Page 6 of Because of Blake

Michelle laughs as I fill her glass. “How so?”

“She came over the day after we moved in with a huge gift basket in her arms. Apparently, she’s the head of the welcoming committee. After rambling about the neighborhood, she told me” –I place my hand over my chest and raise my nose into the air– “she ‘must have me over for coffee and cakes so we can get to know each other.’ Ugh, I’ve been avoiding her ever since.”

“Why? Knowing your neighbors isn’t a bad thing.” Michelle points to herself. “Case in point.”

“You’re the exception.” I sit down across the table from Michelle, sighing before taking a sip of my tea. “She had the air about her that screamed nosy. I know what getting to know people like her entails, and I don’t like it, or all the questions that come with it.”

“It’s been three years, you’re not used to it by now?”

“Never.” I keep my gaze on my glass as I swirl my tea before meeting Michelle’s eyes.

She presses her lips into a flat line, but swallows down her argument and says, “Okay, so you’ve got neighbors who are ‘fine,’ and one who you’d like to forget. Anyone else? This is a big neighborhood, Mags.”

I take a long drink of my tea, swishing it around in my mouth. “I met a guy who lives in the cul-de-sac. Blake.”

Michelle wiggles her butt in her chair. “Ooh, Blake. He sounds hot.”

“Hot doesn’t even begin to describe him. This guy is gorgeous.”

“Even better. How many times have you seen him?”

“Just once. On Monday after we talked, I went to check the mail and he was walking his dog.” I fight a smile and ignore the ache between my thighs as I picture Blake and recall our conversation. “We chatted at the mailbox.”

Michelle groans and hangs her head a moment. “Chatted? Come on, Mags. You’ve got to give me more.”

“There’s not more. We exchanged introductions, he welcomed me to the neighborhood, and offered to come help me with anything I need fixed.”

Michelle’s eyes widen. “He invited himself over?”

“Not for dinner, or anything. Just if I had a problem I couldn’t handle myself. You know, household issues.”

“Like fixing your pipes?” Michelle waggles her eyebrows.

“Notthosepipes.” I roll my eyes, but my cheeks heat all the same. “But yes, I suppose if a sink or something needed to be looked at, he’d come help.”

“So, do you want me to go break something?”

I bark out a laugh. “No, thank you. If I need something fixed, I’ll call a professional.”

“Why, when there’s a hot guy offering to do it for free?” Michelle almost sounds offended.

“Well, for one thing, I don’t know how handy Blake is. He might not know what he’s doing at all, and I’ll still end up having to call someone. And asking Blake into my home poses all kinds of other issues I’m not ready to deal with. I don’t want to send him any wrong signals.”

Michelle frowns. “Asking him to change a light bulb would send the wrong signal?”

“I don’t know. He could see it as an invitation for more, and I don’t want, or need, to have those kinds of conversations.” I lean forward, putting my elbow on the table and plopping my chin into my palm. “It’s easier if I call a professional.”

Michelle crosses her arms and sits back in her chair. “Okay, fine. You’re making all the sense, but I don’t have to like it. Mags, you should be getting out there. New house, new city, new chapter, which could include a new man.”

“I don’t need a new man, and I wouldn’t know how to go about it, anyway.” Michelle opens her mouth, but I put my hand up. “I know what you’re going to say, but even if I was ready to ‘get back out there,’ I’m not going to use myneighboras my guinea pig.” I make an X with my arms, uncrossing them as I wave them through the air. “The subject is closed, Michelle.”

Chapter three

Thekids’firstweekof school is always a stressful transition, but I welcome the chaos all the same. With my part-time schedule, I now have two full days during the week completely to myself. It’s bliss.

I love my kids, and I love spending time with them, but as a single parent, I don’t get much alone time. I should have done this three years ago, but I wouldn’t have survived mentally. I needed the distraction. Now, things have settled, and I’m ready to take back my life, or at least part of it.

The month of September brings Dylan’s tenth birthday. Suddenly, my baby is in the double digits and I’m elated and devastated at the same time. He’s gone from my quirky, happy little guy to my quirky, happy, ten-year-old man. Next thing I know, he’ll be asking for the keys to my car.

---