Other Side of the Wall

by Jennifer Peel

  As soon as my kitchen sparkled, I grabbed the movie and began to walk upstairs. I would just watch it in my room on my bed, alone. I made it half way up the stairs when my doorbell rang. Begrudgingly, I made the descent and went to answer it. I opened the door and there stood Scott in running shorts and a t-shirt.

  “Scott?”

  He didn’t wait for an invitation he just walked right in and took me up in his arms and the movie dropped to the floor. “I am a friggin’ moron,” he said.

  I couldn’t agree more, but now didn’t seem like the time to express that.

  He leaned down and brushed my lips gently with his own. Then he rested his forehead against mine. “Ava, I’m trying.”

  I placed my hands against his cheeks. “I know,” I whispered.

  He kissed me tenderly once more, and I moved my hands up and through his hair as he kissed me deeper and with more intensity. It was as amazing as I remembered, maybe even more so now that I had deeper feelings for him.

  “I’ve been wanting do that for months,” he said as the kissed slowed and we moved apart.

  I smiled. “I wouldn’t have stopped you.”

  He led me to the couch and held me tight. This is what I had been hoping for.

  “Ava, yesterday would have been my third wedding anniversary,” he said after several minutes of just holding onto one another.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “Because I felt guilty for the way I’ve been treating you. Guilty for the way I feel about you. It was my anniversary, and yet, there I sat missing and wanting you.”

  As happy as I was to hear he was missing me, I hated to think he was feeling guilty over his feelings for me.

  I sat up to look at him. I stroked his face with my finger. “Scott, I know this may sound self-motivated, but it’s ok to start to move on.” I pulled up his left hand and weaved my hand through it. “Just because you took off your ring doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten her or that you don’t love her. You’re still young and quite attractive.” I winked at him, and he smiled. “Do you really think she would want you to stay alone for the rest of your life?”

  He kissed my hand that he now held. “Honestly, maybe.”

  Why didn’t that surprise me? I tried to keep my disdain under check though. “Then the question is, what do you want?”

  He didn’t say anything. He just reached up and gently placed his hand behind my neck and pulled me toward him and kissed me softly.

  “I like that answer.”

  In response, he smiled and kissed me once more. I ended up with my head against his chest as he held me tight and stroked my hair. We sat holding on to each other in the beautiful silence. All I could hear was the beat of his heart, and it was perfect.

  He stayed for a couple more hours; we talked mostly about me. He had never really asked me about my relationship with Peter, but for some reason he was quite interested now. I told him how we met and how I found out about the affair. That was a little shocking to him, but I told him it was a blessing in disguise: not that I’m glad it happened, but had I not found out when I did, I would probably be a single mother and attached to Peter for the rest of my life. He asked if I regretted marrying Peter. Not long ago I would have said yes, absolutely, but if I hadn’t married him, I would have never moved to Chicago. And more and more, I found things I liked about this city, especially Scott. And I had to admit, I had grown a lot as a person being by myself in this big city. In the end, I just told Scott that through it all, I was happy I met him. I hoped he understood what that meant. For some reason, after our conversation, Scott told me he thought I was amazing. I didn’t know if surviving divorce made you amazing, but I accepted the compliment from him.

  Before he left, he gave me a long, slow goodnight kiss. The kind that makes you want to sigh and start the night from the beginning, just so you can replay it.

  “Goodnight beautiful,” he said as he walked out my door.

  It was a much better ending than the first one of the evening.

  Sunday dawned, and I felt fabulous. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep and a make-out session can do for one’s spirits. The day only got better from there. Scott and I enjoyed a picnic in the park and a walk around the lake, hand in hand. I loved that he could name every plant and creature we came across and could tell me at least ten facts about each one. I never tired of getting a peak into his mind. I don’t even think he realized how smart he really was.

