11. Jessica
I slam the door of my house shut as soon as I walk inside, kicking my shoes off as I stomp into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of wine. The audacity …shoving those discs into my hands as if that was supposed to solve the problem.
“How can a person be so ridiculously rude?”
“Who are you talking about, Mommy?”
Darn.I must’ve said that aloud.
I turn around hastily to find Lily standing at the entryway with her head angled to the side. Even with her eyes bright, I can tell that she’s sleepy.
“Oh, it’s no one important, honey. I thought you were asleep. It’s past your bedtime already.”
“I was.”
“Bad dream?”
Placing the glass of wine on the countertop, I approach her. She rubs the back of her palm over her eyes.
“What’s wrong, honey?”
“I’m fine, Mom.” She yawns. “I woke up, and I couldn’t go back to sleep.”
“You sure it wasn’t the neighbor’s rowdy music?”
“Brian?”
“Yeah, Brian.” She shakes her head and smiles through her sleepy eyes. “I think he’s cool.”
Brian’s words reverberate in my head, igniting a surge of anger that courses through my body.
‘If you still think my music is noisy… you’ve got no soul.’
What does he even know about soul with all his attitude? I close my eyes, wishing his haughty voice would exit my brain. There’s no way I will judge myself for not liking his songs.
I shift my attention back to Lily. “Then why couldn’t you sleep, honey?”
She places her tiny fingers on her tummy. “I think I might be a little hungry.”
“Well, you’re in luck. I was about to make myself a snack. Want a sandwich, or how about some oatmeal?”
She looks at her tummy as if consulting it, then pops her head back up. “Oatmeal, please.”
“I knew it. I’ll add extra milk and a touch of syrup.”
She beams this time and strolls into the kitchen.
I head back toward the countertop and reach for the cabinets. The oatmeal is within my grasp. Knowing it’s already late, I don’t fix too much, otherwise it might upset her stomach.
And just when I believe there will be no more music for the night, it starts again. I drop my shoulders, my head following. Can’t I have one normal night? Maybe he’s still playing to get revenge…again.
Ugh!
The sound of metal clinking against the countertop catches my attention. I turn to find Lily with two spoons drumming against the countertop, the pure joy on her face blows my mind.
What in the world is going on?
I stand, frozen for a moment, unsure of how to react. I shake my head and look at her again. She raises her head, meeting my gaze.
“Look, Mom. I’m drumming like Brian!”
Her words scare me more than they upset me. They spoke once and she’s already picking up after him? What happens when he stays here for a year? Forever?
“You might chip the edges of the counter, Lily. Put those down, please.”
She obeyed instantly, returning the utensils to the rack beside her before placing her chin on her hands and humming to his rhythm.
I’m impressed with how attentive she is and how quickly she catches onto the beat, but my negative thoughts and feelings consume me, leaving me with the urge to dump his junk on the sidewalk for garbage day.
As if reading my thoughts, she jumps on her chair and flashes me a bright smile. “Why don’t we take some cookies and hot chocolate over to Brian? We haven’t done that yet!”
Turning around, I continue to prepare the oatmeal just how she likes it. “That’s thoughtful of you.”
“Well, I think Brian’s nice…and cute. He deserves it like any new neighbor.”
I’m suddenly stuck in the mud. First Gina, and now Lily? I’m having difficulty wrapping my head around the charm women find appealing. I’m not falling for it, and I won’t let him keep confusing my daughter with this behavior of his.
Oh, thank goodness.The sound crescendos, but I don’t have enough time to enjoy the second of peace since he blasts off immediately again, this time with a different upbeat tempo.
“I’ll be right back, honey.”
I walk past her and make my way to my bedroom, where my phone still rests on my desk. I feel my entire body shaking, and the flare in my chest is impossible to ignore as I grab the phone to dial 9-1-1.
I wait patiently as the dull ringing repeats several times before the line finally opens, and a woman’s voice filters through the receiver.
“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”
“Hi, good evening. I’d like to file a complaint for public disturbance, please.”
“Yes, ma’am. Can you please share more details.”
“The noise in the background. It’s absurdly loud, and my neighbor refuses to be reasonable about it.” I explain a bit more then grit my teeth, waiting for a response.
“Alright, ma’am. I’m sending a patrol officer to your location. He should be there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.”
The line goes flat, and I set the phone down before returning to the kitchen where Lily patiently waits for me, her eyes stained red from lack of sleep.
I finish making her oatmeal and sloppily throw a sandwich together for myself. I won’t be able to convince her to go to sleep when she’s enjoying Brian’s drumming. A wicked smile flashes across my face. I hope he keeps it up until the police arrive.
She finishes her oatmeal and mumbles, “Thanks, Mommy. I think I’ll go upstairs now.”
I turn around, suspicion apparent on my face. “But you always love watching me work my magic in the kitchen.”
“That was before I found something more fun to watch…listen to,” she says innocently, her voice laced with anticipation.
Ouch!I’m sure she doesn’t realize how that sounds. I force a soft chuckle as I devise a plan to keep her from fangirling over Brian.
“You know what, Lily? Mommy’s in such a good mood today, and I think you deserve a reward for finishing your assignment before it’s due.”
Her eyes glimmer. “What is it?”
“How about some late-night TV time with me?”
She clasps her hands excitedly before jumping off her chair. “Yes! I’m gonna race you to the living room.”
I laugh as I watch her run out of the kitchen.
When I get to the living room with my wine and sandwich, Lily is already seated on the sofa with the remote in her hands, her eyes glued to the television screen.
I forget to grab a few napkins, so I head back to the kitchen while Lily scrolls through channels in search of a cartoon to watch. When I turn from the counter, I find Lily in the entryway.
“What’s wrong, honey?”
“I’m starting to feel sleepy again,” she says, drifting to me, her eyes heavy.
“But you can’t sleep through the noise, huh?”
“I can try.”
“You’re a darling, you know that?”
“I know,” she whispers. “You tell me that.”
I stroke her hair gently, trying to soothe her frayed nerves.
“How about I read you a story? I can eat my sandwich later.”
Lily nods, a faint smile tugging the corners of her lips.
Snuggling under the covers, I reach for her favorite book on the bedside table. The words of the story flow from my lips, transporting us to a world far away from the reality outside.
But even as I read, the crashes persist, a constant reminder of the intrusion into our once peaceful evening routine. I feel the tension building in my shoulders, a silent frustration festering beneath the surface.
Turning the page, I notice Lily’s eyelids droop, the day’s events finally catching up to her. With a contented sigh, she nestles closer to me, her breathing slowing to a steady pace. She’ll sleep better without the noise. I’m sure of it.
As I leave Lily’s bedroom, the rhythmic thud of the drums is an imposing backdrop to my thoughts. But I bite back my agitation.
Just a couple more minutes, Jessica.