Page 29 of The Most Dearest
As You Like It, William Shakespeare
A year after that
Cordy and I had been together nearly three years, and our living situation was getting a bit frustrating. For the past six months, I'd encouraged her to move in with me, or for me to move in with her, but she was reluctant. I understood why. She'd put everything on the line for Harrison, and he'd ripped her apart. Not just with the cheating, but with the house, her first real investment and the place she wanted to call home. In the end, Peggy made our decision for us. Reg had passed away a few months earlier and Peggy had decided to move into a retirement village with Margaret Thompson. Their houses were large and required a great deal of upkeep, and it all became too much for them. Margaret's house was a complete knock-down job, but Peggy's had a strong structure and was just in need of some cosmetic work. Cordy and I loved doing up our houses, and the idea of a new challenge was very appealing.
We discussed finances, and ultimately, the only way we could do it would be to sell one of our homes, live together, and buy Peggy's place. We decided to sell mine, given that it would be very convenient to live next door to the house we were working on. So, here we were, living together. It had been a month and life hadn't changed that much. We basically spent all our time together anyway, but now we were official. We had a joint asset (well, two joint assets) and I loved that. Peggy's house was afour-bedroom home, so we'd decided that when we finished it, we'd move into that and sell our current house. It was like property hopscotch, but Peggy's house was the jewel in the street's crown, so it was the final destination for us. At least, it would be the jewel once we finished our renovations.
When I moved in, Miranda moved out. She said it was time, and she'd been seeing my Cameron for a while now and I think they wanted their privacy. It was kind of awkward walking in on your best mate making out with your girlfriend's sister on the sofa. It was best for all of us to have our own space.
No one took over Peggy's role with Neighborhood Watch. Now that Margaret, Peggy. and Reg were all gone, there was no official watchdog, and what a shock, the neighborhood didn't tumble into sin and bedlam. I often thought about marriage and children, especially now that Cordelia was excited about having a four-bedroom house. She agreed in vague terms that she wanted that in her future, but for now, she was enjoying her job and her very busy life.
My lumber yard was going well, and my body was still holding up. Hey, I wasn't that old yet; nearly 30 wasn't old, but I was grateful that I had a career I could retain even as I aged.
“I think we should go with this flooring,” Cordelia suggested, pushing her phone in my face.
“Hmm, maybe a bit darker?” I suggested. We were a terrific team and Peggy's would be our first real joint project. I'd helped Cordelia with her house, but she'd chosen everything. The end product would be a merging of our tastes, which were quite similar anyway.
Nettie was curled up on the floor. Theodore had whacked her in the face earlier, so she was having a sulk like the sensitive girl she was.
Chapter 30: Harrison – A pale future
O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Ten years later
“Harrison, I'm not getting any younger. I'd like a grandchild sometime this century,” my mother scolded. Mom had still never really let go of Cordy, I suppose because she was my last serious relationship. The only one I'd had potential with for a real future. I had short relationships every now and then. Most women seemed to move on after a month or so. I’d proposed to Leisel, but she'd laughed. When she saw I was serious, she became sympathetic but looked at me like I was somehow delusional. We'd dated for two months, and I felt like she was the one, but obviously, that wasn't reciprocated. She ghosted me after that. Women my age could be very judgmental but younger women didn't seem to be interested in me.
I flicked through my phone, doing my usual Cordy check. Her social media was locked down, but she ran a renovation blog and often posted pictures. She had two boys with that fuckstick neighbor Damon. They were cute kids, but they always seemed to have messy hair or dirt on their faces. Would it kill her to wipe them down for a photo? I mean, sure they were usually in the background of a garden or new room she was showing, but still. Cleanliness is important. She hadn't married him right away. She had the first kid and was pregnant with the second at her wedding. I would have done it properly. I would have proposed to her, married her and then made her a mother. This guy obviously had no class.
“Calm down, Mom. Women are so fickle, it's not like I'm not trying.” We were making our way through an art exhibition.
“Oh, that one is pretty,” she said, pulling me toward a woman with shoulder-length dark hair. Her back was facing us, but she was in great shape, and she was wearing very classy corporate clothing. It was embarrassing having my mother wingman me, but I let her do it anyway. Dating apps were useless and I always felt like an elderly outcast at trendy bars.
“Excuse me miss, I'd love for you to meet my son.”
The woman turned. Was I the unluckiest man in the world?
“Hello, Embarrison,” Miranda deadpanned. She was older. Of course she was older. I hadn't seen her in a decade. She looked amazing. After monumentally blowing up my life, I moved a few hours away, where Brian's words hadn't spread and I wasn't on any Neighborhood Watch potential sex offender lists. After working briefly at a rival pharmacy and seeing Cordy pick up her birth control, I needed to get away. I'd come back last year when my dad died.
“Miranda,” I greeted. This woman had made my life hell. I guess I deserved it at the time, but nothing she ever did or could ever do would be a greater punishment than losing Cordy. Our life had been comfortable, and she really had loved me.
“Mrs. Watts, so good to see you. I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Watts' passing last year.” At least she was kind to my mother, I guess.
“Thank you dear. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. How are you? How is Cordelia?”
“She's terrific. Her boys are amazing and she's so happy with Damon.”
Ok, Miranda. Knife me in the heart for old time’s sake.
“That's wonderful. She always was a good girl. Oh, they have Pierre Auguste pieces over there. I'll be right back.” Mom wandered off, leaving me with an amused-looking Miranda.
“You still hate me?” I asked her.
“I don't think of you enough to hate you, Harrison. None of us think of you at all.”
“What are you doing here?”
