“No problem. I'm happy to help.” I hook my thumbs in my belt and watch Ethan whip off down the street as I try to break the ice with small talk. “Being my first day here, I figured it was a good way to meet the block.”
She sighs and pulls her eyes from her son to look at me and nod at my chest, where my dog tags have escaped my shirt. “How long have you been out of the military?”
I raise an eyebrow, grinning. “That obvious?”
“Well, I'm not blind….” A small, tired smile touches her mouth but doesn’t reach her eyes, which search the ink on my arm. “Marine?”
“Gunny,” I tell her, noticing suddenly, the tension is on me and not her. "I got out about three weeks ago." I glance at her flowerbeds that need weeding and the unpainted, sagging fence that borders her yard. It needs a man's touch, which hasn't been a part of her life for a while if my intel is right. “You been here long?”
“Yeah." She sighs. "About ten years. Ethan's only ever known this place." There's a sadness in her tone that knots in my chest and stays lodged there.
“He seems like a solid kid.”
She watches Ethan do another lap, riding as fast as he can. I'm sure that helmet makes her feel more confident. “He is. Thankyou again for fixing the bike. I don't know if his father would even have known how to fix it." I look down at her finger, but it's pointless. The kid's dad isn't around, and even if he were right now, I doubt she'd be standing here politely letting him fix his son's bike.
"Oh, that's alright. I'm good at fixing things." I try making eye contact with her, but Ethan zooms past again. She watches him like a hawk and I watch her. Her shoulders are tense, lips pursed in a tight line, but the dimples on her cheeks pop out. She's still trying to smile despite feeling on the edge.
“Watch this!” he shouts as he pops a tiny wheelie off the curb. Olivia’s face softens watching him, but the guarded set of her jaw stays. I suppose that's the way my own mother would react to my being a little daredevil too.
“You have family in the area?” she asks after a moment.
"Nah," I mumble. That’s a sore spot, but she wouldn't know that. "My parents passed about six years ago. It's just me now… trying to figure out the best grocery store to shop at on my own." I chuckle to hide my nerves, but this small talk stuff is getting to me. I'm a dark soul who loves all things solitary, not a social butterfly.
"Well,there’s a decent one on Maple, about two miles east. Avoid the one on 5th—they’re always out of milk.”
“Good tip. Thanks.”
Ethan brakes hard beside us, cheeks flushed, and panting, he asks, “Mom, can I ride to the stop sign?”
“Only to the sign, then straight back. Stay on the sidewalk.”
He’s off again in a flash, sneakers pumping, and Olivia exhales, rubbing the back of her neck. The move pulls her shirt tight for a second, showing how thin she looks under it. Like she’s been carrying more stress than laundry and bike repairs. I'm sure it's not easy being a single mother, though I'm not here to be her fixer. I'm here to take notes and report in to the client.
“You doing okay over there?” I ask, keeping my tone casual. “Anything else that needs a quick fix while I’m out here with tools?”
She shakes her head. “We’re good, really. Thanks again, Caleb.” She says my name softly, then, “Welcome to the neighborhood.”
“Appreciate it.” I give her a short nod, realizing this conversation has about found its end, and watch as Ethan flies back and skids to a stop.
“It’s perfect! No more wobble. Thanks, Caleb!”
“Anytime, kid.” I ruffle his hair lightly, then catch Olivia’s eye.
“I should get dinner started,” she says. “Ethan, put your bike in the garage and then wash your hands.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He wheels it toward the open garage door, still beaming as I start to back away. It was a good first interaction. I'm sure things will proceed from here, though I won’t have much to report yet.
Olivia turns and heads up the porch steps, and I watch her go. If I had to report in to the client right now, I'd say he's off his rocker. But people can fool you with first impressions. For all I know, that kid's bruises weren't from a bike accident, and her too-thin body might well be from drug use, just like I’msupposed to watch for. But I'm not going to decide anything until I've gotten to know the situation.
I turn and walk back to my new place, though maybe not for long. I highly doubt this lady will want me as a neighbor when she finds out I was hired to snoop around and look into her. When this job is done, I'll have to move right back out, but hopefully by then, the guys will be ready to set up shop and get to work.
And hopefully, I'll be able to shake off the shadow of military service so interactions like that don't ruffle my feathers anymore.
3
OLIVIA
Ipull into Derek’s driveway at exactly six o’clock on Wednesday evening, right on time like the custody papers require. Derek's house is always immaculate, as if he can prove his superiority as a human by how meticulously he cares for his lawn. I shift the car into park and sit for a second, trying to center myself. I don't like being negative in front of Ethan, but seeing my ex-husband always pulls the worst reactions out of me.
