From Ice to Flames

by Hargrove, A. M.

  Kinsley yelled, “You don’t want to be like Aaron, do you, Wiley? He spits stuff out all the time and it’s icky.”

  “He does?”

  “Yeah, his mushy stuff. It gets on MarnieMom sometimes.”

  Wiley stared at Marin, who Kinsley called MarnieMom. No one ever could figure out where the Marnie came from and Marin was actually her step-mom.

  “Kinsley, Aaron doesn’t eat mushy stuff so much anymore,” Marin said.

  “Yeah, but he used to. It was funny. He spit on Gammie and Bebop too.”

  Glad the conversation had taken a turn away from Pearson, I eyed Mom for a minute. I could see how worried she was because she usually laughed at Kinsley and Wiley’s conversations and she wasn’t even smiling now.

  Dad caught my eye and nodded. That meant he knew what I was thinking and agreed. Was there something up with my brother? I hadn’t thought much about it until now.

  “Hudson, so how’s your new neighbor doing?” Marin asked.

  Wiley’s head perked up and he joined in on this one. “Is Aunt Marewin talking about the wady with the Big Dick?”

  All the adults stopped talking and stared at me.

  “Yes, Wiley, that’s the one.”

  “Care to explain this one, bro?” Grey asked with a smirk.

  “Her name is Milly and she owns an English Mastiff named Dick. He weighs more than Marin, hence the big.”

  “Ahh,” Mom said. “She sounds interesting. What does she look like?”

  “A woman.” My response was short. But Wiley was more than happy to help.

  “She’s purdy.”

  “She is?” Mom asked.

  “Uh huh. She has purple hair.”

  “Purple?” Mom asked, and Marin laughed.

  “It’s not purple. It’s reddish brown.”

  “Yeah, that,” Wiley said. “And she has a big butt.”

  “Wiley Richard West. You shouldn’t say those things,” I admonished him.

  Wiley’s eyes were getting ready to drip tears. “But Daddy, I wike her big butt. It’s real nice.”

  Mom and Dad covered their mouths with napkins. Grey watched me with interest. I suppose he was thinking ahead of how he would handle his own son, and Marin wore an amused grin.

  “Son, even though you like her big butt, you shouldn’t say things like that. And her butt isn’t big.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s personal and you shouldn’t say those kinds of things.”

  “Can I tell her she has a purdy butt?” he asked.

  “No, you can’t. You can’t say things like that to a lady.”

  “How come?”

  “Because it’s not nice.”

  “But I’m not being mean.”

  Mom came to the rescue. “Wiley, honey, even though it’s nice, you can’t say things like that because it’s something you just don’t talk about and things like that can hurt people’s feelings. It’s okay to tell someone they look pretty, but you can’t tell them things about their body. Does that make sense?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “Sometimes grown-up things are hard to understand, aren’t they?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, for now, just don’t tell any girls they have a pretty butt, okay?” she asked.

  “Okay.”

  “Good job. Now buddy, eat your dinner,” I said. Jeez, who knew a five-year-old would want to tell women they had nice asses? They started early these days.

  A chuckling Marin asked, “Did you find out where Milly lives?”

  “Right next door to me.”

  “How convenient,” Marin said, smirking.

  Grey eyed me. “Are you interested in her?”

  How do I answer this honestly here? I couldn’t say that I only wanted to fuck her. That wouldn’t go over too well with my mom.

  “I don’t know. Getting involved with the neighbor isn’t exactly my thing.”

  “Why not?” Grey asked.

  “She might get in my business too much.”

  Mom huffed, “Nonsense. You’re just doing that avoidance thing. You West men can really be a pain sometimes. Isn’t that right Marin?”

  “Let’s not even go there, Paige,” Marin said.

  “I get his point,” Grey said, coming to my rescue.

  “Thanks, man. I just don’t want her popping over any time she wants. It could become uncomfortable.”

  “I understand,” Grey said.

  “I see your point. But apartments in Manhattan aren’t the usual. It’s not like she’ll see you coming and going. You don’t sit on your porch like you would somewhere else,” Mom said.

  “Paige, let the boy figure out his own love life,” Dad said, coming to my rescue.

  “But Daddy, if you were her friend, you could pway with her Big Dick anytime you wanted,” Wiley shouted.

  It didn’t even take a half a second for the room to explode in laughter.

  After the booming noise died down, Mom said, “Well I guess that settles it. I want to meet this woman with a Big Dick.”

  “See Daddy. Gammie wants to know her too.”

  I would never live this down.

  “Let’s figure this out,” Marin said.

  “No need. We’re going to set up a play date in the park with Wiley and the four dogs.” My information had Wiley drooling.

  “When, Daddy?”

  “Maybe next week.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. How does that sound to everyone?”

  “It meets my approval,” Mom said.

  Later, when dinner was over, Dad and Grey took the kids to play in another room, while Mom, Marin, and I did the last of the dishes.

  “I appreciate what you all are trying to do for me, but I do have reservations where Wiley is concerned about me with another woman.”

  “Whatever are you talking about?” Mom asked.

