“So what happened after that?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I was seventeen. I stayed in the house until the bank took it. For a while I thought it was paid for, but according to their attorney, they’d taken out several loans for my uncles legal fees. It wouldn’t have mattered. I couldn’t afford the taxes anyway.”
“So you’ve been on your own since you were seventeen?” Brice asked.
Callie kept playing with her food, flipping it around her paper plate. “Before that even. In some ways I’ve always been on my own. My grandparents were older. They had health issues. They made sure I was fed and clothed, but honestly they didn’t know what I was doing with my time. The last year I’d moved my boyfriend in with me.”
“The one from here?” Brice suggested.
“No. A different one. It doesn’t matter. All men leave. You can’t count on any of them.”
I could tell that hurt Brice’s feelings. He’s lost his wife after all. Of course he’d disagree. “Callie, not all men are like that. There are still some good ones out there.”
I was trying my best to help Brice feel less worthless. He smiled, silently thanking me. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling back.
“It’s obvious I’m better off without them. I’m going to save up money and go back to cosmetology school. I’ll get a job doing hair and be able to get my own place.”
It was a great idea, but it meant she’d be staying a while longer. “You can stay as long as you need to, but I will expect a little help with utilities.”
“I’m cool with that,” she replied.
Brice cleared his plate in a matter of seconds. I’d never seen a man eat so much before. “That was great. Do you mind if I make another burger?”
“There’s plenty.” I watched him get up from the table and head over to the stove. Callie leaned close so he couldn’t hear us. “I think he likes you.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “He’s a nice looking man. You go girl.”
I could tell I was blushing, especially when I looked over and saw him smiling at me. Perhaps he’d heard her, which only made it more embarrassing. Still, I got the feeling he didn’t mind being called out. It felt nice to be admired.
Brice came back to the table with a another full helping filling his plate. Callie and I ate in silence while he scarfed down his second burger.
Afterwards, Brice insisted on doing the dishes, while I dried. Callie cleaned the table and started looking on my laptop for local area jobs. I wondered if Julie, my neighbor, would let her babysit while she looked for something else. Her autistic son was funny about new people, but Callie knew him. With her young demeanor, he might even do well being around her.
Since she seemed preoccupied, Brice and I decided to take a walk. The sun was setting, and it was picturesque against the horizon. I took Brice to a spot I liked to sit and read and we sunk down next to each other. It was funny watching him stare out at the disappearing sun. He was captivated, as if he’d never seen something so beautiful before.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?”
He glanced at me for only a second. “It sure is.”
“I knew you’d appreciate it.”
“Actually,” he turned to face me again. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I’d be lost already without your help. You’ve fed me, showed me around, and even made sure I knew what I was doing. I have to ask, do you do this for everyone, or am I getting treated special for being so damn irresistible?”
I shrugged and looked away. My cheeks were burning. “I don’t know. I suppose I like helping people, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy your company.”
“Yeah, your nice to be around. I haven’t been rooted down to a particular place for a while, not one I’d want to call home. I like it here. I can see myself staying.”
I played with my hands while I spoke. “I think I’d like that too.”
Brice sighed and looked out in front of us again. “Look, I’m not asking for anything in particular, but I’d like to hang out more, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course. I feel the same. I’ve got to warn you though, I have a terrible track record with men. I think I’m cursed.”
“Why is that?” He laughed as he inquired.
“Every guy I’ve ever been involved with was a liar, cheater, or worse. I’ve been taken advantage of too many times to count. I guess that’s why I don’t parade around looking for Mr. Right anymore. They were always Mr. Wrong.”
It was weird, but after I said it Brice stood up. He offered a hand and brought me to my feet. “I need to get going. The manager gave me a list of things I need to start on tomorrow. I probably won’t see you much this next week on account of everything he’s got me doing. Thanks again for dinner, Patty. I look forward to doing it again sometime.”
Just like that he left me standing there.
How could I not be curious as to why? Was it something I’d said? Did I scare him off?
I was pretty darn confused.
Chapter 8
Brice
I felt guilty enough for lying to her, I didn’t need any reminders. What really sucked was knowing how much I was enjoying being around her. I hadn’t been with a woman in so long, but I had barely thought about it. Patty was fun to be around. She was a pretty woman, who cared about people more than she should. I could see myself wanting to explore where things could go, but now I wasn’t sure. Did I want to be another failed relationship for her? She didn’t deserve it, and I wasn’t the kind of guy to take advantage of someone for personal gain.
Even though my daughter was staying with her¸ I had to walk away.
It just so happened that as I was leaving I ran into the douche-bag that had caused her so much grief. He was coming out of his place, heading in my direction. The first thing I noticed was how his fists were balled. In the slammer you recognize certain types of posture, much like a dog. He was prepared to pounce. Unfortunately for him, I wasn’t going to allow it.
“Did you come in my house today?”
“According to the paper on your door, it doesn’t belong to you anymore.”
“Man, shut the fuck up. Where’s my girlfriend. I know she’s been there. She took my stuff.”
