The Neighbors

The Neighbors

I feel like I’m losing my ability to stay calm and composed. I keep thinking about this totally inappropriate crush that I’ve been dealing with for months and months now.

I’m a 29 year old black woman and I’m terribly attracted to a 60 year old white man. Each time I allow my thoughts to wander they end up in exactly the same place. My favourite fantasy involves being naked from the waist down in his office after hours on his sofa while he licks my kitty cat up and down. In that fantasy, he always grips my thighs in his large strong hands and holds me firmly in place. I have this very vivid image of his white hands around my black thighs; squeezing them ever so slightly. Something about being held in place by this older man makes me feel helpless, tormented, and incredibly wet.

I’m sorry for divulging so much, so quickly. It’s a bad habit.

This guy that I am totally enamored with is Gary, (such an old guy name, I know), and he lives next door to me and my husband. We moved into the neighbourhood two years ago, and when we settled in Gary and his wife were the first couple to come over to introduce themselves. I remember I had been moving some empty boxes into the garage to clear space when I was startled by the sound of a throat being cleared. When I turned around I was met with sparking blue eyes that seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see them. I had an instant attraction, and it was obvious that that it was mutual.

We spoke for a little while. He managed to ask me my name and to introduce himself. I blushed when we repeatedly interrupted each other and misheard the others person’s responses. The sparks of attraction were flying between us. Luckily I was wearing my wedding ring when this first meeting took place, or I may not have been able to even bring up my husband Chris’ name.

Gary was tall, thin and muscular. His lanky build had made him develop a slight stoop, but when he stood straight he was well over six feet tall. He had beautiful brown hair that looked well maintained, either with dye or he was smiled upon by the Gods to have that color into his 60s. He kept his hair a bit long and parted it down the middle. His blue eyes were flawless, and reminded me of Lake Ontario on a winter’s day. There was coldness there, and I was unsure of the origin of that coldness until I met his wife.

Gary’s wife was younger than he was; she looked to be in her mid-40s. She was blonde, pampered and had the stench of a second wife who was always trying to prove to the world that she still had it. Tight yoga pants, and an even tighter top that left her midriff exposed, was her normal outfit around the neighborhood. When she went out, she always left the windows down and the radio blaring to let the entire neighbourhood know that she was “hip” to current music. Not that I didn’t enjoy similar music, but I thought the entire production was a bit much; despite the fact that I was younger than her. Or maybe it was because: when I saw him look at her, I couldn’t see love. I could only see obligation.

Gary was, by all accounts a successful man. He had owned his own accounting practice and sold the business before taking an early retirement. I often wondered why he continued to live in the neighborhood, which was not at all affluent or fancy, but I guessed that it had something to do with his wife and the various costs associated with keeping her.

Chris and I had a pretty happy marriage on the other hand. We had no children, but not for a lack of trying. At that point in our union, we decided that if we couldn’t have children, we would throw ourselves into other rewarding pursuits that would help to fill that void in our lives.

One of my passions was to visit the library and volunteer two hours per week to help kids with their homework. I was in the habit of visiting a library that was just down the street from our old place, but found that driving back there was too time consuming; so one Saturday afternoon I went to the library in our new neighborhood and signed up to volunteer.

“Hey Simone.” a voice startled me as I left the building, and was looking down in my bag for my car keys. I turned my head upward to see Gary standing a few meters away in front of a grey Volkswagen Jetta .

My heart began to race.

“Hi Gary, how is everything?” I replied as I walked over to his car to chat. I usually only bumped into him at home while in the yard or grabbing the mail: sans makeup and not at all dressed up. This Saturday I was wearing some makeup (to look presentable), a pair of stretchy faux leather leggings and a long denim blouse with a Peter Pan neckline. I wasn’t exactly dressed to the nines, but I looked much cuter than I usually did.

“Everything is good. You look great. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with makeup before.” Gary joked. “You still look unbelievably beautiful, though.”

I stood idly, smiling as I scanned his words for sarcasm. He said “still”…did that mean he thought I was even more beautiful before?

“Oh. You think so?” I replied, slowly coming to realize that he was still smiling and gazing deeply at me for a response.

I decided to change the subject.

“I just came by to sign up to volunteer with the kid’s homework club” I explained.

