You get hungry

In your aimless wandering you eventually find yourself getting peckish, it was a little early for lunch, but what the hell. Settling on one of the locally owned sit down noodle places built into the mall, you draw up to the entrance and see a woman already waiting to be seated, her arms crossed as she examines the menu framed in the entryway.

After a moment your recognize her as your Mother's neighbor and one of her best friends. "Oh, hey there Mrs. Simmons!" You wave excitedly as you rush up.

Her bored looking face lights up immediately as she sees you. "Well look who it is, hello Kristen!" She gives you a warm smile and goes in for a hug.

You hug her back, her shoulder length brown hair tickling your nose a little.

"Its been a couple years, hasn't it?" She proclaims, easing back to get a good look at you.

"Yeah, haven't seen you since I went off to college." You brush your hair back, giving her a radiant smile.

"You know your mother was talking about you just the other day. It didn't seem that long ago that I would watch you and your sister while your mom left town. Gosh, you've grown up into such a beautiful woman." She beams at you.

"You look amazing too Mrs. Simmons!" It was certainly no lie, she was mid forties now, same age give or take as your mother, and just like your mom she looked great. She was wearing a conservative blouse, but a fairly short skirt, showing off her legs and heels to beautiful effect. She'd always been on the fit side, and you'd always admired her sharp features and brilliant green eyes. Her lipstick was a subtle shade of pink, and you caught the scent of lavender from her hair.

Mrs Simmons had babysat you and Shannon numerous times over the years, often bringing her rebellious only child Chloe along with her. The two of them had been such a fixture in your life that they were practically family. "You're no longer a little girl, Kristen, please, call me Valerie."

It was a bit cliche, but she was one of your very early crushes. The girl next door was the hot mom from next door. The fact that she was also your babysitter made it even MORE of a cliche.

"Ok, Valerie." You sink something extra into the name, something a little flirtatious. You gaze into her eyes for a moment, a distant longing reawakening from somewhere deep inside you. You toss your head a little and give her a radiant smile.

She pauses, her lips pursing as she regards you. Simultaneously the two of you become aware that you are still semi-embracing, and you both laugh a little as you step apart.

You clear your throat. "Eating alone? No Chloe or Mr. Simmons today?" You ask.

"Not today, I'm afraid. Mr. Simmons is out of town." You recall Valerie's husband was a salesman that traveled abroad quite frequently, which is why Mrs. Simmons... Valerie, had so much time to watch you and your sister when you were little. "And Chloe is studying for finals, its her freshman year up at State." She smiles. "Just wanted to get some light shopping in today, but I passed the noodle place and it just smelled too good to pass up."

"Well in that case, why don't we get a bite together?" You suggest. "It would give us a chance to catch up!" Part of you feels like you were asking her out on a date, but it was totally innocent.... right? Not that it mattered, Mrs. Simmons was straight, and had been married for longer than you had been alive.

Her smile widens. "That's a great idea hon! Come on, I'm starving!"