I wondered if he was telling the truth, or just trying to get me to be on his side of the situation. “I don’t know anything about your girlfriend. I patched up the window and ordered a replacement. No one came and went while I was working.”
He pointed at me. “Maybe you stole it.” He was raising his voice, getting the attention of nearby neighbors. All I could hope was that the television in Patty’s place was up loud enough they wouldn’t hear it and come outside. I had to protect them, especially Callie.
“Maybe you should get out of my face. I don’t want any trouble. I did my job and that’s the end of it.”
He stepped closer, placing his hands against my chest before heaving me back. I wanted to react; to put this punk in his place, but I knew the repercussions would leave me with no job, no home, and away from my daughter. “You’re making a big mistake, kid.”
“Fuck you.” He spun around, addressing the neighbors. “Fuck you all. You think I need this shit hole?”
Before I could offer advice, swing, or do anything at all, a large man came hauling ass in our direction. He shoved the kid away from me. “You’ve been warned. Pack your shit and get out.”
Callie’s boyfriend threw up his hands. “Oh I’m out, trust me. And when you all see Callie again, tell her I’m coming for her. No little bitch is going to steal from me.”
It was difficult to not take his threats personal. I had to hold back though.
As we watched him go inside of the trailer, the large man turned to face me. “I’m Ross.”
“Brice. I’m the new…”
He cut me off. “Maintenance guy. Right. It’s good to meet you. Sorry you’ve run into trouble already. This guy is a piece of work. Hopefully we won’t h
ave to deal with him anymore. His keycard to the gate gets turned off in three days. Management wants him out of here, like yesterday.”
“Yeah, the police came in last night.”
“I heard. I was out bowling, or else I would have gotten involved. Everyone deserves a little downtime. I hope you don’t get the wrong idea here. We’re usually a quiet bunch. The permanent residents are good people. Even the summer visitors don’t usually give us trouble.”
“It happens. Honestly, he wasn’t bothering me. I was about to walk away. He’s all talk.”
“Yeah, aren’t all kids his age. I tell ya, I wonder what parents are teaching them nowadays, because when I was younger, I would have had a belt to my ass for disrespecting someone.”
“You and me both.”
He shook my hand again. “I’ll see you around, Brice. Oh, and you should come by on Thursdays. A group of us guys play poker.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. Just let me know.”
Walking home after meeting Ross left me feeling a bit better after abandoning Patty during our sunset conversation. At least if I couldn’t be friends with her, I’d have someone in the area to shoot the shit with. Poker was easy too. I’d played enough of it in jail to be pretty good.
When I got back to the cabin, I stripped out of my work clothes and jumped in the shower. I went to bed that night both satisfied, from being able to be around Callie, to disappointed from pushing away the first woman to give me attention in years.
I’d like to say it affected my sleep, but nothing really could anymore. When I woke the next morning I felt refreshed. I dressed and headed into the kitchen to make coffee and get started with my day.
A knock on the door surprised me. At first I ignored it. I wasn’t on a work clock. It was early. I had time to sit on the porch and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Then they knocked again. I was surprised to find Patty on the other side. “This isn’t me stalking you. You left your work phone at my house last night. I figured you might need it today.”
She was dressed to the nines, reminding me she probably had to work at the office on this particular day. Far be it from me to leave things silent. “You look real nice, Patty.”
She turned away shyly. I liked that about her. “Oh, thanks. It’s dressy there.”
I smiled and invited her in. “You want some coffee?”
“No. I’ve had two cups already. I need to get going.”
She turned to leave immediately. I followed her out onto the porch with nothing on but a pair of shorts. Her skirt gave me a perfect view of her ass. When she spun around to acknowledge me I was still staring. Quickly I brought my eyes up to hers. “About last night,” I started.
“It’s fine.” She shook her head. “You must think I’m desperate.”
“I don’t. Not at all. Look, it’s just been a while for me. I think you’re a beautiful woman, but I’m just not sure I could ever be what you’re looking for in a man. I don’t have much to offer.”
“I don’t care about that. Brice, I’d like us to be friends. I don’t want you to feel like I’m pushing myself on you.”
“I didn’t. To be honest, I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“Then why did you leave last night? Was it something I said?”
“I don’t know.” I couldn’t give her an answer without lying through my teeth.
“Well, you know where to find me when you do figure it out. No pressure. I get what you’ve been through. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be around another woman again.”
“It’s not just that. I’m messed up, Patty. I’m not the man you think I am. If you got to know me you’d see that.”
“Can I be the judge of that? It’s my opinion after all.”
I nodded. “Sure.”
“I’ll see you around, Brice.” She waved as she left my porch and strolled down the dirt lane. I hated seeing her go, but watching her leave gave me more reasons to pursue her. Call me selfish, but I was finding it hard to come up with reasons to stay away.
