Page 7 of Learning to Trust

"Hi, I'm Steve, and this is my wife, Janice. She's not usually this rude." He shoved his hand forward and we shook.

Before I could introduce myself and invite the pair in, Janice pushed past me none too gently and started shouting David’s name as she rushed around downstairs.

“Leave her be, there’s no reasoning with her when she’s in a mood,” Steve advised.

We made our way to the kitchen, where Steve dumped a couple of take-out bags on the counter.

Janice's now frantic shrieking sounded from upstairs before, a few minutes later, she burst into the kitchen.

"Where the fuck is David?" The woman's face was flushed with anger and worry was evident in her eyes. Eyes that were the same whiskey color as her brothers. It appeared the siblings both had a temper in common, but while I suspected David was mostly submissive, his sister was someone who would not bow to anyone's will. It was clear that Janice was also fiercely protective of her brother.

Steve wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist. “Honey, calm down and give the man a chance to give us some answers.”

Janice left her husband’s side and stepped into my space, her hands were fisted on both hips, and she lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m waiting.”

“My name is Andrew Whyte, the owner of Whyte Locksmith Services. My friends were helping me move in next door when your brother called and requested I change all the locks.

The woman, now understanding my presence, relaxed, and stepped back. "He had a bad bust-up with his boyfriend this morning."

"Yeah, my friends and I saw—and heard. By the time I came over half an hour after he called, he'd managed to hit the scotch pretty hard. After he answered the door for me, he collapsed at my feet. I sobered him up some and sent him to my place to help unpack boxes. It's a menial job, but I thought it would help take his mind off what happened. My friends are there making sure he's okay."

"Wow, it's not often a stranger would care. I apologize for my rudeness, but we're very close, and he was terribly upset when he called. Thank you for taking care of my brother."

"We'll probably be neighbors for a long time, so it's good to get started on the right foot. It was no trouble looking out for him. I'm about to head home now I've taken care of the locks. Would you like to join me? We're going to throw steaks on the grill?" I indicated the take-out bag. "I see you brought lunch. Will it keep?"

“It’s David’s favorite—Chinese food. I’ll put it in the fridge, and he can reheat it in the microwave over the next couple of days. Hopefully, he'll eat if he doesn't have to cook."

Steven pulled containers from one of the bags and stacked them in the fridge before scooping up the other bag and holding it in the air. “Beer.”

"Good idea. I asked my friends to pick some up, but extra won't go astray. Ready?"

"Yes, lead the way." Steve extended a hand toward the entry foyer.

I picked up the toolbox and followed the pair to the front door, where I activated the security before we stepped outside, and I secured the new deadlock.

We cut across the front yard, and as we approached my home, we heard the sounds of boxes being ripped open and banter between my friends through the open front door.

Dropping the toolbox off to one side in the foyer, I closed the front door and showed Janice and Steve to the kitchen, where I introduced everyone.

“Where’s David?” I asked no one in particular.

“In the library, unpacking books,” Kyle answered.

"I'll get the grill started," Cody offered before heading back to where the grill was situated on a large, covered deck.

Steve added, “I’ll put this beer in your fridge and give them a hand.”

I nodded before asking Janice to follow me to the library.

Janice set a hand on my chest when we reached the door to the library, stopping me in my tracks. She nodded toward her brother, who was seated cross-legged on the floor, deep in concentration, as he turned the pages of a first edition of The Catcher in the Rye as if he was handling delicate lace.

"You did good," Janice whispered, but it was loud enough for David to hear.

Hearing his sister speak, David spun around, carefully closed the book, placed it on a shelf, and pushed to his feet. Janice held her arms wide, and when David stepped close, she folded him into her embrace.

I felt like an intruder witnessing their special moment, so I left quietly and returned to my friends and Steve, who was now outside on the deck.

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