Other Side of the Wall (9 page)

We
set the table and then Myrna called her boys all in. I could tell she was a
proud momma. Scott pulled out my seat for me, making his mom proud once again,
but she was less than thrilled with her husband’s inaction. “Jerry, you could
take some pointers from your son.”

“We’re
already married,” he remarked.

I
tried to stifle my laugh and smile.

“Some
days I wonder why,” she said.

Again,
I felt like I was in a sitcom or movie. Somebody could probably follow his mom
around and get the best material.

The
food was amazing, and I probably ate more than I should. It was fun to talk
about my home. They were all interested, well maybe not Scott so much since he
had been there, but they all wanted to know what it was like to grow up on the
beach. It was fabulous, of course. But then the conversation took an awkward,
out-of-the-way turn, at least for me. Maybe it was because I only had one
brother and our parents were pretty prim-and-proper sort of people, at least
when it came to certain subjects, but we never discussed sex at the dinner
table before. That was for private conversations in my house growing up.

“Maybe
I should hit the beach during spring break next year, I hear there are lots of
girls willing to…” Nick just threw it out there like it was no big deal.

His
Mother gave him such a look, and I admit, I was a little shocked too.

“Nicky,
we have company, and a lady at that. What’s wrong with you, talking like that?”

“Ma,
you’re so old fashioned. Everyone talks about sex now, no one waits anymore.”

She
smacked the back of his head. “Nicky, there are plenty of good girls out there;
you just need to be a good boy.”

It
only got more uncomfortable from there.

Nick
looked my way. “Tell my ma, Ava, that no one waits, even good girls like you.”

All
eyes were on me, except Scott’s. His were aimed at his brother. “Nick what’s
wrong with you talking to Ava like that?”

His
mom smacked him again.

Scott
sincerely looked back at me. “Sorry, Ava.”

“It’s
ok,” I said sweetly to Scott, but I turned my attention back to his brother. “And
just for your information, Nick,” I said defiantly. “I did wait until I was
married, and I will wait until I’m married again.”

I
immediately looked over to Scott, expecting to see a look of horror or
disappointment. I had seen it before from other men. Surprisingly, not from Peter,
but plenty before him. Scott’s look confused me. I couldn’t tell how he felt
about this revelation, but I would have to find out later because the table
erupted. Myrna was overjoyed; I had just become her favorite person. Nick was
in shock, and Jerry was trying to change the subject.

I
just sat there and ate more bread, wondering if that was a deal breaker with
Scott and wondering if anyone would notice if I crawled under the table and
died. I mean, I wasn’t embarrassed about my views on sex and marriage, but I
never publicly announced them. I wasn’t even sure why I had, but I hated when
guys thought all girls were “easy.” And I guess I had seen enough as a nurse to
steer me away from casual sex. Then there was the whole matter that my husband
had a baby with someone other than me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of
sex, but just inside of marriage.

Once
things calmed down, Jerry and Myrna profusely apologized, and they made Nick do
the same, but now Nick was looking at me like I was some kind of freak show.
Scott comfortingly took my hand under the table and held it. I think he was
embarrassed too.

I
was grateful when the conversation turned to football. I knew football, and it
had nothing to do with sex, at least I hoped so at the Langston house. When
dinner was done, Scott offered to do the dishes, and I offered to help him. His
mom tried to refuse, but we were persistent.

As
soon as we were alone in the kitchen, Scott apologized again. “Ava, I’m really
sorry, my brother has no filter.”

“Really,
it’s ok. I should have just ignored him. But now that you know, are you ready
to run away screaming?” I asked hesitantly.

He
started laughing as he drew closer to me near the sink. He put his arms around
me and gently kissed me once. “Ava, I’m not surprised at all.”

“Really?
Why?”

He
smiled like he knew a secret. “Well, besides the whole innocent aura you have
going for you, when I kiss you, I can tell you’re holding part of yourself back.”

“And
you’re ok with that.”

He
kissed me tenderly before responding. “Ava, it’s who you are and I wouldn’t
change you for anything. And honestly, I enjoy knowing there’s more of you to
discover.”

For
someone that had a tendency to be blunt and not smooth, he sure knew the right
thing to say just then.

“Have
I ever told you how much I like you?”

He
smiled. “How much
do
you like me?”

I
looked up into his smiling eyes. “Like top five people of all time, at least.”

“I’ve
only made the top five?”

I
kissed him quickly on the cheek. “I have a feeling you could be moving up very
quickly.”

He
hugged me tight in response. “We better get these dishes done before my mom
comes in here.”

But
before he let me go, Nick came barging in and saw the two of us. “I see you’re
doing more than dishes, Scotty.”

“Watch
your mouth, Nick,” Scott spewed back.

Nick
looked at me, still in Scott’s arms. “Listen, Ava, I’m sorry if I embarrassed
you.”

“All
is forgiven.”