“Really? That’s so generous of you. I’m sure those young boys will all line up to get a few minutes of your undivided attention. I know what I would do just to have you for an afternoon”.

We were treading into dangerous waters, but that comment was not to be ignored. I cocked my head to the side.

“What do you mean Gary?” I asked cautiously with a slight smile, trying not to betray my attraction too obviously.

“Come. Hop in my car and I’ll explain. Do you have to be home right away?”

We drove for 30 minutes through the town to our destination. If he had not been my neighbor and I didn’t have witnesses see me get into his car, I would have been gravely afraid. He was so chipper and excited about what he wanted to “show” me that I was woeful to be the party pooper and ask him to ruin his surprise. He was so funny and easy to talk to that time went quickly around him.

A few quick turns and one time around a roundabout led us to a very secluded public park that I had never heard of. I’m sure I couldn’t even point to where we were on a map, but he assured me that we were still in the city.

He parked under a tree, turned off the engine and all at once my naivety came crashing down. My face went hot and I became uneasy.

“So…” I began, still trying to keep up the pretense that he wanted to talk or explain his earlier comment.

“Simone. I can’t pretend anymore. I’ve wanted to do this since I first saw you.” Gary said right before he leaned across the center console and planted a firm kiss on my lips. His kiss was a question, and when he withdrew his lips, his eyes searched mine for an answer.

It was such a romantic moment. I was lost so deeply in it, that the sound of a seagull flying by the opened window jarred me back into reality.

“Gary, I…” my lips mumbled some assemblage of words.

“Please, Simone, don’t pretend that you haven’t been feeling this too. I may be an old guy, but I’m not a dumb guy.”

His comment made me laugh a little.

“I don’t think you’re old. And that’s not my hesitation. You’re my next door neighbor.” I responded.

“You can’t fault me for that.” Gary said.

“True,” I responded. “Okay, we have a huge age difference. I’m half of your age.”

“Age is nothing but a number. Have you met my wife?” His grin increased in size.

“Sigh,” I stifled a chuckle. “We are both married to other people.”

Gary sat back in his chair letting out an exaggerated breath of air and looked out the front of the car.

“Now: I notice that particular objection was listed last. Some would say that one should have been the first thing you said. Now Simone, do you care to explain why you left that protestation until the end?”

My face went hot again. He was calling me on my bullshit, and I had no reply to give. Why hadn’t I said that first? Why did I seemingly forget about Chris when Gary was around?

“Well that’s not fair! You kissed me!” I exclaimed.

“You’re right. I did” Gary responded, and immediately leaned over and kissed me again. His large hands gently gripped the sides of my face and cradled me as his lips assaulted my mouth with hot kisses. This time I kissed him back. His forcefulness was an incredible turn on.

I couldn’t even think.

After a few more stolen kisses he withdrew his lips again, but maintained the position of his hands. Gary’s beautiful blue eyes looked deeply into mine as he traced my bottom lip with his thumb.

“Your bottom lip looks so juicy and inviting. So plump and succulent.” He marveled. “Ever since I first saw you I’ve been hoping for the opportunity to get you alone like this.”

We made out like a couple of teenagers. His tongue explored my tongue. I felt my mind become clouded with lust. I began to let my mind wander and devise schemes of how easy it would be to hop into the back seat to fool around; or how simple it would be to find a hotel by the highway and stop in for an afternoon delight… but I knew I couldn’t. Chris was expecting me home any minute, and I needed to compose myself before going home. My heart was racing and Chris would be able to read it all over my face that something was wrong.

“Gary, I have to get going now. Do you mind if we start driving?” I asked after ending our make out session.

“You’re right, we can talk on the drive back.” Gary responded as he started the car and began to navigate the way back to the library where my car was parked.

“Simone, thanks for coming with me. I know my moves were bold, but rest assured that I wouldn’t have been so forward if I wasn’t so sure that you felt the same.”

“Well let’s not get ahead of ourselves…” I responded. “I may not be feeling the same things as you are. I’m happily married, and half of your age. Perhaps you should tell me exactly what you are feeling.”

Gary stopped at a red light.

“Simone, I think you are so beautiful. Your beautiful smile, the shape of your body; all wrapped up in that scrumptious brown skin… I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you for more than an hour since you moved in. I have always wanted to be with an ebony goddess, and then one moved in next door to me!

