The Neighbor Read online

  “I can only imagine how hard it is to watch a person you love die,” Ryder quietly commented.

  “Ryder, this topic is turning from a discussion about my future to one about my past. I am getting into an area that I would rather avoid,” I said.

  We were saved by the bell when a server approached the table. The young woman was attractive. She had long red hair gathered in a knot.

  “Hello Ryder. I have not seen you for a while. I know why you were absent.” Ryder started to squirm. “I hope things worked out okay. You look fantastic. I have never seen you look so healthy.” She was well meaning and seemed to be truly concerned.

  “I am back on the greens and feeling well. Can you set me up with another scotch? Have Rikko add a splash of water,” Ryder said.

  The woman who was named Amelia left to get Ryder another drink. He seemed uncomfortable. I knew her name from her nametag. Ryder did not introduce me. I was convinced he had been involved with the woman. I got up the nerve to ask him about her outright.

  “You seem to know Amelia well,” I remarked.

  “I am at this place a couple of times per week. I’m a friendly guy so I know the staff. They are like a second family to me. I hope it doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”

  I nodded my head as if I understood completely. It was Ryder who seemed uncomfortable. First Arnie and now Amelia. I stuck a fry in my mouth and smiled as Amelia returned with Ryder’s drink.

  “Rikko says hello Ryder. Sammy is missed around here. There is always a sparkle in your eye when he is around. Any chance of a return visit?”

  “Not sure Amelia. Did you ask for a splash of water? Jenna is not drinking and I don’t want to get plastered.”

  “Yes, I asked for water. Please tell Sammy said hello.” Amelia grinned and left. She left me more confused than ever.

  “Sammy again. She must have made quite an impression around here. It takes a special person to bring a sparkle to one’s eye. Are you planning on bringing her back?” I asked.

  “How is your chicken?” Ryder completely ignored my question. I reminded myself that we were about golf and nothing else or so it seemed. I didn’t have the guts to ask what the hell was going on.

  “It was your decision to stop talking about food. If you insist, my chicken is awesome. And you can get drunk you know. Don’t mind me because it’s your liver.”

  “Will you drive me home if I get drunk?” he asked and laughed.

  “I am sure your friend Amelia will call you a cab,” I shot back.

  “So that’s how you’re going to be huh?” He chuckled.

  I just grinned.

  We finished our meal. I had found out little about Ryder - if anything. Our chemistry was developing quickly. It started from the moment I pierced him with a toothpick. Every moment we spent together made me crave more. I hated to say goodbye but I could only make my iced tea last so long. The ice was beginning to melt.

  “I hope you realize that you are not off the hook for our next lesson. We will get to pitching out of hazards at our next lesson. As a beginner, you will spend a lot of time in the sand and lose many balls in the water. I think you will be able to shoot 9-holes at a municipal course at school,” Ryder told me.

  “I will be here for our next lesson. But I am going to hop in my car. I have to get home and rescue my Mother. Who knows, the house may be burned down by now.”

  I got up to walk away and hoped that Ryder was watching. My ass was one of my assets. I waved as I strolled away.

  Chapter Five

  I pulled onto Lewis Ave and my home came into view. I was overcome with a wistful feeling as the house came into view. I had lived in the same place for my entire life and that was about to change. The structure was still standing which meant my mom had not burned the thing down.

  It was a well-used house. My brothers and I were raised there and each of us had millions of memories of our humble abode. I looked at the stone steps where I fell and cracked open my chin. My mom took my prom photos on those steps and my brother’s wedding took place on the front lawn. The lawn looked a lot better those days because a large oak tree sat in the middle. My brother’s wife- to- be was very pregnant.

  I recalled my prom well. Everything was wrong with that day from the dress to the date. My mom was drunk too. I wasn’t sure if anyone noticed but I knew.

  I looked to the second floor and my bedroom window. It remained the same for a couple of years until my mother started creating it into another guest room. All of my mementos would soon be boxed up. A few boxes would be stored, many would be donated to Goodwill and most were destined for the dumpster. She loved to create guestrooms when her kids left home. We never had guests.

