Right Next Door

Chapter 15

Robert

Weeks went by without seeing Maggie and Aaron. The feeling of being replaced by Brandon seeped into Robert's mind and he didn't like it. He could understand not being a top priority in Maggie's life anymore, but he hoped Brandon wouldn't replace him in Aaron's eyes. He shared texts with Maggie periodically through the week but other than that he kept his distance and tried not to sit around waiting for his phone to ring.

After a particularly long day patrolling and giving out speeding tickets, Robert met the boys for pool at a local dive they notoriously frequented. By 1am, Robert was sufficiently buzzed, down $50 bucks from losing at pool and walked away with phone numbers from three women; two he definitely considered calling, another he knew was bat-shit crazy.

Home alone, he emptied the contents of his pockets onto his dresser and looked over the scraps of napkin and receipts covered with names and numbers. Without a second thought he balled them up and threw them away in his waste basket.

"Who are you kidding," he mumbled to himself. Then stripped down and collapsed onto the bed.

The next morning he woke up with renewed determination to contact Maggie and Aaron. It was Sunday so he knew they would both be home. On his way to their house he stopped for coffee and donuts; raspberry jelly-filled for Maggie, vanilla frosting with sprinkles for Aaron. Figuring the chances Brandon being around were high he got an assortment of glazed, Boston Crème's and cake donuts not knowing what would be popular with the other man.

Her SUV was in the driveway when he pulled up but as he exited the truck he realized the time: 7:06 am. Just in case they were still asleep he tentatively called Maggie's cell phone, hoping she got an early start on the day.

"Robert?" She sounded half-asleep, mildly alarmed. "Is everything OK? What time is it?"

"It's just after seven. I'm sorry to wake you up, I didn't realize the time." He felt extremely awkward for waking her up early.

"It's OK, I'm up. What can I do ya for?" He could hear her yawning and the rustling of covers.

"Well I wanted to see you guys today so I went for coffee and donuts. I should've looked at the clock first, I can come back -"

"Wait. I would be an idiot to turn away a guy bearing coffee and donuts for breakfast. I'm unlocking the front door now. C'mon in! Aaron will be so happy to see you!"

He was in the kitchen, setting out the drinks, pouring a glass of almond milk for Aaron when Maggie wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him from behind. He took one hand and rested if over her clasped hands rubbing idly and soaking in the feel of her.

"You are the best, stranger" she chided. When he turned to her he ruffled her hair.

"Well I've been busy," he explained. "Plus, you're so obnoxious."

"Right, hmm. Well, I thought the worst like maybe you didn't like me anymore." Maggie winked and went to the kitchen island to sneak a peek at the donuts. "God, these smell a-maz-ing!" She enunciated each syllable before noticing the Venti coffee and snatching it off the countertop. "You know me so well," she sipped her drink and placed the cup down. "OK, let me get Little Man. He is going to flip out when he sees you! I hope you're ready for it." She ran up the hall and Robert decided to inhale a donut while he waited on Aaron to arrive.

The pitter-patter of little feet made him smile. As soon as the little boy saw Robert he squealed in delight and ran straight into his arms. Once they were all settled at the kitchen island, picking out their favorite donuts, Aaron made the observation that there were a lot of extra donuts to share.