Page 152 - The Houseguest

KJ had been our closest neighbor in Sag Harbor, and even she lived quite some distance from our house. I had bought both adjacent lots in the years after purchasing the house. In hindsight, I think it was an effort to protect my family from the outside world...a lot of good that did. KJ was a looker, a blonde who stood about 5’ 10. She and Karina became friendly and would often meet for coffee in town. She had a sizable pit-bull they called Big Mo who she would walk in the evenings up and down the surrounding streets. I was deeply in love with my wife, but I always thought in the back of my mind, had I not met Karina, I would’ve made attempts to get to know KJ. Karina told me she had a boyfriend somewhere in Florida, but we never saw him.
I never knew what the K stood for in KJ. The mail would sometimes get delivered to the wrong houses and when hers would arrive in our box, it was always addressed: “K. Johnson.” Perhaps I never inquired because I didn’t want to know if it stood for “Katie.” There was only room for one Katie in my life.
“Oh my God, it’s you Lance!” she shouted loud enough for all other patrons in the store to hear. I had no choice but to respond in kind, “KJ! Uh...wow, it’s been a long time. Wha...what are you doing here?” “Well, I’ve decided to put the place up for sale this summer, so I meet up with the realtor now and then. And you?” she asked. As soon as I saw her there, I knew the question would come up and yet found myself unprepared, “Uh yeah...doing the same. Long overdue.” She went on to tell me she was leaving that evening, but not before mentioning that she was finally tying the knot with her Florida boyfriend and would send an invite to the NY Condo, that is “if” I still
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life