BEING THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

chapter two

He only left Vietnam recently and needed a place to stay, since his home in Colorado springs was undergoing repair, and he was held bent and not staying at the ranch with his mother, it wasn't for the sake of not getting along, for they do get a long he love his mother, but her problem is she seems to bring up things he held bent on not talking about, besides that he needs his space,
he look through the list of houses up for rent, most of which wasn't available they told him after he called they said at this time for they were occupied, some in areas he didn't want to be since he's yet to keep a low profile and needed a quiet area just for the been, so he avoid dialing those numbers, the family did own a village inn but he need to be more away than close, Nathaniel Archibald well known lieutenant an ex second in command from the military, and commonly call Nate by friends,
Nathaniel recently decided to pack it in and leave the military force after many long years being a military soldier, and after years of battling with the death of his wife commando Alex white Archibald she died on a Vietnam operation, it was tough for him getting by after loosing her, and seeing more of the people around him being battered and brutally murdered it was a grieve for him, Nathaniel had spend sixteen years in the military joining at eighteen come July eighteen he'll be thirty five, not many would be able to tell his age since the military force had put a little age on him, loosing his wife added a little, he and Alex became friends when he was twenty five, two years later they got married, they both were in the idea of settling down with two kids a son and a daughter, but it took months of trying,
The morning of her death she kiss him saying "I've got something special for you when I got back" he waited for her to give him what ever it was but she never made it back alive, her death devastated him but what hurts was hearing that she was with child, three months of pregnancy, she was carrying his child and he was too busy not to have noticed something different in the feel of her body notice if she had gain weight something, anything, wishing now that she would have said something before leaving home that morning for he would have been sure to stop her from going to that battle field, and went there in her place he sure couldn't rewind the end of time now, he was heartbroken and shaken up about it, it's been six years and he still saw her in front of him, it was difficult to move on, thought it didn't feel like he wants to, it still haunts him especially when his mother mention it and cry thinking back on her own husband who too hath part,
He sat looking at the list going through it once more, wondering to himself why these people bother to have their name on the rent list knowing they have no vacancy, he decided to try another number to see if he got lucky, he call two but what they were offering wasn't enough for the money they were renting for, at one point he became confuse push everything away giving up, for a full hour he sat down looking blank as if he had fallen asleep with open eyes, he lift his head from the back of the settee sigh reach for the paper once again, and make up his mind that this was going to be the last number he called got it or not,
Tiana was making dinner while the children sat in the living room finishing up home work, since Aran was home early from the factory he was sitting in the living room, the kids were awfully quiet while they did they homework, Tiana kept peeking out to see what they were doing to see what he was doing, she stepped out to the living room to check the children's book she look through them then turn back to go into the kitchen, her husband look at her and they made eye contact,
Nervously she cleans her throat, Aran look up at her, "do you want something?" She asked since dinner wasn't ready,
"Did I asked?" His hoarse voice question,
The children look at their parents, from their dad to their mom, from their mom to their dad,
"I just thought"
"You though too much, go in to the kitchen and do what you are put there to do" he said looking back at the television,
Tiana look at the two children as they both were looking at her she turned to go in to the kitchen just as she was about to she phone ring, she knew that Aran won't answer it and the children not allowed to, she took the phone off the hook and say hello, she saw when her husband eyes her from the corner of his eyes,
The unfamiliar sound of a male voice came on when she said hello,
"Good day ma'am I'm interested in renting your home"
Tiana roll her eyes it's been more than four months since her last tenant move and no one haven't rented since,
"You are?" She ask
"That's why I'm calling, or is it you have no space?" He question
"Ah yeah we got space, we got a three bedroom flat up for renting on forth Collins Denver road thirty six street" she informed knowing her husband kept watch think he must be wondering who she's giving information to but her house rent was her income when ever it's on rent she has her own money to help out but when it's not she had to depend on her husband that's hard though she didn't have other choice, she hope this man who ever he is will be interested after coming to view the place and will pay, pay good and pay on time,
"Is it too late to drop by?" He ask
He sounded hoarse, he sounded huge event bigger than Aran seven foot ten, a man not so handsome like he was for Aran was pretty good looking he has a face to die for, she could see the man with more tattoo than the game the New York rapper, that is so much more than the four her husband got, she imagine a man with long hair and lots if face hair, hairy chest and back, she even imagine hair under his arm pit, she roll her it was no time to think about that, "yes" she said looking up at the time, looking at her husband who was still looking at her, "I'm sure it will be ok" she said
From Colorado springs to fort Collins Nathaniel figure it will took him about a hour an a half he hang up grab his shoulder bag stack a few things in, he wore his same pair of dark geans he got home in with a fresh clean navy green t shirt push is chain inside grab his bag throw it in the back of his Chevy truck,
Tiana set the table and put dinner on, it was near seven when the children sat down she serve food for them both and her husband as well, she set the pot back on the stove after dishing her own food, she barely took her seat when a horn start blowing from a cross the street she got up to go in to the living room, "stay there" she pointed out to the two kids, she went into the living room and look through the window a red Chevy truck was park right in front her parents house she watch to see if anyone would get out, but instead of getting out the horn hunk once more, she imagine the big body man with plenty hair once again,
