Page 21 of Boxer Next Door

“Well, see, there was this neighbor…”

He started the story, and the conversation flowed as we served up and dug in.

Bryson had a look of interest on his face every time Ken said something, and when he talked back, he did it with such enthusiasm I had to remind him more than once to chew with his mouth closed. My son had always been friendly, but Ken was the first adult I’d seen him so interested in so quickly. Usually, if he didn’t know them he’d be a little shy. Bryson just thought the fact that Ken knew how to box was cool, and I had a feeling if I said he had to stop at some point, if anything happened, my little man and I might fight.

Dinner went smoothly, and afterward, Bryson paused his chatting to help me clear the table and take the dirty dishes over to the sink. I couldn’t help feeling proud, and I was smiling unconsciously the entire time.

He still wanted to talk to Ken after dinner, and I let him until it started growing late, and I noticed he kept yawning.

“All right,” I said decisively, clapping my hands together. “Come on, Bryson. It’s time for bed.”

“Mom,” he whined. “I’m not even tired yet! Let me talk to him just a little longer!”

But then he yawned right after, and I fisted my hands on my hips, giving him what he liked to call the Mom Stare. He remained stubborn for a minute, then sighed.

“Okay,” he mumbled. “I’ll go to bed.”

He slid off the bed, and I followed him up the stairs to tuck him into bed. I got out his pajamas as he brushed his teeth, leaving them in the bathroom for him to put on. He hadn't let me help him get dressed since he turned seven years old and became one of the ‘big boys.’ Once he was done in the bathroom, I waited for him to get into bed then tucked the covers around him, pecking a kiss on his forehead.

“Good night, honey,” I whispered.

He yawned again, his eyes sliding closed. “Good night, Mom,” he whispered back.

I tiptoed out of the room and closed the door behind him. I knew he’d be asleep in minutes, and he wouldn’t be waking up until tomorrow. I went back downstairs to the living room, only to freeze when I looked up and remembered.

Right. Ken is still here.

Suddenly, I felt a little jittery. I didn’t know what to do in that situation. Annara had given me advice she thought was good. But I still didn’t think ‘go for it’ in this case was appropriate.

So, I had to send him home immediately.

“Would you like a glass of wine?” was what came out of my mouth.

Ken smiled back at me. “I’d love some if it’s no trouble.”

“No trouble at all.”

I led the way back to the kitchen. I opened one of the cupboards above the kitchen counter and pulled down a pair of slim glasses. I hesitated, before pulling out the bottle of wine that was right behind it. The bottle was dusty, and I picked up a cloth to wipe it down. It was a present I’d gotten on my last anniversary party, before Mike decided to leave, more than a year ago.

“Let me help you,” Ken said, coming up behind me and reaching for the bottle.

I let him take it, pulling out a corkscrew and handing it to him. He opened up the wine with a light pop, and I held out the glasses for him to pour. He filled both halfway, then set the bottle on the counter, and I gave him his glass. Just for fun, we clinked glasses, and I giggled as I took a sip.

I fucking giggled.

Seriously, how old are you supposed to be, Lydia?

“This is good,” Ken praised, picking up the bottle to look at it again.

“A friend of mine gave it high recommendations actually. It was a gift.”

He didn’t ask what for, and I was relieved.

“Let’s sit down,” I said, leading the way to the living room.

Ken brought the bottle with him and set it down on the coffee table, and I didn’t object. We sat a little bit too close on the couch, turned slightly to face each other, so at least our thighs didn’t touch, but our knees nearly did.

We started talking. I asked to know a bit more about his childhood and offered some insight into my own. He was a little weary when talking about himself, and I felt he held a lot back. But besides that, everything went as smoothly as usual.