck?!” shouts my little brother when I walk into the kitchen.

               “SHIT!” I exclaim and grab a dishtowel to cover what I can of myself.

               “Dude, just because you’re housesitting doesn’t mean you can walk around naked.”

               “Yeah, it kinda does. What are you doing here?” I ask as he takes a bite of an apple.

               “I wanted to come home for the weekend, but forgot Mom and Dad weren’t going to be here,” he says with a shrug. He looks at me and begins to laugh.

               “What?”

               “Why do you have lipstick all over you?”

               I look down my torso to see Ronnie’s deep red lipstick all over me.

               “You have a girl over?!” he asks.

               “Yeah, sorta.”

               “I can leave.”

               “No! You just got home. I just came down to get the two of us something to eat.”

               “Okay,” he laughs. “I’m just going to be in the living room watching TV, and drinking Dad’s beer.”

               “Sounds good,” I nod as he walks past. I walk into the next room over to retrieve my underwear so I can make something for Ronnie and me to eat. I make us each a sandwich and put some fruit on the plate.

               “So who’s the girl?” Shane asks.

               “You don’t know her,” I lie as I walk towards the staircase. I walk into my old room to find Ronnie pulling the comforter up to her chest. “Cold?” I ask and she nods. I hand her the plate before digging through my bag for one of my t-shirts. “Put this on.”

               “Thanks,” she says as she slips the gray shirt over her frame.

               “So, Shane’s here.”

               “Does he know?” she asks with wide eyes.

               “He doesn’t know it’s you,” I say as I get in the bed. I put my arm around her and take one of the apple slices off the plate.

               “Do you mind if I hang out here for a while then?”

               “Of course not. I was kind of hoping that you’d want to,” I say before kissing her cheek.

               “This should feel so wrong right now,” she whispers.

               “But?”

               “But it doesn’t. I’ve never felt more comfortable.”

               “Yeah?” I ask and kiss her on the lips. I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear before kissing all over her face.

               “John,” she laughs before pulling me in for a deep kiss. “Wouldn’t you much rather be kissing a girl your age?” she asks as she rests her hands on my face.

               “No, not when I can be kissing you.”

               “So it doesn’t bother you?”

               “No,” I say with a smile as I rub her wrist. “This is already so different, but in a good way.”