My visit was unannounced and unexpected. I hadn't seen or heard from Jess since the last holiday. I know I could have called him, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Just how much of a surprise and for whom, I had no idea.

A lovely blonde woman greeted me at the doorway to Jess's apartment.

"Hello. Can I help you?"

"Hi. Uh, I'm an old friend of Jess. I thought I'd pay a surprise visit. My name is Karl."

"Oh! Hi Karl. I'm Gina. I'll see if Jess is available. Won't you come in?"

"Thank you."

I stood in the foyer as Gina called out for Jess, "YOU HAVE A VISITOR!"

As she turned toward the living quarters in anticipation of Jess's arrival, I managed to catch a glimpse of her smooth curves and ample bosom. In between these images, I happened to notice a large diamond set in a gold ring as Gina continued to hold the door open with her left hand.

"I'LL BE RIGHT THERE."

"He'll just be a few moments. Please sit down. Would you care for anything to drink? Coffee? Soda?"

"Uh, no thank..., uh, sure. Coffee, please. If it's no trouble."

"No trouble at all. I just brewed a fresh pot. Cream? Sugar?"

What did she just call me? "Uh, oh no, thank you. I take it black. It's easier that way."

"Yes, it is easier. Simple and to the point."

Gina proceeded to pour a cup of coffee for herself, adding plenty of cream, and no sugar, as she sat across from me at the little round kitchen table, which was barely large enough for two people.

"How long have you known Jess?" she asked.

"Since grade school. We used to live in the same neighborhood when we were kids."

"That's nice. I mean - that you're still friends after all these years. You don't see that very often these days."

"I wouldn't know about that. But yes, we're very good friends."

No sooner had I finished my last sentence, she leaned in toward me, clutching her coffee cup with both hands as if it contained some magic potion she required in order to function. Steam rose from the cup, veiling her pretty blue eyes. She looked straight at me, her voice suddenly changing to a whisper, and asked, "Why did you come here?"

I was stunned. I didn't know what to say at first, so I gave the obvious and innocent answer, "Jess is my best friend. I haven't seen or heard from him in a while. I thought I'd pay a visit."

Just then, Jess appeared, almost as if to rescue me from interrogation – of what, I don't know. But Gina was so gorgeous she could have made me confess to anything in a heartbeat. Jess had a wire brace on his left leg and crutches in his hands for support.

"I see you met my caretaker, Gina. She's been helping me ever since my accident two months ago."

Story and Illustrations Copyright © 2021 by Michael DeFrancesco