“I’ll be right there,” I yell as I turn on the dryer. Someone’s knocking on my door at ten in the morning, and I have no clue who it is. When I hear the knock again, I run to the door so I don’t miss them. Pulling on the handle, I’m greeted by a postal service worker.
“Morning, ma’am. I have a couple of packages for you,” he says as he hands me something to sign.
I didn’t order anything, but I take the clipboard and sign my name. “Thank you,” I tell him as I grab the boxes and shut the door.
“Who was that?” Jenna asks as she leaves her room with phone in hand, earbuds in one ear. When her eyes land on the boxes in my hands, a smile breaks across her face. “Ohh, did you get me something?” she vibrates with excitement. She’s bouncing on the tips of her toes, eyes full anticipation.
“No, I didn’t,” I respond as I drop the packages on the table.
“Oh.” Her face falls.
“It’s not always about you, Jenna. I’m sorry to say, but it’s true.”
“Geez, no need to be all bitch-mode, Mom.”
My body turns towards her. “Since when have I told you that it’s all right for you to one, cuss, and two, do it at me?”
Her shoulders drop. “It’s no big deal. My friends do it all the time.”
This is where I want to ask her if her friends jumped off a bridge would she do it too, but unfortunately, as smart as she is, I know how important being accepted is, so she’d probably jump without any question. These are the times when you need to pick your battles. “Don’t cuss in front of me again. It’s rude and disrespectful, and I know I’ve raised you better than that.”
“Trevor cusses all the time. That’s a total a double standard.”
“He doesn’t cuss at me like you just did.”
“He still cusses. You had to tell him to stop just last week.”
“Again, Jenna, he wasn’t doing it towards me. He was playing games with his friends.”
“You still heard him.”
Yes, last weekend while I was in bed, writing, Trevor was on the living room television, gaming with his friends. I guess things got heated and before I knew it, a slew of profanities, some I’ve never heard of, came flying from the front room. By the time I got into the living room, he was pissed, chest heaving as he was beating his controller into the carpet. I had to cut him off and send him to bed. He wasn’t happy, but I was afraid my TV would suffer the wrath when he got so upset, and I didn’t want to see a gaming controller sticking out of the screen of my TV.
“I’m aware of that. I’m really not arguing with you. Please do as I say. If I hear that word or any other words like it directed at me, then we’re going to have an issue, and the way I’m going to solve it is to take your phone away.”
I turn my back on her, but I don’t miss the grumble of ‘whatever’ as she leaves me and slams her bedroom door. I see the familiar name and address on the return sender label and my stomach drops. I go to work on the box, using the force of my frustration to tear back the bindings. I pull the packing paper, revealing a black and white shoe box. Heath bought me a pair of shoes. I smile to myself, at his thoughtfulness. So unlike him, that’s for sure. I pull open the black and white box seeing there’s a note tucked inside.
I know how you love ADIDAS. If you insist on running, at least wear these trainers.
I love you, Heath.
Wow, my heart does a flip that he actually went out of his way to help me out by buying me running shoes. Heath hasn’t been the type of man who buys a ‘just because’ gift. Not in a long while.
Taking a deep breath, I pull at the cardboard of the next box, using the same force as I did with the first. Once I lift the packing paper, I see a black and yellow book titled, Shin Splints for Dummies. I can’t help the laugh that breaks from my chest. Amusement rolls through my body as I take the book in my hand, looking it over. When I pull the packing slip from the box, I see it’s from Liam, which I already knew. I grad the yellow piece of paper from the bottom of the box and unfold it.
It’s not your typical reading, but I thought you’d make an exception.
~ Liam
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I continue to giggle at his jester. He’s a funny guy. Shy too, I can tell by the brief encounters we’ve had. Not the persona of what I expected out of a pilot. Sighing, I drop the book on the table and break down the cardboard before sliding the boxes next to the trash for Trevor to take out later.
I walk over to my purse and pull out my phone and take a couple of pictures of my shoes, I send it to Heath with a ‘thank you’ and heart emoji attached to it. After I drop my phone back into my purse, I pad across the room to where the hall is. “I’ll be back,” I holler to no one in particular since both kids are tucked away inside their rooms. Grabbing a small plastic bag I’ve had on the table near the front door, I exit and head to my neighbor’s house.
My heart races a bit as I reach his front door. I know it’s rude to show up unannounced. I hope he’s not busy. After I knock, I hear someone yell that they’re getting the door, and I jump a little by the force in which the door is swung open. Dillon. His eyes skate down my body.
