She gives an exasperated splutter. “It’s true,” she insists, then her eyes tense. “Just…whatever you do, don’t make her mad again, ‘kay?”
“I’ll give it my best,” I say, though a part of me will always enjoy pushing her buttons. Especially the ones that turn her into a needy, desperate mess. “How about you come show me your routine while I finish cookingdinner?”
“If you got married, do you think you’d have more kids?”
“Greta,” I scold while a shock wave overtakes me. Married? Babies? Meg with a baby belly? The idea of it should not get my heart thumping into my throat.
Greta crosses her arms. “I have a right to know.”
“We might disagree on that.”
With a groan, she lets me pull her to her feet.
That night, after Greta’s asleep, I check my phone, but there’s no notification from Meg. I break my vow to stay off the news and google “Leap Airlines” and “crash” then wish I didn’t. But at least I eliminate her plane going down in the Alaska wilderness from the list of possibilities.
I think about sending her a message.
WORLD’S WORST NEIGHBOR:
I type and erase:
Greta was bummed you didn’t call
How was your day?
I can’t stop thinking about you
How do you feel about tacos?
The sunset tonight had all your favorite colors
Bill Withers’ “Aint No Sunshine” drifts through my thoughts. Is that why it feels so gloomy when she’s not here? Because she’s the light, and when she’s not around, I’m trapped in darkness?
I type out a few more:
Do you ever get airsick?
There’s a meteor shower next weekend I want you to see
Kody misses you
Let me know you’re okay
…but erase each one.
Nothing looks right on the screen.
What’s the protocol for texting a woman you’re not even dating but can’t stop thinking about? A woman so far out of your league who deserves so much more than what you can give her yet you’re a selfish bastard and you want her anyway?
WORLD’S WORST NEIGHBOR:
Hey
I hit send.
Then I barely restrain myself from chucking my phone against the wall. I’m a fucking moron.
The next morning, I make Greta her favorite egg scramble. She’s been in the bathroom for an hour and comes down wearing makeup, her hair in soft curls, partially pinned back with a giant, royal blue bow.