  As we walked home, he carried the basket in one hand and held my hand with the other. He seemed more settled today; we were on the up part of the yo-yo, but I knew not to get too comfortable there, at least not yet. I knew he was still grieving and dealing with conflicting emotions, and I was part of that conflict. But I was going to enjoy it while it lasted and employ patience when it dropped again.

  He walked me up to my door and kissed me and then grinned. “What do you think our other neighbors think?”

  I laughed. “I don’t know, I guess I hadn’t thought about it. What do you think?”

  He pulled me closer. “I know what the men are thinking.”

  “And what’s that?”

  He leaned down and just hovered over my lips. I could smell his peppermint on his breath and it was driving me crazy. “They’re wishing they were me right now.”

  “Well sure, who wouldn’t want to be just like you?”

  He laughed. “You know what I mean, Ava.”

  “I know. I think it’s just so sweet you think all the men on our block want to kiss me.”

  He gave me his look. I just wickedly grinned at him and pulled him down for one more kiss before I went inside to get ready to go to his parent’s house for dinner. I put on a straight brown and cream patterned skirt that barely went above the knee with a cream tank top and cute cropped jean jacket. I paired my outfit with some leather flats. The sun today had my skin glowing, so I just added some lip gloss. I still had some roses blooming, so I made a bouquet for his mom and placed it in one of my many vases. I seriously needed to start giving them away.

  Scott came back by at five looking very handsome in khaki shorts and a button up shirt. When he saw the flowers for his mom, he shook his head. “Seriously, Ava, I think you’re in. I don’t think you need to bring my mother flowers.”

  “Fine, then you can say they’re from you. You obviously need the help.”

  He grinned and took the flowers from my hand and set them on the counter. He wrapped his arms around my waist. “How about this, we just stay here.”

  I kissed him, and he responded enthusiastically. I could get used to this Scott.

  I looked up to his obviously hungry eyes. “So tempting, but I plan on staying on your mom’s good side.”

  He kissed me again. “Are you sure?”

  “Is there some reason you don’t want to go?”

  “Well, for starters, I don’t think this would be appropriate at my parents.” He kissed me softly on the lips. Then he worked his way down to my neck. “Or this,” he added.

  I grabbed his face and held on, because seriously, he was going to drive me to say let’s stay. I looked into those beautiful eyes of his. “Seriously, why don’t you want to go?”

  “You don’t think those are good enough reasons?” he countered.

  I just smiled. Of course I did, but I felt there was something else there.

  “Ava, my relationship with my family has been strained over the last few years because of Jenna. They never really got along. And honestly, it’s hard for me to see them take to you so naturally and quickly.”

  I dropped my hands. “Oh. Well, we better get going or we’re going to be late.”

  I turned to grab the flowers and my purse.

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me back. “Ava, that came out wrong, this isn’t about you.” He tipped my chin up. “Please look at me. Ava, it’s not a surprise my family likes you so much, you’re incredibly beautiful and warm. I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t want to
be around you.”

  “I could introduce you to my ex’s family.”

  He just ignored my comment. “Ava, I meant what I said. I’m happy my family likes you. There are just some unresolved issues.” He reached up and briefly rested his hand on my cheek. “Come here.” He pulled me into a big hug. “Just promise me we can come back here afterward and resume where we left off.”

  “Deal.”

  He let me go. “Ok, you better give me those flowers, because I probably could use the help.” I gladly handed them over and then we made our way to his car and drove over to his parents’ home.

  They lived in a nice older neighborhood. It was the same house Scott grew up in, a brick rambler-style home. The lawn was well taken care of and there were large maple trees out front that were just beginning to change color. From the looks of it, his mom was a huge fan of Halloween; she already had the porch decorated even though we were barely in mid-September. I thought it was great. Scott just shook his head.

  Scott opened the door for me, and we just walked right in. His mom came right out and hugged me. When she he turned to her son, I recognized the tension. I hadn’t noticed it last week, I guess, because for one, I never had tension with my own parents, and two, at the time I thought they all loved Jenna as much as Scott. He handed her the flowers, and she got a little misty-eyed.

