Tag: romance

Squalor (Part VI)

For almost everyone, Covid was a time of dread but from Meredith’ perspective, rarely had life been so good. To feel the drops of warm water splashing against her face as she had a shower felt like pure luxury. That and the fact that she didn’t need to worry where her next meal was coming from, at least for now. It had taken some doing to readjust to sleeping in a bed, it was just so soft. In fact, she couldn’t sleep at all till she tried the floor on her first night there. Hopefully, she’d get back to sleeping in a bed for the full night at some stage.

Two days had now passed since he had taken her in and it had been pure bliss. She still had no idea what Aaron did for a living, just that it used words such as “leverage”, “call” and “put”. He had insisted on buying her some new clothes.

“I can’t have you going round the apartment in rags. It just wouldn’t be right.”

She didn’t argue.

The apartment was the ideal size for them. She got to see plenty of him during the day, but there was still somewhere for them to go if they wanted some alone time, which was never for her but she knew that he needed to work.

She loved the time she got to spend with him, he was quirky but they shared the same sense of humour and that made the days fly-by,

“Wow”

Aaron looked shocked when she entered the living area after the shower and putting on some of her new clothes.

“What?”

“You look amazing Meredith. You really do spruce up well.”

Mededith suddenly felt herself hotting up. It had been so long since anybody had paid her a compliment, not to mention from a handsome man her own age, part of her just wanted to cry. It didn’t matter to her that he used a wheelchair, she wanted to run her hands through his hair, to touch those thin arms. To get lost in those brown eyes. She quickly went to the couch to regain her composure.

Aaron suggested they watch a film for the rest of the evening. It was at best only somewhat entertaining. Parts of it, a terrible bore.

“I think I’ll let you pick the film next time.”

“Yes, I think so,” she laughed.

But all she really wanted to do was to snuggle up to him.

(If you enjoy my writing, don’t forget to follow me on my blog, my twitter @markahern2000 or on facebook – markswritingcorner.)

Squalor (Romance)- Part 1

Meredith sat quietly near the entrance to a shopping centre on a busy pedestrian street in the heart of Dublin. Most shoppers wouldn’t even notice that she was there. Occasionally, one would stop and hand her some change. Rarely, would a word be said between them. Not that she wanted to talk. Her worst fear was that someone, even a remote acquaintance might vaguely recognize her from her old life. The shame of being seen living like this. Her once beautiful jet black hair was now frazzled and dirty, her jumper and jeans, old and ripped. Once her life had seemed so full of potential, she had never envisioned that she would end up living like this, especially at twenty-five years of age. That is what brought her all this way from county of Cork.

This was her favorite spot during the day. An excellent view and a small bit of shelter. Later, she would find somewhere more secluded for the night perhaps in the doorway of an apartment block or in an abandoned building. Somewhere relatively safe, compared to the homeless shelters where she would be hassled for sex and face the temptation of drugs. She was clean over two months now and that was something she was quietly proud of. But the pull of heroin was never far from her thoughts.

It was a warm summers day, which Meredith preferred to the cold but it brought its own problems. The scorching heat of the ground and the intense glare of the sun. The smell of burgers from the McDonald’s restaurant down the street tormented her. It would be a few hours till the soup kitchen opened, she would just have to wait.

She spent a few minutes just watching the various people go op and down the street. They all seemed happy or at least content in their lives. There was a group of girls giggling, two men holding hands in a romantic embrace and a a group of african men among the milieu. Then she spotted a man in a wheelchair buzzing past on the opposite side of the street. She had seen him several times over the last few weeks. He was around her age, always immaculately dressed in a suit. and always in an apparent rush to his destination.

She thought of asking him where he was in a rush to but he wouldn’t want someone like her talking to him. The smell alone would make him run a mile, if he could run that is. Oh, how she would love to have someone in her life, even just for a chat but who would want her?