  The porch swing called my name. I was the only one who still used the thing. I parked across from the house and dragged my weary body to the porch swing. The house next-door was still unoccupied. Perhaps the new neighbor would come home if I waited long enough. I was sitting at the perfect vantage point to see the person arrive home. I took off my shoes and wiggled my toes. I did not have golf shoes yet and my feet were killing me.

  I daydreamed about what school would be like. I didn’t even know my roommate. Housing had paired me up with a girl from Kansas. I had filled out an idiotic questionnaire. Chemistry between two strangers was impossible to predict. They asked me if I drank or smoked. Yes to either question required one to answer how much and how often. Didn’t it vary among most eighteen year olds? When it came to sex, I was given a choice of male, female or other with a line for explanation. I knew there were folks who are struggling with the answer but I was tempted to check other and write in llama. What would I end up with? Perhaps a person who also identified as a llama? I had actually spoken with Kelly and she wasn’t a llama. She seemed like a nice person.

  Everyone spoke of the freshmen fifteen. That was a worry as well. I had never had to pay attention to what I put in my mouth because I was active with running and such. I did not want to fall victim to weight gain. I realized that money would be tight and the $1 value meal at the golden arches would be calling my name.

  I glanced next-door and there was still no movement. I wondered if the mystery neighbor was ever going to show his face.

  I already had my schedule, which included five courses. I had world history as a requirement. I imagined the world was too big to cover its entire history in one semester. I had low expectations. I did not do well enough on the entry tests to get out of pre-calculous. Therefore, I had it three days per week. I also had geology because it sounded interesting. My schedule was rounded out with macroeconomics and human sexual education. Ryder was correct; I had arranged my schedule as if I were sampling a buffet. I could have arranged to slip in a course that actually interested me.

  My biggest worry about being away from home was missing Sayler. She had become a large part of my life. I would say she was like a sister but I had seen those relationships sour. We were absolutely loyal to each other. She was my touchstone and we had a bond that was unbreakable. She was always sure I didn’t get too serious about life and I kept her on the straight and narrow. At least we each tried without either of us trying to change the other person. We would be burning up the phone lines in an effort to stay in touch.

  ****

  With drool pooling up on the sides of my mouth, I fell to the ground. I had fallen asleep. Now I was lying face down on the wooden boards of the deck. I was surprised that the thud of my body didn’t alert my mother. I was woken up by the sound of my new neighbor’s garage door closing.

  Shit. I missed him. He had window treatments that prohibited me from peering inside. I could imagine him moving through the house. I knew the floor plan from being in the house earlier. He moved from the living room, to the kitchen and arrived in the bedroom. The lights in the bedroom eventually went dark. There was no illumination from the television. The stranger next door must have gone to sleep. Whoever it was, he must have been tired and skipped watching television for the night.<
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  I tiptoed into the house so as not to wake my mother if she had gone to sleep. I found her watching television. On the table next to the couch was a cold tray of microwaved dinner. She had apparently not been hungry.

  “Hey mom. Sorry I was not home for dinner. I see you fixed something yourself. Smells good,” I said. My Mother smelled like gin.

  “It tasted like plastic shit.”

  “Shit is not plastic mom.” I laughed, hoping she would do the same.

  “Don’t worry Jenna. Was that you I heard crashing around out front?” she asked.

  “That was me. Your graceful daughter. I fell off the porch swing. I fell asleep waiting for the new neighbor to come home. I know whoever it is came home because I heard there garage door close and I noticed the light on.”

  “I am sure you will see him eventually. He is sure to come by to thank us for the pie. If I see him and you’re not around I will secretly take a picture of him with my phone.”

  “Who knows? I don’t know why I care so much. I guess I am curious and I want to make sure a mass murderer didn’t move in next-door. As far as the picture goes, skip it. I don’t want you arrested on stalking charges.”

