Page 12 of Wandering Closer

Lily leads me into her house, and I can feel the change in it immediately. It has a warmth it never had when Gary lived here. Gary was a little rough around the edges, and it showed in the way he let this place fall apart. The smell of paint mixes with the outside air as I take in the open windows and walls lined with painter’s tape.

“I like the color choice,” I point at the deep green walls. It creates a seamless transition between living room and outdoors, sunlight warming the wooden floor, and the gentle sounds of nature a backdrop to the room’s comfort.

“Thanks, Michele helped me pick it out. Shadow kept me company while I painted today.” I don’t have to see her face to hear the smile there. She washes her hands at the kitchen sink before pulling ingredients from the fridge.

“I’m sure she slept the day away. Probably right in the middle of your couch,” I joke, seeing little black hairs on the middle cushion. “Do you mind if I wash up, then I can help?”

“Of course, bathroom is right there.” She points to the only door beside the small closet at the front. I take my time scrubbing my hands and arms and splash water on my face andhair. I am still sweaty and covered in sawdust, but somewhat less of a mess for her.

I flinch when something crashes next to me, almost pulling the towel off the wall. I debate ignoring it, but the thought of her slipping on spilled body wash stops me. Pulling back the shower curtain, I find a piece of a tile shattered in the tub. Peering over the shower walls, multiple cracked and missing tiles stand out. The shower head is slowly dripping water, and there’s mold forming on the wall behind the missing pieces.

“Hey Lily,” I say, stepping into the kitchen. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but a tile fell off your shower wall when I was in the bathroom.”

She stills, her back to me, as she faces the sink. “Sorry if it scared you. They’ve been doing that. It’s on the list to fix.” There’s a slight tremor in her voice.

Trying to ease her embarrassment, I cross my arms as I lean against the counter near her. “It happens with these old places. I had to gut my bathrooms, too. Can I help you with it?”

“Oh no, that’s not necessary. You already helped with the deck. I’ll get it sorted out soon.” Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes, but I drop the subject for now. I don’t want to push her too far. I enjoy spending time with her, she’s sweet and funny, beautiful and determined. She has this softness about her, a quiet reservation that makes me want to take care of her. To protect her from the harsh world we live in.

“Okay, then put me to work here.”

She passes over a cutting board and knife. “You can dice up the potatoes while I throw together a salad.” We work well together, aware of each other's movements in the small kitchen space. I try to focus on my task, and not the fact that she looks like she’s naked under that oversized shirt until it lifts up, showing off the tiny shorts below. My arm brushes hers as Ireach around her, and I swear I feel heat travel up and settle in my chest.

She pulls back slightly from me with a light smile. “I’ll season those and throw them in the oven then start the steaks. Would you like a beer or something?”

“Whatever you are having is great,” I say, taking a seat at her small table. I like that the space down here is open so I can watch her work, no matter where I go. I glance around the cabin again and notice there aren’t many personal effects. No framed photos on the wall, no kitschy knick knacks. I want to know more about her, where she came from, and where she wants to go. “What does your family think of you moving out here?”

She hands me a glass of red wine before moving back to the kitchen. “It’s just my parents and I. They moved to Florida a few years ago, so my moving here doesn’t affect them much.” Her voice raises a few octaves as her eyes shift around the kitchen.

“You really went as far from them as possible then, huh?” I joke to lighten the tension now around us. “They must be really proud of you, though, pursuing your passions.”

She tries to hide her grimace, but I see it all the same. “Not really. They had big ideas for my life. You know, getting the right degree, climbing the corporate ladder, marrying a wealthy man and having the 2.5 kids.” She flips the steaks, searing the other side. “I tried to follow their path, I got the degree they wanted for me even though creative writing was my favorite class. I worked at a large financial firm in Phoenix. I just wasn’t happy. It’s not what I wanted for my life. Not by a long shot.”

Her words hit me hard. I have the most supportive parents in the world that didn’t care what Riv and I did, as long as we were happy. Jen didn’t feel the same though, she wanted the exact life Lily’s parents wanted for her. Funny how they traded places like that.

“I’m sorry they feel that way. I’m glad that you decided to live your life for you though. I’ll be proud enough of you for both of them. Life is more than money and status. There’s a whole world filled with love and laughter, passion, and beauty. It’s a shame more people don’t make the effort to see it.”

She laughs but it lacks humor. “Thanks, Thoren. My mom especially will never see it that way. She’s from a strict Asian family, where success and status are demanded. I think it’s hard for her to break from that view.”

I have been curious what her nationality was. Her flawless olive skin and thick dark hair pairs perfectly with slightly pouty lips and dainty features. It’s her stunning blue eyes that really stand out and contrast with her darker features, rounding out her striking beauty.

“Can I ask where you got your blue eyes? They captivated me the moment you walked in the shop last week, and I’ve been drowning in them ever since.” I ask, hoping my words don’t freak her out.

I watch the pink in her cheeks turn a deep purple as she pulls the steaks from the pan and plates them. “My dad’s European, specifically from the Netherlands. Blonde hair, blue eyes, very fair skin. My eyes seem to be the only physical attribute I got from him.”

I get up to bring the salad bowl and utensils to the table while she checks on the potatoes. “Then he at least got that part right. You are beautiful, Lily.”

She gives me a shy smile, but quickly turns back to her task and plates the potatoes for us before bringing the plates over and sitting across from me. “So you know about my family now. Tell me about yours.”

I swallow my sip of wine and start cutting into the steak. “My parents are incredible. My mom really struggled to get pregnant, so she was thirty-four when she had River. They never expectedto be able to have another, so when I came along two years later, they were pleasantly surprised. They’ve treated us like life's greatest gifts ever since.” I groan as the flavors of the steak melt on my tongue when I take my first bite. I love a woman who can cook. “River’s been playing baseball professionally for five years now. He loves it, and although he’s only a few hours drive away, he’s so busy that we don’t get to see him as much as I would like. We’re still close though. We make an effort to chat weekly and stay caught up on each other’s lives. He said he’s happy to help answer any questions that I can’t.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” she puts her fork down, retrieving a paper from her fridge. “I wrote out a list of all the questions. If you want to bring it home in case there are any you need to ask him. I have my own copy so don’t worry if you lose it.” She sets it to the side of the table, face down. It’s a small gesture, but a big impact. She wants to be in this moment with me. “Michele said there’s some great local beer at the grocery store. If you tell me your favorite I can bring you a six pack this weekend and we can go through them?”

“Anything local is great.”

“Okay, does Saturday evening work for you?”

I know that I told her I would help her learn about baseball, and that’s why she is coming over. That doesn’t stop my pulse from racing at the thought of her wanting to see me again. I would love to spend an evening with Lily. It would be even better if she wanted to stay the night.

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