“I feel like this is a chance of a life time for me, and if I didn’t make my move, I would miss out on the opportunity for the rest of my life. I know that this sounds crazy, but I know I can make you very satisfied if you give me the chance to.”

I stayed silent. When we reached the library, I told him I would think about it and get back to him. I promised not to tell Chris, and he promised not to tell his wife. When I got home a few minutes later he had already begun watering his lawn and gave me an over exaggerated wave as I went into the house. I waved back and hid my confused expression as I went inside.

A few weeks passed after our encounter. Summer was in full swing, which led to lots of family visits, volunteering, and other summer activities. I barely had time to say hello to Gary most mornings. Just a simple wave and off I went to work or to other errands.

That all changed around the long weekend in September for Labor Day. Gary’s wife Celeste had decided to go on a pilgrimage to Israel with her girlfriends that would have her out of the country for three weeks. This wasn’t the first time she had taken off on a long trip; and I had noticed a few occasions where she was gone for extended periods of time. Gary seemed more of a home body, and usually settled into a bachelor’s routine when she was gone.

My husband Chris had been invited to a bachelor party in New York during this time period, for one of his University buddies who had moved to the United States for his fiancé.

“I’d better get going to the airport babe.” Chris said as he placed his bag in the rear of the car. He had insisted that he use ‘”Park n’ Fly”, instead of having me drop him off at the terminal. I didn’t mind though, since the traffic at airports often takes me into madness.

“I’ve left the details of the hotel, my flight info and the contact info of some of the guys on the fridge. If you need me I’m just a phone call away. Okay?” Chris was so sweet with me when he knew I was worried. I nodded my head and gave him a sweet lingering kiss on the driveway before he packed into the car and headed on his way to his fun filled weekend.

As for me? I had planned to do some gardening and house cleaning, but otherwise not much else. Just as soon as Chris’ car was out of sight, Gary emerged from his front door. He nonchalantly retrieved his newspaper as if he had not just been watching the exchange with my husband.

“Hi Simone. Beautiful day isn’t it?” He called over.

“Hi Gary. Yeah, it’s a perfect day to do some gardening.” I turned to face him while still standing in the driveway. I was wearing a loose pair of pajama shorts and a slouchy light sweater. I wasn’t wearing a bra, and I could feel the cool morning breeze through the material making my nipples stand at attention. I crossed my arms over my chest to hold in some body heat.

“Did you want to borrow my weed puller? It will save your back from all that crouching.” Gary offered. “I just picked it up at home Hardware the other day. It works like a miracle.” His eyes traveled down to my crossed arms and his smile widened.

When I told Gary that I would start gardening in an hour or so after I had eaten breakfast, he generously invited me over with a promise of an omelette and crispy turkey bacon. I couldn’t resist his offer and found myself sitting at the island of his gorgeous chef’s kitchen less than twenty minutes later.

Over coffee, we talked and laughed as if none of the other crazy kisses or admissions of feelings had event taken place. With his wife in Israel, and my husband on a long weekend trip, we had started our 3 day weekend by testing the boundaries of an attraction that I wasn’t completely ready to admit to. I mean, yes, I was very attracted to him. That much I knew for sure. I had caught myself rubbing my clit to the thought of him while gently waking from my dreams at least twice before. And that doesn’t even speak to the times I fantasized about him doing something crazy like breaking in to my house while I showered and being ravaged by “intruder Gary”... It sounds funny, but believe me: that particular fantasy makes me climax every time.

Gary was an excellent host for breakfast. He cooked up a delicious omelette for me with turkey bacon, toast, and orange juice. He never mentioned any off color topics or made me feel uncomfortable. He didn’t even bring up any awkward mentions of the fact that we were both spouse free for the weekend. He was superbly skilled at putting me at ease. I felt like we were two old friends chatting over breakfast across a lovely granite kitchen island.

When I finished eating, I quickly put the dishes in the sink and began to wash them.

Gary protested: “Don’t worry about those dishes, I’ll get them. You are a guest, just have a seat and relax.”

I was able to wash my plate before he came over to where I stood and took the sponge out of my hand. I felt his nose caress my neck as he reached into my hand to remove the sponge ever so gently. I could feel him inhale my scent deeply.

This closeness was making me feel aroused.

