Kenzie
I tie my laces good and tight before I stand to stretch. I run three miles every morning before the sun has fully risen, because it’s way too hot out once it does. Opening up my music app and setting it to my favorite station, I place the phone in the band I have strapped to my arm, and then take off out the door of my new home. I jog down my steps and set off on my new route around the neighborhood.
I’ve only lived here for a short time, but one of the reasons I like this neighborhood is because I was able to pick a safe route to run without hitting any busy streets. This was one of the things I missed when I was up north living in Boston. It wasn’t safe to run outside. That meant I had to run in a stuffy gym, and yeah it was great to have other equipment to choose from, but I never used it. I always just ran. Running is my escape, and I’ve been doing it since middle school.
I came back to the south to help care for Nana, who lives in Birch Creek just two towns over. I grew up in a small town called Barronett which is where my best friend, Lillian, still lives, and she’s only a few miles away as well. My goal was to be in a nice neighborhood but still be close to my friends and family. My realtor was amazing. She found me the perfect house, which was up for short sale. The woman who lived in the home before me lived alone and had no family. She had fallen ill and could no longer pay or care for her home. I almost felt bad taking her home from her, but someone was going to buy it, and the three-bedroom house was perfect for me to grow into.
I’m running at a good clip this morning. I’m feeling strong, and I keep my breathing steady. I start into a turn when I spot this man running behind me. I felt like I was being followed but figured it was my imagination. He’s looking me up and down, and I can’t help but smile and nod. I want to be polite and honestly, the guy is hot. He’s wearing little running shorts with a tight tank top that shows off his sweaty, muscular chest. He shows me his gorgeous smile, running at my side for just a second before he runs past me. Damn, I thought I was going at a good pace but he’s flying. I try to stay close behind him but he’s just too fast. I stop to catch my breath, and as I do he turns around with a huge smile on his face. He winks at me and continues on his way.
I shake my head and check my watch. I have to get home so I can shower, since I have a tutoring session this morning. I start my running again and don’t stop until I’ve made it home. When I get to my front lawn I’m tired and panting, but it was a good run. I quickly stretch and hurry in to take my shower. Billy will be here in less than two hours for his math session.
***
Remy
I quietly slip out the front door for my morning run. It’s early, so the sun hasn’t fully risen yet. I don’t want to wake anyone, but I can’t break my routine either. When I get to the porch, I start the music app on my phone and slip it into my armband before securing it in place. I’ve set this station with all my favorite running music. Making my way down the steps, I take off in the direction of my old running route. It’s close to three miles, but I’ve been running this route for years. I’ve used it to train for the service, as well as all the 5Ks and marathons I’ve run. It has a few small hills but nothing too major, perfect for staying in shape.
I take a deep breath of the clean, crisp air. It’s early so it’s not too warm yet, but I can tell today’s going to be a scorcher. As I’m running I glance around the neighborhood, checking out the changes since I’ve been away. There’s a house for sale and a few of our neighbors have painted their homes. I notice some have new porches, and I chuckle thinking about the many conversations with my mom about all the work my brother has been doing in the area.
I’m running at a good pace when I’m distracted by the sight in front of me. I see a tall, slim body with a long brown ponytail swaying from side-to-side. I smile as I draw closer to her. She’s got a body like a goddess. The leggings she’s wearing shows off her ass beautifully. I take a deep breath in preparation of showing off a little bit. I pick up my pace, slowing next to her for just a second before I kick it into high gear and pass her. I turn around to see she’s stopped with her hands on her hips and a gorgeous smile on her face. I wink at her and take off running. Damn, I don’t know what the hell got into me just now. I’m usually the shy guy in the family. Flirting with girls is not my thing, but dang, she’s beautiful and she’s a runner. I run all the way home at a solid pace. When I get there, I’m spent. Placing my hands on my knees, I bend over trying to catch my breath. I’m drenched in sweat and in need of a shower. I run into the house to find Mama in the kitchen whipping up breakfast. “Good morning, Mama.” I kiss her on the cheek and then grab a bottle of water from the fridge, chugging it down.
“Good morning, Remy. How was your run?”
“It was fine. I beat my run time.”
She shakes her head but says nothing. She’s always telling me I’m too hard on myself, but it’s who I am. I’m always determined to do better. Now if I could only be so confident with the hottie I ran past this morning, I’d be good to go.
“Go shower, your breakfast is almost ready,” Mama says, breaking into my thoughts.
“Yes, ma’am,” I run upstairs and straight into the shower.
I’m clean and back downstairs in ten minutes tops. I don’t dare keep Mama waiting. I’m taking my seat at the snack bar as she’s placing a plate of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast on the table. She adds a small bowl of grits and tells me to eat up. “Are you trying to fatten me up? I haven’t eaten this much in a long time.”
