To Catch a Sunset

Endings

Ally was confused.  Why  were all the children in the street, so early? For whatever reason Halloween had started early, it was trick or treating time! She weaves through the row of kids finding her way home. Jumping out of her car and hurrying to Ricardo's house. Mumbling to herself, "Damn damn damn, I forgot to pick up candy!" She notices the new neighbor had all the blinds closed and lights off, "Jerk" she mumbled to herself. As she arrives at Kim's door she notices the door is open. "Hello" she says as she pushes the heavy door. From the back of the house she hears Kim,

"I'm back here, Ally". When she reaches Kim she sees Ricardo in his pirate costume. "Argg" he shouts!

" Wow looking good there Cap'n Ric" he laughs and smiles in a shy manner, he jumps up and hugs her. "You ready?" Ally asks. He shakes his head and grabs his bag. Since Kim's husband passed away Ally has really stepped up and helped her a lot with Ricardo and tonight she thought it would be fun to take him trick-or-treating because Kim has to work a late shift. As she walked past the new neighbors house she realizes he's not at home maybe he's not a jerk she thought, then she saw him pulling into the driveway several kids started to go up to his house their parents stop them. Knowing he's just coming home not wanting to be rude. However Ally doesn't notice Ricardo until it's too late running up to the house! "Ricky, honey no!" she squeaks out. But it's too late! Ricardo is approaching Marcus. 

"Trick-or-treat" Ricky said. Marcus turned around and said

"I don't have any candy"

"Let's go honey he just got home from work." Ally says as she reaches for Ricky.

"No trick-or-treat he's got candy" Ricky screamed. Marcus turned to face Ricky.

"I don't have any candy now go away! Allison and Marcus's eyes meet she felt a shot of energy coursing through her body like electricity moving through everything inside her. She was so angry yet so mesmerized at the same time she grabbed Ricky's hand and walked away. Casting several glances Marcus's way over her shoulder. She tried not to think about him as she walked from house to house. She focused on all the kids and their cute costumes. Even with all her efforts, she couldn't get him out of her head.

After walking for what seemed like hours, she got Ricky home and ready for bed.  She said her goodbyes and made her way home.

Still reeling from Marcus's rude behavior, it was all she could do to refrain herself! As she's walking home she sees a light on inside his house. Now that all the kids are in for the night, she is sure he will answer his door. Before she can talk herself out of it she is  pounding on his door. Marcus yanks the door open and barks "What is it?" She feels that same surge of electricity again, but she ignores it, the words just fall out of her mouth.

"Are you proud of yourself?" She squawks. "That little boy didn't know any better! What gives you the right to speak to a child like that? What is wrong with you?" Marcus is stunned and embarrassed all at once. Before he can utter a reply she continues. " Do you have any idea what that lil guy has been through? Do you? Well let me tell you this, if I ever hear you speak to him or any other child like that, you and I will have a serious problem!" She was shaking  her finger in his face the entire time. She drops her hand and begins to turn around.

"Wait" he whispers, she stops and stares into his bold blue eyes. "Listen I'm sorry" he stammers, "I shouldn't have snapped at him like that, I totally forgot about Halloween and I was caught off guard." His face has softened as he explains himself. Ally is glaring at him with her arms crossed. She can't help but feel sorry for him, but she won't dare show it! He continues, "Can I ask you something?" She nods. "What has he been through?" Ally has a confused look on her face, "You said he has been through something, I was just wondering." She is taken back by his concern, she relaxes her arms and walks closer to him.

"His Dad was killed in a car accident last year." She says softly.  His eyes drop in shame, he can't believe what he's hearing.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I had no idea that happened to you!" She half smiles,

"No he's not my child, he's Kim's son". She points to Kim's house. "So a few of us in the neighborhood look out for him, and help her out when we can." She pauses for a second, not sure if he deserves to know all the details. Somehow she can't help herself she is drawn in by him. Pointing across the street she continues, "Mrs.Winston, watches him after school most days, she's with him now til his mom gets home. I help out when I get home. Her husband was a great guy, we all took it pretty hard." He looks at her with a desperate haunting glare.

"Wow I guess I owe him an apology." He says, "But let me first just say I'm sorry to you, I shouldn't have treated you two that way. "It won't happen again." She smiles slightly and nods.

"Ok." As she 's walking away he just stares, numb by what just happened. He had only lived in the neighborhood for less than a month. He had never really noticed her before, yes she lived directly across the street, but he never noticed her beauty. Something felt peaceful about their exchange, even though she had yelled at him. He felt a surge of energy, for the first time in a long time, he smiled. He watches her walk inside and turns and closes the door.

She steps inside her house and collapses on the wall. She lets out a long breath. "What was that?" She says to no one. She peers out the window, not really sure why, she just stares at his house. She lets out another sigh and heads to bed.

The sun is blinding as it streams through her window waking her from a deep peaceful sleep. She can't help recall the events of last night still confused by everything she gets out of bed and continues with her morning routine. She had never met Marcus before last night, she'd seen him move in and heard he was not very friendly from other neighbors that had made an attempt to be friends with him. She never saw anyone, come or go. He had only lived there about a month or so, she wasn't really sure what kind a guy he was, but there was something about him that stuck with her. Even though he had been rude there was something drawing her in. She tried not to think about it even though she found herself peering out the window. Trying to catch a glimpse of him. "What am I doing?" She mumbles. She shakes away the thoughts of him and gets ready for work. She has been practicing law for several years now. It's her life passion, her father and grandfather had both been lawyers, and Judges. It was something she always wanted to be apart of as a young girl. She and her two brothers had all set out to be lawyers. And they did, well at least her and one of them did. She always feels proud when she sees herself in the mirror. Professional and prepared for her day. She brushes down her pant leg and smiles at her reflection. She finds herself fumbling for her keys as she stands with her front door wide open. She is distracted, so she doesn't notice Marcus staring at her from across the street. "Yes" she exclaims as she locates the keys. She looks up and they make eye contact, there is that surge again. He half smiles in an awkward shy manner. She waves and smiles back. Thinking to herself that he sure is bizarre! She sees Mrs.Winston leaving Ricardo's house. It's her turn to take him to school, they exchange waves. Mrs.Winston yells from across the street,

"Don't forget my house at 6:30 sweetie."

"Got it" Ally shouts back. She had indeed forgotten all about dinner with Mrs.Winston. Mrs.Winston was a widow, her husband had passed away before Ally moved in 2 years ago. She was very dedicated to helping Kim. She loved to feel needed again. Her kids lived so far away, that it was nice to have someone to take care off. Ally gave one more wave as she passed them in her car.

Marcus had watched the whole thing, he thought it was nice how everyone was so friendly. Even though he was anything but friendly, he knew how people saw him and he was fine with that. He had wanted it that way, he was fine with it. Until last night. That was the first time in a long time, he actually wanted to be friendly. He had a lot of thoughts rolling through his head. Emily's smile haunted him, he shook the thoughts off and drove away.