  “Well you are not an expert sleuth Jenna. Detective is not a career choice you should pursue at school,” she joked. “Where were you anyways? It must have been important because you left your starving mother home alone.” She chuckled and smiled.

  “It was nothing. I was just golfing with a friend.”

  “I didn’t know you golfed. Your friend must have been handsome,” she guessed.

  “Yes and it was nothing. I assure you,” I lied.

  “I have heard that one before.”

  “I am going to go up to bed Mom. Need anything before I turn in?”

  “You can get me a life.” She smirked.

  “Sorry mom. Ball’s in your court where that is concerned. I love you.” I kissed my mom goodnight and went up to my room.

  I looked out my window before getting in bed. My mystery neighbor was still sleeping. I wondered for a moment what Ryder was doing. He was probably out with Sammy or he was still at the club with Amelia.

  I pulled back my covers, which had evolved through the years. I safely made it out of the teenybopper years. There was not a pop star staring back at me from my pillow. Now I thought that the idea of sleeping with an image of anyone on my pillow was strange. I didn’t have posters on the wall as they had been replaced by tasteful prints. Many were of places I wanted to visit someday but in all likelihood would not. I had one of Times Square and another of the French countryside. I knew they would be thrown in the junk pile someday when my mom got around to it. My tastes would change and I would dream of going to new places.

  Chapter Six

  I stayed in bed until nine, which was late for me. I was thinking of Ryder. I couldn’t figure out why I was so fixated. I had received attention from men before. Some of them had been older than me but this seemed different. It had to be that he was mysterious. I hated to think I was one of those women who savored the challenge as if I were some kind of wild animal hunting for prey. Maybe he was hunting me. I was younger than he was, who knew by how much, and he seemed attracted to my perceived innocence. I was confused, which called for an afternoon with my best friend Sayler.

  I grabbed my phone. God I had to replace the tacky rhinestone cover. I dialed Sayler’s number and it rang forever. She finally picked up.

  “Hello?” she croaked.

  “What’s up? You went out last night. I can tell by the sound of your voice,” I said.

  “It is a good thing you’re not my mom. She is under the impression I went to see a movie with you. She was passed out by the time I rolled in at 2 am.”

  “You can tell me all about it. I will be over in an hour. Extra sugar, two creams?”

  “You know it. Just let yourself in. I doubt my mom is awake yet,” Sayler mumbled before she hung up and likely went back to sleep.

  Sayler Lindner was by closest friend. Many would say BFF. Those people had a lot of BFF’s. I only had one. Sayler’s mom was a drunk. My Mother had her issues but she was always there when I needed her.

  My mom shepherded my father through a long and painful death. He had just about everything towards the end. His liver and kidneys were a mess and he had diabetes. In the end, cancer came calling. It had been five years. The longer he was gone the fuzzier the bad memories of my father became. I was a whole person after the ordeal of his death but a little part of my mom was buried with him.

  I hopped in my car and sped to the coffee drive-thru. It used to be all about the omnipresent cup with the mermaid but the Coffee Shack was cheap and fast. It didn’t hurt that the owner’s son was the barista. Sayler had sex with him a couple of times.

  “I will have two large coffees. The usual.”

  “These are on me. Tell Sayler I said hello,” Rems said and winked as I drove off.

  I knew who Sayler was with last night – two free coffees. It must have been some night. I smiled.

  I made it to Sayler’s house. Still in my pajama bottoms, I found my way up to her room.

  “I see you have yet to clean this place up. I don’t know how you live in here. You can be in a Hoarders episode with Ryder.”

  “Who is Ryder? I didn’t think you would come over first thing to chat with me.” Sayler yawned.

  “No Sayler. I stopped at the Coffee Shack. I paid nothing…and Rembrandt says hello.”

