Rowdy says, “I don’t come down on you too hard, most of the time. I’m grateful for your service, and that was maybe the right choice to give you some direction. But, man. When a woman you’re married to is still a teenager and says she doesn’t want to see your face again, at some point you gotta look at that and say, ‘Shit, that was a youthful temper tantrum, and I should try harder to work it out.’”
Rowdy’s been a good friend, and I’ve been there for him, either.
“I hurt a lot of people by leaving the way I did,” I acknowledge. “I wish I could take it all back. I thought I was supposed to stay out of her way. And when I did, it was easier to just not work on my shit.”
Rowdy claps my shoulder. “Well, you’re still young, and there’s time. Unless you decide to take off again. Then I’m not sure I can forgive you for getting her hopes up.”
“She has her hopes up?”
Please be true, I think silently.
“I swear to god. If you hurt her again…” Rowdy’s meaty hand squeezes my shoulder.
I turn to look at my friend and say with the utmost sincerity. “I’m not leaving. Wherever she is, that’s where I’m going to be.”
Rowdy lets go of my shoulder and picks up his sandwich.“Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
“I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I’m ready,” I say.
Rowdy and I spend the rest of the afternoon talking and catching up. He occasionally checked on me over the years, and I never bothered to return the favor. He’s been a good friend, and I’ve only been focused on myself all this time.
When I get back to the house, Maddie is waiting for me on the porch, dressed in a green T-shirt, sparkly mini skirt, and green striped knee socks.
She looks ridiculous.
“Cute outfit.”
“Thanks, neighbor.” The words have a sharp edge to them, and I notice she’s got her arms crossed over her chest.
“Neighbor,” I repeat.
“Yeah. When were you going to tell me you fucking bought the house across the street?”
Busted.
“And what was the point of hiding it from me?”
“I didn’t know how you’d take it. But the opportunity came up, and I took it. I was waiting for the right time, but then you got sick…”
She bounds down the steps, but I catch her arm before she breezes by me. “Where are you going?”
“To the parade! I almost forgot what day it is!”
“Don’t you think we should talk?”
“Nope. I don’t talk to liars.”
“I’m not a liar.”
“No, just a stalker who leaves out major details.”
I earned that.
“Maddie, I’m sorry.”
“I have to go. The sun is setting, and the parade is going to start soon.”
“I think you still might be contagious.”
