The Neighbor - Don't Hate Me

“I think I have a girlfriend,” I said. I wanted to smack myself, but Lily just stared at me. She blinked twice before smiling.

“Oooh! Daddy has a girlfriend!” Lily sang. “I learned a song at school. What’s her name?”

“Hope,” I said.

“Pretty name,” Lily said. “It goes like this. Daddy and Hope, sitting in a tree. K-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love, then comes marriage. Then comes Hope with a baby carriage!”

Lily burst out laughing.

“I like it all except for the baby carriage part,” I said with a laugh. “Want to meet her?”

Lily’s head bobbed wildly. “I’ll show her my dolls and my coloring books. I bet she’ll like my video games. Does she like cartoons?”

“I think so,” I said. “Who doesn’t?”

“Is she pretty?” Lily asked.

I narrowed my eyes. “Does it matter?”

“No, I was just wondering.”

“Well, if you must know, she is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” I said.

“Okay,” Lily said, looking a bit sad.

“So, you two will have a lot in common since you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen,” I said.

Lily brightened. She finished her breakfast and went back into the living room. She turned on the TV and became a zombie. I kind of understood because I sat there staring out of the window at Hope’s house, feeling a bit like a zombie myself.

A glimpse of her was all I wanted. But sadly, I didn’t get it… at least not until I stopped over after lunch.

10

Hope

I was so nervous, walking across the yard toward Max’s house. It was just so soon to be meeting his daughter. But really, if that was what it took to be with Max, I’d do it.

I’d never wanted to impress someone so much in my life. And also, I’ve never had to impress someone so young.

I sucked in a breath and straightened my shoulders before I knocked. The door opened almost instantly.

The young girl looked up at me, blinking repeatedly.

“Hello,” I said, giving her a big, kind smile.

She didn’t answer.

“Um, is your dad home?”

“Hey!” Max said, stepping up behind her. “Come in, come in. Lily, this is Hope.”

“Hi,” Lily said in a small voice.

Max looked really good all cleaned up and in jeans in a tight t-shirt, but I tried not to notice. He placed his hand on my back and practically pulled me inside.

“So glad you came,” Max said, closing the door behind me.

“Yeah, of course.” I beamed at him.

“Make yourself at home,” Max said. He patted Lily on the head. “Why don’t you show Hope the picture you drew for her.”

I widened my eyes. “I’d love to see it.”

“It’s in my room. Should I get it?”

“Yes, please!” I said.

“I could bring down my video games, too,” Lily said. “Do you like games?”

“Yeah, who doesn’t,” I replied.

Lily’s feet pounded the stairs as she excitedly ran away from us. The second she was out of sight, Max wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled my body against his.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

“You look so good,” I said.

“It was between this and my pajama pants,” Max lowered his voice. “But you saw those already.”

Lily came back and handed me a picture. “It’s a drawing of our house.”

“I see that,” I said. The drawing was really good. “There’s shading and lots of detail. I’m impressed.”

“I’m going to be an artist,” Lily said.

“You sure are,” I said.

Max clapped his hands. “Oh, Hope, I put in a call at the hospital, and I know it’s probably not a great option, but there are a few openings in reception. I could put in a good word for you.”

He started laughing.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked, smiling at his contagious chuckle.

“I don’t even know what kind of job you’re looking for,” he said.

“Oh, I’m desperate,” I said. “I’ll take anything at this point. I was a flight attendant.”

“Huh,” he said. “I don’t really see it.”

“Apparently, my boss didn’t either.”

Max laughed.

“I’m hungry,” Lily said. She’d turned on her video game and was already sucked into the game.

“Let’s eat,” Max said.

“What is it?” Lily asked, plopping down on the chair I assumed she always sat in.

“Spaghetti and meatballs,” Max said, raising a brow at me. “I know, you’re impressed, right?”

I shrugged. “Kind of. More advanced that my microwave meals.”

Max gestured at the chair next to Lily’s. I sat down, looking over at Lily’s game.

“Lily,” Max said. “Put your game away at the dinner table.”

“Just a sec, dad.” She pushed the buttons wildly. “I just need to finish this level.”

“Lily,” he said in a lower, stern voice.

The little girl rolled her eyes but set down the device. She crossed her arms and pouted for several seconds before she looked at me.

“You’re really pretty,” she said. “Like one of my dolls.”

“Thank you,” I said. “You’re very pretty too.”

“Thank you,” she replied, letting her arms uncross.

The evening couldn’t have gone any better. Lily and I had become fast friends.