“You’ll laugh.”
“I pinky promise not to laugh.” I hold my pinky out. “Do you trust me, Maggie?”
“I want to.” Hooking her pinky with mine she offers me a weak smile, but still it’s a smile. “Cops, anyone of authority really make me nervous. I always get this guilty feeling when I see a cop car like I did something wrong.”
“You been shoplifting,” I crack at her trying to ease the tension as I get back on the road.
Her eyes roll. “See. I told you that you’d find it funny.”
“I’m sorry. Okay. I like you. I just need to fix whatever it was that went wrong between us.”
Her eyes meet mine full of sadness. “It’s not you. The last guy I dated wasn’t good for me. I’m not in a good place to be dating. Anyway, I came here to the Cove, so I could write.”
“You’re a writer?”
“I want to be.”
“That’s great.” We arrive at our unit and I help her carry her bags in.
“You don’t think its dumb?”
“What? That you want to pursue writing?” She nods. “Not at all. I think everyone should go for their dreams, Maggie. I’d love to read something if you are inclined to share with me.”
“Oh no. I couldn’t. I haven’t written anything worth reading. Not yet.”
“I’m a patient guy, Maggie. I’ve got time. I’ll wait for you…until you’re ready. I’m not just talking about your writing just so we’re clear.” That earns me a real genuine smile from her. “There you are, pretty girl.” I tilt her chin up and place a single kiss on her lips. With those words and the brief kiss, I take my leave. I don’t want to push her, but I wanted her to know where I stand.
I grab a quick shower and gather up my dirty laundry and go around back to use the washroom. Maggie is in the backyard putting her clothes on the line. She hasn’t noticed me, but damn do I see her and the pair of black lace thongs she is holding up. My jaw ticks and I wish things had gone differently the night we had dinner. I sit my basket on the counter and ask her if she is done with the wash.
“Yeah. Go for it.”
I nod and get busy doing my own thing. When I get done loading the washer she’s already gone. I meant what I said about being patient. I don’t know what happened between Maggie and her ex but when she’s ready to open up to me about it I’ll be here.
Later in the night I’m lying on the couch watching this new show about a motorcycle club and eating popcorn when I hear what sounds like a knock coming from the door that connects my apartment to Maggie’s. The sound is faint but then it repeats.
I hope that’s Maggie knocking or else when I open this door, I am going to look like a real jackass standing here in only my boxer briefs. Placing my beer and the remote control to the TV on the coffee table, I get up. When I open the door, Maggie is on the other side looking like a scared cat.
I lean against the frame “You okay?”
“I thought I heard someone outside snooping around.”
“You afraid it could be this ex you mentioned?”
She nods taking a gulp of air. As scared as she is, I take pleasure in observing her reaction to my being practically naked as she rakes her gaze up and down my body. It gives me faith that there is hope for something to develop between us.
“It’s probably nothing but if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll investigate.”
“Th-thank you,” her timid voice cracks.
It pisses me off that she’s this afraid of the bastard. I’ve seen my fair share of domestic disputes to know that he has hurt her mentally and physically. He better not ever show his face around here. “Stay here,” I instruct.
“Be careful.”
Her concern for me is cute. “I’ll be fine. I’m a police officer, I’ve been trained for this,” I remind her. I grab my gun from my holster even though I doubt I will need it. I slip on a pair of my sneakers not bothering to get dressed. I doubt I will find anything at all.
Outside, armed with my Maglite and weapon, I inspect the property for any signs of an intruder. When I go to the trash bins on Maggie’s side of the unit I am met with the hiss of a ferocious opossum and her babies rooting through the garbage. They managed to get one of the lids off and are having a feast.
I go back in and give her the news that she has a bandit family of opossums stealing her garbage. Relief crosses her face, and I wrap her up in a bear hug, holding her head to my bare chest, rubbing soothing circles on her back. “You gonna be okay?”