Chapter 12 #2
“Tell her as much as you’re comfortable with,” Logan said.
“But at minimum, she deserves to know that you’re considering moving across the street and to have input on whether that’s something she’d be okay with.
Mary’s not fragile. She’s strong enough to handle an honest conversation.
Give her the credit of letting her make her own decision about whether she wants you that close. ”
“And who knows,” Sisco said, his usual grin returning. “Maybe she’ll be thrilled. Maybe she’s been hoping you’d make a move, and this is your opening.”
“Or maybe she’ll think it’s weird and intrusive,” Bert countered.
“Only one way to find out,” Landon said. “Talk to her.”
Bert sat with that for a moment, feeling the weight of the decision settling over him. These were his friends, men whose judgment he trusted, and they were all saying the same thing. Be honest. Take the risk. Give Mary the information and let her decide.
“When are you planning to talk to her?” Logan asked.
Bert checked his watch. The workday was winding down. His heart started pounding at the thought of actually doing this, of putting himself out there even in this limited way. “Tonight, I guess. I usually stop by her place a couple of times a week anyway. She’ll think it’s just a normal visit.”
“Good luck,” Sisco said, his expression sincere. “And for what it’s worth, I think she cares about you too. I see the way she looks at you when you’re not paying attention.”
Bert stood, feeling simultaneously more anxious and more certain. “Thanks, all of you. I appreciate the advice.”
“That’s what friends do,” Logan said, echoing the words he’d said to Bert months ago. “Now go talk to her before you lose your nerve. And Bert? Whatever she says, you’ve got our support.”
A little later, Bert’s drive to Mary’s house felt both too long and too short. He had made this trip dozens of times since she’d moved in, but tonight was different. Tonight, he was going to be honest about something that mattered, and that changed everything.
Her van was in the driveway, and lights glowed warmly from inside the house.
He pulled up across the street, parking in front of the house that had started this whole chain of thought.
He looked at it for a moment, trying to imagine himself living there, seeing Mary every day, being close enough to help if she needed it but respectful of her space.
Then he crossed the street and knocked on her door, his heart pounding hard enough that he could feel it in his throat.
She answered quickly, her face lighting up when she saw him. “Hey! Come on in.”
“Actually,” Bert said, his mouth dry, “I was hoping we could sit on the front porch for a bit. It’s a nice evening.”
Mary looked surprised but pleased. “Sure. Let me grab a sweater. The evenings are starting to get cool.”
A few minutes later, they were settled on the front porch.
Mary had positioned her wheelchair near the railing, where she could look out at the street and the mountains beyond.
Bert sat in one of the comfortable chairs she’d bought for the porch, close enough to talk easily but far enough to give her space to maneuver around if she needed.
The evening was beautiful, the air warm but with a hint of the autumn that would arrive soon. The sky was deepening to purple, and the first stars were appearing overhead. Across the street, the newly placed For Sale sign on the property seemed to glow slightly in the fading light.
“So,” Mary said, her tone warm and curious, “what’s on your mind? You have that look you get when you’re working through something complicated.”
Bert had rehearsed this conversation in his head during the entire drive over, but now that the moment was here, all his carefully prepared words felt inadequate. He took a breath and decided to just be direct. “The house across the street is on the market,” he said, gesturing to the property.
She followed his gesture, then looked back at him with mild interest. “I noticed the sign went up a few days ago. I’m glad. It’s been empty since I moved in here.”
“I’m considering buying it.” He paused, watching her face carefully. “But before I make any decisions or put in an offer, I wanted to talk to you about it. Actually, I’m asking permission.”
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “Permission? Bert, you don’t need my permission to buy a house.”
“No,” he agreed, his hands gripping the arms of the chair.
“But I don’t want to do anything that would make you uncomfortable or hinder our friendship.
Living directly across from you could feel intrusive if you don’t want me that close.
