MIA
Get together my foot! I'm doing a lot to be friends with him. I don't even workout, not to brag...but my mom body is a bang. He looks like someone who could kidnap my daughter or even me! His icy expressions and very, very rude personality make my skin crawl. And what kind of human being has a full arm of tattoos? He's got to be a serial killer or something! I mean, I watch a lot of documentaries, and he's matching every personality trait of a serial killer. And don't even get me started on his arrogant attitude -I really dislike people like that. Someone like Mr. Vernon.
I carefully placed the muffins in the basket, hopefully he'd show up. "Oh gosh, your muffins will be the death of me." Linda took one of the muffins as I entered the living room. "They are for our new neighbor, don't finish it," I placed it on the table. "Yeah, tell me about him," she took a bite off the muffin. "Rude, very rude, he looks like a serial killer."
"What?" She laughed. I don't see what's funny, what if he really is a serial killer?
"What kind of weirdo tattoos a full arm? So stupid," I said.
"He has tattoos? Oh. My. God!" Linda exclaimed.
"What?" I asked.
"A full arm? He must be so hot," Linda said.
The only thing hot about him is his biceps and abs, and maybe his wet hair. Whatever, he's still an asshole.
"I assure you, he's not."
"You've lived your entire life in Deercreek, there are boring people here. In Los Angeles, a man with a full arm tattoo is attractive, especially if he's rich," Linda said.
"Nah, he's quite the opposite," I said.
"Let me meet him first, I'll be the judge of that," Linda replied.
"You'll agree with me."
"How was your date?" I leaned in, curious.
"Oh, he has everything I'm looking for in a man," she gushed.
"You mean everything on your infamous list?" I teased. She had a detailed list of qualities she wanted in a partner. Absurd, right?
She wanted someone with no criminal record, no crazy ex drama, no kids, a calm and patient personality, a bright smile and warm eyes, a stable job and financial security, emotional intelligence and vulnerability, good listening and communication skills, respect and support for her goals and dreams, a sense of humor and self-deprecation, comfort with intimacy and emotional connection, valuing honesty and transparency, and a willingness to grow and evolve together... It's a long list. She finally found someone who fits the bill, I'm beyond happy for her.
"Really? Like, EVERYTHING?!" I asked, raising an eyebrow, just to be sure. "Yes, and to top it all off, he owns a big telecommunications company in Vancouver!" She beamed with a lovestruck grin, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. "Did you, like, fact-check it?" I asked. Her list was already ridiculously long, and this guy sounded like a unicorn – rare and mythical.
"First thing I did!" she replied, still smiling like a lovesick fool. "So, when do I get to meet this prince charming?" I asked, curious. "We're still getting to know each other, but soon, very soon" Her eyes shining with excitement. I nodded, still a bit dubious, but happy for her nonetheless.
"Mommy, is our new neighbor not coming? I'm sleepy."
Lynn who was busy with her toys said, rubbing her eyes.
"That's right. I can see why you dislike him already, who doesn't like get together?" Linda said to me
"Told you. Let me tuck you in, I don't think he is coming." I said as I grabbed Lynn and took her to her room.
"Do you want me to read you a bedtime story?"
"No, I'm too old for that."
She pouted her mouth forward, which is the cutest thing ever, aside from her light brown eyes.
"What? You've always loved bedtime stories," I tucked her in and sat next to her.
"I miss Daddy, he always knew how to make bedtime stories more interesting," Lynn said, her voice laced with a hint of sadness.
The mere mention of Ethan always made my heart ache, like a fresh wound that refused to heal. I still remember it like it was yesterday - the day his fellow soldiers returned from their operation without him, they didn't have to tell me, their face said it all. I lost my grip on reality, and if it wasn't for Linda's unwavering support, I don't think I'd be alive. All I could think about was what I would do without Ethan, how I would go on without my rock, my partner, my everything. But then I looked at Lynn, our precious daughter, and knew I had to keep going, for her sake. Thank you, Ethan, for leaving me with a piece of you, for giving me a reason to keep breathing.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, I can't take Daddy's place in your heart, but I'll keep trying," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Lynn looked up at me with those big, brown eyes and said, "No, Mommy, you're the best, but sometimes I just miss Daddy." My heart ached.