I kept busy that day, meeting more residents, and getting to know my surroundings while doing odd and end jobs that were on my work-order lists. By the time I finished I realized I hadn’t eaten. I went back to my place and fried up a steak while baking a potato. When it was done, I sat there staring at it on a plate. This was the first meal I’d made entirely for myself. My cabin was small for most, but I felt comfortable, happy even.
I took my plate and ate outside. The smell of the woods behind the cabin was refreshing. Squirrels chased each other around, and I listened to the sound of a woodpecker hard at work. Out of nowhere a dog came up onto the porch to greet me. I recognized him from the other day and stared at his big block head. “Hey boy. What are you doing so far from home?”
He was panting pretty heavily, so I went inside and got him a bowl of water. He drank almost all of it when I put it down in front of him. I’d always wanted a dog, but never had the chance. This guy was so friendly. Once he was finished quenching his thirst he sat down on the wooden deck next to me and looked out like I had been. I patted him on his head and had more appreciation for this new life I’d been given – this second chance I wasn’t about to mess up.
Later that night, when I was about to go to sleep, I heard sirens getting louder. It was obvious it was another emergency vehicle. I was beginning to wonder if there was more drama when someone started beating hard on my door. I opened it to find Callie and Patty standing on the other side. Callie had tears in her eyes, and she was holding her duffle bag close to her chest. “Can she stay on your couch tonight?”
“What? Why?”
“It’s Derrick,” Callie announced. “He set the trailer on fire.”
I looked over at Patty. “Yours?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Theirs. By the time we saw the flames there was nothing we could do. Callie came out to see what was going on, and I’m afraid he might have spotted her.”
“What about you?” I realized I was still a stranger to these people, so they must have been pretty freaked out if they trusted me this much. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be alone either, at least not until we can get in touch with the police.”
“No police, not tonight at least. Please.” It was obvious Callie was distraught. She sniffled and looked away. “I know why he burned it. He did it to spite me. The last of my grandparents things were in that trailer. I thought I had time to retrieve them. He did this to hurt me.”
I moved away from the door and motioned for them to come inside. “You two can sleep in my room. It’s nothing fancy. I bought a new blanket at the store, so you should at least be comfortable.”
“What about you?” Patty asked.
“I’ll take the couch. It’s plenty enough for me. Besides, if someone comes looking for trouble, I’ll be ready to give it to them.”
Patty reached out and touched my hand. “Thanks for this, Brice. I know you must think we’re crazy. When I thought about being safe, I thought of your place. It’s secluded, and he won’t look for her here.”
Callie tried to smile. “Yeah, thanks, Brice. I don’t know why you two are being so nice to me, but I appreciate it.”
“Go on in the bedroom and get comfortable,” I suggested when I noticed she was wearing a pair of pajama pants. Her wide, almond shaped green eyes stared back at me, reminding me of her beautiful mother.
As she walked away I felt content. My daughter was staying in my house. She was safe because of me. I can’t even begin to describe how good that felt.
Patty stayed back to talk to me alone. I could tell she didn’t feel comfortable putting me out. “I’m sorry, Brice. If you didn’t want to be around me before, you definitely don’t now.”
“Stop. I never said I didn’t want to be around you. There’s a fire across the street from your house. You’re freaked out. It’s not like you’re asking to share a bed with me. I’ve got the room. It’s okay.”
She touch
ed my arm again, keeping her hands firmly attached. “You really are a saint. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” When she stood on her toes to kiss me on my cheek I didn’t know how to react. It was only a friendly gesture, but to me, so much more.
“There’s no need.” I turned and looked toward the bedroom door. “It’s nice to know I can be of assistance.”
Patty backed up while still holding onto my hand. Her smile left me wishing we could spend more time together. Instead of letting her walk away, I led us out in the direction of the front porch. When the screen door shut behind us we were completely alone. Patty looked directly into my eyes, only being able to see from the dim light of the moon shining through the tall pine trees. “Is it wrong for me to want to hang out for a bit longer?”
There was a space between where we stood, big enough for a body to stand separating us. I still didn’t take my eyes off of hers, especially when she answered. “I’d say that this was wrong – that we shouldn’t move too fast.”
“I’d have to agree, except we’re here, on this porch in the dark, and you will be sleeping in my bed.”
“True,” she snickered, “but not with a man.”
“That’s a technicality.”
“Were you hoping for more so soon?”
“I’ve been wondering something about you since the day we met. I’m just curious to know if you’d let me test out the theory?”
“That depends what it is?” I could tell she was interested, but I still didn’t want to push it.
“I’d like to kiss you, right here and now, on this very porch we’re standing. I get that you want to move slow, and maybe there’s a million reasons why it’s wrong to be curious, but that won’t stop me. I’ve gone without a woman’s touch for a long damn time. Even the slightest bit of affection would give me great pleasure.”
I was doing my best to be a gentleman. I didn’t want to scare her off, or make her feel like sex was all I wanted. It wasn’t. I hadn’t come here to look for an easy lay, but with my daughter safer than she’d been in sixteen years, I felt like I needed this – wanted it even.
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