I turned around to face his blue eyes, and he promptly planted a kiss on my lips. My lips returned the kiss, and his hands drifted to my waist. Using his grip, he turned my body around to have my back against the kitchen island. In one strong motion, he lifted me and sat me atop of the island.

“I hope you enjoyed eating my food; because now I’m going to eat you.” Gary forcefully removed my shorts and panties by pushing my upper body backwards. My butt and legs were at the edge of the island, while my head came to rest farther up. I was thankful for the size of the island, and prayed that my hair didn’t get stuck in any remaining mess from breakfast.

I could barely believe what was happening as he spread my legs to expose my naked pussy lips and began snacking away. Starting with my clit, he licked and sucked his way to pulling apart my lips and dragging his tongue up and down my wet cunt. I looked down and met his deep blue eyes as I came so close to an orgasm. Just at the right moment, Gary stuck his tongue inside of me.

I rode that orgasm until I had nothing left. My juices were now all over Gary’s face and on their way to dripping onto the granite countertop. He withdrew his face from between my legs with a wide and satisfied smile.

“My plan worked. I knew that if I could get you to come over for breakfast I would have been able to taste this delicious…” he trailed off and went right back to licking up more juices from my pussy. After a few more licks, he pulled me into a sitting position and helped me down from the countertop. My mind was completely wiped out from what had just happened, so I allowed him to walk me to the sofa in the living room. He draped me with a blanket and down I went into a post orgasmic dreamland.

When I awoke, Gary had pulled my head into his lap. He was casually watching the game with the sound turned down low, and had been gently caressing my curls as I napped. It was weird, because there was a level of affection and familiarity that I just couldn’t wrap my head around. I felt uncomfortable and needed to regroup away from the situation.

“Gary…” I whispered as I rose from my position in his lap. “How long was I out?”

“Maybe half an hour. You sleep beautifully.” He responded.

“I’d better go back to the house. I need to check my messages. How about I call you later on?” I felt the need to bargain an exit route. Here we were, cuddled up on his sofa as if we were married to each other; all the while our spouses had no idea that I had just been eaten for breakfast in the kitchen.

Gary took a long look at me, and finally responded, as if he had been trying to decide whether or not to let me leave. “Sure. How about I make you dinner tonight?”

I smiled and coyly accepted his invitation.

Part Two

I agonized over what to wear to Gary’s house for dinner.

I considered two options that were on total different ends of the spectrum in terms of the type of outfit. The exact outfit wasn’t really what was at issue; it was the impression that was being conveyed that was at issue.

‘Should I wear something comfortable that can easily allow for a soft hand to be slipped under? Or should I wear a visually appealing micro-outfit that shows off every curve and expands slightly each time I inhale air?’ I thought as I stood over the outfits on my bed.

I went with the sexually appealing outfit. Just make sure that the neighbors didn’t see my choice, I covered up with a belted Burberry trench coat that my husband had bought for me on a Paris business trip.

Believe me, the betrayal was not lost on me. Wearing a treasured gift from my husband to a liaison with a man who had half-fucked me a few hours earlier. A man that I was entirely sure would have more than just his tongue inside me in another few hours. I started getting that familiar warm urge and decided to head over to Gary’s.

Gary greeted me at the door and took the frozen Sara Lee cake I brought over to share for dessert. I always stashed them in the basement freezer just in case I needed it.

“I love these things! I never get to eat them because my wife hates having sweets in the house.” Gary exclaimed as he closed the front door behind me. “Can I take your coat?”

I acquiesced and allowed him to slide behind me as I unbuttoned the coat and he proceeded to slide it off my shoulders.

“Thanks.” I said to break the sexually charged silence. My body responded pretty intensely as he stood so close to me. “Dinner smells delicious.”

Gary held my outfit in his gaze for a few seconds longer. It was a simple velvety dress that hugged every curve of my body. The top of the dress was styled like a strapless corset that allowed me to wear no bra. My bare brown shoulders were shiny from the body butter I had put on. It was my favourite brand because my skin always looked like it was glistening in oil when I wore it- especially when I rubbed it all over my butt.

As if he were entranced, Gary snapped out of his daze and ushered me to the dining room in silence. He seemed focused on something that had come into his mind at that moment. My body felt like it was on fire. He poured me white wine in a glass that seemed much too full, and began to make small talk.