“Um, hi.” I tuck my hair behind my ear, suddenly shy under the scrutiny of his gaze. “Is your father home?”
“Dad,” he calls out without taking his eyes off me.
Liam’s fingers wrap around Dillon’s shoulder, pulling him back as he steps forward. He’s wearing worn jeans that ride low on his hips, and a pink T-shirt with what I’m assuming is his squadron logo stretched across his chest.
“Whitney.”
“Hey.” I glance to Dillon who’s still standing there.
“Dillon,” Liam turns towards his son, “this is Whitney James. She’s Ben’s teacher and a neighbor a few doors down.”
“Ohhh… You’re Jenna’s mom. I was wondering why you looked familiar. You guys look almost identical. It’s crazy.”
“Yeah, well, don’t tell her that she looks exactly like a forty-year-old, or she might die of embarrassment.”
He laughs. “No way. You’re gorgeous. She should be proud.”
Heat creeps up my neck, my cheeks warm.
“All right, Casanova, that’s enough.” He pats his son’s shoulder before maneuvering him out of the doorway. “Move on. There’s nothing here for you to see.” Liam takes a step outside the house, crowding my space, so I step back. “Sorry, I’ve got a house full right now, and there’s no way I’d invite you into the chaos.”
“It’s okay. I totally understand. I didn’t let you know that I’d be stopping by, and really, I couldn’t let you know since I didn’t have your number or anything.”
“True. Let’s rectify that situation right now.” He pulls his phone from his pocket and looks at me, ready to insert my number. I must look like a deer caught in the head lights because his face softens a bit. “It’s just a number, Whitney. We’re neighbors.”
I look up at him. “What?”
“The look on your face.” He points to me. “There wasn’t anything pleasant about it. If you don’t want to exchange numbers, that’s okay, I under–”
“No! No, it’s okay. You’re right. It’s no big deal. Here, give me your phone, and I’ll give you mine.”
“Only if you’re sure.”
I laugh, the awkwardness no longer present as I hand him my phone. Once we take care of the number part, I bring up the reason for my visit. “So I got a package today.”
He smirks. “Did you now?”
“Yeah, do you know anything about it?” I cross my arms over my chest, trying to give my best ‘pissed’ look I can conjure.
He scoffs, putting his hands on his chest. “Me?” He winks. “Why would I know anything about that?” He laughs his throaty laugh, and the sound makes my knees weak.
“Thank you, Liam. You’ve got a great sense of humor. I appreciate it.”
He looks a bit embarrassed, so he drops his head, rubbing the back of his neck. When he brings it back up, he smiles. “Did you at least read it?”
My body shakes with silent laughter. Smiling, I shake my head.
“You may be missing out on the novel of the century.” He throws his hands up in the air, “You never know if you don’t take a chance. What is it that they say, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’”
“I’ll take my chances,” I respond.
His chest draws up with a deep breath. “Do you think, once you’re up for it, that you wouldn’t mind if I ran with you in the mornings?” He looks out into the neighborhood, “I don’t really have any friends outside the base, and most of those guys are living on base.” His gaze locks with mine. “If not, that’s okay–”
“No.” I wring my hands together. “No, that would be good. I’d like that. A running buddy is always a good thing.”
A smile breaks out across his face. “All right, okay. Cool. So just text me when you feel up to it.” He rubs his hand down the back of his hair before points back the door. “I gotta get back. Who knows what the kids have been up to while I’ve been out here.”
“Yeah, okay.” I tuck my hair behind my ear. “That sounds like a plan. I’ll text you when I feel up to it.” I stand there, not sure what to do next. His eyes fall to my hand, and that’s when I remember that I’m still holding the plastic bag. “Oh. Here.”
He takes it from me. “What’s this?”
“Something I thought you’d need. I picked it up last night while I was at the store.”
When he opens the bag, when he sees what’s inside he starts to laugh again. He pulls out the tube and shows it to me. “Self-tanning lotion?”
“What can I say? I’m a neighbor who likes to help.”
“Well, thank you. I wouldn’t want to be mistaken as a fictional character with green hair and orange skin.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t say I never did anything for you.” I place one foot behind another, twisting myself around so I can head home.
“Night, Whitney,” Liam calls after me.
“’Night, Liam,” I yell back over my shoulder as I continue on my way.