by Aven Jayce
We stop at Starbucks then head for the first house. Hopefully she found a few with garages. That’s important to me, while she wants a big living room and updated bathrooms, and we both hope for a home with bedrooms on the same floor so we can keep an eye on the kid. Also, being in a good school district, close to my parents, the business, and with a nice yard are a must. I guess that’s asking for a lot. I’m giving up on having a pool for myself. The baby comes first.
“Haverty wanted to drive us around today.”
“I want to spend time with you, not Haverty. We need a day together without any distractions, have a little fun, you know? He can drive us to and from the Scarlett tonight. We’ll be fine on our own.”
She nods and drinks her Decaf Skinny Vanilla Latte. She’s been avoiding an overabundance of caffeine with the pregnancy, and watching what she eats each day. I’m thrilled that she’s taking care of herself, and damn, I can’t stop staring at those long legs.
She notices and smiles. “You look just as pretty as me.”
“Handsome,” I laugh and take a drink of my coffee. “And that’s an egotistical comment, but one I agree with. We’re relaxed and happy, and that’s my goal for the day. By the way, did you make a doctor’s appointment yet?”
“Yeah, for next week. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you yesterday.”
“I understand why you weren’t able to bring it up.”
“You’re going with me, right?”
“Duh, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Do we get to learn the sex of the thing?”
“I already told you to stop calling our child a thing. He or she is our baby, Cove. Be nice, alright?”
“Sorry. Do we find out if the baby’s gonna be a boy or a girl?”
“Nope, too early. You’ll have to wait at least six more weeks, and I’m not sure if I want to know.”
“Oh hell no, I do. You mean you’d actually wait seven or eight more months to find out if the thing’s a boy or a girl? I can’t stand surprises.”
“Cove!”
“Sorry. I meant baby.”
She shakes her head and shoots me a dirty look. “The appointment is a quick check-in to establish myself as a patient. Oh, look! Over there!” her tone instantly changes to excitement as she points to a recently remodeled ranch home. It’s in a decent neighborhood, with a park a block away, and only fifteen minutes from our loft building.
“Soph, it looks like an old lady home.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s light blue with red brick, white shutters, and lace curtains in the windows.”
“It has good bones. You’re not going to be one of ‘those’ are you?”
“One of those what?”
“A person who nitpicks at things that are easy fixes. The paint color can change, the shutters can come down, and the curtains can be replaced with blinds, if she even leaves them with the house. Look at the nice yard and the neighborhood.”
“Painting a house is not a quick or a cheap fix. And see, even you said ‘she,’ meaning a woman lives there. I want something manly, which is why I bought the loft. I bet it’s full of flowered wallpaper. How much is this one anyway?”
“A little over three-hundred thousand.”
“You know we can spend almost twice that. You don’t have to go cheap. This is a house we’ll most likely be in for decades.”
“Cheap? Are you crazy? The house I grew up in is probably worth about seventy grand. I haven’t been around large amounts of money for as long as you have. It takes some getting used to. Call me conservative if you want, but not cheap.”
“Alright, if you’re done with your rant, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sure it’s a nice house, but we can afford to go up a bit in price. What’s next?”
She looks over her list then types a new address into the GPS. “The next one’s just a few minutes from here, and closer to the Scarlett.”
“But it has a yard, right?”
“Yep,” she takes out her phone to look at the photos online. “It’s a three-story, traditional, all brick, five bedroom home built in 1904. Completely renovated with a pool.”
“No shit?”
“I thought you’d like that. Plus a garage.”
“How much?”
“Six-hundred and thirty thousand.”
“Soph,” I sigh, placing my coffee in the cup holder. “That’s steep.”
“You just said...”
“I know, I know. Look, let’s keep it between four and five hundred grand so we have money left in the bank. I don’t want to be house rich and cash poor. After we sell our loft and the one you inherited from your father, we’ll have enough for a home in the four or five price range and have a decent amount to place in the bank, but I don’t want us to be without cash.”
