Page 14 of Doctor Neighbor

I follow Liesle into her kitchen, the sound of little feet thundering up the stairs fading as Maddie and Anna disappear to play.

"You look like you could use a drink," Liesle says, opening the fridge. "I've got sweet tea, lemonade, or I can make you an iced coffee?"

"Just water's fine, thanks. With lots of ice."

She nods, grabbing a glass and filling it with ice and water. We move to the living room, settling onto her plush couch. A bowl of pistachios sits on the coffee table, and I grab a handful.

"So, what’s up?” Liesle crosses her arms across her chest and leans back in her chair. "You've got that look."

I sigh, cracking open a pistachio. "You're not going to believe this. I've run into Buster Hankel three times in the last week."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "Buster? As in, ghosted-you-four-years-ago Buster?"

"The very same." I pop the nut into my mouth, chewing slowly. “It’s been almost five years now, not that I’m counting. It’s been... weird."

"I bet. Where'd you see him?"

I take a long sip of water, the ice clinking against the glass. "Well, the first time was at Alabama Adventure last Saturday. And let me tell you, that was a ridiculous day."

Liesle leans forward, her eyes widening. "Oh no, were you there when that guy fell?"

"Liesle! Oh, my God! I can't believe I haven't told you this yet. Not only was I there, I had his guts all over me. Ruined my favorite tank top."

"Shut up! How did you not call me immediately?!"

"It was honestly so awful. Maddie, of course, was with me. I was traumatized, and I had to keep my shit together so Madeline didn't lose hers. And then Star came over that night. And the punches just keep coming."

"Coles. I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine. Was it just the worst?"

I nod, feeling my stomach clench at the memory. "Yeah, it was... God, Liesle, it was awful. One minute, Madeline and I were excited about which ride we would do first. And, then the next, there's this horrible sound and..." I trail off, shuddering.

"That must have been terrifying," Liesle says softly, reaching out to squeeze my hand.

"It was. And then, out of nowhere, there's Buster. He tried to talk to me, but I just... I could barely process what had just happened, much less try to talk to him after nothing for years. I couldn't deal with it. Not then."

"I don't blame you. That's a lot to process without throwing in a blast from the past."

I nod, grabbing another pistachio. "Then I almost ran into him on the street a few days later. I was rushing to a meeting with the health inspector—don't even get me started on that mess—and there he was. I barely said two words."

"And the third time?"

"Just this morning, at our pool. I don't know what he was doing there, but he was walking around with his big Peter Pan smile, all wide-eyed, checking the place out. He must be there with someone that lives there, I guess. I don't know, I didn't ask."

Liesle's eyes widen. "No way. Well, you know, things happen in threes. It will probably be another four or five years before you see him again."

"I hope so," I mutter.

2:12 pm

I walk into my condo, the silence enveloping me like a cool blanket. The door clicks shut behind me, sealing off the outside world. I stand there for a moment, letting the quiet seep into my bones.

With a heavy sigh, I drop my keys on the side table and kick off my shoes. My feet sink into the plush carpet as I reach the sofa. I collapse onto it, my body melting into the soft cushions.

The emptiness of the condo wraps around me. No cartoons blaring from the TV. No little voice asking for a snack. No toys scattered across the floor. Just... nothing.

I close my eyes, letting my head fall back against the couch. The nothingness fills me, a strange mix of relief and loneliness. It's been so long since I've had a moment like this—no demands, no responsibilities, no one needing anything from me.

My breath slows, matching the quiet rhythm of the room. The tension in my shoulders begins to unwind, knots loosening that I didn't even realize were there. In this stillness, my mind starts to empty, and the constant chatter of thoughts and worries fade into the background.

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