“We got married in Nova Scotia, then moved here to Ontario.” I answered in response to another chit-chatty question from Gary. He leaned into me as I finished my 2nd glass of wine at the kitchen island. He swore that dinner was ready, but that he just want to warm it up in the oven to ensure that it was sizzling when he served it to me. I think that he was low-key stalling dinner to ensure that I would drink more. It also was not lost on me that I had been splay-legged on this very kitchen island that we now casually gathered at. It felt as though Gary was daring me to bring up our earlier activities; despite my current avoidance of any sexual topic. I felt so reluctant to let my guard down, in the face of how obvious it was that I wanted attention from my handsome older white neighbor.

“I love that dress. It’s the perfect color against your skin.” Gary said as he reached over to gently graze my bare shoulder with his index finger. I looked into his eyes, feeling slightly tipsy from the wine, and held his gaze.

“Thank you. Ahem. Maybe we should talk about what happened here this morning…” my voice trailed off in hopes that he would continue where I left off. When he remained silent, I began to speak. “It’s obvious that I’m attracted to you-“I started to say.

“Is it? I thought that I lured you over here with promises of dinner” Gary interrupted. I laughed at his attempt to make light of the situation.

“Yes, I suppose that is technically true. I guess this conversation can wait until after we eat.” I concluded and backed off from the confrontation.

We ate dinner, desert, and found ourselves back on the sofa that I had fallen asleep on earlier. Everything with Gary was moving so smoothly and naturally. It was as if he had powers of suggestion that had me agreeing to almost everything he said. I felt compelled to go along with what he said. This explanation is the only way I can explain why I lounged on the sofa with him after dinner. I sat there as he poured me another glass of wine.

“Shall we toast?” he asked with a goodnatured grin.

“Sure. What should we toast to?” I asked.

“Let’s toast to our spouses for letting us have this time alone.” He laughed and clinked my glass.

“We are so totally going to hell for this.” I laughed as out glasses connected. Gary sipped a mouthful of wine, swallowed, and set down his wine glass.

“Let’s do it.” Was Gary’s response. He tugged down gently but purposefully on my top and exposed my breasts. My nipples were at attention and the cool air in the room made my skin feel caressed by the sensations. He moved his head toward my chest and began to suck on my nipple. Taking my other breast in his hand, I let my head lean back and rest against the backrest. Gary removed my wine glass from my hand after placing a few licks that teased my nips.

Gary stood up and drew me up with him. Walking me down the hallway, I remember feeling worried that he would take me to his marital bed and fuck me where he fucked his wife. He neglected to turn on any lights as we walked and groped our way down the hallway. As a visitor, I couldn’t anticipate the layout of his house as well as he could- until he stopped at a door in the hallway. It was almost undetectable in the darkness, since it was flush with the wall and a small picture frame disguised it by hanging atop.

Gary opened the hidden door and guided me through. Gary stood behind me and removed the remainder of my clothes. My drunk feeling allowed me feel seduced by his caress.

Gary positioned me to kneel before him as he gathered my wild hair into a pretty fist and proceeded to fuck my mouth with his cock. He was gentle with me by prodding my mouth open and deepening his thrusts down my throat in moderate bursts. My face felt completely jammed with his cock as he took pleasure from my mouth. Gary groaned with delight when he released his grip and sat down on the padded floor area. He stroked his cock and looked at me in the dim light.

“Mmmm Simone, it is such a turn on to see you loving the things that I am doing to you. In fact, I think the time is right to be fully honest…” Gary’s voice trailed off.

We had been so involved in each other since entering the room that I had not heard the footsteps that must have led to the door. Footsteps that probably had started in the bedroom. I heard the door open and was flooded by the sequence of events that contained Gary’s wife enter the room completely nude. Her body was covered in soft glitter that sparkled in my gaze. She stood beside Gary and began to confess.

“Hey sugar, we’ve had our eye on you for a while now and we just think you are the hottest piece of ass in town. I’m glad you like my husband. I like you very much as well. Do you mind if I join in?” The Wife was extremely sincere sounding, especially since she was saying all of this completely naked. Things people say are easy to believe if they are naked somehow.