Aran left the table after she went out and came in the living room to stand behind her, Tiana didn't notice until he clean his throat, frighteningly she turn into him,
"Expecting some one?" He ask
"Yes, yes someone, is renting the house" she nervously told him trying not to look up at him
He step back as the horn hunk again she took the set of keys leaving out the front door, while she stood on the front porch Aran kept watch through the window, while the children remains at the table, Nathaniel look out the truck window on the woman across the street them on the house he was parked in front, he was starting to think he was in the wrong neighborhood and he probably was honking his horn too loud, but then she started crossing the street and kept watch at his truck, she was right across when he got out, Tiana look at the guy who stood at her hight a nice groom American with a handsome face clean shave and nice hair nothing she imagine, before he came around to her he took a bag from the back of his truck then came up to her, he stood with his hand place in his pocket, he look fresh smells fresh smaller in body than her husband a little less muscles but nice enough, now that he was close he wasn't on her hight he was a inch an half taller, she was starting to think he's not the one who called not even his voice sounded the same
"good evening ma'am" Nathaniel said "I call about the rent" he said looking around
"That was you?" She ask
"Well yes what you were expecting the pope?" He asked with a grin, he was slowly chewing on a gum something that makes his breath smell like strawberry, his teeth big and white as he grin at her,
"Never mind" she said
"Is it this house or that!" He ask
Pointing to the house across she just came from and the one they stood before,
"This one" Tiana point behind her,
"So are you going to show me around?" He ask
"Yes, yes, sure sure" Tiana said nervously leading the way to the carport to open the front door, it was just a simple apartment nice flat for a one man band thought Nathaniel believe his wife would have love it if she was still a live, he look around the kitchen which was clean, the entire place was clean as a matter of fact, he open up a cupboard under the sink and something ran,
"Ah ah" Tiana scream jumping behind him grabbing on to his arm and the back of his shirt, Nathaniel look at her then down on the floor, he didn't see where the thing went figuring it must be a mouse, it came running back Tiana scream again and her grip tighten, he step on it holding it down under his foot, it was barely moving now when he went down to scoop it up holding it in his hand, "it's just a mouse" he declare, "harmless" he said
Tiana let go and step back,
"I don't know how it got in" Tiana said
Nathaniel look at her he smile lift a pot off the counter placing the mouse inside of it then snap a cover unto it,
Tiana look at him wide eyes, she wondered what he was going to do with it,
"It makes a good strew" he whispered
Tiana roll her eyes wondering if he really would, he grin at her and she smirk, she show him around the three bedrooms he look around then toss his bag on the bed in the middle room falling next to it, he lay on his back for a little while looking around the room it was with more space and he like his space,
Tiana notice his hard manly frame as he lay there, he seems to leave nothing in her imagination the way he stood up in his jeans, her naughty mind push her to be thinking if he was having a erection,
"how many tenants do you hosts?" Nathaniel asked sitting back up,
"Never more than one person if it's not family" Tiana said
"Good for me then, so is it always this quiet around here?" He asked
Tiana wasn't sure how quiet he meant "mm-mh" she nod,
"Sweet, that's what I want I love quiet, I'll take it" he told her, going inside his pocket count out some money handing it to her, he already know the cost and what he gave her was three months rents, after counting
Tiana look up at him,
"Did I go wrong in the calculation?" He asked
She shook her head,
"Ok, that's about it"
"That's about it" she repeated smirking at him
He out stretch his open palm and Tiana saw his wedding band she look back at his face then back to his finger nervously,
"The keys, or am I to come get you every time I go out and comes back?, Better yet you'll be here when I knock to open up right"
"Sorry" Tiana said, she hand him the keys,
"Thank you" he told her Tiana look around then head to wards the door, he walk behind her to the door admiring her sexiness, he was close behind her and her sudden stop cause him to bump in her back where he could be felt against her ass, they both felt each other, Tiana turn to look at him, he dress back holding up both hands "sorry" he declare, she back herself out the door, quickly trying to get away, she turn to see him standing there in the door way, he was still watching her when she step on the front porch, but soon as her husband step on she look back and saw him close the door,
"Who's that man?" Aran ask
"I don't know him" Tiana said "you don't know him, so what was it you were doing over there with him so long?" Aran ask
"Show- showing hi- him a...round!..." Tiana nervously told him,
"It took so long to show him around?" Aran ask pulling her to him with a tight grip, "what game were you playing with him over there woman? Im sure you don't have a secret mansion over there for you to take so long in showing him around, I'm watching you, now Get your fucking ass inside the house before I slapped your face off" he demanded, threatening her with a lift of his hand,
Tiana rush a head of him inside to the kitchen where the children were, they sat at the table inside the kitchen thought they had finish eating for sometime now , "go get clean up" she told them following behind them once inside the living room Aran was just coming in the doorway closing the door with a bang, Tiana and the children jump Tiana push the children to move a bit faster going off to help them fresh up trying to avoid her husband, the children went to bed right after cleaning up, since she was attending to her new tenant they miss family times, they were sleeping when she went to the living room Aran was sitting there she went straight by him to the kitchen, she was just cleaning the table when he came to the door way leaning against the door jamb, Tiana try not to turn her head to look straight at him,
"Did that man pay you?" He ask
"Yes" she turn to look at him "he payed me?" She said turning back her head quickly,
"How long is he staying?"
