The Good Neighbor Read Online Free PDF

thought about
kissing her, I left with the kiss as no more than a thought.
    As I neared my house, I heard someone
whistle. It was dark even with the streetlights on, and I couldn’t
see the whistler, but I had no doubt who it was.
    “Boy, I do believe you got a little spring in
your step.”
    I stopped in Andy’s driveway where he was
leaned against his car. “You’re out early,” I said casually,
folding my arms across my chest.
    “Came to keep you company, but I didn’t know
you were keeping company at Carla’s.” He chuckled. “How’d it
go?”
    “You make it sound like I was running some
sort of secret operation. We had a nice visit. I met her kids. We
had dinner. We talked a little. That was it.” I walked over and
leaned against his car beside him.
    “Well, you better get in there before Bernie
does.”
    “Bernie won’t get in there, whatever that
means.”
    “As soon as he lays eyes on her, he’ll quit
barhopping. Why go fishing when there’s fish in the freezer?”
    I laughed. “What the hell does that
mean?”
    “It means why would he want to go to the bar
when he can hit on the pretty, young, single mother next door?
She’s easy prey. You watch. You’ll see. Hey,” Andy said, changing
the subject. “Speaking of you seeing, you see Jenson today?”
    I thought for a second. I shook my head.
“Haven’t seen him all day. You worried?”
    “Nope. Just wondering.” Neither of us spoke
for a while. Finally, Andy asked, “You think you two are going to
hook up?”
    “Have you been reading love poems? You sure
know the language,” I said sarcastically.
    “Fine,” he laughed. “Do you fancy courting
her? Is that romantic enough for you?”
    “It’s better,” I said, laughing. Then I
shrugged. “I don’t know. I like her. I guess she likes me. But she
just moved in, Andy. Good grief. The girl’s not even unpacked yet.
Geez, give her time to get settled before you start trying to marry
her off.”
    “Hey, I just don’t want you two to be a
younger version of Hazel and Jenson. Single people living across
the street, but nothing ever happening. I’d have to move. I can’t
live in the midst of so much sexual tension.”
    “Sexual tension? Hazel and Jenson? Are you
serious?”
    “Well, they’re both older, single people. No
reason they can’t hook up.”
    “No reason, huh? Jenson’s weird. Hazel’s so
sweet. I don’t see it.”
    “They both keep to themselves. Shouldn’t they
keep to themselves together?” he asked.
    “Is it really keeping to yourself if you’re
doing it with someone else?”
    He laughed. “Yeah, you’re right. I was just
saying you should go out with Carla. It’d do you some good. I know
Jill kind of already told you that.”
    “Yeah, thanks for telling your wife
everything. If I ever kill somebody, you’ll be the last person I
tell.”
    We laughed.
     
     
     
5 Owen
    With Andy gone to work, I sat on the porch
alone for a while thinking, mostly about Carla. I kept finding
myself looking at her house. I imagined her in there, reading to
the kids before they fell asleep. Then, I imagined her getting
ready for bed.
    I stopped myself before that line of thought
went too far.
    I decided to turn in for the night. I didn’t
figure sleep would come easily, but I was prepared to try. I made
my way upstairs slowly, preoccupied with thoughts of the single
mother. I brushed my teeth, wondering if she was doing the same. I
used the restroom and washed my hands. I stripped down to my
underwear, wondering what she wore to bed. Then, I slid under the
covers, trying to guess what side of the bed she slept on.
    I lay awake, thinking. Carla and Jill were
both right. I had to move on. It was time. I took my wedding ring
off and laid it on my nightstand. I knew it was only a figment of
my imagination, but my hand felt lighter. I flexed the fingers of
my left hand to determine if taking off the ring really had made
such a difference. I couldn’t be sure.
    I touched the