  “Oh, Scotty,” she said.

  I winked at him. I was glad he gave her the flowers. I think it meant more coming from him.

  “Thank you,” he mouthed while Myrna’s back was turned to me.

  His dad and brother came out next. His dad shook my hand, but Nick, like his mother, gave me a big hug. “So have you given any more thought to dating younger men, Ava?”

  I looked over at Scott. “I think I’ll stay with the older ones … for now.” I winked at Scott.

  He smiled.

  Nick looked his older brother over. “Please don’t tell me you mean him. Ava, you’re way too good looking and classy for that loser.”

  Scott came over and territorially put his arms around me from behind. “Any more questions?”

  “Do you have a sister, Ava?”

  I laughed. “Sorry, just an older brother.”

  “Better luck next time, little brother,” Scott said.

  After all the greetings I asked Myrna if she needed any help. She still thought I was the most adorable creature for asking. Scott kissed me on the cheek before I left to help his mom in the kitchen. I think his mom almost burst at the site. I had mixed emotions about her reaction after the conversation Scott and I had before we left. Selfishly, I was happy, but I felt guilty. I knew what it was like to be disliked by your in-laws. I also had to fight the jealous feeling. Is it terrible to be jealous of a dead woman?

  When we got into the kitchen, Myrna finally did what I had been waiting for her to do. Well almost. She didn’t quite pinch my cheeks, but she smushed them pretty good with both of her hands. “Ava, sweetheart, you don’t know how happy you are making Jerry and me, seeing you together with Scotty. And I don’t ever remember Scotty bringing me flowers. Oh, you are such a good girl.”

  I pretty much just loved his mom.

  I made the salad while she finished up the sauce. We were having spaghetti and meatballs. His mom even made homemade French bread, and it smelled heavenly. She let me have a piece before we served it, and it was divine. I could just eat that for dinner and be happy. She told me this was Scott’s favorite meal growing up and she would give me the recipe. She treated me like I had wanted Piera to.

  We set the table and then Myrna called her boys all in. I could tell she was a proud momma. Scott pulled out my seat for me, making his mom proud once again, but she was less than thrilled with her husband’s inaction. “Jerry, you could take some pointers from your son.”

  “We’re already married,” he remarked.

  I tried to stifle my laugh and smile.

  “Some days I wonder why,” she said.

  Again, I felt like I was in a sitcom or movie. Somebody could probably follow his mom around and get the best material.

  The food was amazing, and I probably ate more than I should. It was fun to talk about my home. They were all interested, well maybe not Scott so much since he had been there, but they all wanted to know what it was like to grow up on the beach. It was fabulous, of course. But then the conversation took an awkward, out-of-the-way turn, at least for me. Maybe it was because I only had one brother and our parents were pretty prim-and-proper sort of people, at least when it came to certain subjects, but we never discussed sex at the dinner table before. That was for private conversations in my house growing up.

  “Maybe I should hit the beach during spring break next year, I hear there are lots of girls willing to…” Nick just threw it out there like it was no big deal.

  His Mother gave him such a look, and I admit, I was a little shocked too.

  “Nicky, we have company, and a lady at that. What’s wrong with you, talking like that?”

  “Ma, you’re so old fashioned. Everyone talks about sex now, no one waits anymore.”

  She smacked the back of his head. “Nicky, there are plenty of good girls out there; you just need to be a good boy.”

  It only got more uncomfortable from there.

  Nick looked my way. “Tell my ma, Ava, that no one waits, even good girls like you.”

  All eyes were on me, except Scott’s. His were aimed at his brother. “Nick what’s wrong with you talking to Ava like that?”

  His mom smacked him again.

  Scott sincerely looked back at me. “Sorry, Ava.”

  “It’s ok,” I said sweetly to Scott, but I turned my attention back to his brother. “And just for your information, Nick,” I said defiantly. “I did wait until I was married, and I will wait until I’m married again.”