So I’m asking how you’d feel about having me as a neighbor before I commit to anything. ”
Mary was quiet for a moment, her blue eyes studying his face in the fading light. Bert forced himself to hold her gaze even though every instinct told him to look away, to protect himself from potential rejection.
“Why do you want to live across from me? I mean, there must be lots of houses you could purchase,” she asked finally, her tone genuinely curious rather than accusatory.
This was the moment. Bert could give her a generic answer about liking the property or the location. But Logan’s words echoed in his mind: Be honest. Give her the chance to make her own choice.
“Because… we’re friends,” he said, his voice steady despite the way his heart was racing. “I want to be close by… not to hover or because I think you need looking after, but because being near you makes me happy. I want to be part of your daily life in whatever way you’ll let me.”
He watched her face carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. She’d gone very still, her hands resting on the arms of her wheelchair, her expression unreadable.
“If that’s too much, or if I’m overstepping, just tell me,” he continued, needing to fill the silence.
“I value your friendship more than anything, and I won’t jeopardize it.
But I needed to be honest with you before I made any decisions about the house.
You deserve to have input on whether you’re comfortable with me living across the street. ”
Mary’s expression softened, and a smile started to spread across her face, slow and warm and genuine. “You care about me,” she said softly, like she was testing the words.
“Yeah. I do. A lot.” Bert’s hands tightened on the chair arms. “So what do you think? Would you be okay with having me as a neighbor?”
The smile widened, reaching her eyes and making them shine in the porch light. “I’d be more than okay with it, Bert. I’d love to have you as a neighbor as well as a friend.” She paused, and something flickered in her expression that he couldn’t quite read. “Having you close by would make me happy.”
Relief crashed through him so powerfully that he had to take a breath to steady himself. “Really?”
“Really,” Mary confirmed, her voice warm with affection. “You’re a good friend, and having you across the street sounds wonderful, not intrusive.”
It wasn’t a declaration of love. It wasn’t an admission that she felt the same way he did. But it was permission, acceptance, and the clear message that she wanted him in her life. Bert felt excitement bubble up in his chest, mixing with the relief until he couldn’t help but smile.
“Then I guess I’ll make an offer on that house,” he said, gesturing across the street.
“I guess you will,” Mary agreed, her smile matching his. “This is exciting. We’ll be neighbors!”
“Neighbors,” Bert repeated, loving the sound of it. “I promise I won’t be the kind of neighbor who shows up uninvited or makes you feel crowded.”
Mary rolled her eyes. “You’re welcome at my house anytime. You know that. Having you across the street just means it’ll be even easier for us to spend time together.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the evening settling around them like a warm blanket. Across the street sat the house that would soon be Bert’s.
“When do you think you’ll move in?” she asked. “I mean, assuming your offer is accepted.”
“The listing says it needs some TLC, but it’s habitable. I’ll move in and work on it while living there.” He now looked at the property with new eyes, already mentally cataloging what would need to be done.
“If you need help with anything, let me know,” Mary offered. “I may not be able to swing a hammer, but I’m excellent at planning and organizing renovation projects.”
“I might take you up on that,” Bert said, warmth spreading through his chest at the easy way she’d included herself in his plans.
They talked for another hour, discussing the house and potential renovations, laughing about the neighborhood quirks, and simply enjoying each other’s company. When Bert finally stood to leave, the sky was fully dark and scattered with stars.
“Thanks for talking this through with me,” he said, looking down at Mary. “Your opinion really matters to me.”
“Thanks for asking,” she replied, tilting her head back to meet his eyes. “It means a lot that you cared enough to get my input before making the decision.”
Bert walked down her steps to his vehicle, feeling lighter than he had in months.
He’d been honest with Mary about why he wanted to move closer, and she’d been happy about it.
She wanted him as a neighbor… wanted him in her life.
Close enough that if the opportunity ever arose to tell her the full depth of his feelings, he’d be right there, ready to take that chance.