Page 1 of His Reward
1
Malcolm
It’s past sunset and the hot day hasn’t cooled one bit.Sweat clings to my skin as I wheel the bike into the garage and lean it against the wall.
I returned to Ontario with only a duffel bag to my name.This red and black bike belongs to Paul’s son, but it’s practically mine.I’ve ridden it more times than him because I take every chance I get to hit the trail.
Nate said it was two years old when he lent it to me, but the thing was in pristine condition.Not a speck of dirt on the tires, and the frame and chains still gleamed.No surprise.That boy probably forgot what grass looks like because he’s always glued to a screen.
Case in point, when I head upstairs to grab a shower, I find clues in the bathroom he was distracted by one of his devices.His limp towel hanging off the edge of the sink counter, his underwear lying in a dark blue lump on the floor, and a balled-up granola wrapper by the trash can.He missed the toss and couldn’t be bothered to try again.
If he left his underwear and towel behind, did he walk butt naked back to his room?
I let out an amused scoff and shake my head.It’s been two months since I left the army, but I keep comparing my past life to what it’s like on the outside now.For instance, if Nate were in basic and he left his shit lying around like this, he’d be doing extra PT until he bawled for mercy.
I tidy up Nate’s things, then take my shower.There are some universal experiences that’s like hitting pause on every negative thing for a brief moment.A cold shower on a hot day, especially after a vigorous activity, is one of them.
I close my eyes and take calming breaths, the water soothing my warm skin and easing the ache in my muscles from my bike ride.But the second I turn off the shower, a dull, rhythmic thumping chases away my peace.
The music pounds louder when I exit the bathroom and make my way to the guest room.Yep.Paul’s daughter is at it again, playing another pop song for the whole house toenjoy.
Of course, it’s no better inside my room because I’m between Daphne and Nate.To my left, Daphne’s stereo blasts wall-shaking beats.To my right, the musty scent of weed escapes from under Nate’s door.
During deployments, I’d share a cramped space with a lot more than four other people.Loud sounds and unwanted smells were a given.Yet, somehow, it’s more claustrophobic living here in my best friend’s house, even though it’s a spacious four-bedroom in an upper middle-class neighbourhood.
A big backyard, the beach less than ten minutes away by foot, and a trail nearby.I couldn’t have asked for a better landing after leaving the army.But everything that glitters isn’t always gold.Or maybe the gold is a monkey’s paw.
I wish to be closer to loved ones.
Wish granted, but they’re annoying.
I suspect that when Paul offered me his guest room until I found my own place, he hoped that things would be like one of those cheesy nineties movies.With my military experience, I’d be the hard-ass drill sergeant who set his kids straight, barking orders and teaching them to be more well-behaved.
Ironically, a promotion offer to sergeant is what prompted my decision to leave the army.I’d spent years avoiding chasing rank, but I almost considered accepting.However, when I compared that extra responsibility to what I actually wanted, it made me realize leaving was the best choice.
If I didn’t want to be a sergeant to a team of individuals with years of obedience training, I certainly don’t want to be one now to two self-absorbed young adults with zero discipline in their bones.
Paul and I have been best friends since fourth grade.We bonded over wearing the same Ninja Turtles t-shirt on our first day of class, and I practically lived at his house most days while we grew up.We’ve been like brothers for the past three decades, which is why Daphne and Nate are like a niece and nephew to me.
As much as I care about them, I’m saving my energy for my own kids.The ones I plan to have as soon as I find the right woman.Best I can do is protect them from danger if it’s headed their way or give them advice if they come to me for it.
I hear a faint, familiar ring as I dress.Was that the doorbell?I pause, waiting for confirmation.Another trill sounds, drowned out by Daphne’s music.Yeah, someone’s at the door.Daphne wouldn’t have heard it, Nathan’s likely playing a video game which means he’s wearing his noise-cancelling headphones, and Paul and his wife Nicole are out.I pull on a shirt and head downstairs.
A yellow blob sways on the other side of the front door’s frosted panes.In my experience, threats don’t usually show up wearing such a cheerful colour.When I open the door, the blob becomes a gorgeous young woman in a sunflower-yellow summer dress.
Everything else loses focus as she holds my attention.Her golden brown skin is smooth and flawless, her face framed by tight, dark spirals that reach just past her shoulder blades.She resembles Daphne.Just as I realize her identity, her lips spread into a pretty smile, her dark amber eyes sparkling.
“Hi, Mal.”
“Jujube,” I say, stunned.
June laughs.“Oh my god!I haven’t heard that name in a long time!”
She drops her beige travel bag on the floor and wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me.I’m flooded with sweet scents of cocoa and flowers.Something shifts inside me the moment I embrace her.
She’s so delicate and soft pressed against me.I forget she’s my best friend’s youngest daughter, more aware that she’s a beautiful woman in my arms.I haven’t experienced this in a long time.Too long.Her breath fans my neck and south of my navel begins to react to the hug.
What the fuck.
