𝐹𝑖𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑂𝑛𝑒𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑠

Shower Duets

you would think in quarantine I'd have time to update more 

I shoveled macaroni in my mouth, enjoying the cheesy glory of chemically modified cheese powder. I didn't have the time, energy, or budget to make anything other than macaroni and cheese, not that I was complaining. The food was a gift from the heavens. Other than pizza, of course. My phone buzzed, telling me it was time to start getting ready for bed. Stuffing my mouth with the rest of the food, I threw the bowl into the sink, not bothering with dishes.

I usually wasn't one for schedules and normalcy, but I was willing to make this one exception. Every night, at 10:00, I sung while I showered. It wasn't a big deal, lots of people sang in the shower, but my neighbor sharing walls showered at the same time I did, and with our showers separated only by walls, we could usually hear the other sing. Neither of us were very good, but we loved singing duets. I had never met them, unfortunately, though I wished to. Our doors leading out were on the other side of the building, so we didn't really have a chance to meet as neighbors. Maybe soon, though. 

I grabbed my towel, throwing it beside the shower. I smiled as I twisted the knob, hearing the same from across the wall. The water ran smoothly, starting cold and quickly getting warm. I hurriedly undressed, not wanting to waste the wonderful warmth. Soon, I stepped in, sighing at the calmness that came with running water. Hearing mirroring movements  from next door, I chuckled.

"Something new, or the classic?" I heard a muffled voice from next door. 

"The classic sounds good right now." Clicking my shampoo bottle open, I started. "The other night dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms. But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken, so I hung my head and I cried..."

A familiar, melodic voice responded. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray." I sighed serenely as I worked the soap into my hair. "You'll never know dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away." Smiling, I continued where she left off.

"I'll always love you and make you happy, if you will only say the same. But if you leave me and love another, you'll regret it all some day."

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you, so please don't take my sunshine, away." 

I ran my hands through my hair, allowing the water to wash away the last of the suds. "You told me once, dear, you really loved me, and no one else could come between. But now you've left me and love another. You have shattered all of my dreams." I almost felt the smile from next door as I heard shampoo bottles clack around. 

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You'll never know dead, how much I love you, so please don't take my sunshine away."

A soft voice joined as I started. "In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me, when I awake my poor heart pains. So when you come back and make me happy, I'll forgive you dear, I'll take all the blame." Our showers turned off in sync.

We sang together. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me sunshine, when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. So please don't take my sunshine, away."  

"Nice job." 

"You too." I replied. "I'd love to really meet some day. In person."

"I would too. We should get around to that." I nodded, even if they couldn't see me.

"We should."

—-

At some point, I went to bed and at some point, I went to sleep. The memories of last night floated about, giving me hope. Hopefully, I hadn't been singing with prostitute or something these past few months. Around lunch, I had to take out the trash. It wasn't too far away, just down the stairs and around the corner, and I figured I had enough time before my pizza bagel was done. 

I recoiled at the fresh air, flinching at the sunlight. Why were tree huggers so obsessed with this stuff?  I ventured down the stairs, across the lot. About half way there, I heard a familiar tune.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me-"

"Happy when skies are gray." There was a short noise of surprise, before continuing. 

"You'll never know dear, how much I love you."

"So please don't take my sunshine, away." I rounded the corner, coming face to face with green and amber eyes. They scanned me over, sending little jolts through my veins. After a second, she grabbed my arm, uncapping a sharpie along with it. 

I felt the scribbles, contemplating what it could be. After she was done, she simply turned and walked off. Rude. I glanced at my arm, smiling. A phone number, accompanied by a little cartoon sun. I whistled the tune on the way back to my apartment.