As it turns out, both Gary and his wife were swingers. When my husband and I moved into the house next door it was not Gary alone, but his wife who had designs on claiming my hot black snatch. Apparently, Gary’s wife was a ravenous cunt eater who was known for cornering her own attractive friends and associates into oral sex sessions of her choosing. She was frequently on the hunt for cunt and not even her husband could slow her desire. My presence in the neighborhood became a magnet. She admitted that some of her outfits had even been aimed at getting me to bite.

All of that effort. All of it for me.

The three of us had been cuddled together on the padded area of the floor talking and caressing each other’s bodies. As I looked around I could see more detail of this private sex dungeon. Every surface was soft and padded.

Yep. Swingers.

I had been so naïve to ignore all of the signs. The first, and most obvious of the signs was the empty house. Gary’s wife must have been home the entire time when we had sex in the kitchen as well. I thought through many scenarios and finally arrived at the final question: did Chris know?

Regardless of whether he had any idea, the situation in front of me allowed for at least one night of pleasure with my neighbor Gary and his Wife. I began my choice by gently leaning over to the Wife and kissing her lips. She returned my kiss and on and on we went. Kisses led to tongues caressing which eventually led to me, on my back having each nipple licked ferociously. I squirmed and flipped her around so that I could take one of her beautiful creamy breasts into my mouth at the same time. I felt so hot and I knew I was getting wetter and wetter. Gary must have known this as well, because he gently prodded me to spread my legs open and I obliged willingly. It felt so good to spread my legs to him, especially now that we had his wife’s blessing. Gary pushed my panties to the side, and while holding my lips apart and with his tongue pointed out sharply; dipped his tongue into my waiting hole. It is an amazing feeling to have someone tongue fuck you, I cannot deny this. My whole body began to relax as the feeling of Gary’s expert tongue dived in and out of my wet and very sensitive opening.

“Mmmm that’s a good example of ‘Love Thy Neighbor’, huh Gary?” The wife purred. “My turn.”

Gary’s wife climbed around me to get into a position that had her face under my clit as I sat doggy style waiting for Gary’s cock. We giggled at Gary’s groans. He made it clear that he was enjoying his view immensely. Stroking his fat cock, he watched as his wife licked and sucked on my clit to help get ready. Dipping his cock downward, he let his Wife get it wet, then lined up and pushed himself in smoothly. It felt amazing. My pussy felt stretched out, and I felt like a little slut getting used by a married couple as their plaything.

The Wife continued to lick my clit as her husband took my tight black pussy for his own. His thrusts were on point. My g-spot felt tickled with the angle of his penetration. I reveled in the feeling of his Wife’s hot pink tongue teasing an orgasm out of me. I could see the scene in my mind. If we were a sandwich, I would be the peanut-butter between two slices of white bread.

I couldn’t believe that I was getting worked over by my white neighbors who were secret-swingers. Now that I was having sex with them, I had to consider that this was my initiation into their world. Depending on how many other people they knew, I had to consider that Chris could find out.

Just as my mind lost focus, Gary pulled out and blew his load all over my ass. Looking spent, he sat back down and spread his arms out like a starfish. Taking the signal, both myself and his wife laid down beside him and curled into his arms. The Wife grabbed a blanket for us, and I dozed off into dreamland.

So that is the story of the crush I had that changed my life. That weekend concluded with many more orgasms, most of which were brought on by The Wife. My attraction to Gary was strong, but after that weekend ended it was easier to carry on a relationship with The Wife. On the surface we were friends who would hang out and go shopping; while behind closed doors we went under the sheets.

It wasn’t until I began to bring my husband Chris into my swinging activities that I began to sleep with Gary again; this time as a swapping couple to allow Chris to join in. Gary was always an amazing lover, which at times caused a bit of jealousy for Chris. For me: there was a mind and body connection with Gary. He tapped into some kind of deeply rooted algorithm in my brain that just made me incredibly wet whenever he seduced me.

There were even some weekends where I simply swapped beds with The Wife and slept with Gary in their bed, while Chris shared our bed with Gary’s wife. She liked Chris, but she loved me. I kept her young. It sounds like a crazy set up, but this relationship went on for years until our first son Ethan was born. Our friends have become like an extended family to us, and it’s definitely more than just swinging with them. It just goes to show that sometimes in life you can have what you want in totally unexpected ways. I’m now 35, happily married with a child, and I have the closest and most intimate friends anyone could ever ask for.

END