The Neighbor Next Door

Janie’s face is shuttered, but at least she’s listening. So I continue. “But her parents came home and you can imagine what happened next. Even though the girl said she wanted it, her parents pressed charges and won. Luckily I had a clean record and got only three months in the slammer. I consider myself blessed in some small way, believe it or not.”

Janie doesn’t say anything, but just stands looking at me, her eyes still shuttered. The rain pours down those curves. “Please, Janie, come in out of the rain,” I begin, holding the door open to my own house. Woodenly, the beautiful brunette steps inside.

I close the door. The sudden silence after the crazy downpour outside is deafening. We both stand drenched in the hall, making pools of water on the tiles. I reach forward gently and wipe her hair out of her eyes. She lets me, which gives me hope.

“I’m not a rapist, Janie. I’d never hurt you, or anyone else.” I lower my hand to her face, caressing her wet cheek gently with the back of my fingers. She swallows hard, wrestling with the new knowledge she’s gained over the last couple of hours.

“You should have told me,” she says rigidly, looking up into my eyes, which I close in shame. “I had a right to know.”

“You’re right. I should have told you. And I tried to, last week, when we were lying on the couch but – I couldn’t – I was scared you’d think badly of me.”

Janie shakes her head, and takes a deep breath.

“I get it. Sort of. Because actually, I only turned eighteen myself a few months ago, so it could have been us. But the thing is, why didn’t you tell me from the beginning?” she pleads. “If you’d been honest upfront, this would have been so much easier.”

I nod, feeling like absolute shit.

“I know, sweetheart, and I’m so sorry. I understand if you never want to see me again.”

She takes a deep breath before tilting her chin.

“Well, I don’t think I want that,” she says in a slow voice. Hope springs anew in my chest.

“Do you mean it, sweetheart? Can you forgive me?” comes my low, desperate voice. She smiles a little, which starts a fire deep in my core.

“On one condition,” she says.

“Anything,” I answer, cupping my hand behind her neck, pulling her closer as she looks up at me.

“Never lie to me again, okay?” she asks, looking deep into my eyes. “I mean it Trent. This was a close call, and I’ve thought long and hard about what happened. You need to tell me these things as soon as they happen, otherwise it’s just not right. Do you hear?”

I close my eyes in reverence and open them again, looking deep into her caramel eyes.

“Yes, absolutely,” I say, and then pull her up and into my arms, kissing her like I’ve never kissed a woman before, sealing my promise and swearing to myself never to do anything to lose her again.

The kiss is interrupted by Janie’s sudden and violent shiver and I remember we’re both still drenched to the core.

“Oh my god, we’re both totally wet!” she exclaims through chattering teeth, looking down as if seeing our sodden forms for the first time. I grin.

“First things first, honey. You’re taking a nice hot shower upstairs,” I growl into her ear, sweeping her into my arms and ascending the steps. “I have some nice dry clothes you can put on. And then you can tell me what you’d like to do.”

I’m tempted to jump in the shower with the brunette because one glance at her soapy body makes me rock hard. But I tell myself there will be plenty of time for that. Because it’s a godsend that this beautiful, innocent young girl cares enough to give me a chance at redemption. I simply rub my body dry with a towel and throw on some dry clothes.

Janie steps out of the bathroom, showered and wearing an oversized plaid shirt that practically hangs to her knees. I can’t hide my smile. I want to see her like this more, clean and damp, her curvy form dressed in my clothes.

“You look beautiful,” I say softly. She blushes but then that expression goes serious.

“What now?” is her soft inquiry. I sigh. Because the hard part’s here.

“That’s up to you, baby,” I say. “She’s your mother. It has to be your decision. I’ll stand by anything you choose.” And as hope flutters in my chest, a look of determination comes over my beautiful girl’s face. Because Janie’s brave. Whereas I’m a coward, my gorgeous brunette has enough courage to face the lions … and I know she won’t let me down.

14

Janie

Trent holds a giant umbrella over my head as we walk from his driveway to Vivian’s house. I’ve always wanted to confront her with my real feelings. Because my mom loves me in her own way, yes. But she’s never accepted me for who I am. She’s never been supportive of my desire to cook for a living, nor my desire to approach life at my own pace.