Chapter 17
Luke and I made plans to go to a local brewery for their game night.
It’s hot, it’s late, and I’m just not feeling it, but we’ve been having fun, so I’m forcing myself to go.
We’ve been spending a lot of time together lately, and I’m pretty sure he is my boyfriend, even though we haven’t officially talked about it.
He’s been clear that he hasn’t been seeing anyone else.
I know it’s early days, but I can’t help wondering if I wasted years of dating other men and this guy was my guy all along.
If I had just chilled on the commitment issue, could we have been happy together this whole time?
When we broke up, I had to erase him from my life so I could move on.
The end of our relationship was the biggest heartbreak of my life, and I couldn’t leave room for what-ifs or future possibilities.
Now that we are together again, everything feels right, and I feel a little regret that we wasted five years apart.
I decided to wear a tiny little romper since it is hot out, and began doing my makeup.
One eyelash on, one eyelash off, the doorbell rang.
I couldn’t believe that he was here thirty minutes early.
That is unusual behavior for Mr. Chronically Late.
Since he’s seen me in much worse states, I ran down to the door with one eyelash in my hand and one flapping in the wind.
I swung open the door, and it was not Luke.
The sweaty neighbor I have been observing—Grass Daddy—was standing at my front door, extra sweaty and looking very nervous.
“Uh, Hi. Can I help you with something?” I said, rapidly ripping off my floppy eyelash.
“Hi, I’m Ben. I'm so sorry to just stop by and meet you like this, but I kind of have an emergency.” He then looks off toward his house and pauses.
“Uh, I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it.
My daughter is twelve, and she just came down crying hysterically because she got her period, and I can’t leave because she won’t stop crying, and the little one is sleeping, and I’m not a mom, so I didn’t plan for this, and I have no supplies, and you’re a lady, so maybe, can you help?
” He wipes his sweaty brow with his arm.
“I’m sorry, I was mowing when all this happened, and I’m actually panicking a little right now.
I should have been better prepared for this.
I should have just gone to the store. I’m sorry. ”
“Oh? Okay. It’s completely fine that you stopped here. I have some supplies I can go grab for you. Do you want to step inside?”
“No, I’ll wait here so I can keep an eye on the house if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, I’ll be right back.”
I ran to my bathroom and started frantically looking under my sink. I haven’t worn a pad since, like, the 90s, maybe? I find some oldish pads and grab some tampons. I stopped in the kitchen to grab a bag and also a chocolate bar, because, duh.
“Here’s a bag of supplies. Does she have her mom, a friend, or someone who can help her?”
“Oh, unfortunately, her mom passed away a couple of years ago. Don’t worry about us; we know how to YouTube things!
” He winked at me and started to walk away.
He stopped and turned around. “Sorry, this is how I'm introducing myself to the neighbors! Life has been crazy, and we are just surviving. I really appreciate you helping us. I didn’t catch your name.”
“I’m Cassie. And it’s no problem at all. And I’m sorry for your loss. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to be helpful. I'm headed out for the night, but I work from home, so I'm always here. Good luck with your daughter; that’s a tough situation to be in.”
He smiles and wipes his brow again. “Thanks, Cassie.
And never tell her I came here; she would think I was the cringiest dad ever.
He does another wink and wave and is off with his period products.
I closed the door and shook my head. What was with all the winking?
I was left standing here, thinking, what the hell just happened?
Luke arrived just as I was done getting ready—two lashes on, thank you—and we headed to the brewery. It was hot and sticky, but we found a place in the shade and waited for trivia to start.
Luke asked, “How was work today? Anything exciting?”
I answered, “Same old thing. I did have a visit from the guy who lives across the street. They recently moved in. Get this. His daughter got her first period, and he panicked and didn’t know what to do.”
“So, he came to your house?”
“Yeah, I guess his youngest was sleeping, so he couldn’t go anywhere.
We have seen each other in passing so, he must have figured I was of the right age to be of help.
And literally none of our other neighbors are even close to the right age range.
It was awkward, but also kind of sweet, seeing him handle his family business so well. ”
“Wait, is this the grass guy?”
“Sure was.”
“Was he sweaty?”
“SO sweaty. Worst I’ve seen yet. Could have won an award or competition today. I think he was nervous and stressed on top of the usual.”
Trivia got started, and I was surprised to see our old friends Syd and Tim walk in. I hadn’t seen them since we broke up. They are married with children, and apparently Luke has kept in contact with them the whole time, as he is a social butterfly and clearly a better friend than I am.
I jumped up and pulled Syd into a hug. “Holy shit, Syd! I'm so happy to see you. It’s been forever!”
She squeezed me tight and then pulled back.
“I know, right? We kind of fell off the radar when we started having babies. Now that everyone is sleeping through the night, I am starting to feel like my old self and can stand the thought of leaving the house. You and Luke being back together is like a dream come true. I just died of happiness when he told us. Feels like the good old days!”
“I agree. Who would have thought?”
They sat down at the table with us just as trivia was getting started. The first category of the night was from our favorite show from the early 2000s, so we obviously nailed it.
“How many categories of towels does Monica have?”
“SEVEN!” Luke and I both whisper-yelled at our teammates.
It felt amazing to be back with him, back with our old friends, and just having fun.
I missed this so much, having a tribe of people who were familiar.
Having a group of people to be with that feels so comfortable and easy.
Having friends my own age was a real accomplishment at this point.
Glancing at Syd across the table, I made a silent vow to be a better friend.
Even if this thing with Luke and me doesn’t work out, she is someone I need to keep in my life.