  “If I get involved with another woman and Wiley gets attached, what happens if we don’t work out? That’s why I’ve avoided him meeting anyone I’ve dated—not that there’ve been many. But do you understand my point?”

  “Yes, I do. It’s a fair one too,” Mom said.

  “He’s just a little guy and doesn’t even understand why his mom left. He doesn’t understand she didn’t want him. If I get involved with someone and he gets attached, it’s bound to really hurt him if we don’t work. With this woman living next door, it would be hard if we got involved. I think it would be best if we didn’t and just stayed friends.”

  “I never thought of it that way, but that makes sense. Too bad she’s your next door neighbor and doesn’t live on a different floor,” Marin said.

  “Right? It would be so much easier. But this? It would spell disaster.”

  “I’m seeing it your way. It’s best for you two if you’re only friends with her. Maybe you can keep to the dogs only relationship,” Mom said.

  I laughed. “That’s what I’m hoping because she seems really friendly.”

  On the way home, I thought about that conversation and the more I thought about it, the more I knew I was right.

  Chapter Seven

  Milly

  Why was it that Monday mornings rolled around so fast? It seemed like the weekend passed in a blur. My alarm never went off because sweet lovable Dick woke me up with a slobbery swipe of his tongue across my cheek.

  “Ewww! Stop it.” I flew out of bed and ran to the bathroom to wash my face and use the restroom. Then I got dressed to take him for his morning walk. As we were leaving, McLuscious and his son were returning to the building with their three dogs.

  His little boy, who happened to be every bit as adorable as his dad, yelled, “Wook Daddy, there’s Big Dick.”

  Good God.

  “Good morning you two,” I said.

  “Hey, I hope you’re well.” Seeing McLuscious just made my day so how could I not be? His face was covered in scruff and he was wearing faded jeans and a hoodie.
Wiley was happily petting Dick.

  “Yeah, I was wondering … I know I mentioned the dog park, but the weekend got away from me and weeknights are a bit hectic. This will seem like a huge imposition, but would you mind if I brought Wiley over to play with your dog? Honestly, he keeps asking about him and talking about the lady with the Big Dick. It’s getting a little hard to explain.”

  I snorted. It was not ladylike at all, but I couldn’t help it. I could only imagine this sexy specimen fielding questions about a lady with a big dick and the more I thought about it the harder I laughed.

  “It’s really not that funny,” he deadpanned.

  “Oh, God, I’m sorry. But yeah, it is.”

  “Yeah, it totally is. You should’ve seen Sunday dinner at my parents’ yesterday. They died.”

  “Oh, no. He didn’t.”

  “He did, I’m afraid. I won’t even tell you what else he said.”

  “Now you have me curious. But to answer your question, he is more than welcome to come and play with Dick.”

  His tongue poked the inside of his cheek. He tried not to laugh but didn’t make it very long. After he stopped, he asked, “Is tomorrow good?”

  “Tomorrow is perfect. Will six-thirty work?”

  “That’ll be fine. And thank you.”

  They left, and I walked the dog, but my mind was on him. Tomorrow was a busy day, so I would have to do a working lunch. Wait until I told Ava.

  * * *

  “You what? He’s coming over? You’re kidding?” She fanned herself.

  “No. Tomorrow. Six-thirty.”

  “I want the entire story.”

  “There’s not much to tell. It’s all about his son, really.” And I explained the situation. After she stopped laughing, she said, “We need a plan.”

  “A plan?”

  “Yes, you idiot. A plan to divert his attention from Dick to Milly.”

  “Oh, I … no. It’s best if we’re friends first.”

  “What the hell! Who told you that?”

  “Friends make the best lovers.”

  She pushed herself to her feet and placed her hands on my desk. “Listen to me. You’ve been out of the dating scene for almost twenty years. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Yeah, friends are great, but he needs to know you’re interested in him as a potential lover. If you only talk dogs, he’s going to think you’re a platonic canine.”

  “I don’t know, Ava. I don’t want to be that pushy woman. Besides, he’s my neighbor. What if he’s not interested? Then it’ll be an awkward situation for me.” Then I whispered, “Besides, if it turns into more, that means I’d have to get naked or something.”

  “To hell with that. Do it with your damn clothes on. He’s a twenty out of ten on the smoke factor. I’m talking smoke show. Wouldn’t you like him pumping between your thighs?”

  My head jerked to the open door. “Would you keep it down? Someone could hear.”

  She whisper-yelled, “You need to be more aggressive.”

  “I’m not that person.”

  “I’m done with you.” She got up, but before she left, she turned back and said, “You’re making a huge mistake. You may be missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.”

  Was I? Maybe, but it didn’t matter. The only time I could be truly flirtatious was if I had alcohol in me and I couldn’t go around drunk all the time. If he didn’t ask me out on my own merits and personality, then so be it. Besides, I didn’t think I was ready for this.

  The next day at work was so busy. Linda came in trying to dump her issues on me, but I wouldn’t let her.

  “Linda, that’s not in my arena. Glenn and I have handled the venue and getting the extra space. I’ve smoothed things over with Clinton. This isn’t my responsibility. I have more than I can deal with right now in securing donations. I suggest you go to the board with your issues, and not me.”

