Chapter 11 #2
I laughed. I loved when old people lost all their inhibitions and said whatever they were thinking. If only I could be like that.
“We got you flowers and grapes!” Noah explained as I set the bunch of pink tulips and green grapes on the tray table angled across Maggie’s bed.
“Well, they’re lovely, and I do love my grapes,” she said, patting Noah’s hand. “Thank you, sweet boy.”
“There’s cake too,” I added.
She lit up at the sight of the Tupperware container. “Coffee and walnut?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, you beauty! I can’t tell you how bad the food is in here.”
“How are you?” I kissed her cheek. She had some colour and was mostly sitting upright, but I’d also never seen her looking so frail. She’d always seemed so sprightly and much younger than her years, so the contrast was a lot to take in. “I’m sorry we haven’t visited more often.”
“Enough, dear. I know how busy you are. I suspect you’re even busier now, which I feel responsible for. How are you managing?”
“You’re not responsible for anything! The only thing you need to worry about is getting better, okay? I’ve got it covered.”
“How?”
“A friend has moved in with us temporarily.” I fussed with the blanket on her bed, straightening it out. “Just until I can figure things out.”
“What friend? I didn’t know you had any friends.”
She had a point but ouch.
“Jake,” Noah said, even though he looked like he hadn’t been listening. “He’s really tall and likes Toy Story.”
“Is that so?” Maggie turned to me in surprise. “Jake, you say?”
“It’s not what you think,” I blurted.
“But do you think it’s wise to have the man who couldn’t hold himself upright looking after your son every day? That is the friend you’re talking about, isn’t it?”
I cringed inwardly. Of course she remembered that.
“Yes, but that was one time and he was going through something. I’m not going to hold that against him. He’s doing good so far. They get on really well.”
“Hmm.”
“Maggie, trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
“Of course I trust you. But I also worry about you.”
“I know, but I’ll be okay. I think it’s good for Noah too. He’s never had a male presence in his life before. Not that he needs one, but it can’t hurt, right?”
“I suppose. You like him though.”
“Well, yeah. I wouldn’t invite someone I didn’t like into our lives.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
Avoiding her knowing gaze, I watched Noah drive one of his Hot Wheels cars across the windowsill. I wasn’t aware he’d brought it with him. Sneaky little thing was always hiding things in his pockets. “It’s not like that between us.”
“But you’d like it to be?”
“No,” I said, a bit too quickly. “You know I don’t have time for all of that stuff.”
“Sex?”
“Maggie!”
“I may be long in the tooth, but I haven’t forgotten what it’s like to have sex, Eleanor.”
“I’m not saying… I mean.” Oh my god. “Why are we even talking about this?”
“Because I’ve never seen you with a man or woman, or whatever takes your fancy. It’s—”
“Weird?”
“No, not weird. Unusual, especially for someone your age. You’re supposed to be out there sowing your wild oats.”
“Uh, I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
“Whatever. The point is you should be having fun. You’re young and beautiful, and too lovely to be hidden away from the world.”
“I’m not… I’m not hidden away.”
“You are, dear, and it hurts my heart to see it.”
I glanced at Barbara and the other ladies clearly listening across the room, and cursed myself for not pulling the curtain around us for privacy. It wouldn’t prevent our voices from carrying, but at least I wouldn’t have to feel the heat of their curious stares.
“When do you think you’ll be let out of here?” I asked.
Maggie sent me a look that said she knew exactly what I was doing. “I need to show I can walk with the crutches instead of the walker first, and climb a few stairs. I haven’t managed it yet. Maybe in a few days.”
“That’s great news! Let me know when and I’ll restock your fridge.”
“You’re a sweetheart, but I’m going to stay with Lucy until I’m fully back on my feet. It might be a couple of months before I’m home. I’m sorry if that makes things difficult for you.”
“No, I told you I don’t want you worrying about that. Besides, Noah starts school in the Autumn. In the meantime, you should let Lucy look after you. Someone should be with you all the time while you recover.”
“I told her I didn’t want any fuss, but she’s putting her foot down this time.”
“As she should. You deserve to be taken care of, Maggie.”
“So do you, sweetheart. Don’t forget that.” She brushed her thumb across the back of my hand. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I don’t want you to get hurt. You’ve come to mean a lot to me over the years.”
I matched her gentle smile. “You mean a lot to me too.”
A few days later, Jake and I sat in the main hall of our local youth centre watching a bunch of three, four, and five year olds play football, their orange and green hi-vis sports bibs emblazoned with ‘Little Kicks’.
Noah zoomed around having the time of his life, his little face brightening whenever Jake jumped up to whoop and cheer his every kick and score, and the almost-scores too.
It was the most precious thing I’d ever seen.
“How did you even find this place?”
“There was a poster on your building’s noticeboard.” Jake clapped when Noah successfully dribbled a ball around a line of red plastic cones. “Yes, Noah! That’s it!” He turned to one of the parents seated next to us. “Look at that. Natural talent.”
