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“Thank you.No sweetheart yet, but I’ll keep it in case that changes.”
“James is a bit of a romantic.”Mrs.Grindle runs a hand down her husband’s arm.The way they are gazing at each other fuels my belief that fairy tales can come true.“Come on to the table.Everything is ready.What can I get you to drink?We have several kinds of coke, sweet tea, water.”She points at a chair as she walks toward the fridge.
“Water, please.”I sit, excited about this new chapter.Living by myself will be so nice.And having the Grindles as neighbors is a bonus.
The meatloaf is as amazing as Mr.Grindle made it sound, and I eagerly accept seconds.“This is delicious.Thank you so much for feeding me.”
“Anytime.And I mean that.If I remember, you’ll have a bit of a drive to work.”
Nodding, I take a sip of water before answering.“From the preschool, yes.The yoga studio isn’t far.And because of funding cuts, I’m only at the preschool three days a week now.It’ll be fine until I find something else.”
“What type of job are you wanting?Another preschool?”
“I really enjoy teaching yoga, so if you hear of anyone asking about that, send them my way.But I’d also love to use my degree more and find a job more focused on plants or gardening.Not that I don’t love little kids.”
“They have their moments.”Mr.Grindle winks.“We’ll keep an ear out for you.Something is bound to turn up.”
I’ve just unloaded my work problems on my new landlords.Not the smartest thing I’ve ever done.They’ll worry I can’t cover rent.“You don’t have to worry about missing payments.I wouldn’t have taken this place on if I couldn’t make the payment.”
“Of course, dear.”Mrs.Grindle stands and picks up a covered platter off the counter.“Brownies?”
“I’ll have to work out a bit extra tonight, but yes.Please.Y’all are spoiling me.”There has to be something wrong with me because I have an easier time conversing with people more than twice my age than potential dates.
After my loser ex cheated on me, I took a break from dating.Somehow in the last three years, I forgot how to make small talk.Or maybe I was never good at it.I don’t remember.
One thing is for sure.It would be too easy to spend all my free time here with the Grindles.But I need to find a few friends my own age.Hopefully some that won’t ditch me at parties.
Thursday afternoon,all my stuff is loaded into a truck and moved to the new place.
The hunks are carrying in the last few boxes.That’s not a description I made up.It’s written on the side of the truck.My new house looks a little empty without a couch, but I’ll add furniture as funds become available.Right now, I’m just happy to be in my own space.
After making sure the furniture pieces and boxes are all unloaded, the guys close up the truck and take off.I have hours of unpacking waiting for me, but that will happen after I clean out my part of the old house.I’d rather not give Ingrid any more reasons to rant.
She’s not a bad person; we’re just incompatible, as they say.I’m not sure who “they” are, but I can’t disagree with them.Maybe romantically opposites attract, but as roommates, I don’t suggest it.
I drive back to the house and clean.Not just sweeping and mopping.I wipe down walls, scrub the baseboards, and check for cobwebs along the ceiling.By the time I’m finished, my old room sparkles.Then I do the same for the bathroom and living room.
Ingrid arrives just as I’m finishing.“I can’t believe you moved out early.I wasn’tthatmad about you leaving my car at the party.”
“It just worked out this way.The place I found is super cute and so are the people next door, the landlords.”I drag my sleeve over my face.“Want me to clean the kitchen?There is still some of your stuff in there, so I wasn’t sure.”
“Nah.I’ll handle that.”She opens her arms.“It was fun.”
“Yeah.”I hug her even though I probably smell atrocious.“I bet you’ll love living in Austin.”
“Oh yeah.I’m sure I will.Living out where there are more cows than people isn’t for me.”She laughs.“But it suits you.”
“It does.”I dig the house key out of my pocket and hand it over.“Well, I think that’s all.I apologize if you find any bottle caps.I have swept and searched, so what’s left is determined not to be found.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.”She hugs me again.“I should get ready.I have a date, and there is no way I’m going like this.”
Of course, Ingrid looks like she could walk a runway.Her makeup is perfect, and her outfit accentuates her figure and skin color.
“You look great.”I wave as I walk out the door.
The only sad thing about today is this is where my mystery man dropped me off.If I somehow didn’t give him my number, this is the only place he would know to find me.But no one has come around with a glass slipper asking me to try it on.
I need to let go of the idea of the perfect guy, a faceless image of a cowboy.
Easier said than done.
