I trudged down the hallway toward my door and noticed someone sitting in front of it. The closer I got, the more familiar that person became, though in an unfamiliar way. Parker sat with his back against the door, phone in his lap, dozing. He wore shorts and a Polo shirt, very different from his professional look,which was the only way I’d really seen him be other than casual day or the time he wore jeans when he took me out. It was sweet, his waiting for me to get home.
I sighed and crouched next to him, debating how I should wake him. If I opened the door, he’d likely fall over, so no matter whether I wanted to talk to him or not, I had to wake him. I glanced at his watch and noticed the time read after eight p.m. I wondered how long he’d been waiting on me. I left that message late Friday night, then missed a call from him. He called again Saturday morning, but I was on the phone with the insurance company. It wasn’t long after that when my phone died.
I brushed his hand gently, but he didn’t stir. I felt bad waking him from his nap, but he had obviously been wanting to speak with me or he wouldn’t be waiting at my door. So I rubbed his arm until he stirred. He looked up at me in shock, then blinked his eyes and rubbed them a few times before fully waking.
“Haley?”
“Hey. I’m home.” I squeezed his elbow but remained crouching next to him as he pulled himself out of his drowsy state. “You look uncomfortable. Why don’t you come in and we can sit on the couch?”
“Listen, you two. I’ve complained to the landlord about the noise in this hallway.” Mrs. Wilson stood in her open doorway holding her dog. I hadn’t even heard the door open. “It’s very disrupting.”
“Martha, please. We’re practically whispering. Stop being a busybody. If the landlord thought this were a serious complaint, he’d have come told me by now.” I stood and backed up so Parker could get up.
“Well…” she huffed. “I never.”
I wanted to snap at her because I was tired, but I realized she was just an old lady who needed attention. “Thank you for watching out for me and making sure I’m safe.” I acknowledgedher need for validation. She literally watched the hallway like she was on the Neighborhood Watch committee. “I hope you rest well tonight.”
She sighed and her expression softened a bit. It was amazing how just a little kindness would go a long way. I’d gotten to know her so well over the years and I knew she, like everyone else in this world, just wanted to be recognized and loved. Parker brushed his pants off and I unlocked the door, looking back over my shoulder at Mrs. Wilson as Parker entered my apartment.
“You’re welcome, dear. I just worry about you sometimes. Are you sure that guy is safe?” She bounced her dog like he was a baby.
“Yeah, he’s my boyfriend.” I smiled at her. “I’ll bring you some cookies tomorrow or something and tell you all about it.” That would feed her need for gossip, and it brought a smirk to her lips.
“Goodnight, dear.”
With a wave, I entered my apartment and shut the door. If I moved to LA, I’d miss things like this—the little intricacies of life where you’ve settled in and built a community. Like Dodson down the hall. I didn’t know his first name, but I knew he drove a muscle car and that he loved pizza every Monday evening at four p.m. on the dot. And Pam who always did her laundry at seven in the morning on Wednesdays because it was when the laundromat in the building was empty. I didn’t want to leave all this behind.
I dropped my key on the table and scanned the room, seeing Parker seated on the arm of the couch watching me. He looked tired and sad. “I’m sorry. I stayed with my dad for the weekend and my phone died.”
“Well, that explains a lot.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.”
“I said I’m sorry.” I didn’t know if he was upset or if his curt tone was just because he only woke up a few minutes ago.
“That’s what I love about you, Haley.”
I shed my light jacket and tossed it across the back of a chair.
“What’s that?” After kicking my shoes off, I walked to the fridge to grab a beer for each of us, and Parker followed me.
“That you are so kind, even to people who don’t really deserve it.” He leaned on the counter, sleep still heavy in his eyes.
“Well, kindness goes a long way.” I grabbed two beers out of the fridge and opened them, then handed one to him. “You should try it.”
Instead of grabbing the beer, he grabbed my wrist. He pulled me into his chest and held me, and I nearly broke down. Feeling his arms around me was like warmth on a cold winter day—soothing and comforting. I missed him so much.
“I’m sorry, Haley. I’m sorry for being short with you and for not opening up and telling you how I was feeling about things. I am sorry I wrecked the trip and was in a foul mood with you all week. I love you. And I’m an idiot.”
“No excuses? No explanation?” I asked the questions in a calm tone. I didn’t want him to feel cornered and lash out at me.
“No. That’s not how an apology goes. I was wrong, and I admit that. Please forgive me.”
I pushed away from him and looked up at his face, handing him a beer. He had to know about the opportunity at Global. I’d deduced that much. I didn’t want to open a raw wound, so I told him about the car instead, which made him angry anyway.
“I can’t believe people would be so stupid. So the insurance is going to fix it?” He chugged the beer and set the bottle on the counter before we even moved out of the living room.
“Yeah, I have to pay a five-hundred-dollar deductible, but they will have it entirely resprayed for me. Just a pain in the butt.I have a rental in the meantime.” I sat on the couch, and he sat next to me.
Parker rubbed his face with both hands and angled his body to face me. “It makes me livid that people would involve you in this.”