She gives me a look and says, “Eat what you can.” She walks out of the room. I dig into my breakfast trying to figure out what I’m going to do today. I glance out the sliding glass door, noticing my parents’ lawn needs to be mowed. I devour my breakfast, rinse my dishes, and place them in the dishwasher before peeling my shirt off and heading outside. Starting up the lawn mower I get busy taking care of the backyard. I’m halfway done when I stop to grab a drink. I’ve forgotten how hot it can get down here. I’m walking up to the deck when Mama appears with a pitcher of lemonade.
“Thanks.” I pour myself a cold glass.
“After you’re done with the backyard, I’d like for you to run up the street for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I quickly down my glass of lemonade. I jog back down the steps and get to work on finishing the lawn. Why I had to come during the summer when school’s out is beyond me. My mom has been a teacher for years, and as kids it was always great that she had time off from work, but now that means she’s going to get me to do all kinds of things. I love her dearly but this woman is going to keep me busy all summer.
As soon as I’m done, I shower once again so I’m clean and ready to help Mama with whatever she needs. When I get back downstairs she says, “Remy, I need you to go up the street. Here’s the address.” She hands me a piece of paper.
“What for?” I ask her, confused.
“Deliver these goodies and invite her to the annual block party planning dinner. Let her know that I would like her to be on the committee, and that it’s a good way to meet her neighbors.”
“You’re still doing your annual block party?”
“Yes, and this year I’m celebrating the return of my son, so it’ll be bigger than ever.” I roll my eyes. I hate that she makes a big deal over me being in the military. “Remington Scott Bennett, did you just roll your eyes at me?”
“I’m sorry, Mama, but you know I don’t like attention, and if you start bragging that this is to celebrate my return everyone in town will be here.”
“That’s the plan. Now move along, before you get the same smack your brother got yesterday.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I walk out the door. I really need to get my own place.
***
Kenzie
I’m set up and ready for Billy when he gets here. He is such a smart boy, but his mom was concerned he would fall behind if he didn’t get tutoring over the summer. I almost feel for the kids whose parents force them to attend summer classes. This is supposed to be their time to run free and play, but most kids these days are so wrapped up in video games that I think this is their parents’ way of making them take a break.
There’s a knock on the door. “Come on in.”
“Hello, Ms. McCormick,” Marybeth says as she walks through the door wearing her prim and proper outfit. The woman has money and it shows. She’s always dressed in these really nice outfits, with her nails perfectly manicured. I’ve learned she’s also the town’s gossip queen. I often wonder if she brings Billy here so she can have an hour to herself to do all of her gossiping without a child.
“Hello, Marybeth. Billy, how are you?” I say, looking down at Billy.
“I’m well, Ms. McCormick,” he says in a well-mannered tone.
“Well, I’ll leave you two to your work and I’ll be back in an hour,” his mother says, tapping him on the head and walking out the door.
“Come on, Billy, let’s get started.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He sits in the chair I pull out for him.
I place a few worksheets in front of him and ask him to answer the questions, telling him we’ll go over it as soon as he’s done. I get busy fixing us a snack while he works. It takes him about thirty minutes to go through them before I hear, “Ms. McCormick, I’m done.”
I take the seat next to him to look over his work. He’s done an excellent job. He only got one wrong, and when I asked him to look it over again he figured out his error all by himself. “Great job, Billy. As promised, I have cookies, milk, and a tablet all ready for you to play on.”
I hand him my tablet set up to a math game he likes to play and place the milk and cookies on the table. His smile grows. “Thank you, Ms. McCormick,” he says cheerfully. It makes me smile to see him so happy. I’m wiping down the counter while Billy giggles at my kitchen table over his game.
Billy’s mother finally gets back to pick him up. “What are you doing, Billy?” she questions when she sees my tablet in his hand.
“He’s playing a math game. He finished all of his work and he did an amazing job,” I say proudly.
“I pay you to tutor him, not to let him play games on your tablet.”
My brows furrow. “I did tutor him, and he’s playing a math game that has him ahead of where he’ll start fifth-grade math.” I’m aggravated that this woman is giving me a hard time.
She closes her eyes, trying to rein in her temper. “Fine, we’ll see you next week.” She turns to her son. “Billy, let’s go.”
“Thank you, Ms. McCormick,” Billy says before he leaves the house. I wave as he walks down my walkway, smiling as he waves back.
I go about getting some house chores done before I must leave to go to Nana’s for dinner, when there’s a knock at my door. I walk over, and I stop dead in my tracks when I see the man from this morning standing on my porch. It’s the guy from this morning’s run. There’s no way I could forget those eyes.
“Can I help you?” I finally manage to ask.