"I'm not sure it doesn't matter long as he's paying his rent"
"And his family?"
"I'm not sure"
"When are you going to be sure of anything?" He ask hissing with a hard thumbs on he wall he walk back to the living room, Tiana heard the television comes on in a loud roar, she finish the dishes went into the living room, she locked up then went straight to her room, she have a quick shower then climb into bed, Aran didn't come to bed up to the time she falls asleep he wasn't in bed when she woke up she didn't saw him he wasn't in the house when she came out of the bedroom, she step out on the front porch remembering her new tenant she look across the street the red Chevy truck was still park out but no movement on the carport she wondered if he was still a sleep, she went to the kitchen fix breakfast woke the children got them ready for school, she walk them to the bus stop half a mile down the street, it took them nearly thirty five minutes to go back and forth from the bus stop as she was heading back from the bus stop when her husband bike rode out the drive way, coming her direction he went by her, recognize her but ignored her, she kept walking with out turning she thought of going by to check on the tenant but turn towards home instead, she didn't notice the person coming her way, she turns in her gate way then turn around to look at the man, it was his tangled hair and, and hard jaw lines and perfect body that caused her to remember him she couldn't help it but to admire him her first time setting her eyes on him, it wasn't that she's lusting but she believes it is safe to say he's the most handsome man on this planet called earth, outlining his body as he was nicely clothes in slim jeans body hugging t-shirt and a open coat hang at his waist,
"Hi" she said
"Hi yourself" he stop at her gate
She smile at him, "I see you're taking a walk"
"Trying to get a round by knowing the neighborhood"
"Oh I see" Tiana said,
Nathaniel look at her with a smirk thinking she's pretty, almost like how his wife Alex was pretty, he didn't see them having nothing in common apart from them both being pretty and their colour hair which was blonde,
"I figured the house is in tick tack condition"
"You could say that except for huge rats running a round,
"Rats! There are more? I'm, I'm sorry, I had no idea it's just the other day I clean up, I'll go in and call the pest control now" she said wondering if he catch more if them put in the pot,
Nathaniel smile "I haven't seen any more" he said looking at the woman standing before him, he was starting to think he haven't seen another so pretty, feeling now he's crushing on her, for he was crushing on her,
Tiana look up at him looking deep in his blue eyes he was actually so damn handsome straight face arrow pointing nose bridge, firm cheek lines and nice pair of lips, she felt she was lusting and felt her lust deep within her,
"I won't keep you from your walk" she told him
"I have no problem with that I have a feeling there's not another woman as pretty as you in this neighborhood, so if you keep me it will end me from wasting my time looking for one so pretty, Miss pretty" he call her
His words cause her to shiver, "I'm sorry but I'm married, like you are I figured" she pointed to his ring, they both look at his wedding band they then look at each other, "I must go in" Tiana said turning once more this time he watch her walking away,
"I hope you check on things one of the day, any day, I might have some issues I might want you to address"
she look back at him then disappeared through her front door, she close the door and look out the window he was standing by the gate still looking over her house he came to see her looking then move away she saw him cross the street and head back down the house, wondering why he change his mind from his walk, he stop to look at her house before going inside, Tiana breath deeply her body crawl with emotions, wondering where did that come from, she never lusts before no matter what her husband puts her through, she had always remains faithful, even when clover her friend, and name sake told her to pack up and leave him, or find someone who could comfort her while she go through her tragedy with Aran, she never wants to do him that but still he cheats on her, more time than once even now he cheats maybe it's why he beats her for she saw no reason, wondering if it's the same treatment for all the other girls, she dears not open her mouth to mention it for she got a beaten even when she doesn't say or do anything, he slap her when he feels a mind ignored her at any point screw her the same, but what could she do he provided the income when she wasn't getting money from the house she rent she has to take care of the children she couldn't do it on her own, he wasn't a loving or caring, father but he did feed the family,
She did love him more than words could tell Tiana remember when Aran just move to fort Collins Denver, he was sweet and kind she never thought after falling in love getting married would result in him beating the crap out of her cheating on her and treating her like crap, she never misbehave in any way, clover is her very best friend they have been for the longest of times and could have listened to her she didn't, even now after all the mistreated a little part of her still loves him, he's the father of her two children they share something she never with anyone, she knew it wasn't going to get restore, but part of her still wishes it could, while part of her didn't but for the sake of their daughter and son she wish it wouldn't become worst.