by S. E. Rose
My room is just to the left of the stairs. The door is shut, and when I open it, it’s like stepping back in time. My parents never redecorated any of our rooms after we graduated. It’s like a whole set of little shrines to their children. Four rooms that are all just as they were ten or fifteen years ago. I walk over to my bed, which is by the window, and sit down. I look around at the posters of bands, the stuffed animals, the collages of photos with our friends, the little trinkets we picked up on various trips but never took with us when we moved out.
“So, this is where the magic happened?” a voice comes from the hallway.
I turn to see Garrett staring in at me.
“I guess it was.”
He walks in and looks around the room. It is quite clear whose side was whose. Lanie has photos from her leadership trip to D.C. and a few other more serious items, where the main decorating theme on my side is Romeo and Juliet. It’s like Valentine’s Day exploded in half of the room. Dried bouquets of flowers and corsages, little heart boxes of old jewelry, and posters from romantic comedies fill the wall across from my bed.
I watch as Garrett slowly walks around the room taking in each item as it comes into his line of vision. He leans in at a few photos and then continues to my dresser.
“You sure you want a new hobby, Spidey?” he asks me.
“Yep,” I say resolutely.
“OK, because this seems more like a part of you than a hobby,” he points out as he runs a finger over a poster from the film Titanic.
I bite my lip because I don’t have a good answer. He turns and looks at me and then out the window. He smirks. “So, how many times did you come home via that tree?”
I giggle. “Too many to count.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
I laugh louder. “Oh man, if walls could talk. Poor Lanie, I owe her a lot of babysitting because she covered my ass so many times.”
“Whose room is over there?” he asks, pointing to the door on the other side of our bathroom.
“That’s Kent’s room. And then Kylie, and then Clark, and their bathroom. And my parents’ is across from Clark’s.”
“This is a pretty big house,” he says as he looks around the hallway at all the doors.
“Yeah, it’s decent, but there were seven people here, so we needed the space.”
“I guess you did,” he agrees.
“What about you?” I ask as I lean back against my pillows.
“My parents live just over the border near York. My dad still lives on our farm. My parents got divorced when I was ten. My mom remarried when I was twelve and she and my stepdad live in town. My sister, Kit, lives with her family near there.”
“Oh, did you both live with your mom or your dad?” I ask.
“We split our time between them. Most weekends were at Dad’s until we were teenagers, and then it was holidays and part of summer since we were playing sports and stuff,” he answers, his eyes continuing to take in everything in my room.
“Is that why you don’t like love?” I ask him, his sentiments about romance now make more sense.
He shrugs. “I just don’t get it. That’s all. I guess it might be part of the reason. Why? Are you going to psychoanalyze me?” he asks with a smirk.
I roll my eyes. “No. I was just curious. You know, how did the Grinch end up with a dead heart and all.”
“Hey, I take offense to that! The Grinch is just misunderstood! Plus, his heart wasn’t dead, it was just too small,” he proclaims as he puts a hand to his heart.
I laugh. “Misunderstood?”
“Absolutely.”
I laugh as I stand up and walk toward him. “Come on, let’s stop going down memory lane and go see if anyone wants to play a real game, like Chutes and Ladders.”
I feel his body shake with silent laughter as I link arms with him, and we walk back downstairs. I don’t know what it was about my talk with Gran Tilly and Garrett’s and my discussion just now, but I feel more determined than ever to try new things and figure myself out.
Chapter Eight
Garrett
I am officially in love with Di’s family. They are the coolest people ever. After burgers and two rounds of Chutes and Ladders, three rounds of Candyland, and a very, very contentious round of Uno, Di and I decide to head home.
“Thanks for a great night,” I say to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, who I still am having trouble looking in the eye since I was privy to their laundry room escapade earlier.
“Oh, come over any Saturday you like, Garrett,” Mrs. Moore says as she gives me a hug goodbye. We get in my car and I drive us back to Elm Street.
“You have a very cool family,” I tell Di.
“I know. They drive me nuts, but I love them all to death.
“Are you close to your sister?” she asks.
“Kit? Yeah, we’re like normal close, I guess.”
“What is ‘normal’ close?”
“We talk a few times a month and I visit with her on holidays and my nieces’ birthdays.”
“A few times a month?” she asks.
“Yeah, sometimes more, I mean if something is going on like when Dad hurt his leg, but otherwise, maybe once a week. Why?”
“I was just curious, that’s all,” she says as I pull up to her apartment. “Thanks for driving me. And thanks for today. It was fun.”
I laugh. “Even the hiking?”
“Even the hiking,” she says. “I look forward to ax throwing. I mean, at the very least, it sounds sort of exciting and cool, like I’m a Viking or something.”
“Sure. It’s fun. Hey, with this activity you can drink a beer,” I point out.
She giggles. “See, I like this even better and I haven’t even tried it yet.”
“Have a good night, Di,” I say as she opens the car door.
“You too, Garrett.”
She pauses as she goes to close the door and leans down. “We also need to figure out what we are doing for that charity campaign.”
“We’ll discuss it over axes this week.”
