Page 4 of This Mate Thing

When there is a knock at my window, I jump and hit my hand on the steering wheel.

The first thing I notice are rolled up sleeves showing off strong, tattooed forearms, and I swallow hard.

The new neighbor.

I don't know what it is about him, but every time I see him, I want to run and hide.He makes my heart speed up, and I don't have time for any...complications.Plus, he looks like a thug and is too young for me, doesn't look to be a day over thirty.He's most likely hooking up with women every weekend.He has that look about him.Tough and strong and armed with a devilish smile.

I roll down the window since he's right outside my door, and I'd hit him if I opened it.

"Yes?"

He bends to peer in at us."Are you okay?"

The concern surprises me."Sure."

He narrows his eyes, and I notice he has a wrench in his right hand.

"You've been sitting in the car for several minutes."

When I don't reply, he looks over at Ira.

"Hi, kiddo."

Ira nods.

After an awkward silence, our neighbor grins.I know he's introduced himself a couple of times, but for some reason, I can't focus when he speaks.It goes in through one ear and out the other.

"How was your day?"

I open my mouth, then close it.I was not expecting him to ask."Eh...it was...erm...okay?"Shitty.So shitty.Fridays should be good days, but we'd all been called to a meeting where the management informed us of the economic situation--again--and said they'll have to start letting people go.I know I'll be one of the first they'll set free.I can feel it, and since I've never been willing to work extra shifts or stay longer in the evenings, I'm not a favorite in the office.I've told my boss time and time again I'm a single parent.I can't work late, I have to fetch my kid, but there is little understanding.

Fuck, I feel like throwing up.

The neighbor scrunches his nose."That bad, huh?"

What?I look between him and Ira.Did Ira say something?Nah, he seldom speaks and never to strangers.

My head throbs in rhythm to the music blaring from his garage, and I flinch.

His eyes widen, then he grins."Aww, do you know what you need?"

"Sleep."

He pulls a face."Yeah, maybe, but first you need food."

I know I'm staring at him, but I can't help myself.

"Come over to my place in thirty minutes, and I'll feed you."

I finally snap out of it."Oh no, you don't have to...We're fine.We'll get something."

"Are you trying to break my heart?"He thumps the wrench against his chest, and I wince, then wince again because the motion has my head near exploding.

"Thirty minutes."He knocks the wrench gently against the window frame.If he hadn't looked so damn happy, I'd believed he was threatening me.

"Okay, thirty minutes."I should go inside and pop a pill for my poor head.

"Great!"He walks away, but right as I'm about to roll the window up, he's back again."No allergies?"