Oh yes, the fantasy of a close neighbor discovering my equipment hanging in the bathroom has always been intriguing and fodder for all sorts of mental escapades. I'm particularly thinking of the contractor I've hired on several occasions to do repairs on my home and some rental property near by. Since he is a neighbor, that seems to fit this venue.
It all starts with that awkward moment that I realize we are going into the bathroom to take accurate measurements for the remodel, and my hose and nozzle are swinging from the shower door. Or I've propped the nozzle from my shower shot on the top ledge of the shower closure. He's observing the tile he needs to replace, slides the shower door open and the plasic nozzle falls to the floor, making a loud echoing clatter. He reaches to retreive it and our eyes meet.
What can I say, as he hands it to me? (That really was a grin I detected.) He bends to extend his tape to the farthest corner of the shower stall. My ears are crimson, and hot! Of course I reach for the bag; the long hose; the attached nozzle, still in his way. No words exchanged. He finishes his measurements, transfering them to his pad of paper. As he turns around, facing me, I'm stupidly standing there holding the equipment I retrieved.
"Don't aim that thing this way, unless you intend to use it." he chuckles. I'm still dumbfounded that this is really happening. "Looks like you must use it often. Part of a daily routine?" Oh no, the ball is in my court! My mouth is full of cotton, and all I can muster is a shrug, trying to pass it on as non-challant. "My wife uses that stuff, in fact she tried it out on me a few weeks ago."
I couldn't believe he was melting away all the anxious need for my stammering shyness. "How..how did you like it?" was my surprised utterance.
"Oh, it wasn't so bad. It solved my backed-up problem."
(And now we were being seated in the talk-show arena, it seemed.)
"In fact, I was hoping she'd bring it out again."
"Are you in need, again? (good reply, I thought)
"Uhh, do you mean, uhh, now?" His voice was a bit guarded.
"I guess so. It kinda depends on Your schedule."
"Well, uhh, this is my last appointment for the morning. Never gotten in this situation before. You sure you want to do this to me?" He was stammering, now.
"Why not. It's private, and there's really no hurry."
We went to the adjacent bedroom and he undid his tool belt.