Page 49 of The Deadbeat Next Door

Kayla nodded and followed her siblings out the back door.

“What do you think the story is there?” Cody asked after the door had closed behind her.

“I don’t know. He was in a bad car accident two years ago and their mother was killed. Maybe he’s having a hard time coping with her loss or it could be depression from losing his job.”

“It sounds like he’s getting back on track,” Cody said. “Why don’t you take the leftovers to him when you take the kids home?”

I cleaned up and Cody boxed up leftovers. The kids came in when it got too dark to play outside and we played a game of chutes and ladders I brought over from my house. It had been one of my favorites when I was a kid and I’d held onto it for the day I had children of my own.

Even Kayla was relaxed and smiling by the second round of the game and Cody kept Jenny and Simon in fits of giggles by pretending to be hugely disappointed every time he had to slide backwards and ecstatic when he got to climb ahead. For a little bit, even I forgot to be worried about the state of the kids’ home life and just enjoyed them.

Simon was quiet, but he had a competitive streak that lit him up while we were playing. His drive to win didn’t stop him from helping Jenny when he thought no one was looking. Jenny was entirely aware of her brother’s willingness to help her and she took full advantage. The mischievousness and intelligence in her eyes was adorable now, but I could see her being trouble when she got older. It was clear she had smart older siblings, too, her vocabulary was well beyond her years and, as I learned from our conversation about books after the game, Kayla read to both of them on a regular basis.

Jenny was asleep on Simon’s lap by the time ten o clock rolled around, and Simon was yawning and rubbing his eyes. I hated to keep them up so late, but I didn’t want to take the kids back to an empty house, so I’d made sure not to leave Cody’s house until Kayla assured me we’d find their dad at home.

This time, I was faster than Kayla when we got out of the car. I made it to the porch where her father was waiting before she did. Her father hadn’t attended any teacher/parent events, so I’d never had the chance to talk to him face to face. I didn’t have any way to compare the man I saw that evening to an earlier version of himself.

He was in sweats and a t-shirt, like a man who’d just gotten off work and had immediately changed into comfortable clothes. He was clean-shaven and his smile was warm, but he looked a bit dazed, probably tired from a long day. “Thank you for looking out for the kids while I was at work, Miss Harrison.” His smile was wide, if a bit cold. “I usually make sure Kayla has the spare key, but I forgot to check this morning before they left for school.”

Kayla was locked out again? Why didn’t she just tell me? “It was a pleasure to spend the evening with them,” I said. “They are wonderful children.”

His smile dropped just a bit as he looked past me at Kayla. “They are the best thing in my life.” He returned his gaze to me. “They are my whole world.”

He took a step toward the door. “It is way past your bed time, kids. Come on, inside.”

Jenny and Simon trudged past me and through the open door their father held open, but Kayla stayed where she was. Her quiet presence felt meaningful in a way, like a pressure behind me to do something more, to say something more, to find out what was really going on. “Kayla is a wonderful student,” I said. “I’m sure you’re very proud of her.”

He grinned past me at Kayla. “Her obsession with books has been good for something, then, I guess.”

“Mom loved books, too,” Kayla said, her voice soft.

Her father’s expression shuttered and he frowned. “Why don’t you get inside and see to the little ones?”

Kayla drifted past me and went inside. Her father started to follow but I stopped him, almost putting a hand on his arm, but stopping myself before I crossed a line. “My neighbor made a ton of food, and I brought leftovers for you all to share.”

He turned back to me, looking decidedly less cheery. “That’s awfully kind of you.”

“I’m happy to watch the kids any time,” I said. “I can help out—”

“We don’t need any help.” The hard edge to his tone and his expression was one I’d seen on the faces of other parents who were struggling financially and didn’t want to admit it or talk about it. “Thanks for the food.”

He took the boxes of leftovers from my arms, spun, and stomped inside, slamming the door hard before I could say anymore. The click of the lock signaled the end of our conversation.

I drove home, feeling like a boulder had settled in my stomach. I parked in my driveway. Cody’s house was dark and I figured it best if I didn’t disturb him. I was in no mood to be fit for company.

I let myself into my own house and flicked on the living room light to find a dark figure on my couch. I jumped and let out a little squeak and Cody’s warm rumble of a laugh washed over me.

“You left your door unlocked,” he said. “Again.”

“And you decided you wanted to hang out in a different house tonight?”

“I figured you’d try to avoid me because you’re upset. I wasn’t in the mood to be avoided.”

I sighed and dropped down on the couch next to him. He pulled me in for a tight hug that made tears well in my eyes. “I’m really not the best company right now.”

“I’m not asking you to be good company,” he said. “Tell me about their dad.”

So, I told him about their dad and I shared my concerns with him. He didn’t suggest I was being over dramatic or worrying about nothing. He just held me and listened. Then we went to bed and broke our rule, because he held me all night. While I slept.

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