Page 16 of The Man Next Door
“Tell me about your work,” he says instead.
I light up when I tell him all about my past clients, all the wonderful amazing people I’ve worked with in the past. Unfortunately, all it takes is one person to ruin it all. And for me, that person was Michael Howard. If there’s anyone I wish I never met, it’s Michael. Of course, I don’t tell Noah about Michael. It would paint me in a bad light, and I want him to think I’m beautiful, inside and out.
Following dinner, I serve a lemon tart for dessert. I’ve always loved baking, ever since I was a kid. I used to bake treats for anyone who would eat them. I’d walk around the neighborhood and hand out baskets of cupcakes, muffins and cookies. “I need the basket back, though. I’ll come back in a week,” I’d always say. Of course, the whole neighborhood loved me. The way to people’s hearts is through their stomachs. I learned that at an early age.
We chat about our jobs mostly, and I tell him all about my friends in the building. He doesn’t speak much about his friends, and says nothing about his family. When I ask him if he has siblings, he hesitates for a beat and says “Yep… one brother.” I don’t press. If anyone understands the complexity of family dynamics, it’s me. I get it.
He doesn’t overstay his welcome, and says goodbye at around eight o’clock. He says he has some work to do. He leaves me with a soft thank you kiss on the cheek. I want more.
“I owe you now,” he says. “Next time… my place. I’m a decent cook.”
“So not just a pretty face,” I tease.
He laughs. “Nope.”
“Well, I’d like that very much,” I admit.
A soft smile traces his lips as he turns the door handle. He says goodbye and leaves me wanting more.
* * *
Izzie peelsoff her red Power Girls t-shirt, and her tiny breasts are unapologetically in my face. She has no qualms about being practically naked in front of me and her little brother, Abe. I, on the other hand, am not too comfortable since the kid is here.
“C’mon, Abby. It’s just me and Abe.”
We often play dress-up in Izzie’s parents’ bedroom. We’re having quite a go at Adele’s closet; oversized dresses, shoes, and costume jewelry. I slip off my shirt, and little Abe giggles. As I reach for a pretty red dress, I think about my mother.
I was only nine when she died but I don’t remember her ever being as glamorous as Izzie’s Mom. My mother kept her mousy brown hair short, and wore ripped jeans and old rock band t-shirts. She looked nothing like the beautiful Adele; painted eyes and lips, long golden hair, and flattering dresses.
I make a mental note to remember to pray tonight before bedtime, and remind the Lord to not forget to give me Adele’s body when I grow up.
“Oh, try this one,” Izzie cheers as she hands me a slick black leather dress.
I smile as I catch a glance of little Abe, golden locks and big blue eyes, hair kept a little too long. He’s wearing a sequined hot little pink number. The dress drags down to the floor, and he sways his hips in an attempt to imitate his mother dancing.
Izzie laughs her head off. “You look like mini-mom.”
I slip on the skinny leather dress. “He totally does.”
He grabs a hairbrush and starts to belt out Whitney Houston’sI Want to Dance with Somebody.
Izzie and I both laugh out loud.
I wake with a start, and stare up at my elaborate ceiling. At least this time, it wasn’t the bike ride nightmare. Rather, it was a pleasant memory, a recollection I hadn’t thought about in ages; raiding Adele’s closet, and those Power Girls t-shirts.
Izzie and I had so much freedom back then. We were pretty much left to our own devices. Adele was extremely lenient, and I was practically an orphan. Leaving two young energetic girls at their leisure was probably not the smartest move, but we certainly appreciated our freedom. We formed an exclusive club (just us two) and called ourselves the “Power Girls”.
Izzie always looked up to her older brother. Danny could go to the mall by himself. He had a girlfriend… her name was Anna. He worked at McDonald’s. He was all grown up.
“Did you get them? Did you get them?” Izzie tore at the bags Danny was holding.
“Relax, Izzie. I’ve got them.” He pulled out two red t-shirts and handed them to her.
She hugged him with all her might. “Thanks, Danny. Thanks so much.”
“Now you promise to leave Anna and I alone. I want to hear you say it.”
She stretched out the t-shirt to approve it. “I do. I do. I promise.” The wordsPower Girls,inblack felt stick-on letters,were pressed on the front. At the back, was her name. I reached for the other t-shirt and checked the back, and there it was:Abby.
I pulled my t-shirt over my head. I felt empowered. “I love it.”
“Here. I also got you these.” Danny pulled out two pairs of rainbow colored suspenders and helped Izzie into hers.
“I love these. I love the colors. You’re the best, Danny.”
“So you promise? You’re gonna give Anna and I some time alone?”
“Yes. I promise. I told you. I can’t wait to show everyone.”
I still have that t-shirt and those rainbow suspenders, stashed away in a box in my closet, with all my other memories. I can’t bear to open that box. I wish I could. I wish I could face my past, but it’s all too painful, and it breaks my heart every single time I think about it.
