Page 28

“I’ll be right there,” I yell as I turn on the dryer. Someone’s knocking on my door at ten in the morning, and I have no clue who it is. When I hear the knock again, I run to the door so I don’t miss them. Pulling on the handle, I’m greeted by a postal service worker.

“Morning, ma’am. I have a couple of packages for you,” he says as he hands me something to sign.

I didn’t order anything, but I take the clipboard and sign my name. “Thank you,” I tell him as I grab the boxes and shut the door.

“Who was that?” Jenna asks as she leaves her room with phone in hand, earbuds in one ear. When her eyes land on the boxes in my hands, a smile breaks across her face. “Ohh, did you get me something?” she vibrates with excitement. She’s bouncing on the tips of her toes, eyes full anticipation.

“No, I didn’t,” I respond as I drop the packages on the table.

“Oh.” Her face falls.

“It’s not always about you, Jenna. I’m sorry to say, but it’s true.”

“Geez, no need to be all bitch-mode, Mom.”

My body turns towards her. “Since when have I told you that it’s all right for you to one, cuss, and two, do it at me?”

Her shoulders drop. “It’s no big deal. My friends do it all the time.”

This is where I want to ask her if her friends jumped off a bridge would she do it too, but unfortunately, as smart as she is, I know how important being accepted is, so she’d probably jump without any question. These are the times when you need to pick your battles. “Don’t cuss in front of me again. It’s rude and disrespectful, and I know I’ve raised you better than that.”

“Trevor cusses all the time. That’s a total a double standard.”

“He doesn’t cuss at me like you just did.”

“He still cusses. You had to tell him to stop just last week.”

“Again, Jenna, he wasn’t doing it towards me. He was playing games with his friends.”

“You still heard him.”

Yes, last weekend while I was in bed, writing, Trevor was on the living room television, gaming with his friends. I guess things got heated and before I knew it, a slew of profanities, some I’ve never heard of, came flying from the front room. By the time I got into the living room, he was pissed, chest heaving as he was beating his controller into the carpet. I had to cut him off and send him to bed. He wasn’t happy, but I was afraid my TV would suffer the wrath when he got so upset, and I didn’t want to see a gaming controller sticking out of the screen of my TV.

“I’m aware of that. I’m really not arguing with you. Please do as I say. If I hear that word or any other words like it directed at me, then we’re going to have an issue, and the way I’m going to solve it is to take your phone away.”

I turn my back on her, but I don’t miss the grumble of ‘whatever’ as she leaves me and slams her bedroom door. I see the familiar name and address on the return sender label and my stomach drops. I go to work on the box, using the force of my frustration to tear back the bindings. I pull the packing paper, revealing a black and white shoe box. Heath bought me a pair of shoes. I smile to myself, at his thoughtfulness. So unlike him, that’s for sure. I pull open the black and white box seeing there’s a note tucked inside.

I know how you love ADIDAS. If you insist on running, at least wear these trainers.

I love you, Heath.

Wow, my heart does a flip that he actually went out of his way to help me out by buying me running shoes. Heath hasn’t been the type of man who buys a ‘just because’ gift. Not in a long while.

Taking a deep breath, I pull at the cardboard of the next box, using the same force as I did with the first. Once I lift the packing paper, I see a black and yellow book titled, Shin Splints for Dummies. I can’t help the laugh that breaks from my chest. Amusement rolls through my body as I take the book in my hand, looking it over. When I pull the packing slip from the box, I see it’s from Liam, which I already knew. I grad the yellow piece of paper from the bottom of the box and unfold it.

It’s not your typical reading, but I thought you’d make an exception.

~ Liam

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I continue to giggle at his jester. He’s a funny guy. Shy too, I can tell by the brief encounters we’ve had. Not the persona of what I expected out of a pilot. Sighing, I drop the book on the table and break down the cardboard before sliding the boxes next to the trash for Trevor to take out later.

I walk over to my purse and pull out my phone and take a couple of pictures of my shoes, I send it to Heath with a ‘thank you’ and heart emoji attached to it. After I drop my phone back into my purse, I pad across the room to where the hall is. “I’ll be back,” I holler to no one in particular since both kids are tucked away inside their rooms. Grabbing a small plastic bag I’ve had on the table near the front door, I exit and head to my neighbor’s house.

My heart races a bit as I reach his front door. I know it’s rude to show up unannounced. I hope he’s not busy. After I knock, I hear someone yell that they’re getting the door, and I jump a little by the force in which the door is swung open. Dillon. His eyes skate down my body.

“Um, hi.” I tuck my hair behind my ear, suddenly shy under the scrutiny of his gaze. “Is your father home?”

“Dad,” he calls out without taking his eyes off me.