Eva’s Garden

By Andreia Rodrigues

The voices from the other side of the courtyard, although blurred, reached Kasper’s ears in distinguishable tones. During summer, most of the younger students vacated the residence, Kasper was among the few who remained. 

“You know, Anja, now that I’m in my 50’s, I like it even more.”

“Really?” A younger-sounding voice whispered.

“Yeah. I’m much more comfortable in my skin. I know what I like.” After a brief pause, she continued, “My life is also calmer. With no children to care for and the house all to myself, I let my mind wander into naughty thoughts.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“I’m kind of revisiting fantasies from my younger years.”

There was the sound of chairs scraping against the floor as the younger woman spoke. “Fantasies? What kind of fantasies?”

“Nothing special, really. Like having sex outdoors, under the moonlight.”

“Outdoors? You mean in a public space?”

“Not exactly. I’d find that uncomfortable. Here in my garden, for example, would be great.”

Laughter filled the air. Kasper slid his chair closer to the wall separating the residence yard from the neighbor’s garden.

“That’s not naughty, Eva.”

Eva chuckled. “It’s because I only dared to share the softer of my fantasies.” A small hiatus followed.  “You know what I’ve done recently? Since living on my own, I like to be naked around the house. One very hot evening, I even dared to lie here in the garden.”

“Naked?”

“Yep. Completely. There’s nothing more arousing than feeling the sun’s rays on your intimate parts.”

A mix of murmurs. The next phrase Kasper grabbed came from the younger voice.

“Aren’t you afraid someone might see you? I mean, it’s a student residence over there, isn’t it?”

“It is, but it’s for the art school, they’re mostly women. They all leave at this time of year anyway.” A short pause followed. “But you know what? Imagining one of those cute male students watching me just gives me more pleasure.”

Laughter erupted, then Kasper’s phone rang—damn it. He silenced it quickly.

“Was it your phone ringing, Anja?”

“No. It was yours.”

“Mine isn’t even here.”

A moment of silence.

“I think the noise came from the residence yard.”

“Oh, someone is there. Was I talking too loud?”

The voices lowered to a pitch Kasper could no longer hear.

***