Voyeur Dating

by Judy Cabito

It's no secret he watches her through his telescope from his apartment across the causeway. She makes it worth his time: how disappointing it'd be to watch her cook and clean, when it only takes a few moves to leave the shower curtain partway open, the mirror on the back of her dressing area askew while lounging in thin underwear on a Saturday morning. She too watches him from a well-placed telescope in her bedroom as he takes long showers, his frosted door doesn't leave much to her imagination, nor does his dressing routine: first his briefs, then his shirt that he leaves halfway unbuttoned until he leaves for work where he checks himself out in his hallway mirror, top to bottom. They work in the same office building, she's seen him standing by the elevator, arms crossed, checking out his shoes so he doesn't see her, and their eyes never meet, but they did this morning, briefly, behind their voyeur, viewfinders. So now she thought she'd tease him by applying a coat of fire-red lipstick, wetting her lips, and purposely getting in the elevator with him, then saying, something like have we met or excuse me do you have the time or even second floor please but the words never left her mouth. They each stepped from the elevator, turning in opposite directions, briefly glancing back and taking a long look at the other before going on their way - or did they note a flick of familiarity?

6S

Judy Cabito, author of Anywhere on Earth, now lives and writes in Incline Village, Nevada. She grew up steps from the Puget Sound and calls herself a Westcoaster (if there is such a thing). Published in several online and print publications, she's wild about flash fiction.