thewomanfrom4B

The Woman From 4B

Freddy Morrison, never thought he would land up sitting in a psychiatrist's office. It almost felt humiliating as Doctor Weisman shook his head at the end of the session.

"Mr. Morrison, I've listened to your story most carefully and believe that your mind has created an elaborate illusion to fill in the void after losing your wife. This woman you claim to have met in 4B, the apartment below yours, is simply a figment of your imagination. I strongly advise you to get involved in a senior group and find activities to keep yourself busy. For the time being, I am going to prescribe an antidepressant to help you along."

Freddy shook his head and mumbled to himself discontentedly as he walked out of the psychiatrist office. "Even during the worst of times, I've always been a realistic and rational person. Why would I suddenly start conjuring up illusions now?"

Just last year he had retired after thirty-five years as a Brooklyn high school counselor. Pete and Muriel, his older brother and sister-in-law, convinced him to take a one bedroom condo in Manhattan that was near to them. Pete, who had always looked out for him, became concerned after Freddy's wife, Helen suddenly past away.

"Moving to another place will give you a boost. All you've done since retiring is to stay at home and grieve. I hate to sound cruel, but you must face realty; Helen is dead and you're still alive. It's time to end the mourning already. Go find some kind of happiness for yourself. Now that your son Johnny is established in Chicago, you're a free agent. It should be easy for a handsome man like you to find a nice lady companion."

Freddy was very happy when he moved into his fifth floor apartment. It had nice large rooms facing Central Park and was close by to the Metropolitan museum. The only "fly in the ointment"was Pete and Muriel constantly badgering him to meet silly, flirtatious widows who bedecked themselves in lots of gaudy jewelry and thick makeup that attempted to cover up their age. What a far cry they were from his classy late wife!

One Saturday afternoon, he came home after cutting short a luncheon date with an extremely obnoxious woman who incessantly talked until he almost felt like chocking her. Restless, he decided to take a walk in the park.

Taking the elevator down, it suddenly stalled on the fourth floor. He got out and was preparing to take the stairs, when a creamed colored Siamese cat came running from an apartment and jumped into his arms. A second later, an attractive lady followed the cat. Freddy gently handed the animal to her.

The woman gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much I'm afraid there's something wrong with the latch on my door and Jezebel managed to get out of my apartment. I've been trying to get the custodian to fix it, but he's always busy."

"Maybe I can help. Let me take a look," Freddy gallantly said as he bent down and checked it out. "The latch is out of alignment. I can fix it for you if you have a standard screw driver."

She gave him a pleasant smile. "Oh sure, I"ll get it right away. By the way, my name is Betty Watson.”

"Hi. I'm Freddy Morrison,” he responded. “ My apartment is right above yours."

The latch didn't take long to repair. Afterward, Betty invited him in for some coffee.

Her place was decorated in soothing warm colors. Jezebel went to the living room and comfortably curled herself on a small oriental rug near the window, quickly dozing off. Looking around the apartment, Freddy felt removed from the stressful world outside.

After having some coffee, the two sat on the couch and talked. An hour later, Freddy and Betty felt like old friends. It wasn't surprising, since they had similar backgrounds. She was a retired teacher who had recently begun to live alone after her husband succumbed to cancer. Her son, like Johnny, had moved out of state. As she talked, Freddie couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"What beautiful green eyes she has and her youthful figure is a knock out," he thought.

Without warning, this quiet, reserved man kissed Betty. She didn't pull away but responded eagerly. Soon they melted in each other's arms. To go from strangers to lovers in such a brief time seemed like some kind of magic!

***

The chimes on the antique pendulum wall clock struck five.

"I have some chicken cutlets in the refrigerator," Betty said. " If you're not doing anything this evening, how about letting me make you dinner?"

"That would be great," Freddy responded.

"While you're cooking, I think I'll go out and get a nice bottle of wine."

"Wonderful, " Betty said and started preparing the meal.

At an exclusive liquor store two blocks from the apartment, Freddy got a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc Semillon . Then, he picked up a bunch of pretty flowers at the corner Florist.

Looking forward to the evening, he whistled happily as he rang Betty's doorbell.

"Who is it?" asked a gruff male voice behind the door.

Surprised, Freddy thought he had gone to the wrong apartment. But no, 4B was plainly posted on the door.

"It's Freddy. Isn't Betty there?"

"You've got the wrong apartment. There's no Betty here."

For a moment Freddy was confused. He was positive that he hadn't misread her apartment number. To make sure, he went down to the main lobby and checked the directory, but to his surprise, no Betty Watson was listed.

"This must be some kind of joke," he thought and returned back to 4B.

A large burly man opened the door.

"You again? What's up, Mister?"

"Where's Betty Watson?"

"Who's she?"

“What do you mean, who's she? This is her apartment!”

The man became annoyed. "What are you talking about? My wife and I have been living here for more than five years."

A thin blond woman came out next to him. "What's going on, Max?"

"Nothing, honey, this guy rang the wrong bell. I think he's a bit drunk," and with that, slammed the door in Freddy's face.

Distraught, Freddy returned his apartment. This whole situation had been surreal. For the first time since his wife died, he was having feelings for a woman. What was he supposed to believe now, that his meeting with Betty hadn't happened? He opened the Sauvignon and finished off the entire bottle.

***

In the next few weeks, Freddy tried forgetting about Betty, but it was absolutely impossible. Finally he went to a psychiatrist to try and find relief.

Although difficult that Betty had been a figment of his imagination, Freddy took the psychiatrist advice and kept himself occupied. Unfortunately that and a prescribed tranquilizer didn't keep him from longing for Betty, real or not. Worried about his dad's state of mind, Johnny came to New York after Pete called him. Johnny tried getting Freddy to return with him to Chicago for a while, but that failed.

"I'll get over this mood, Johnny,” Freddy assured him. “ I honestly don't need any looking after. After all, I'm not crazy."

So Johnny went back to Chicago, and Freddy soon began putting his life back on track.

***

On a warm Saturday afternoon in June returning home from his daily walk in Central Park, Freddy got into the elevator when a creamed color Siamese cat ran in and jumped into his arms.

"Hold the elevator," a voice that seemed familiar called out. To his astonishment, it was Betty!

"I'm so sorry my cat bothered you," she said, taking the cat. "Jezebel got out of her carrying case as I entered the lobby. I'm in the process of moving into 4B today."

"You're moving into this apartment house today?"

"Why yes," she said. "I just moved out of a large house in Connecticut. It was just too lonely living in such a big house after my husband died and my son moving to the coast."

"I suggest you fix the latch on your front door or Jezebel will escape again," Freddy advised.

She looked at him curiously. "Oh, are you familiar with my apartment?"

He couldn't help smiling. "Kind of."

At his next psychiatrist session, Freddy walked into the office with Betty at his side. "Doctor, meet my elaborate illusion, the woman from Apartment 4B."