She laughs and closes the door. “Sounds good,” she calls out as she walks to her door. I stay and watch until she’s safely inside. Maybe there’s more to her than the whole romance thing. Maybe I boxed her into a category because it made her safer to be around. But I don’t think there’s anything safe about being around Di, and I sort of like that.
Di
My apartment seems too quiet in comparison to my parents’ home. I’d been living alone since I graduated from college. Of my three best friends, Fin and Syd lived together in a cute little rental off Main Street, but Bailey lived alone as well. Her apartment was in a garden-style complex that had been built three years ago. It was by the new shopping center, a part of town that was getting developed closer to the interstate. I loved her place, but there was something about being on a sleepy side street in the heart of our town that felt like home to me. I glanced out my living room windows at the lamps lining the street. At half past ten, Banneker was nearly asleep aside from the few patrons that would still be at the pub or the bar. The coffee shop closed at ten and the ice cream shop had closed at nine. We were a town of early sleepers and early risers.
I picked up Curly off a chair and carried him to my bed. I needed to get some rest and finish a lesson plan for Monday. I picked up my computer after settling Curly on my bed and was just beginning to work when my phone pinged.
Kyles: You like him, like him, don’t you?
Di: HE’S JUST A FRIEND!
Kyles: It’s OK to like him.
Di: I appreciate the approval, but I’m really not interested.
Kyles: Oh.
I already know what’s coming. Kyles likes him. Fine, if he dates my sister, then he’s officially off-limits, so that will fix that problem. No more lusting after someone who isn’t compatible with me.
Di: If YOU like him, call him.
Kyles: Really? Are you sure? I don’t want to break sister code.
Di:
You aren’t breaking anything. I swear.
Kyles: If you say so.
Di: There, just sent you his contact info. Enjoy.
Kyles: Coolio. Thanks!
Di: Just name your firstborn after me and we’ll call it even.
Kyles: Noted.
Di: Night, I’m turnin’ in. That hike was intense.
Kyles: LOL. You’re gonna feel it tomorrow, old lady.
Di: Respect your elders!
Kyles: Muah!
I set my phone down on the charger on my nightstand and put my computer next to it. Who am I kidding? I’m not going to be able to focus right now.
Instead of sleeping, I lie in my bed staring at the ceiling repeating the mantra “I don’t like Garrett Henley” until I feel my eyes grow heavy. Garrett Henley’s name is the last thing on my mind before falling asleep.
Chapter Nine
Garrett
I stare at the text message as I sip a coffee.
Unknown: Hey, Garrett! This is Kylie Moore, Di’s sister. I was wondering if you want to grab a drink sometime.
I blink, but the message is still there. I’d had a nice chat with Kylie last night. She’s cute and very outgoing. I wonder if she shares her sister’s fixation with love and romance. My mind drifts to Diana. I saw a different side of her yesterday. I’d spent a whole day with her, and we never once discussed love and romance, except for when I noted her childhood room decor. She was just…fun.
I decide I need guy input. Ethan. He’s good about this stuff and he’s super practical. I walk out onto my porch and find my neighbors sitting on theirs.
“Morning,” Sam yells with a wave.
I walk over to their house through the small pebble path we used to connect my driveway with their front walk. We had nearly worn a path between our homes after the first six months, so we decided to just make it official.
“What’s happening, hot stuff?” Sam asks.
I lean against their porch railing. Both men sit in matching rocking chairs, cups of steaming hot coffee in their hands.
“I need female advice,” I say, gritting my teeth. Maybe I should have asked Adam or Greg? No, no way, they give shit female advice.
“Transitioning?” Sam asks with a wink.
I roll my eyes.
“I’m just teasing. You know we love to dole out relationship advice. We live for this shit,” Sam says.
I launch into my predicament. Both men are silent until I finish.
“So, go out with Kylie, then,” Ethan suggests.
“Fuck no. I think you have closet emotions for Di,” Sam states.
“You think he does?” Ethan asks, turning to his husband.
“Hell yeah, he does. I mean, if he didn’t like Di, he wouldn’t be over here projecting his insecurities, now would he?” Sam says as though he is the godfather of relationship advice or some Freud wannabe.
“Well, hell, you raise a valid point,” Ethan mutters before sipping his coffee.
“I’m not going to date Di. Let’s be clear, she’s made it apparent she’s obsessed with romance and you two know how I feel about mushy love stuff…although…she has said she’s over that…but regardless, we aren’t compatible,” I declare.
Sam raises an eyebrow. “All I just heard is that you like Di, and now that you know her better, you like her even more.”
“That’s not what I said!” I say with exasperation.
“Honey, you need to figure out who you want to date because there is one thing stronger than girl code and that is sister code. Once you go out with one of them, the other is off-limits, like forever,” Sam says, giving me a pointed look.
“Yeah, I sort of figured that,” I mutter as I sip my own coffee.
“OK, so, the fact that you are grappling with this decision, means you do have feelings for Di,” Ethan states.
I shrug. “I mean. If things were different, sure, I’d ask her out. She’s gorgeous and funny and smart and I enjoy hanging out with her, but I’m not some Prince Charming. I…”
Sam stands and comes over, leaning against the railing next to me. “This isn’t about two women, is it? It’s about you, not having confidence in yourself.”
