Awakening

I've lived in the same house for 30 years. I've always seen and talked to the same people so I didn't really know any strangers. Everything in my life was well-ordered and routine. I was a staid, well respected member of the community. Well, that changed earlier this year when I met Sasha.

The day Sasha moved in, I was planting two new rosebushes to replace the ones that didn't make it through the winter. I couldn't help but watch as some of the most beautiful furniture I had ever seen was carried into the old house. Needless to say, my roses were forgotten when I saw a tall brunette come stalking out of the house, shouting at one of the movers. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but she was angry about something. The mover kept nodding and then she moved out of his way so he could carry his load into the house.

I was almost mesmerized by her. She was tall, graceful and attractive with a slender yet well-rounded body. I couldn't help but think that I was nothing like her. I tried to busy myself with my roses, but it seemed that my attention was no longer with them. Sitting back on my heels, I rubbed my arm across my forehead and sighed. I raised my head to peek at my new neighbor again and was stunned to see her standing only eight feet away from me. A friendly smile curved her full lips. "Hi, I just moved in across the street as you can see. I was wondering if you knew the number of a good furniture restorer? One of the movers cracked the back panel of my armoire," she said, her words spilling quickly from full, coral-shaded lips. I could only stare at her for a moment. Clearing my throat, I replied, "You could try Bressler's Furniture. They do repairs and restoration." Her light brown eyes lit up. "That's wonderful. Thank you so much, um-." I smiled then. "Andina Sharpe. It's nice to meet you," I told her, wishing my cheeks weren't burning. "I'm Sasha Breaux. Nice to meet you too, Andina."