Right Next Door

Chapter 13

Robert

The past three weeks had been tough on Robert. He’d given Maggie the space she requested but it was difficult. He could accept her relationship with the neighbor but he still didn’t like it.  He received a text from her last week stating Aaron’s wishes to see him. When he responded to Maggie, she simply told Robert when to show up and to not come in the house. He was to meet Aaron in the backyard and they could play for an hour. It hurt that she couldn’t even see him and he didn’t know how much longer she was going to need space.

Sitting in a bar down the street from his house, Robert was on his third round of beers and starting to feel buzzed. A cute brunette took the barstool next to him and they eased into conversation.

Kinsey, a college student, hung onto his every word. She laughed at every joke, rested her hand on his forearm when he indulged her with scarier police stories and kept her head tilted, eyes wide when he gave her ‘inside information’ they don’t talk about on the news. Unfortunately, when she insinuated how great it would be to take her home for the evening he just wasn’t interested.

On his walk home he decided to send a quick text Maggie.

Robert: Have you had enough space?

His phone stayed silent for almost an hour before Maggie’s personal ringtone chimed.

“Hey.” He was afraid she was going to hang up before he had a chance to say anything else. “I’m glad you called.”

“Robert it’s really late, what’s up?” she said on an irritated sigh.

“I miss you, Mag. I am tired of you shutting me out.” Robert focused extremely hard on enunciating his words but the alcohol in his system made it extremely difficult.

“I am tired of shutting you out, too. Are we OK?”

“Of course we’re OK. I’m sorry for being an asshole. I am fine with you and Brandon. I will respect that, I promise,” he lied.

"I’m so happy to hear you say that.” She sounded so relieved. “I want you to get to know Brandon. I think we can all be friends.”

Robert rolled his eyes. “Yea, sure. The next couple of days are crazy for me but let’s plan to all hang out soon. How does that sound?”

“That would be great. Just let me know when you’re available. Maybe we could meet up at Aaron’s t-ball game and then go out for ice cream?”

“Sure, I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for calling me, Maggie. It’s good to hear your voice.”

“Goodnight, Robert.”

 “Talk to you soon, goodbye.”

Robert hung up right as he approached his house. He made quick work of removing his shoes but left his clothes on as he collapsed onto his bed, yelling into his pillow in complete frustration.

  

Aaron

“Eight, nine, ten.  Ready or not here I come,” Brandon yelled.

Aaron was perched underneath the deck behind his house, covering his mouth with both hands to suppress a giggle. He squealed in surprised when Brandon snuck up from behind and tickled his back.

“What kind of fort is this, buddy? It’s really cool under here,” Brandon said.

“It’s only for boys. So don’t tell my mom about it.” Aaron bent over and ran to the other side of the ‘fort.’ “C’mere, let me show you something.” He picked up a wooden sword and a pair of old binoculars.