A Covid Romance (Pt. 4)

Sean found himself anxiously waiting for Serena’s return. He was hungry when she left, but now he was positively starving. Perhaps, he thought to himself, he should have given her a smaller list so that she would return faster. Then his mind quickly switched to how pretty she looked in her mask, with her shoulder length blond hair. The memory of her sweet rose tinted perfume drove his mind wild. Perhaps, he just needed to be round women his own age more. Just as quickly, his mind switched back to food and thoughts of a tasty burger. He could almost taste it.

He switched through the different tv channels trying to find something interesting to take his mind off his predicament but they all taunted him with food advertisements. Then, there was a flicker of light outside emanating from the house next door. His heart started to beat that bit faster as he wheeled towards the front door.

It still took another few minutes before she rang the doorbell giving Sean enough time to put on mask. He hated having to put them on, but it was what was recommended and made him feel that bit safer.

“Hi Sean, here is your shopping. Will I bring it in for you?”

Sean hesitated for a second. It wasn’t ideal for her to enter to enter the house, but he was unsure if he would be able to carry all the stuff inside himself.

“Yeah, brilliant If you could just leave things on the kitchen table for me, that would be great. I’ll just reverse and get out of your way a bit, to keep the two metres.”

With that, she walked past not quite giving him the distance that he had hoped for. It may have been somewhat lost in translation.

Sean noticed that she wasn’t wearing any gloves as she put his second bag down. His Personal Assistant had been wearing them for some time. It almost seemed erotic to see a naked hand. He wondered what it would feel like to touch, would it be cold from being outside? Then the sound of her voice brought him back to reality.

“So, will you be okay now? Your change is there on the table.”

“Yes, that will be fine, thanks a million.”

“Ring me, if you need anything or to talk. It’s good to talk.”

Sean nodded in agreement and with that she left.

It took quite some time for Sean to pack everything away and get something to eat. But, he did enjoy that burger.

As he lay down in bed he decided to send Serena a text message.

  • Thanks so much for earlier. Was a huge help.

Her response was almost immediate.

  • No worries, did you cook something nice.

With that, they began to text each other back and forth about their jobs, the pandemic and what food they enjoyed into the late night.

A Covid Romance (Pt.3)

Serena was cooking a bigos, a traditional stew dish of meat and vegetables from her native Poland. Anything to take her mind off things. It was best just to ignore the crisis, at least for now. The constant worry and fear was too much. Better to do something she loved, even if she was the only one who was going to get to eat it.

Then she heard the buzzing sound of her phone. Thinking that it was probably someone from work looking to talk about the pub being closed, she didn’t check the caller id.

“Yes, Serena here.”

“Eh, this is Sean. I live next door to you. You called a few weeks ago.”

For a moment Serena wasn’t sure who it was. But then she realized.

“Oh yes Sean, how is everything? Do you need my help with anything?”

“Well, you see my PA is not able to come and she usually gets my groceries. And well, I’m not really supposed to leave the house and -“

“You want me to shop for you?”

“Eh yeah, please. That would be great.”

“Okay, I will call over in an hour. You can give me the list and money.”

“Grand, see you then.”

Serena put down the phone.

After her meal was cooked and eaten, she wondered if she should go and put on some make-up. She went to the mirror and was less than impressed with what she saw. Her hair was unkempt and her eyes looked dull. She hadn’t worried much about her appearance when she was meeting “the couple” but somehow this felt different. Maybe cause he was a man and much closer to her own age. He actually sounded quite sexy on the phone and anyway it was important to look good. So that was that, her decision was made. If she didn’t hurry though, she would be late and it’s not like she could blame the traffic.

Finally, when she felt presentable and walked out the front door. It was wet and breezy, probably undoing much of her good work getting ready.

Within seconds she was knocking at his front door, feeling an unexpected tinge of excitement.

Sean opened the door more fully this time. Even though a mask covered half of his face, she could tell he was handsome and found herself gazing into his piercing brown eyes He was wearing a denim short and trousers. Now that she could see him better she reckoned he was in his early thirties just like herself.

“Here is the list and thirty euro should cover it.”

He reached out and handed it to her.

“Right, I will come back with your groceries and change once I’m done.”

With that, they gave each other a little wave goodbye.

