(book # 1) : Sheila And Clifford: 'Hello! ' ……. [new Relationship; Shyness; 'Un-Shyness'; Very Long, But Very Good? ] Poem by Bri Edwards

Chapter One

As I entered the resort condo I'd be sharing with a stranger,
I couldn't help wondering if there could be some danger ….
from signing up for a two weeks stay, sharing (to have less to pay) …
with a woman whom I'd never met, BUT I could do it, my mind did say.

I'd seen her photo on the sharing site and we had emailed twice.
Though I knew little about her, … online she certainly did seem nice.
An accountant, unmarried, no children, …. non-smoker, and no pets.
With separate bedrooms and baths, ….. how difficult could it get?

Probably I'd spend most of the stay working on my book,
in a seaside cabana, ….. and at night I'd read and cook.
She'd said she planned to sightsee, do a little shopping.
Nights she planned to eat out, and then do some barhopping.

I‘ve never been married, ….. though I've been tempted twice.
Bachelorhood for me works quite well; I think it's rather nice.
I'm not a prude by any means: I do date, though rarely.
Sometimes in a conversation I hold my own …....just barely.

When I picked up my condo key, I learned she had arrived.
As I entered and saw a suitcase I thought 'so far I have survived.'
Then I heard Sheila call out 'Clifford, I'm in the kitchen. Hello! '
I responded 'Hello, Sheila. To which bedroom shall I go? '

She stepped out into the living room, and I felt a bit of fear,
for Sheila was holding a cocktail, wearing only panties and brassiere.
'My stuff is in the second room, but you can have your choice.'
I would have said 'I'll take the first one', but I ….could not find my voice.

She smiled the sweetest smile....I'd seen in many a year,
and said 'Oh, Cliff, don't mind me at all; there's NOTHING to fear.'
I gulped and returned her smile as best I could; at least I tried.
Then I checked into the first bedroom, trying my embarrassment to hide.

I'd always been shy around the 'fairer sex', since I was a kid.
I freshened up in the bathroom, unpacked, and came out from where I'd hid.
By then she'd put on a short-sleeved blue cotton shirt,
and a floor length, slightly-see-through, yellow skirt.

'Sorry if I shocked you Cliff. Do you mind me using 'Cliff'? '
I said, 'Uh, no, Sheila, please excuse me. With strangers I can get stiff.'
[As soon as I said 'stiff', meaning 'uncomfortable', I knew my face would redden.
The silence then between her and me was so heavy it seemed
leaden.]

Chapter Two


Then she laughed. And I laughed too. I couldn't help myself.
She went back to the kitchen and took another glass off of a shelf.
I heard some other sounds she was making with drink preparation.
Then she came out with a party hat and a noisemaker, like it was a celebration.

‘Well? ' she said, approaching me and holding out a drink.
'How do you like the place so far? ' My face had gone from red to pink.
'Uh, well, I've never been this far south. The weather here is great.
Uh, and from what I've seen so far, everything seems first rate.'

Again I knew what she was thinking as she gave me a practiced wink.
I looked down at my shoes. Then I took a sip from my drink.
'Well, I think it is fabulous here. I've been here twice, you know', she said.
'In fact it wouldn't be a bad place to retire to, if I retire before I'm dead.'

To that I gave a little chuckle, though I really didn't think it funny.
I couldn't get out of my mind …. that she looked just like a Playboy Bunny.
She winked again, and I think my blood pressure shot up a mile.
I said 'I'm going to get groceries. Want anything? ' 'No' she said, with a smile.

Then she said 'I'm going to take a dip in the pool,
then eat at 'La Bamba'. Their menu makes me drool.
After that I'll probably stop at Two Aces Lounge for a drink or three.
If you're not busy, say about ninish, feel free to stop and join me.

I glanced at my shoes and back at her, and took another sip.
I'd seen her in her underwear. I wondered if she wore a slip.
'Well, Sheila, that's nice of you, but it's been a long day. I think I'll pass.
I may stay up till ten or so, checking my email, if I don't run out of gas.

Suit yourself' she replied. 'I'll be late, but I'll tiptoe
past your room.
You probably won't bother me in the morning. I sleep like King
Tut in his tomb.
Again I let out a little chuckle, but this time it was for real.
As I drove to get groceries, I thought about how she made me
feel.

Chapter Three

I got back an hour later and called her name, but she was gone.
I fixed myself an Italian dish, rich with goat cheese and wild prawn.
I did the dishes, reviewed email, and checked the time each half hour.
I thought about the Two Aces, but my recent luck with women had been sour.

In bed by ten, asleep by eleven; at two a.m. I heard her 'tiptoe' by.
Tomorrow I'd work on my third novel. Or at least I'd try.
I heard her shower running about 11 a.m. ….. as I typed away.
She pranced out wrapped in a towel, seeking coffee, …. with her bunny sway.

A wink and a smile she gave as she passed my open door.
[I hoped I hadn't bothered her snoozing with my sawing snore.]
I looked up again as, with her coffee, she passed my door by.
I could not help myself; I smiled. I'm not quite sure why.

Later she came out of her room in a long flowery dress.
I was glad I'd cleaned up after my breakfast and not left a mess.
I'd seen she'd brought o.j., yogurt, English muffins and her booze.
I decided to visit her in the kitchen. I'd nothing to lose.

'Good morning' I offered, as I boldly entered her space.
'Good morning back at ya' she purred, as I looked at her face.
'How was your night? ' I asked, while looking at shoes and stirring my brew.
'Not bad, but I always like beds better when there are two.'

