Chapter 3

“So you’re telling me that the whole time she was in heat!?” Laughed Jill over the phone while I was headed home from work.

“Yeah. The cycle just ended a couple days ago.”

“Wow! You must have had a fun couple of weeks then!” I laughed.

“Yeah, but I was ready for it to be over. I need some time to recuperate!”

“I’ll bet, you old man!”

“Feels like it sometimes! Anyway, I just pulled in.”

“Alright. Have fun on your double date tonight!”

“It should be a good time. Get yourself a boyfriend and maybe we’ll go out with you sometime!” Jill laughed.

“Don’t you start with that! I get enough from mom! See ya later ya goof.”

“Later!” After hanging up I pulled up to the apartment complex, counting the blessings that had the dropping in my lap lately.

As I walked from the truck to the apartment door, our neighbor happened to be getting home too. He looked to be in his late twenties and had a chestnut coat on the equine portion of his body and hair to match. Ruth told me that she was pretty sure the him and his mate were getting ready to have kids ... or foals ... I wasn’t sure what the appropriate term was.

“Good afternoon,” he greeted as I was about to walk inside. I looked around to see if there was someone else he was talking to and he chuckled. “There’s no one else here.”

“Uhh ... hi,” I said dumbly. Other than Felicia, none of the neighbors had ever bothered to talk to me before! “What’s up?” I asked after somewhat regaining my composure.

“Not too much I guess,” he replied, seeming just as awkward as I felt. “Just getting back from a ‘weird food run’ for the mate.” He gestured to a couple of bags that were draped across his horse-like back.

“Ah, pregnancy cravings?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Yep. A big spinach salad with bananas, pickles, and mustard!”

“Yikes!” I exclaimed, wincing at the thought of the combination.

“Yeah, kinda gross! I’m Lucas, by the way.”

“I’m David.” After the introductions we just stood there awkwardly, but after a minute I figured I’d address the elephant in the room. “If you don’t mind me asking, I’ve kinda been shunned since moving in. How come you’re being nice all of a sudden?” He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand.

“Honestly, you’ve always seemed pretty alright to me. You wave when walking by, no matter how many times you’re ignored, but otherwise you’ve been quiet and kept to yourself.”

“Oh, thanks ... I guess. That’s just kinda how I’ve always been.” I could tell that there was something else so I waited to see if he was going to continue. My patience was rewarded.

“That and I figured you were probably going to be leaving soon, so I thought you might like to know that some people didn’t really mind you being around as much as they thought they would.” I furrowed my brow in confusion.

“What made you think I’m leaving?’”

“Oh!” He exclaimed, seemingly taken aback. “I just figured that since your roommate has finally taken a mate you would probably be moving out! It wasn’t hard to hear what was going on. Being in the room next to that had to be awkward!” I was confused for a moment, but when his words clicked my cheeks suddenly felt like they were on fire!

“Umm ... wait here for a second. I’ll be right back!” I hurried inside and shut the door.

“Hey sweetheart, are you in here?” I called out and the bedroom door opened. I grinned when I saw that Ruth was already dressed for the date and was wearing a simple blue dress that looked fantastic on her while maintaining her sense of modesty.

“Welcome home dear, is something the matter?” I decided it would be best to cut to the chase.

“Our neighbor is outside and apparently we weren’t exactly quiet while you were in heat ... so he heard us.” Ruth looked mortified. “He thinks you’ve been sneaking a bull in here, but I kinda want to set the record straight.”

“Yes, I agree...” she said quietly, pulling into herself in embarrassment.

“Do you want to do it with me? Or do you want to sit this one out? I understand if you do.”

“Given the circumstances, I ... I’d rather you took care of it this time ... if that’s alright.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I stepped outside and Lucas was still standing there, though he looked pretty confused. I decided to just bite the bullet and get it over with.

“There was never any bull here. Just me and Ruth,” I said quickly. I could practically see the gears turning and I hoped I wouldn’t have to spell it out completely for him.

“So ... are you telling me that you and her...?” He asked slowly.

“Yeah, that was us ... together. It’s a thing. We’re a thing. We spent thanksgiving together with my family and we’re going to see her dad next weekend.” He stammered for a moment before taking a breath to steady himself.

“Well, ok then. I didn’t see that coming ... good for you!” He said as he started laughing. I chuckled too, relieved at his open-mindedness.

“Well, I appreciate you not making a big deal about it.”

“Hey, whatever works, man! I’m kind of impressed that you could make her scream like that!” I couldn’t help laughing at the crass remark. “Anyway, I’ve got to get inside and make a disgusting salad!”

“Fair enough! See you later!” He held out his had for me to shake, and I took it with a wide grin and newfound mutual respect. A moment later he headed inside, and with one last chuckle, so did I.

When I got inside Ruth was on the couch, hugging herself as if trying to make herself smaller.

“Well, good news,” I announced. “He was surprised, but but wasn’t bothered by it at all.”

“That is good news...” Ruth replied quietly. I took off my boots and sat next to her.

“Hey, are you alright?” I asked as I started rubbing circles in her back.

“I’m just embarrassed to have been overheard.”

“Yeah, me too,” I said with a sigh.

“That was supposed to be just between us...”

“I know. That’s probably one of the biggest downsides to living in an apartment.”

“And who knows who else heard us!?” I sighed.

“Yeah, it’s embarrassing, but there isn’t really anything we can do about it now except to just move forward.”

“I know,” Ruth said quietly. I looked at the time.

“Anyway, I’ve got to get ready for our date.” I showed her the clock on my phone and she nodded. I kissed her forehead before going to the bathroom to take my shower.

After getting cleaned up and dressed I headed back out to the front room. Ruth was in her chair reading and didn’t look quite as upset as when I’d left.