A Covid Romance (Pt.2)

Sean had watched the nightly news with increasing alarm each night. The virus was getting closer and closer. The death rate was somewhat uncertain, but he knew that for someone in his poor physical health it would be much higher. He already lived the life of a hermit, which was now a good thing. His aide Thelma, an elderly woman in her sixties was a concern though. She worked about two hours per day, usually during the mornings cleaning up the house and doing errands for him like getting the shopping. Those two hours were vital. He knew that it was a major vulnerability, not only in that she could carry the virus to him, but also that she might be too scared to come help him. There was little he could do about it though.

As if having become paralyzed through a car accident wasn’t bad enough, now he had to face a pandemic. He wished he had relatives close by in case things went pear shaped but his mother had died during the very same accident and he had never known his father. At times, it felt like nobody else knew he existed.

Still, he tried to put his worries to the back of his mind. But, that became impossible after hearing the Taoiseach’s announcement that Ireland was going into lockdown. Nobody was to go to work the next day.

It didn’t take long for his phone to ring. He knew it was Thelma, and this was almost certainly not going to be good news.

“Thelma?”

“Sean, have you seen the news? They don’t want want people to leave their homes. What will I do?”

Her voice was trembling.

“I’ll be okay. Don’t come tomorrow, hopefully we’ll get some clarification on things, if we wait a day or two.”

“Are ya sure?”

He wasn’t.

“Yes, I am. Talk again tomorrow ok”

With that, the call ended. He immediately rolled over to the kitchen and checked his fridge. There was enough for a day or two. He needed a plan in case he didn’t see Thelma for a while. Then it came to him – that Polish woman, but did he still have her number?

A Covid Romance (Pt 1)

Serena shuffled from side to side in her bed, restless and unable to sleep. Normally, she would have no problem sleeping but usually, the News didn’t have her so fearful. The images from Italy kept going through her mind; the faces of people gasping for breath. China had been a distant place in her mind, but Italy really wasn’t that far from Ireland. Ireland played them at the rugby each year and Irish people regularly went there on holidays. She knew that from work. It was inevitable that the virus would now reach here now. She tried to stop thinking about it, it would do her no good as she needed to work the next day.

Despite her difficulties sleeping, she made it into work. It was tough to work behind a bar when you are tired though. The place was bustling as usual with orders for food and drink flying in. But the same topic of conversation was at every table. At one point a chill went down Serena’s spine when she heard that a whole region in Italy had just gone into lockdown. She felt like she had been transported into a horror movie.

The first thing she did when she got home was to turn on the news to see the latest developments. Things were indeed as bad as she had feared. The Chief Medical Officer of the country Dr. Holohan said that it was now only a matter of time before there was a recorded case in Ireland. Serena’s thoughts turned to all the people who were about to die. She thought of her vulnerable neighbours. An elderly couple lived on one side of her and a guy in a wheelchair lived on the other side. She hadn’t interacted with them much till now but she resolved to call into them that night to let them know that she was there if they needed anything. It was the least she could do and it would take her mind off worrying about herself. At least, she would be doing something.

She went to the elderly couple first. Their names were Alan and Mary, both in their late seventies. And wow, could they talk. At first, about the virus then about their grown up children and finally about the forthcoming warm summer they were praying for. Finally, Sabrina managed to say her goodbyes, promising to check in on them if things deteriorated.

Then it was time to check in on the man that lived the other side of her in a row of bungalows. She didn’t know much about him and had only every seen him in the distance since she started renting her house three months previously. It was a very different experience. She buzzed the doorbell and waited. Just as she was about to leave the door opened slightly.

“Sorry, do I know you?”

“Oh! My name is Serena. I’m from Poland but I live next to you.”

“Oh right! Sorry, didn’t recognise you. Hope you don’t mind but I’m in quarantine with this virus and all.”

“Yes, that is why I am here. In case, you need anything. All you have to do is ring me. Okay?”

With that, she put a crumpled page with her name and number on it through the letter box sensing he didn’t want her close.

“Bye, don’t forget to ring if I can be of help!”

“Ehh, thanks.”

With that, she left.