  I immediately looked over to Scott, expecting to see a look of horror or disappointment. I had seen it before from other men. Surprisingly, not from Peter, but plenty before him. Scott’s look confused me. I couldn’t tell how he felt about this revelation, but I would have to find out later because the table erupted. Myrna was overjoyed; I had just become her favorite person. Nick was in shock, and Jerry was trying to change the subject.

  I just sat there and ate more bread, wondering if that was a deal breaker with Scott and wondering if anyone would notice if I crawled under the table and died. I mean, I wasn’t embarrassed about my views on sex and marriage, but I never publicly announced them. I wasn’t even sure why I had, but I hated when guys thought all girls were “easy.” And I guess I had seen enough as a nurse to steer me away from casual sex. Then there was the whole matter that my husband had a baby with someone other than me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of sex, but just inside of marriage.

  Once things calmed down, Jerry and Myrna profusely apologized, and they made Nick do the same, but now Nick was looking at me like I was some kind of freak show. Scott comfortingly took my hand under the table and held it. I think he was embarrassed too.

  I was grateful when the conversation turned to football. I knew football, and it had nothing to do with sex, at least I hoped so at the Langston house. When dinner was done, Scott offered to do the dishes, and I offered to help him. His mom tried to refuse, but we were persistent.

  As soon as we were alone in the kitchen, Scott apologized again. “Ava, I’m really sorry, my brother has no filter.”

  “Really, it’s ok. I should have just ignored him. But now that you know, are you ready to run away screaming?” I asked hesitantly.

  He started laughing as he drew closer to me near the sink. He put his arms around me and gently kissed me once. “Ava, I’m not surprised at all.”

  “Really? Why?”

  He smiled like he knew a secret. “Well, besides the whole innocent aura you have going for you, when I kiss you, I can tell you’re holding part of yourself back.”

  “And you’re ok with that.”

  He kissed me tenderly bef
ore responding. “Ava, it’s who you are and I wouldn’t change you for anything. And honestly, I enjoy knowing there’s more of you to discover.”

  For someone that had a tendency to be blunt and not smooth, he sure knew the right thing to say just then.

  “Have I ever told you how much I like you?”

  He smiled. “How much do you like me?”

  I looked up into his smiling eyes. “Like top five people of all time, at least.”

  “I’ve only made the top five?”

  I kissed him quickly on the cheek. “I have a feeling you could be moving up very quickly.”

  He hugged me tight in response. “We better get these dishes done before my mom comes in here.”

  But before he let me go, Nick came barging in and saw the two of us. “I see you’re doing more than dishes, Scotty.”

  “Watch your mouth, Nick,” Scott spewed back.

  Nick looked at me, still in Scott’s arms. “Listen, Ava, I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”

  “All is forgiven.”

  “Thanks, Ava.”

  “Don’t mention it. And I mean, like ever.”

  I think he got the point. Scott smirked at his brother and he left.

  We finally got down to actually cleaning the kitchen. I rinsed off the dishes and Scott filled the dishwasher. I hand washed the larger pots and pans and Scott dried. In the midst of my washing I couldn’t help but accidentally, on purpose, spray Scott with water. After the shock wore off, he looked at me with wide eyes. “I think you did that on purpose.”

  “I did warn you when you threw popcorn at me.”

  He laughed and grabbed the hose from me and tried to douse me.

  I screamed a little as a full blast hit me. “Now it’s war.”

  “Ava, you don’t scare me.”

  That did it. I flung a huge amount of soapy water at him and hit him squarely in the face. As he spluttered, I got as far away as possible all while laughing hysterically. As he came after me, his mom came in and looked at the both of us. I thought she would be upset at the mess we had made. I typically didn’t have water fights in other people’s homes where I was a guest. Instead, she looked at us both laughing, and she just smiled and walked right back out. We looked at each other, smiled, and called a truce.