Chapter 14: Neighbors Never Tell

“Mrs. Reynolds, he likes me, and his friends like me, and you’re right about the shirt, his friends loved it, and commented on it, and he smiled when they did, and they’re much older than me. We went to a pub where they had two bands, one was some sort of thrash metal band that I kinda liked but didn’t understand, and the second was a rapper, who I didn’t like as much, but I understood his lyrics. They were math-based and totally smart and witty, like his friends. And he invited back to his place, but he lives with three other guys, two that are here at the pub, but while they seem nice enough, and safe, I just, you know, don’t feel comfortable with, not alone anyway, and you said I could, we could, use to your place, and well, I hope you get this message, because we’re coming by,” I said into the phone while I held my hand to my other ear so I could hear myself. The band played a calm, soft rhythm while the rapper sang about Fibonacci sequences and love.

“And?” he asked with a gleam in his eye, like he knew what I really called about, but would never say, or hint, because gentlemen never kiss and tell, or hint at those sorts of things. I couldn’t believe how awesome the night went, or how awesome he acted, or how awesome he looked, and how awesome I felt at that moment.

“I need to check on her, but could you help? Cause, you know, you’re a medical expert and all,” I said and sipped my beer, which I liked, in this pub, with this music, with him, and his buddies and their girlfriends, and the smell of stale beer and peanuts, the sweat of the people who worked for a living, and a bit of leather and jeans. I had worn the right outfit, how did Mrs. Reynolds know?

“Sure, I’d do that for you,” he said, then put his hand on my lower back and guided me out of the pub. His friends waved. One, his roommate, blew a kiss, which made my cheeks heat up. I liked them. So much fun.

The bouncer stopped us before we could leave. A massive guy with a round face, stubble, and arms that stretched his shirt, but I bet Polly could totally beat him up. I wondered if they hired him for his menacing looks or because he could actually bounce people.

“No alcohol outside,” the bouncer said and pointed to the half-drunk beer that I held in my left hand. I nodded and handed it to him. He smiled, drank it, and placed the empty glass on the round table beside him.