Page 68 of Just Neighbors

Chloe came in with the kill shot.

Trey struggles for a response. “I … I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Yes, you did,” she says within seconds.

He looks at us, embarrassed. “It’s hard here.” He shakes his head. “Forget it. Remind me not to talk about my girl problems with you.”

“You can bring up your girl problems with me anytime,” Chloe says. “I’d prefer it, so you don’t make decisions like that again.”

“Or ask me,” I add. “I happen to be very educated on the ladies.”

Chloe elbows me. “He is not very educated on the ladies, hence why he’s still single.” Her eyes focus on Trey. “Don’t be an asshole to her, you hear me? I will make it my mission to check up with her regularly to make sure you’re not.”

“I understand,” Trey says. “I know it’s wrong. I’ll talk to her tomorrow and apologize.”

Chloe leans forward to remove Gloria’s earmuffs.

Dinner has taken a sad turn. I frown. Chloe’s reaction hit a chord. A thickness forms in my throat for not treating her better or for not sticking up for her, so she wouldn’t feel likethat girl.

“Now that that’s over, let’s change the subject to rainbows and butterflies, okay?” Chloe says, her mood turning the opposite in seconds. She grins at Gloria and starts coloring with her again.

We order our food. I talk football with Trey while Chloe and Gloria color until our pizza comes. Pepperoni, no anchovies.

The mood lightens as we eat. Gloria talks about how much she loves her preschool teacher and how her class loved the pink boots Chloe had gotten her. Trey talks about his grades and how he aced his last few tests.

They’re good kids.

Good kids limited on opportunity because of their background.

And that fucking sucks.

Being a police officer has matured me and opened my eyes to how others aren’t born into privileged lives like I was. I see these kids who go without. If it looks like they need food, I’ll buy them something at the diner, or I’ll slip them some candy. But I’ve never heard their stories like this.

This dinner has enlightened me.

* * *

Trey slamsmy Jeep door shut at the same time I get out, and we walk over to Chloe’s house from my drive. He asked to ride with me after pizza. It’s unfortunate the people in this town label kids like him as delinquents without knowing their stories. Trey isn’t trouble. He’s a kid who needs direction and a good role model, and I’m up for helping anyone I can.

“Dude,” he says next to me. He’s a teenager and already nearly six feet tall. “You’d better be coming over and hanging out with us tonight.”

We walk up the porch steps where Chloe is jamming her key into the front door lock while Gloria stands next to her, holding a doll sporting ratty hair.

“I’m not sure about that, buddy,” I answer. I have no problem with coming over uninvited when it’s just Chloe home but not when the kids are over.

“Come on,” Trey argues with a face full of determination. “I have the best Netflix watch list. Plus, it’s not like you old folks have anything better to do on a Friday night. You’re going to go home, get rid of the corns on your feet, and then clean your dentures.”

Trey is a little smart-ass.

He reminds me of myself at his age.

Chloe helps Gloria inside the house and starts flipping on lights when we walk in. “Hey now,” she calls out to Trey, “we are not that old.”

“You two are freaking ancient,” Trey continues before glancing at me. “There’s no way you’re going to bed this early.”

I peer over at Chloe and wait for her permission. Yes, fucking wait for her permission like I’m the same age as Trey.

“Yes, Kyle, you don’t want them to think we’retoo old,” she replies in a playful tone. “Let’s show these youngins that we can totally hang.”

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