"You know what? After Thanksgiving, we'll go out and do all the things Daddy always did with us," I promised, taking her tiny hand in mine. "Okay, Mommy."
"No, go to sleep now, baby," I said, switching off the lights and heading for the door. Just as I was about to close it, I heard her tiny voice say, "Mommy, I love you." I smiled and replied, "I love you too, baby."
I closed the door and went back to Linda, who was smiling at her phone. Let me guess, her prince charming "I've never seen you smile like that in ages," I said, sitting next to her. "Don't mind me," she said, dropping her phone and faced me
"Our new neighbor IS an asshole. This is what I hate the most. Let's go to his house, his lights are still on," she said, peeping out the window. "To do what?"
"To kick his ass. If he can't come here, we'll take it to his house."
"Nah, I'm not doing that." She stood up, carrying the basket filled with muffins. "Let's go." She grabbed my arm. "Lynn is inside, I can't..."
"She's asleep, right? We won't take long, and we'll also lock the door." I hated that she was so persistent. "Okay." We left for his house.
Linda rang the doorbell, and the door opened almost immediately. A redhead girl with ocean-blue eyes and a bright smile stood before us. "Hi," she said. "Hi, we're from the next house," Linda said, while I stood there wondering if she was his girlfriend or sister. "Oh, come in," she said, giving us space to enter, and locked the door behind us.
The walls were painted a dark, foreboding grey, and the furniture was sleek and black. But what caught my attention was the painting that hung prominently on the wall. It was a strange, abstract piece, with swirling shapes and colors that seemed to shift and dance in the light. I couldn't quite decipher its meaning - was it a landscape, a portrait, or something entirely abstract? The more I looked at it, the more it seemed to defy interpretation, leaving me with a sense of disquiet and curiosity.
"Have a seat," she gestured to the chairs. "Who was it?" His deep voice came from the next room, followed by his tall, athletic frame. He wore a fitted top and jeans, showcasing his toned biceps and abs. His short black hair was stylishly messy. "Neighbors," the redhead replied. He turned to me, his piercing eyes narrowing. "You again?"
"I made muffins, I didn't know you had company, I would have made more." I said.
"I thought I made myself clear earlier," he said, his tone firm. "Is this how you guys disturb people in the neighborhood? Stalking them?"
"Excuse me?" Linda stood up. "The door is that way," he pointed at the door.
Linda scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger, and I was just as angry as she was. "Hey! You shouldn't talk like that, okay? Be very glad you have kind neighbors," Linda said, stepping closer to him, her voice rising. "Oh, a neighbor that accused me of kidnapping her daughter? A neighbor that accused me of stalking her? A neighbor that almost called the cops on me? Oh, what kind neighbors you are! You need to leave while I'm being polite," he sneered.
What? Yes, I was guilty of accusing him like that. Why is he so rude?
"That's enough, Aaron. A basket of muffins, they are good neighbors," the redhead intervened. Aaron was his name, huh?
"They should stick it into their pockets. I don't need it. Get off my property," he snarled again, his rudeness knowing no bounds. "I'm so sorry, he's having a bad day," the redhead apologized. My fists clenched in frustration. I wanted to kick his balls so bad.
"Let's go," Linda whispered, grabbing my hand but I yanked it away from hers and stepped closer to Aaron, my eyes blazing. "You don't have to be a jerk about it, Aaron. I don't like invading people's privacy because I don't like it when someone invades mine. I mean, who wants to be friends with a serial killer?" The words spilled out before I could stop them. Aaron's eyebrows furrowed, his expression darkening. "What?" he growled. Linda grabbed my hand again, trying to pull me away, but my gaze remained fixed on Aaron, the tension between us crackling. He scoffed.
"Take your little peace offering with you," he sneered.
"I don't care what you do with it, I'm not taking it," I retorted, as I turned to leave with Linda. I shot him a fierce glare over my shoulder before storming out of his living room.
Oh, you think you are a hot shit, right? I will show you what's it like to have a crazy mom as a neighbor, Aaron.