Creed shakes his head.
“How can you expect me to go shopping with a man who I haven’t even been introduced to?”
Creed spits his bite onto his plate. “She’s got you there, Dad. Greer, this is my father. He only likes to be called Havoc. Dad, this is our hot neighbor, Greer Hestons.”
“Does that work for you?” Havoc raises an eyebrow at me.
No. Not at all. But he hasn’t yelled at me. And there’s no way I’m finding the supermarket on my own. I nod.
“How do you like your eggs?” he repeats.
“Over hard.”
He nods and turns back to the stove.
Shopping
Havoc
Why am I taking this woman to the market? She gave me so many opportunities to avoid the interaction. That’s probably why. Greer seems to want to spend time with me even less than I want to spend time with her. It’s irritating. Not unexpected. I haven’t been a friendly neighbor.
“Dad, I’m going to take my bike today.” Of course, Creed is.
“Did you check the weather?” I already did, expecting him to ask.
“Yup, there’s no chance of rain or snow today.”
“To and from school only. No detours.”
Creed grabs the keys off the hook by the garage door. “Will do. Thanks, Dad.”
As soon as he leaves, Greer says, “Is it safe for a boy his age to be riding a motorcycle? How did you know when he was ready to get on a motorcycle? Did you take him to classes? Are there driving classes for them?”
Wait, she isn’t asking to be a prude. Though I bet Greer would lose her mind if I offered to take her on my motorcycle. A smile spreads across my face.
Change of plans. We’re riding today. I walk over to the closet and grab an extra leather coat for her. “Creed has been riding practically since before he could walk. I’ve ridden most of my life, so I taught him the basics. Then I got him a trainer whenhe competed with dirt bikes. But that didn’t keep his interest long.” Thankfully. Too many kids wipe out in that sport and end up with permanent injuries.
“How did you know he was going to be athletically inclined? What if he’s a bit klutzy?”
“My son klutzy…nah. You ready to go shopping?”
“No. But let’s do it, anyway.”
It’s hard to imagine a woman who’s afraid of shopping, yet she actually seems intimidated by it. “You’ll need to wear this coat.” I open the garage door as I hold it out to her.
“Thank you, but I don’t need that. I’m perfectly comfortable.”
“You will, since we’re going on that.” I nod towards my favorite bike.
“But that...that’s a…I can’t go on that.” She shakes her head and takes a step back.
I step towards her as she steps back. “Isn’t today about doing new things? You’ve never felt as alive as you will on the back of the bike.”
“Wait, you think I’ve never ridden a motorbike. I’ll have you know, I did for two weeks all across Europe.”
She rode a… “A scooter doesn’t at all resemble a motorcycle. That’s more like riding a bicycle than a motorcycle. Puttering along isn’t at all the same as riding. Take the jacket and come give something new a try.”
Greer reaches for the jacket and then pulls her arm back. “I can drive.”
