Jessa James - Handy

“You were going to give it to me anyway!”

“Says who?”

“Oh, whatever. Here take it back. You’re the worst neighbor ever!” I took a step toward him about to thrust the damn thing at him, but actually I really wanted to throw it at his face. But I didn’t look to see where I was going, I’d shut off the torch and was suddenly blinded by the blackness, the absence of light, and failed to see the loose stone from the path.

“Shit,” I said as my foot caught the edge and I let go of the torch. Everything around me seemed to slow down, time almost stopping as the seconds came to a halt. All but the torch froze, that instead was still moving, spinning in the air but slowly but surely getting closer and closer to the ground.

I tried to reclaim it—so did he—we both reaching out and lunged toward the tumbling item. But no matter how hard I stretched, my fingertips never came close. Time unpaused and we were on a collision course. We bounced into each other and for the second time that day I landed in a heap. This time however, it was in the arms of a handsome but surly stranger.

For a second I made the mistake of looking at him properly and I felt a rush of blood thud wildly to my head.

Frozen I could only stare at my neighbor, my eyes adjusting to the surroundings. Even in the dim light I could see his eyes properly now, pools of rich chocolate that could melt anyone’s heart. Granted he was the most annoying guy I’d ever met but my body reacted to him in a way that had me licking my lips and flushing like a teenage girl on a first date.

There was a loud crash, the sound of glass shattering as the torch landed hard. I prayed that the thing was robust enough to handle a short fall otherwise mister grumpy was not going to be happy with me.

I slipped free of his arms and gauged my neighbor’s reaction, giving him a sidelong glance as I reached my feet and brushed myself off. If he could produce steam from his ears, I think he would’ve. He was in danger of damaging his teeth too the way he was clenching his jaw.

“Oh crap. I’m sorry… I tripped and it just slipped.”

He grabbed his torch off the ground, clicking the switch several times and whacking it against his hand before realizing it wasn’t going to turn on.

“Well good work, you couldn’t just give it back could you? You just had to go and break it,” he growled.

“What! Look, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“No, we’re done here, stop talking.”

“I’ll buy you a new one, take it easy.”

“Just shut up will you!”

Taken aback I returned his stare. “Look, whatever your name is… Who the hell do you think you are telling me to shut up? I said I’m sorry and if you can’t accept an apology then my first impression of you was right—”

“Whatever, you’re a mouthy little thing aren't you?”

“Eugh! And you’re a dick with capital D!” I said and threw my hands up in the air. I couldn’t win with this guy, he was the most annoying person I’d ever met, and that was saying something considering I’d spent years around cocky tough guys only out to prove themselves. The longer I was in his presence the more I either wanted to hit him, or jump his bones. There was something wrong with me. Why were all the hot ones jerks or already taken?

Choosing to do neither I retreated to my house, ignoring the calls about replacing his damaged flashlight that were coming from behind.

“Yeah, I have bigger problems to worry about than your dumb five dollar torch, mister!” I shouted back.

Gingerly I found my way up the stairs and across the porch and finally let myself into my house for the first time.

Derek

I checked my watch once again. Kadee’s flight had landed and I paced at the quiet gate for a glimpse of her. My sweet Kadee, the daughter I’d not seen in so long. She was still learning full sentences the last time I had seen her, but now was an entirely different matter. During our brief opportunities on the phone or Skype, that Karen had occasionally allowed, she was a proper little person, all questions, full of curiosity and wonder.

Regardless of the aggravating cause of this visit I had to make the most of the time I’d been granted. I would get to to know my daughter and hopefully we could forge a strong relationship for the future. I just hoped my heart wouldn’t break in two when I would have to send her back to her mom.

I’d made the airport in plenty of time, time enough for the coffee I had missed this morning. It had also offered me the chance to browse the soft toys that caught my eye in one of the gift shops. Surely a bear would be suitable, but I just didn't know where Kadee’s preference lay anymore. Was she still clinging to her favorite thread-worn blanky? Did she even like bears and stuffed toys? There was so much to learn about the daughter that had been cruelly taken away from me.

“Kadee,” I called out the moment I saw her, brandishing the bear in my waving arm.

The sight of this slightly forlorn little girl, by the side of an airport attendant, making her way amongst the jostling travelers towering above her made the anger I felt for Karen rear its ugly head.

Kadee looked like she was about to topple over from the weight of her backpack; belongings stuffed into it and which was clearly far too large for a kid her size. How could Karen do this? I had to swallow the anger back down, I was here for the rescue, and I wouldn’t take my anger out on my precious girl.

Kadee’s eyes darted all around her, searching. I waved again and called her name. A small smile appeared on her angelic face.

“Hey, baby girl.” I knelt to welcome her with open arms.

“Hi.” Her reply sounded sad, and her hug felt more like a tired surrender. She must be exhausted, I thought and wanted nothing more than to take her in my arms and whisk her away to somewhere safe, but first I had to deal with Kadee’s airline chaperone. I handed over my identification and the paperwork was quickly accomplished. She was all mine, at least for a couple of weeks.

“Let’s get you home shall we? I have your room all ready. And how about you let me take your backpack?” She nodded and let the weight fall from her shoulders. I stood, hefted it over my arm and took her tiny hand, ready to lead her back to the car park.

“Is that for me, or is it yours?” Kadee asked pointing to the bear I held in my other hand.

“Oh, yes,” I replied, completely forgetting the gift which I now offered. “Though he doesn’t have a name yet. What do you think his name should be?”

Kadee shrugged but took the fuzzy brown bear into her arms and hugged him to her belly.

“How about Herbert?”

Kadee wrinkled her nose.

“Well, you two can get to know each other before you decide on a name.”

Once back at the truck I placed her back pack on the rear seat, and she climbed in the front and buckled up without a word. Each of my inquiries on the journey home were met with little more than shrugs or unenthusiastic “yeahs”. She just sat there inspecting the bear in her hands.

I was feeling dismayed after the quiet and awkward journey, maybe once I got Kadee home she could relax. I pulled into the driveway slowly and saw my obnoxious and irritatingly attractive neighbor out of the window. She was fighting with a large box from her overloaded battered truck. This was the first thing to peak Kadee’s attention it seemed.

“Who’s that?” Kadee asked with a noticeably perkier tone.

“Just the new neighbor, not to worry.”

“We should help her out, that’s a heavy box.”

“I’m sure she doesn’t want us interfering at the moment, hon. Let’s just get you settled in.” I stepped out and went to gather Kadee's belongings from the back.