“Oh, I love this song!”
I smile as my crazy ass wife turns up the sound system and enters another address into the GPS. She gets what I’m trying to say without having to respond, plus, it’s fucking awesome and downright hilarious to listen to her sing, off-key I should add, and I don’t care that she didn’t nod, or say uh-huh, or have any response about the money. She’s just being Sophia, and I love her, Alfalfa sounding voice and all. I laugh as she slaughters the song. It’s clear that she truly does love it, like she said, but only knows half the words. I recognize the voice as Pink, but I’m unsure of the name of the song.
“Ohh, from the start... mmm my heart... willing victim... oh mmm mmm talking in your sleep... yeah yeah yeah... our love.”
I know the lyrics, better than her, and I decide to sing along to show her how happy I am that we’re spending quality time with one another outside of the loft and the business. I dive in during the chorus and we belt out the words together.
“Hmm mmm a reason... little bit’s enough... not broken just bent...mmm mmm love again... on our hearts... not broken... learn to love again.”
She rolls down her window and places her arm out of the car, moving her hand in a wavelike motion through the air as I drive. Her happiness at the moment is priceless. Maybe it’s the sunlight hitting her face, or the glow of being pregnant, but I swear she’s never looked so beautiful. There’s a spark in her eyes and a passion for life that’s rubbing off on me, and I feel more alive today than I have in months.
“It’s so cute that you know that song.”
“Cute? Thanks, Soph. So this neighborhood we’re in, I think I’ve been here before. The street we’re on is familiar.” Of course it is, and that’s why... I see Ivy being helped by Kaitlyn up the steps of the old Victorian house. The one I was in last week, trashed out of my mind and attacked by David.
They’re home from the hospital, and she looks better, thank God. I parallel park while Sophia has an inquisitive look on her face.
“Over there,” I point. “I should say something, don’t you think? Ask her if she’s okay, or if she needs anything?”
She nods as Kaitlyn turns and sees us sitting in the car.
“I’ll be right back.”
“You want me to go with you?”
“No, the last interaction between you and Ivy wasn’t a pleasant one. I know you’ll be nice, but let me speak with her alone first.” I close the door and walk down the tree lined sidewalk. An overabundance of birds chirp as I approach. It feels like the trumpets are sounding outside a castle as a drawbridge lowers, announcing my arrival. Kaitlyn whispers something in her daughter’s ear and makes an escape inside her home, probably humiliated and unable to face me after my night with her and David.
Ivy walks to the edge of her mother’s property, sluggish, with a wounded expression.
“You feeling better?”
“Yes, I’m sorry,” she responds in a dry scratchy voice. I’m sure the process of having her stomach pumped has left her with a sore throat, and I’m surprised she’s home so soon.
“No need to apologize. People have good days and bad days. Shit happens.”
“I meant abo
ut the rape accusation. I apologize, Cove.”
I nod as her eyes well with tears. It’s clear she’s in a depressive state, and shit if I don’t know how she feels. I take her into my arms and hold her tightly, a gesture that’s completely out of character for me, but I can tell she needs my sympathy and support. It’s all I can do for her, and probably all she really needs.
“I’m sorry all of this happened to you, Ivy. Things will get better. They always do.” She takes a small step away and wipes her tears.
“My mom thinks I should go to rehab. She tried to convince the hospital staff to take me away last night, but they said it was my decision; they couldn’t force me to go because they didn’t believe I was suicidal. I wasn’t, you know? I OD’d, but I wasn’t trying to take my own life. I wanted to change my mood and have some fun.”
“I understand.”
“But I’m going,” she whispers. “I’m going to check myself in somewhere and get better. That’s my decision, not hers.”
“It’s a good one. You’re smart for doing so and I’ll come and visit you if you’d like.”
“That’d be nice,” she says with a look of surprise. “Big brother.”
