Page 22

“Not that I’ve noticed. Look, I can see how upsetting it is to lose sleep, and to worry about your daughter losing sleep, but…” He sighs. “I won’t get into any details with you, but I spoke with her dad when she applied for the place. He says she’s going through a rough time, dealing with some mental health concerns. Maybe the music is helping clear her mind, you know?”

Of course he’s going to be patient and understanding when it comes to mental health concerns. He deals with it very closely every day.

I feel selfish for saying it’s not fair, but it isn’t. Why do I have to suffer in order for someone else to feel better? Not that I am at all convinced that this particular thing is helping her in any way.

“It’s not a mind clearing volume, Tim!” I yell. “My bed shakes like it’s possessed by a demon, which doesn’t even seem like the biggest stretch because she plays the mostaggressivesongs.” Never mind that I like aggressive songs at the right time of day.

Well, maybe not anymore. She might have ruined heavy metal for me.

“I get that, but I don’t want to trouble her when she’s just moved in. She’s probably still getting settled. You get that, right? If it continues over the next couple weeks, I’ll say something. How does that sound? Can you last that long?”

No.

“I really thought you were going to take my side here. I thought we had something special,” I whine.

He laughs heartily, causing me to smile for the first time since walking into his office.

“Tell you what, I’ll knock a couple hundred off of your rent next month for the inconvenience.”

My jaw drops.

“I’m not going to let you do that. You do so much to help us already.”

“Try and stop me,” he says with a wink. “I am really sorry, dear. We’ll figure it out, just give it some time.”

“I guess I have to.” I gesture towards the door. “I’ve got to go get ready for work.”

“Have a good one today. Oh, and I’ve been meaning to ask what you used for the pumpkin bread you gave us for Christmas. The wife hasn’t shut up about it since.”

I beam, relieved to change the subject onto something that makes me so happy.

“I can jot down the recipe, that’s an easy one. You’ll have to let me know how it goes,” I tell him.

“Of course. I’ll even bring you some.”

He says he’ll be the one to bring it, because Tricia doesn’t leave the house. From what I’ve heard, it’s been years since she’s stepped outside. I’m happy to help keep her occupied with a little recipe, and having a conversation through Tim. For a long time, I’d hoped a miracle would happen and allow me to meet her, but now I realize that’s not how this goes. Not everyone can be changed, especially the ones that are content with their circumstances. Tricia is content, and I do what I can to make her even more so. Everyone needs friends.

“I’ll give her my zucchini bread recipe, too. I’m telling you: so easy” I stand from my seat. “Let her know I said hello, and I’ll have those for you sometime this week.”

8

Ishouldn’t have to give my young child melatonin in order for her to sleep. It’s cruel of you to think I should just so you can carry on with your noise pollution.

I quickly run out the front door so I can tape the note up before Dahlia comes out behind me and asks what I’m doing. I barely have time to step away before she appears in the doorway, ready to go.

“Did you want to bring your backpack?” I ask her before I move to pull our front door closed.

She goes through phases, gets attached to certain objects, and lately it’s been a little purple backpack purse that she picked out at the mall.

“My backpack!” she yells, flabbergasted that she could’ve possibly forgotten it.

“Go grab it, bug. I’m not going to leave without you.” I give her a reassuring smile, and she rushes past me to retrieve it.

I listen as she talks to herself, trying to pinpoint the location she last saw it. Toys are thrown around, that much is also obvious. That’ll be a fun group effort to clean up later.

She announces when she finds it, running back out to me with the most victorious grin on her face, and holding the straps up in one hand.

“Do you have everything you need now?” I ask.