My friend Katy (Part 3)

Katy looks stunning as she walks towards me. She is wearing a long, black dress, her bare shoulders caressed by her long, dark hair. Just as well that I put in a bit of effort myself. She leans down and kisses me on the cheek, giving me a whiff of her alluring fragrance before sitting down.

“So good to see you. It’s been a while!”

“Yes, it has,” she replies with a wide smile, “so, how have you been? I must say you’re looking very good these days.”

“Ah you noticed, yeah I’m doing a bit of weight training each night. I’ve been at it for the last eighteen months. I found that it helps clear my head, keeps me grounded. Other than that I’m working away at the accounting online. It’s been a life saver, makes my life so much easier. So tell me all about you and Australia! I really missed ya.”

Katie then told Tom about Australia, the heat and the lack of green. She had stayed in Perth, a place very different to Ireland.

“Are ya serious, the pubs close at 10pm?”

This is one place, Tom would never bother going to. Talk about boring.

By now, they were both enjoying their meal. Tom had gone for some salmon, whereas Katy gone had gone for turkey and ham.

In between bites Katie interjected.

“So, are you still seeing her?”

“No, it didn’t work out unfortunately. We decided it was best. How bout you? Were you a good or naughty girl over there?”

“It turned out Australians are not my type,” she replied with a small smile, while brushing her hair back with her hand.

Is she flirting with me? Nah it’s just me dreaming.

The conversation then switches to their families and how the different people they know are doing.

Unfortunately the time flew and it would soon be time for Tom to head home.

“What about a night cap? You can go in the morning? Come on, I haven’t seen ya in ages,” Katie said intensely looking right into his eyes.

Well, I was never going to refuse a night cap with a beautiful woman.

With that, we went out to our cars and headed to her apartment.

My friend Katy (Part 1) (Romance)

I was feeling something I hadn’t expected. It was difficult to put a finger on exactly what it was. No, it couldn’t be. My palms were sweaty. Was I nervous? That would quite simply be ridiculous. This wasn’t a date or even anything remotely close to that. I was meeting Katy, my best friend.

Maybe, this is normal. After all, I haven’t seen her in two years since she left for Australia and what I’m feeling is just the excitement of seeing her again. It is sort of strange though, when we were teenagers she lived across the way from me. We saw each other most days. I would wait for her outside of her house for a chat after school most days. Unless it was raining or too cold, which happened often during the colder months. Disability and inclement weather do not mix very well. She would waive to me in the distance, her long, brown hair bobbling over her blue uniform when she saw that I was waiting for her.

We would talk about life, school, music and our major crushes of the day. They were good times.

Occasionally, we would go into one of our houses and play some computer games, the only problem being that we both hated to lose. Once, she even stopped talking to me for a few days! It was something that even she was able to laugh about as we aged. In fairness, she was only fourteen at the time.

That was probably when we were at our closest. Having gone to an all-boys school, she was my only female friend and definitely the only girl I didn’t feel really shy around. I was the first one that she told about her first boyfriend. Yes, I was jealous wishing that I had whatever traits it was that made him special to her. But, I fought and hid those feelings. Her friendship was too important. Then there were other boyfriends, the jealousy faded. It was just the way things would be.

We didn’t see each other as often, when college as we went to separate places. Then it was her time to listen about my first girlfriend and different sexual experiences.

Then, two years after both of us graduated she left for the other side of the world. We had promised to keep in touch and although I tried, I heard little from her.

She is now ten minutes late. She always was, in the old days I’d always be at least this late myself to make sure I wouldn’t be waiting around too long. I’ve never been at his hotel previously having driven up to the outskirts of Dublin to meet her. She chose a good spot. The vast bar is only sparsely populated and it didn’t take me long to find a table.

Then, I think I see her pulling up in a car outside.

Lauren and James (Pt 5)

James wasn’t quite sure what kind of movie to download to watch with Lauren. Maybe it should be something romantic but what if he was misreading her signals. It could get cringe worthy. But then again, if it was an action film it might be a golden opportunity missed. Oh, anything for a simple life. If only women would tell you what they wanted rather than being so cryptic.