“I’m confident,” I say with an air of defense.
“Are you?” Sam asks with a raised eyebrow. “I mean sure. On the outside, you are all man, hear you roar, but deep down, I think your parents’ failed marriage did some serious damage to little Garrett’s heart.” Sam presses a finger to the center of my chest.
I sigh. “OK, enough of the Freudisms for today. I know perfectly well that my parents’ divorce plays into how I feel about love, but it never stopped me from dating. I just don’t have the urge to lock myself down with one person forever.”
Ethan glances over at my house. “You didn’t have a problem committing to Margaret? And look how happy you two are.”
I groan and run a hand through my hair, pulling on the ends with frustration. “Ethan, it’s a fucking house.”
“It is, but it’s a big commitment. That house is a major part of your life. Last I checked, you aren’t just fixing her up to sell her.”
I shrug. “I’m not. I love it here.”
“Did you think she was the one right away?” Ethan asks.
I frown in confusion.
“The house…” he clarifies.
“Sort of. I mean, I loved it when I saw it at first. I was just scared. I mean, it’s a big undertaking, and what if something goes wrong or it’s a big old money pit. It’s a serious decision,” I say.
“Sounds like you aren’t a giant pansy, then. You just need to take the leap,” he says.
“But which sister am I leaping with?” I grumble, still frustrated by this entire conversation.
“Which sister is your ‘Margaret’?” Sam asks.
The first face to flash in my mind is Di.
“Looks like you have your answer, then. You’re welcome. We expect wedding invitations,” Ethan states.
I roll my eyes. “Fuck off, Ethan. I’m not getting married, for Pete’s sake.”
“Uh-huh. OK, whatever. But just remember, I told you so when it happens someday,” he says in a haughty voice before standing. “I’m off to shower. Happy hunting, my friend.”
He walks in, leaving Sam and me leaning on the railing.
“Sometimes, you just have to take that leap of faith. I did,” he says, motioning toward where his husband just went, “and it was the best decision that I ever made.”
He pushes off the railing and walks to his door. “Choose wisely, Garrett, because there’s no going back.”
He shuts the door. I stay there, sipping my coffee and contemplating the wise words of my friends. I just don’t know what I want to do. Do I listen to my heart or my head?
Chapter Ten
Di
Kyles: I’m meeting Garrett for a coffee.
Me: OK…
Kyles: I just wanted you to know.
Me: OK
Kyles: Stop saying OK, I feel like you hate me.
I groan and hit call.
“Do you hate me?” Kyles asks.
“OMG! Just stop, OK. I don’t know how to make this any more clear. I. Do. Not. Care.”
“I think you do,” she retorts.
“Kyles, listen. Is Garrett cute? Yes. Do I like him, friend-wise? Sure. Are we compatible for a relationship? Nope. So, there’s your answer. I’m not going to say don’t date every hot guy I know. That’s ridiculous.”
“But I remember how you spoke about him that first time you met. I mean, you were all like, he’s so dreamy. Wouldn’t it be perfect if we got married because we work at the same school? You practically mapped out your entire relationship before you even spoke to him.”
I vaguely remember being smitten with the guy when I saw him in Caris’s office prior to actually meeting him. But that was back then, and this is now.
“Just go, OK. I swear on…Mr. Teddy, that I don’t care.” I pick up my favorite stuffed ani
mal, who has seen better days.
“Wow, Mr. Teddy. Alright…I just…maybe I’ll just call it off,” she says.
“Kyles, you are making a mountain out of a molehill!”
“Fine, fine. I’ll think about it. We aren’t going to meet till later this week, so I have time to bail.”
“Don’t be a weirdo, just go get coffee. I mean, it’s just freakin’ coffee,” I say, but deep down it doesn’t feel like I believe those words.
“OK. I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to a photoshoot,” she says.
“Have fun,” I reply, and we hang up. I sit there staring at Mr. Teddy before I set him back down. Maybe I should call off the ax-throwing happy hour, or maybe I just won’t go. This seems like it’s getting too complicated and that’s the last thing I need.
I decide to go for a run to clear my head. I need to get some ideas together for our charity event. I throw on some running clothes and my favorite running shoes and head down to the high school to run a few laps before heading over to the coffee shop.
It’s a quiet Sunday morning and there are only a few people at the track. I manage to run three miles in record time. I walk back to Main Street, along the river, and up to the coffee shop where I order my regular caramel latte and take a seat by the window. I type out some notes on my phone. We could do a bake sale, a costume contest, a garage sale event.
I paste my notes into a text and send them to Garrett.
Me: Ideas for the charity event. Let me know what you think.
I’m surprised when he messages back right away.
Garrett: Want to meet and discuss them?
I start to type and delete it, then start again, and delete it.
Garrett: You look flustered.
I pop my head up and look around, my eyes locking on Garrett who is in a chair in the far corner of the café. I don’t know how I missed him when I came in here.
I give him a small smile and he gets up, walking over to me with a cup of coffee in his hand.
“Mind if I join you?” he asks, motioning to the chair across from me. “I decided I needed a second cup this morning.” He holds up his coffee cup.