I flash a sincere smile back and then look to Sophia. She waves and I wink back at her.
“We’re looking at real estate today. When we’re settled in a new home we’ll have you over for dinner, but you’ll have to put up with my wife’s strange meals. She’s an okay cook, but doesn’t know how to pair the right foods together. Like, she might make pasta with hot dogs. When it’s my turn to cook I usually just order out. Maybe we’ll do that. Get a pizza or something.”
The smile on her face is a magnificent change from the image of her lifeless body on the ground. I’ve given her something to look forward to, similar to what I’ve come to realize about my own life.
“Thanks, Cove,” she nods.
“People love you, Ivy. Including my father. Trust me, he feels terrible about everything, but I know he’s gonna work to make it right. Just give it some time, things will get better.”
“He chose you over me.”
“No,” I shake my head. “I have a feeling he chose my mother over yours.” Uh, that sounded harsh, but it’s all I could think to say. I don’t even know if it’s true, but it takes the weight of feeling unloved off of the two of us. She disappears behind the front door of Kaitlyn’s house, and the curtains in the living room close. No doubt, Kaitlyn’s being a bitch. I still despise that woman, and feel bad Ivy has to be in that house with her. Poor kid.
I get back in the car with Sophia and drive away, never stopping to view the house. “Sorry, Dove. I don’t want to live in a neighborhood that has the possibility of making my mother uneasy.”
“Say no more,” she says, putting in the next address.
“That was bad timing, or good timing, or something.”
“It was uncomfortable is what it was.”
“Yeah. All I could do was try to make her feel better. It’s weird having a sister.”
“Do you feel a connection to her?”
I sigh and shake my head. “As a family member, no. Not yet, but maybe over time. Although, I think both of us going through a similar collapse last night could be something we have in common. I understand how she feels.”
“You’re a good person, Cove,” she takes my hand gives it a soft kiss.
“Isn’t it nice being all sappy and shit?”
“Well fuck, Babe, should we act fucking vulgar again?”
“Fuck yeah,” I laugh and squeeze her thigh. “So how much further to the next house?”
“It’s on the opposite side of Lafayette Park. Is that far enough away from Kaitlyn’s house?”
“As long as I can’t see her home from the one we buy, yes, it’s a good distance. This is such as kick ass area, you know? I’d love to play fetch with our kid in the park.”
“Fetch? You mean, catch? What’s wrong with you? Don’t you know anything about children?”
“Yeah, you throw them a ball and they fetch it and bring it back.”
“You moron. That’s what you do with a dog,” she laughs as she finally realizes I’m joking. “Oh, ha-ha. Very funny. You had me going for a second. Look! It’s so pretty!” she says as she blocks my vision with an aimed finger in the direction of the home.
“Whoa. That’s incredible. It looks like a reno.”
“Yep, the website says it’s been gutted and everything’s brand spankin’ new. Ooh! I love it!”
“We haven’t even been inside, Soph. Today we’re getting an idea of the market, but we’re not buying anything yet.”
“I’m just having some fun, dodo. Can we look in the windows at least? It’s unoccupied.”
“I don’t see why not,” I say, searching for a place to park.
“Hey, the house next to it is for sale too.”
“That one’s definitely out of our price range. Oh, nice, there’s a back alley behind the house. Hell, look at the garage, I bet there’s an apartment above it.”
“A space to hide-out when we’re arguing.”
“No, an in-law suite,” I tease.
“That’s not funny.” She steps out of the car and through a back gate, into the fenced yard. I lock the car and follow close behind, noticing the excited bounce in her step. Now that’s cute. If this is the one she decides she likes, I’ll do everything in my power to acquire it for us.
The animated noises she makes as she peers into the ground floor windows makes me grin. Lots of oohh’s and aahh’s and with good reason. The home has gleaming hardwood floors, a fireplace, and glass countertops in the kitchen... now there’s something you don’t see every day, or ever. I love a home that has a touch of originality. Green glass countertops; cool. It’s a nice house that could turn into a remarkable home with my mother’s touch. A few painted walls to liven up the place and we’d be good to go. I’m not interested in a fixer-upper, and this one should be starred and kept on a short list of possibilities.