'Two? ' I did ask. 'How would you use more than one bed? '
'Two PEOPLE, silly! ' she answered, and I almost fell over dead.
I felt like running back to my room. My face sure felt hot.
Sheila said 'Care for coffee, juice, or ….. muffin? I brought a lot.'

'Uh, no, thank you. I've eaten, but …. well, yes, why not coffee? '
We sat in silence before she said 'I've not fixed my hair yet; I must look 'awfy'! '
I felt like I should say something to that, but at first my tongue was tied.
'You look great to me' I said, then I felt myself blushing, ….
and I could not hide.

'I'm glad that you think so. My mom always told me I got lucky
with looks.
But I hate when men judge women that way, and they think we can't read books.
There are advantages, sure, to being born with nice teeth,
hair, and skin,
but I'd like for a man to appreciate my mind too, before his
heart I win.

Chapter Four

'So you read any good books lately? ' I asked, hoping she had.
And to get onto that subject, Sheila seemed to be glad.
She said she'd read The Agony And The Ecstasy, The Old Man And The Sea,
some sci-fi, some philosophy, …… and a book about her family tree.

Not all had been read 'lately' she admitted. She had lots else to do.
By the time we'd shared parts of our life stories, it was …. almost two.
Two in the afternoon that is. Then she went to the spa to run and swim.
While she was gone, I lay on my bed, door closed, and had a talk with 'him'.

We followed a similar routine for the next three, I think, days.
I grew more relaxed with her, and more fond, as I learned more of her ways.
She was always dressed completely OR in a big towel …. and her smile.
Finally she invited me to dine with her and go barhopping. I'd be on trial.

[My mind said 'Don't risk it. Be comfortable with what you've got',
but my heart said 'Go for it Cliff', and I found myself ‘on the spot'.]
I couldn't keep her waiting for an answer. Was I a boy or a man?
So I said 'I'd be happy to dine with you. I'll keep up with you …. if I can.'

It was 10 a.m. when she invited me, as she was heading out the door.
We arranged to meet at a nearby bistro. I hoped I'd not ….. be a bore.
I got a trim at the barber shop, bought a new tie, and shined my shoes.
We'd be going separate ways in a week or so; what did I have to lose?

We both found ourselves at the condo, showering and dressing at 5: 30.
No matter what else happened on our 'date', I knew we'd not be dirty!
She had actually not used the word 'date', nor had I, but it started out like one.
I hoped I could keep my cool, not mess up, and even have some fun.

We decided to walk together the few short blocks, from the condo, to dine.
She had on a black cocktail dress and a lacey shawl. I thought she looked divine.
We got a table on a covered deck, facing the emerald sea.
She insisted she pay for the meal, but said drinks, later, would be on ME.

I learned she had three siblings, and parents, both retired.
She claimed she'd slapped a boss once (for 'touching her') and gotten..…. herself fired.
I told her about me being a Boy Scout and a standout paperboy.
I shared some about my writing career, …. and some things I do
enjoy.

The food was good. She had a healthy appetite. All was going
well.
I hoped our evening barhopping …… would not my spirits quell.
She said 'Hi! ' to several diners I did not know.
But if my presence embarrassed her, it surely didn't show.

One glass of wine each, with dinner, ……. was all we had.
I guessed she'd drink more on MY money later. [sometimes my
thoughts are 'bad']
She paid with Visa and she added, I think, .... a generous tip.
Down the street we strolled at sunset, to the 'Pouting Lip'.


Chapter Five

That was the bar's name and it seemed an upscale place.
Now she covered her shoulders with her shawl trimmed with lace.
She led me to a far corner where we shared a corner booth.
I ordered scotch-and-water for me, and for her something with vermouth.

I'd never barhopped, and didn't know barhopping protocol.
I said a silent prayer that, with Sheila, on my face I wouldn't fall.
She had her own accounting office, loved tennis and seafood.
She talked of past boyfriends, which I'd been told by others was kind of rude.

But Sheila seemed so relaxed with her stories and made me …. the same.
She even got me to talk of old girlfriends, though my stories seemed quite tame.
'Tame' compared to her stories that is; she seemed a free spirit.
I'd thought I might embarrass myself, but now I did not fear it.

Forty minutes and she said to me 'Cliff, I think it's time to hop.'
So off we strolled, another block away; she paused to window shop.
Our second 'bar' had a singer, no cover charge, but the drinks were pricey.
Sheila reached over and touched my hand briefly once. I was feeling far from icy.

She'd had an abortion while in college. That may have made me blush.
Since then she'd been on birth control. With Sheila, the subject was not 'hush hush.'
[Could she be coming on to me? Was I to be her one-night stand? ]
As we walked to number three in the moonlight, Sheila grabbed my hand.

I squeezed it lightly and gave her a small reassuring smile.
[Could she know, at that moment, that my heart was racing a 4-minute mile? ]
Our last bar stop had a comedienne, followed by a dance quartet.
As Sheila and I danced closely, I could feel myself ….. getting wet.

I'll stop now with this tale ……. of my two-week adventure.
You may wish to know what else happened, BUT …… I'll not risk a censure.
Of course any who read this may want to use your OWN imagination.
Sometimes that is good to do, to avoid the dreaded brain-stagnation.




(October 21st and November 4th & 5th, 2014)


[TO BE CONTINUED in '(Book # 2) : Sheila And Clifford: HEATING UP! ']