  “But … but I can’t possibly do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because.”

  “This may sound harsh, but maybe you should’ve been doing your job all along. Then you wouldn’t be having these problems.”

  That was the wrong thing to say because she erupted into tears. “I’m so sorry. I know I screwed up. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  I needed to get her out of here. “Who is the best person to help you with this?”

  “You.”

  “I can’t do it.” I got up and ushered her out of my office. “You need to find someone else.”

  I closed the door and called Glenn. When I explained the situation, he said he would see what he could do. “I’m sorry to bother you, but honestly I can’t do her job and mine. It’s of my humble opinion that this job is way over her head and she has been passing this along to everyone the last couple of years. I hate that I’m doing this, but we all have our own responsibilities.”

  “No, I’m glad you came to me. This should’ve been dealt with when it began. I’ll handle it.”

  “Thanks, Glenn.”

  Telling Glenn wasn’t something I was happy about, but my hands were overflowing with my own duties and helping Linda or taking over hers wasn’t possible.

  Pushing those thoughts away, I went back to my own work and submerged myself in completing my tasks for the day. I was on a tight schedule since I’d promised Hudson he could bring his son over. A hearty chuckle bubbled out of me when I thought of Wiley telling everyone about Dick. I needed to stop calling him that. But I’d gotten so used to it, the thought never occurred to me half the time. He really should’ve been named Chester.

  My phone rang and I saw it was Ellerie.

  “Hey, sis.”

  “Hey, have you checked Facebook lately?”

  “No, why?”

  “Er, okay. I gotta run.”

  “Whoa whoa whoa. You can’t just ask me that and go.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you never ever do that.” Ellerie was a detail oriented person. Not only that, she loved to gossip about Facebook.

  “I do too.”

  “Do not. So, what’s the deal?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Ellerie. Spill.”

  A heavy breath hit my ear. Jesus, this must’ve been bad.

  “Okay. I probably shouldn’t have called you at work. I’ll call you tonight.”

  “You will not. I’m having company. Tell me. You know how I hate this.”

  “Then brace yourself.”

  “I am.”

  “It’s Harry.”

  “Harry? My ex? What about him?”

  “You know how he moved to London for a new job? Well … that new job included a new woman.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’m sorry, Mills. I thought you might have known since you’re the Facebooker more than I am.”

  Her words finally sunk in. “Oh my.” Even though we’d been apart for a while now—about two years now—it still hurt that he had moved on. I could honestly say I didn’t want to be with him anymore whatsoever. But still. I had done so much to make our marriage work and I always thought I’d be the one to find someone first. What did I know?

  “You okay?”

  “I guess. I shouldn’t be surprised. Men always find someone first. Or at least that’s what I’ve heard.”

  “I’m sorry, baby sis. But I know your Prince Charming is going to find you one day.”

  “Well, he’d better hurry because my poor aging vagina is about to wither away.”

  She laughed. “You dork. I gotta run. Someone just walked into the store. Love you, my little booger.” That was her favorite term of endearment for me when she knew I was down.

  “Love you too.” Harry had a new woman. A bright and shiny newer better version of me. Wow. That had totally blown me away.

  I threw myself back into my work, but I couldn’t get it out of my head. Maybe if I hadn’t put so much time and energy into our relationship, it wouldn’t have bothered me so much. But it did and the
re wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. I’d have to get past this, just like I did the divorce. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn’t want another relationship. They only brought heartache and misery. You worked and worked and what did you get? Nothing but a broken fucking heart, that’s what.

  By the end of the day, I had a nagging headache and wasn’t in the mood to entertain a little boy and his father. But I refused to let my ex ruin my life anymore. I dumped my ibuprofen bottle over, took three tablets, and chugged them down with half a glass of water. Gathering up my things, I left work and didn’t even bother to tell anyone goodbye.

  I rushed into my apartment and tidied it up. It was after six already, so I had a few minutes to change and walk the dog before they arrived. As I was returning, I’m not sure what Dick saw, but he caught me off guard when he lunged, and I tripped over an uneven section of the sidewalk. There was no way to avoid the disaster since I held Dick’s leash with one hand. I tumbled to the ground, hitting my shoulder in the process. Pain shot through my arm and I couldn’t move for a bit. Dick sat by my side, whining as if he knew I was injured. Tears bubbled at my eyes and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d cried when I been physically hurt.

  Several people came to see if they could help and one man held onto Dick’s leash while I stood.

  “Can I call someone? Your husband perhaps?” he asked.

  That made me want to really have a breakdown.

  “No, but thank you. I’ll be fine.” Taking Dick’s leash in my good hand, I tucked my other arm close to my body and went home. I hadn’t been there but a couple of minutes when the doorbell rang.

  Hudson and Wiley stood at the door, but when Hudson saw me, he immediately knew something was wrong.

  “What happened?”

  Wiley ran to play with the dog while we talked.

  I explained what happened. “Can you move it?” Hudson asked.

  “A little.” And I flexed it to show him. “But it’s quite painful right now. I think it’ll be okay.”

  “Let me see.” He moved it here and there and asked me a couple of questions. “Hmm. I think you should have an X-ray.”