Regarding My Poem: (Book # 1) : Sheila And Clifford: 'hello! ' ... Etc....[ Posted On Ph Beginning In 2014; Each 'book' Has Chapters ] Poem by Bri Edwards

Chapter One

As I entered the resort condo I'd be sharing with a stranger,
I couldn't help wondering if there could be some danger ….
from signing up for a two weeks stay, sharing (to have less to pay) …
with a woman whom I'd never met, BUT I could do it, my mind did say.

I'd seen her photo on the sharing site and we had emailed twice.
Though I knew little about her, … online she certainly did seem nice.
An accountant, unmarried, no children, …. non-smoker, and no pets.
With separate bedrooms and baths, ….. how difficult could it get?

Probably I'd spend most of the stay working on my book,
in a seaside cabana, ….. and at night I'd read and cook.
She'd said she planned to sightsee, do a little shopping.
Nights she planned to eat out, and then do some barhopping.

I‘ve never been married, ….. though I've been tempted twice.
Bachelorhood for me works quite well; I think it's rather nice.
I'm not a prude by any means: I do date, though rarely.
Sometimes in a conversation I hold my own …....just barely.

When I picked up my condo key, I learned she had arrived.
As I entered and saw a suitcase I thought 'so far I have survived.'
Then I heard Sheila call out 'Clifford, I'm in the kitchen. Hello! '
I responded 'Hello, Sheila. To which bedroom shall I go? '

She stepped out into the living room, and I felt a bit of fear,
for Sheila was holding a cocktail, wearing only panties and brassiere.
'My stuff is in the second room, but you can have your choice.'
I would have said 'I'll take the first one', but I ….could not find my voice.

She smiled the sweetest smile....I'd seen in many a year,
and said 'Oh, Cliff, don't mind me at all; there's NOTHING to fear.'
I gulped and returned her smile as best I could; at least I tried.
Then I checked into the first bedroom, trying my embarrassment to hide.

I'd always been shy around the 'fairer sex', since I was a kid.
I freshened up in the bathroom, unpacked, and came out from where I'd hid.
By then she'd put on a short-sleeved blue cotton shirt,
and a floor length, slightly-see-through, yellow skirt.

'Sorry if I shocked you Cliff. Do you mind me using 'Cliff'? '
I said, 'Uh, no, Sheila, please excuse me. With strangers I can get stiff.'
[As soon as I said 'stiff', meaning 'uncomfortable', I knew my face would redden.
The silence then between her and me was so heavy it seemed
leaden.]