“Um, yeah, sorry to disturb you, my mama made this plate of goodies for you and she asked that I bring them by. She wants to invite you to be a part of the annual block party committee.”
I open the door to let him in. “The annual block party committee?” I question.
“Yes, my mom started doing a block party back when we were small. They do one every year, and she thought that with you being new to the neighborhood you might want to be a part of it so you can get to know the neighbors.”
I nod. “What about you? This morning’s the first time I’ve seen you around since I’ve been back.” I’ve only been back a few months now, but still, this is the first I’ve seen him.
“Well, I guess you haven’t heard.”
“Heard what?”
“Do you know who my mom is?” He grins at me.
“I’m sorry I don’t.” I shake my head.
“Mrs. Bennett?” he says with his brows raised like I’m supposed to know who he’s talking about and I actually do.
“Mrs. Bennett as in the fifth-grade teacher at the elementary school?” I question with a giggle. “I know your mom.”
“Well, then you’ll soon know why you haven’t seen me. The meeting is Sunday evening at the Bennetts’, six p.m. sharp.” He hands me the platter and starts to back out the door and down my porch, giving me a glimpse of his tight ass. I bite my lip watching him jog up the street toward his parents’. Yeah, I know who your mom is and you may just see me Sunday evening, I think to myself as I realize he didn’t tell me his name. I shake off my thoughts, place the platter on the counter, and head off to visit Nana.
When I pull up to Nana’s house I find my aunt’s car is already here.
“Hello?” I call out as I walk through the door.
“In the kitchen,” Aunt Kenderly calls out.
I run in to give her a hug. “Hi, Auntie Kenderly. How’s Nana?”
“She’s doing okay. She’s slept quite a bit today, but Dr. Bennett came by to check on her and said she’s doing just fine.”
“Good.” I sigh with relief.
“She’s out on the back deck getting some fresh air.”
I nod and walk off to find her. “Hi, Nana,” I say, walking out to the deck.
“Is that my beautiful Kenzie coming to see me?”
“Yes, Nana. How are you?” I ask, taking a seat next to her.
She slaps me on the leg. “I’m just fine, love. How are you doing getting settled in that new home of yours?”
I giggle. “I’m all settled and the house is fine. I tutored Billy today.”
“Oh that poor boy, his mama is a snobby little gossip queen. She’s always dropping that poor child off wherever she can so she can get into everyone’s business.”
I laugh. “Oh, Nana. That may be true, but I’d rather Billy be with me than listen to his mother’s gossip.”
“You’re a good girl, Kenzie.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Aunt Kenderly calls from the kitchen.
I stand to help Nana up from her chair. She wraps her arms around mine, and we slowly walk back into the house. I take her straight to the dining room so I can get her settled at the table. Aunt Kenderly puts her plate down in front of her with a glass of milk, and comes back with a plate for each of us. The three of us sit to eat. “How’s Uncle Jasper?” I ask my aunt.
“He’s a stubborn man,” my aunt says with laughter.
“Why do you say that?” I ask her.
“That man frustrates me sometimes. We need to have some repairs done on the house, and he refuses to hire someone. Can you believe he thinks he can do these things himself?” I shake my head as I eat and listen to Aunt Kenderly ramble. “I don’t mind him doing things like cleaning the gutters or doing basic stuff, but when it comes to fixing the gutters or shingles or repairing the porch, he simply can’t do it.”
“Uncle Jasper’s in pretty good shape,” I challenge her. My uncle is a sweet man. He’s tall and handsome, with a decent build. He has dark hair with some silver streaks. He keeps the sides neatly trimmed and the top all spiky. I think the spikes are his way of holding onto his youth. I smile to myself. He has a brilliant smile and the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Well, I’m glad he’s not here, as you’d be encouraging him.” My aunt huffs.
“I’m not saying he should do the repairs, but it’s good for him to be up and about. The more he sits around doing nothing, the more he’ll age.” She acts like my uncle is older than dirt. He’s only sixty-five.
“He got a part-time job because he was bored and I’m fine with that. I just don’t want him to overdo it. He’s got high blood pressure.”
“It doesn’t make the man dead,” Nana shouts at Aunt Kenderly, and with laughter in her voice she adds, “I bet you don’t let that high blood pressure stop him from performing in the bedroom.”
I nearly choke on my food. I truly love my nana. She’s a riot.
Aunt Kenderly glares at Nana. “Really, Mama.”
Once we’ve finished up with dinner, I help Aunt Kenderly clean up, and we both get Nana off to bed. Nana refuses to let anyone live with her full-time, so we have to stop in often. I promise to stop by tomorrow after my run to get Nana fed and get her dressed, and my aunt promises to see me tomorrow for dinner with Uncle Jasper.