We walk up to a second floor deck but the windows are covered with blinds, obscuring our view of what’s most likely a master suite.
“Wow, Cove. Look at the back yard of the house next door. That’s a beaut.”
“No shit,” the words whistle through my teeth. “It’s twice the size and has an in-ground pool with a waterfall, towering pines, and not only an apartment above the garage, but a pool house as well. Damn, those people have a shitload of money. I think we’d be jealous whenever we sat out here and saw our barren yard next to their fortress. They invested a good fifty grand in landscaping. Maybe more. I wonder what they’re asking for that one. Probably double the amount of this property.”
“The haves and the have-nots.”
“The have’s and the have mores,” I correct her. “Come on, let’s keep exploring. Anymore around here?”
“We have one more stop for the day, closer to the Scarlett, but in an average school district.”
“Well then, after you, my lovely wife.” I let her lead as we walk hand in hand back to the car. She comments that I’m simply being nice, letting her step slightly ahead so I can gawk at her ass. I laugh knowing that subconsciously she’s right on.
It’s one of those amazing days where the sun makes one feel optimistic, the air is fresh, and Sophia’s exuberance alleviates all uncertainties and the questions I have about life. I’m starting to get a twinge in my dick thinking about the two of us making love tonight, no, not love, I’m gonna fuck her until she cries out my name in a state of passion for my dick... or Adam Levine’s name, whoever she decides to fantasize about is fine. If I can feel her quiver in my arms at some point I don’t really care who it is.
“Cove, are you listening?”
“Huh?”
“What or who are you thinking about?”
“Adam Levine.”
“Oh yeah?” she smiles. “Is your dick hard?”
“No, but it will be if I don’t get him out of my head,�
� I joke.
“Try and focus on the road and not your ‘go-to-guy.’ Anyway, I asked if you wanted to invite Haverty and Alyssa out to dinner tonight. He’s worried about you, and we’ve only met her a handful of times. It might be nice, plus, I think we owe him a nice dinner considering everything’s he’s done for us lately. Don’t you?”
I tap the button on my steering wheel and my phone connects to the car’s Bluetooth. There’s a reason why we don’t go out with them very often, they can be embarrassing for one, and they’ve shown-up to five-star restaurants wearing shorts. But, I agree, it might be nice.
“Call Haverty,” I say to the system as Sophia claps her hands in excitement.
Calling, Ha-ver-ty, the computer responds.
“You okay, buddy?” he answers in a split-second, out of breath, with the dogs barking in the background.
“Great. We wanted to know if you and Alyssa can meet us for dinner tonight?”
“Yeah, I want to go, but I have to ask my woman, if I can find her.” He tells the dogs to quit yapping and then calls out to Alyssa. There’s silence, as he walks through their place calling her name. “She’s in the shower, hold on.”
“No, Hav. You can call us back and let us know.”
We hear the water running, the curtain open, and a blood-curdling scream as he scares the shit out of her.
“Yeah, she’ll go,” he says with a manly chuckle. “Thanks for giving me a reason to practice my Psycho impersonation.”
“Like you need a reason.”
“True. Where and when should we meet you?”
“The Madison Street Cafe at five.”
“Christ, I can’t afford...”
“It’s on us. Five o’clock.” I hang up before there’s a debate then call and make a reservation for the four of us. Done.
“Yay!” Sophia squeals. “I’m so excited to be around a woman my age. I can’t wait to tell her I’m pregnant!”
I make a mental note to text Haverty so he and Alyssa know to sound surprised when Sophia tells them she’s pregnant. I should’ve asked her if I could reveal her secret, or if it was even a secret. I’ll let her have the joy of spreading the news from here on out.