Eventually, he made a decision. Now, he just had to hope that it was the right one.

**********************************************************************************

Lauren had everything exactly the she way she had hoped for. Okay, she had no idea why he had selected “Jurassic Park III or whatever” as the film to watch, but she thought it best not to complain. She had decided to wear a low cut top for the occasion and she could instantly tell that the sight of her cleavage was having the desired effect.

Still, it had taken some tenacity to convince him to get out of his wheelchair and sit on the couch beside her, that she had hastily moved into position. He knew that he would struggle to sit straight and would start to lean sideways, exactly as was then happening.

“Maybe, it would be easier if I put my arm around you like this, see.”

His head rested against her bare shoulder. For a few minutes, they watched the movie. A volcano was blowing up in the film, but she cared not a jot. She flicked James’ ear and he turned towards her. For the first time, they peered into each other’s eyes. She leaned towards him and kissed him on the mouth, gently at first but when he responded, more aggressively. She felt his hands on her breasts. She thought about taking off her clothes, but decided that would be for next time. For twenty minutes, they kissed with hands wandering over their bodies before they realized that his father would be back soon.

“So, what happened at the end of the film?” James asked with a wide grin.

“Who cares?” Lauren laughed, “what made you pick that film anyway?”

“Are you kidding me? It’s romantic. See how those Tyrannosaurus were looking at each other.”

Lauren gave him a knowing kiss and told him she would pick the next one.

Lauren and James Pt 3

James couldn’t quite place the first moment or day it happened, just that it seemed to happen more often now. Looking at the clock to check how much longer it would be till she arrived or that feeling of sadness, even emptiness when she left again. She made him laugh and would cheer him up whenever he felt down. At times, he had to strongly resist asking her to stay. This hadn’t happened with his last Personal Assistant.

The more he thought about it, the more he knew not that something was wrong but different. His last Assistant never made him feel like this. Then one night they kissed. It was only a dream but it made him nervous around her the next day, especially when she leaned over him putting on the sling and some of her hair brushed against his ear. No, he had to put these feelings behind him. Even before his stroke he had never been good with women and now what chance would he have in a chair with slurred speech? Would she be impressed that he had reached a new level in one of his games? No, he didn’t think so, not even if he reached “God” status.

And he didn’t want to lose what he had or to make a fool of himself. Better to keep quiet and keep the status quo. Perhaps, unrequited love was the best he could hope for in any event.

***************************************************************************

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, he’s just been quieter the last few days. A few days ago, I was going to put on his sling and I felt the atmosphere change abruptly. It was really weird.”

Lauren was chatting with her Mum. They talked about everything and she was the one person that she felt she could always depend on. It was late Saturday evening.

“Maybe, he likes you, like fancies you.”

“What?” she replied incredulously.

“Well, he is a man around your age and you are quite pretty. Look darling if you don’t feel the same way go easy on him. He doesn’t get out of that house much and the two of you get on well, he might be content with that.”

Lauren didn’t know what to say in response. Fortunately, she was now running late and had an excuse to leave, which she quickly took.

She was meeting her friends Suzie and Rose. Lauren hadn’t seen them in a while and had been looking forward to meeting them but now found herself restless as she sat down. Instead of concentrating on what they were saying, her mind became fixated on what her mother said.

Could he really be into her?

She loved spending time with him and didn’t want to lose that, not to mind a good paying job. He was handsome, but surely it would be unprofessional for anything to happen between them. This wasn’t something she felt she could chat about on a night out with her friends, so mostly she stayed quiet.

“What’s wrong with ya?” Rose asked abruptly over the loud music, “barely a peep out of ya alnight?”

Lauren responded that she wasn’t feeling the best and that was kind of true. They told her to drink up, as if alcohol was always the best solution.

Then just as she was on her last pint, her phone buzzed telling her that she had received a text message. Her heart missed a beat. It was Stephen, the guy she had being having a “thing” with. She hadn’t heard from him for some time.

“Ah, not him again,” Rose exclaimed sensing her unease, “he’s only after an easy ride when your pissed.”

True, but she hadn’t had sex in a while. What would she do?