  “Yeah. I guess Rems and I hooked up. He’s such a nice guy and he’s safe. It will never go anywhere but we have fun. Enough about me. Who is Ryder? Why are you glowing?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “He is a guy I met on Pelican Island at Magnolia. I was doing some volunteering and I went to a reception. I was decked out in my volunteer garb. I went for the free food and not to meet someone. But I met Ryder. He…is…amazing. Tall, muscular, green eyes. He is the type you notice when he enters the room.” I was out of breath.

  “Slow down Jenna. You are gonna hyperventilate. Is he from around here? Do I know him?”

  “No and No. He is older. I tried my best to find out how much older but I failed. We met at the driving range a couple of days ago, then yesterday we putted and we are meeting again tomorrow. He makes my hands sweat like crazy.” I pulled out my tablet.

  “You have his name Jenna. Let’s look at his Facebook page.” Sayler was intrigued.

  She squealed when we got to his page. The man was good. His profile gave nothing away. He left all of the important stuff blank. His birthday was in December but he gave no year. Everything related to golf. I was curious to see him with Sammy. There were no photos of him with a Sammy or a Samantha. I Googled his name and I came up with some stuff several years old. He had won a couple of amateur golf tournaments and then he disappeared.

  “This guy is a conundrum. You must know something about the guy. You have spent hours with him right? Your hands sweat. I know you well Jenna – did your crotch tingle?” Sayler asked.

  I laughed. “Shut up!” I yelled and smacked her with a pillow. “Anyways, I found some sex books today,” I told her, trying to stop her from asking more questions about Ryder.

  “Sex books?”

  “Some guy is moving in next-door to my mom. She says he’s hot. I brought him an apple pie since she thought he needed some sort of welcome to the neighborhood gift.”

  “You baked?” Sayler was incredulous.

  “Not really but it looked home-made. He wasn’t home so I left it for him and of course, I looked around. He is a fitness nut who takes a lot of meds – weird combo. I noticed some boxes. I peeked inside and they were all about sex. I am talking a smorgasbord of sex books. Whoever this dude is he likes sex or just knows a great deal about it. I even resorted to spying on the man in order to steal a glance of him. It ended in a debacle.”

  “Jenna. I am so confused between Ryder and the sex guy.” Sayler was back to Ryder. I decided to ask for advice.
r />   “What if Ryder takes this thing a step further?” I asked.

  “I say go for it Jenna. If he is older, he will be able to teach you some new moves. He may rock your world.”

  I giggled uncomfortably. Maybe she was right. Maybe he would rock my world.

  We talked for hours before we got hungry. I went out to pick up a pizza. I returned to find Sayler’s mom drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette in the kitchen. She had woken up by noon, which was typical. She was not someone who I wanted my friend to emulate. Sayler had a lot of potential. It just needed to be pointed in the right direction. My mother was no picnic but I guess she was my mom and I loved her despite her drawbacks.

  “Hey Mrs. L. Good morning or afternoon – good day,” I chirped. I knew immediately I was too cheery for the hung over woman.

  “I don’t see what’s good about it but I appreciate the sentiment. I heard you and my daughter talking this morning. These walls are like paper. I heard something about a Ryder guy. If he is too old for you, send him my way. He must have cash if he is hanging out at the country club.” Sayler walked into the kitchen. She saved me from Juliet.

  “Mom, I think he is interested in Jenna. You are probably not his type even if he is closer to you in age. You will do best to stick with the guys playing video golf at the bar.”

  “Yeah. I hit a hole in one last week. It only set me back a couple of quarters. A lot cheaper than a round of golf.”

  Juliet wandered away in a haze of smoke.

  “Later mom. If it was anyone but you, I would be embarrassed. She wonders why I don’t ever bring a guy home. He would take one look at her and run away. They would think I was destined to be just like her and run out the front door… But anyways, back to Ryder. What are you going to do about the mystery man?” Sayler asked.

  Just at that moment, my phone chimed. It was set to an Alicia Keys tune and it blared through my phone speaker. It was Ryder. I had entered him into my phone. Expecting him to cancel, I let his call go to voicemail.