Jimmy put his hands out in front of him. ”Whoa. Slow. Down. First of all, you never asked me to wake you up at 6 o’clock. You told me that’s when you’d be up. Secondly, thanks for letting my dog out so he didn’t pee all over the house. I was over atyourhouse looking at the damage. I heard you yelling and the dog barking and I came over to make sure everything was okay. Is everything okay?”
“Let’s see. I’m late for work, there is a tree in my house, and I woke up to a canine licking my face. No. I’m not okay.”
“Here.” He holds his finger up and turns to the coffee pot, taking a mug and pouring me a blend that smells delicious. “Cream?”
“Please.”
He opens the fridge, takes out half and half, and puts a little in the cup.
“Thank you.”
Jimmy nods as I take a drink. It’s the perfect temperature and it helps calm me a little, but not too much. I’m still late.
“I know you have to get to work, but can you just walk over to your house for a few minutes to review the damage? Now that it’s light out, you can get an entirely different perspective.”
Do I have time to walk over and look at it? Not really. Do Iwantto go see what kind of state my home is in? Yes, I do, even though it terrifies me.
“I’m really not looking forward to dealing with my boss if I get there late, but all right. Lead the way.”
I go to set the coffee cup down. “No. Take that with you. I know what I’m like before my first cup.”
“Okay.” I grip the mug tighter and then think about what he said. Is he saying I’m a beast without coffee? No. I’m not that bad, am I? Whatever. I don’t have time to analyze his words.
When we step outside, there is no mistaking a storm hit last night. The grass is matted down and leaves and branches are strewn about. There’s an eerie silence to the neighborhood as well. It’s a warm morning, and the air still smells like rain.
I regret that I’m already wearing my work shoes as my heels dig into the ground. A few times I have to yank my foot up as my heel catches, the wet ground acting like quicksand. We turn around to the side of my house and I gasp when I see it.
There, crashed through my roof and into my bedroom, is the tree. It’s still hanging on, and I see it hasn’t been uprooted, but the largest branch, which might as well be a second trunk, has snapped. It’s practically dangling. I attempt to step in front of Jimmy and he puts his hand up before I make it past him.
“What are you doing?” He takes a hold of my arm.
“What am I doing? I’m going to get a closer look at this tree in my house.”
“No, you’re not. It’s too dangerous. That tree could snap at any second.”
Kale barks in the background.
“Good. Put me out of my misery.”
“Reese, be serious. Look, I called my insurance guy and he will be here in about an hour.”
“That’s fast.”
“Well, when you’re in construction you often find yourself in need of insurance. I’ve made a lot of friends. Then after he looks at it and takes some pictures, my buddy Carter will come out and take care of the tree.”
“So is everyone at your beck-and-call?”
“No. I’m just a nice guy and have made a lot of friends.” I scoff and he adds, “present company excluded.”
“Okay, sorry. I deserve that.” I take a sip of my coffee. “I really do have to get to work. I appreciate your helping me out with this. You’re a lifesaver.” I hand him the cup.
“Nah. Just a friendly neighbor.”
“Whose tree is in my house.”
I don’t mean to, but I smile. And so does he.
7