The man laughed while my heart squeezed. Jake joked a lot, and was more self-deprecating than I realised, but never about my son. He meant every word.
It made me feel things I shouldn’t.
“I’ve lived there over five years. I didn’t know there was a noticeboard.”
Jake snort-laughed. “It’s tucked around the corner, and I’m nosy. Habit learned from my travels. Whenever I stay somewhere new, I always explore and get my bearings first.”
“Makes sense. Do you have any plans to travel soon?”
“New York in August. My friend Christian lives there and we made some vague plans for a road trip.”
“Right.” August was months away, but I still felt a pang at the reminder of how temporary things were. “That sounds fun.”
“Apart from the flight, nothing’s set in stone so if you need me to stay longer, I will.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that. Besides, I know you have the travel bug. I bet you’re already itching to leave.”
His nose wrinkled. “I feel like there’s a better way to say that.”
“Seriously,” I laughed. “You told me yourself, more than once. Travel is your lifeblood. Your whole world, so to speak.”
Jake nodded, seeming thoughtful. “I get restless if I stay in one place for too long.”
“You have trouble sitting still.”
“Sometimes.”
“Well, me and Noah are honoured you’re sitting still with us for a little while,” I told him, and I couldn’t regret the impulse when his entire face softened.
“I’m honoured too.”
“Really? Is this how you envisioned spending your Sunday mornings?”
“No, but some of the best experiences are the ones you didn’t plan for.”
This time, my heart soared.
Half an hour later, tired but happy, Noah clutched Jake’s hand and slurped on a carton of apple juice as we joined the queue of families trying to filter outside.
“So, did you have fun, baby?” I asked. “Do you want to come again?”
Noah nodded. “I like football. I think I want to be a football when I grow up.”
“You mean footballer,” Jake said.
“No.”
“Well, okay then. I stand corrected.”
We both laughed.
“Ellie?”
Not expecting the sound of my name, I smiled in surprise as my neighbour, Max, walked out of the locker room dressed in a red tracksuit, dragging a giant mesh sack filled with rugby balls.
“Max. What are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing. I coach Rugbytots. It starts after Little Kicks.”
“We’ve just come from there! Noah loved it.”
“I thought he might. That’s why I put the poster up in our building.” He gave Noah a wave. “Hey little man.”
“Hi.” Noah carried on sipping from his straw, swinging Jake’s hand back and forth.
“That was you! I wish I could take credit, but no. This was all Jake.”
“Ah.” Max nodded slowly. “The friend in need.”
Jake tensed beside me. “Excuse me?”
“We’ve met before. You probably don’t remember though.”
“Funny, I don’t usually forget a face unless it’s forgettable.”
“Or you’re blackout drunk.”
Jake’s brow shot skyward while I glanced between them, confused by the weird, hostile vibe. It made no sense. They didn’t even know each other.
“Max was there that first night you stayed over,” I hurried to explain. “He heard a noise and was looking out for me.”
“Is that right?”
“Just being neighbourly.”
“Is that what they’re calling it?”
Max tossed the mesh bag over his shoulder, chuckling. “I better go and set things up. Nice to finally meet you sober, Jake.”
“Only my friends call me Jake so it’s Jacob to you.”
Max’s grin seemed a touch smug, although I wasn’t sure why. “I’ll see you guys around.”
“Okay. Bye.” I turned to Jake in confusion and disbelief, only to find him halfway out the door and carrying Noah on his hip.
Irritation seemed to power Jake’s strides as we marched along the street, and I had to almost run to keep up with him.
“What was that all about?” I asked, breathless, as we paused by the side of the road.
“I don’t know, but he pissed me off.” Jake jabbed the pedestrian crossing button three times more than necessary. “Who was that guy?”
“He lives across the hall. I can’t believe you haven’t seen him around.”
“I think I’d remember. He’s like seven feet tall. You’re not thinking of dating someone like that, are you?”
If we hadn’t been in the middle of crossing a busy road, I would’ve slammed to a halt in shock. “What?”
“You’re like five-foot-nothing. You’d break your neck just looking at him.”
“I don’t understand where this is coming from.”
“Come on now. He’s clearly interested in you.”
I barked out a laugh, but my smile faded at the sternness of Jake’s expression. “You can’t be serious.”
“Deadly. How can you not tell he’s interested? If he could’ve peed on you to mark his territory back there, he would’ve.”
“Ew,” Noah piped up, tucking his head on Jake’s shoulder.
“Exactly. Ew.” Jake gave him a squeeze. “See. Even Noah can see it.”
“You’re being ridiculous. Max is my neighbour, and I’m not thinking of dating anyone.”
Except you, my heart betrayed me.
But that was never gonna happen.
“What about those dating apps?” Jake asked.
“Oh. I’m surprised you remembered.”
“I was drunk, but not that drunk.”
“I already told you.” I stared at the pavement ahead. “I was lonely and I wanted to see what they were like.”
“Are you lonely now?”
“Not even a little bit.”
Jake’s smile grew bold, and I basked in the brightness of it, and tried not to think about what it could mean.