“Thanks,
Ava.”

“Don’t
mention it. And I mean, like ever.”

I
think he got the point. Scott smirked at his brother and he left.

We
finally got down to actually cleaning the kitchen. I rinsed off the dishes and
Scott filled the dishwasher. I hand washed the larger pots and pans and Scott
dried. In the midst of my washing I couldn’t help but accidentally, on purpose,
spray Scott with water. After the shock wore off, he looked at me with wide
eyes. “I think you did that on purpose.”

“I
did warn you when you threw popcorn at me.”

He
laughed and grabbed the hose from me and tried to douse me.

I
screamed a little as a full blast hit me. “Now it’s war.”

“Ava,
you don’t scare me.”

That
did it. I flung a huge amount of soapy water at him and hit him squarely in the
face. As he spluttered, I got as far away as possible all while laughing
hysterically. As he came after me, his mom came in and looked at the both of
us. I thought she would be upset at the mess we had made. I typically didn’t
have water fights in other people’s homes where I was a guest. Instead, she
looked at us both laughing, and she just smiled and walked right back out. We looked
at each other, smiled, and called a truce.

As
we finally got back to cleaning the dishes and our water mess, Scott looked
down at me. “Remind me to never cross you.”

“I
told you, you would never know when and where I would strike.”

“I
just can’t believe you remembered I threw popcorn at you.”

“Are
you kidding? I have family members that are still holding a grudge that the
south lost the Civil War.”

He
laughed and playfully smacked me with his towel.

We
finally finished and made our way to his parent’s living room. They both sat on
the couch and looked as if they were awaiting our arrival. Scott and I took the
loveseat near the couch. Scott put his arm around me, and both of his parents
smiled. We ended up playing Hearts with his parents for a couple of hours before
calling it a night.

As
we left, his mom hugged the air out of me. “Thank you for giving us our son
back,” she whispered in my ear.

I
wasn’t sure what had gone on the past few years, but I hoped it was all past
for everyone concerned. Families should be together.

Chapter 10

Scott
took me home and, as promised, we left off right where we had started the
evening. All in all, it was a most excellent evening. In fact, the rest of the
month was pretty terrific. Scott had a few moments of distancing himself as he
dealt with his thoughts and feelings, but he always came back. I felt like we
had transitioned well from just being friends to something more. I wasn’t sure
we had an official title for what we were, but we spent most of our non-working
and sleeping hours together. I didn’t think, at our age, we needed a title.

I
also became closer to his family, especially his mom. We frequently had lunch
together as her salon wasn’t too far from the hospital. I knew she had high
hopes for me and her son, but I tried to down-play it. I mean, sure I had
thought about it, and when I was honest with myself, I knew I wanted to go down
that road with him, but I was still the other woman in his life.

Then
October dawned. As the weather became cooler, my feelings for Scott warmed
considerably, especially as I saw signs of him making strides to move on. Maybe
“move on” wasn’t the right phrase; maybe allowing the possibility that there was
room for another woman in his life and that he could go on with life and find
happiness.

I
was particularly happy when he asked me if I could help him redecorate his
place. I had been itching for him to ask. I really didn’t enjoy being over
there. It was like Jenna hovered over us; having their wedding picture stare
down at us when Scott was kissing me kind of ruined the moment for me.

I
asked my mom to email me some of the pictures she had of the rental properties
she and I had renovated and decorated over the years so I could show Scott and
get an idea of what he liked. So often, well maybe not as often anymore, he
would say what Jenna liked. I gently reminded him this was his place now and he
should decorate it how he wanted it to be. I came to find out that so much of
what he actually liked was opposite of what Jenna had liked. I just couldn’t
figure out their relationship.

When
I got the pictures, I invited Scott over for dinner. We looked through the
pictures online; I had also gotten a couple of designer catalogs for him to
look at. As we looked through the photos of what my mom and I had done, he heaped
on the praise and asked if I ever considered switching careers. I told him it
had crossed my mind a few times, I especially thought it might make sense once
I had kids.

“So…”
he said. “You want kids?”

I
sighed. “I would love to have kids.” I wondered if it was ever going to happen.
I was going to be thirty this month and I could practically hear my ovaries
shouting that it was time to get a move on. I know thirty is young, but I also
know fertility rates decrease starting at around twenty-eight. Plus, I wanted
several children, and with each passing year, I saw that dream fade.

He
looked at me kindly. I asked him if he wanted kids. Not surprising, the first
thing out of his mouth was, “Jenna didn’t want any and she wasn’t in any shape
to have them anyway.”

I
turned back to the laptop. I was a little over Jenna’s preferences and I
already knew that one from talking to his mom. He didn’t say anything more as
we scrolled through a couple of more pictures, but then he took a deep breath. “Ava,
I have always wanted to have kids of my own.”

I
smiled and turned toward him. “I think you would make a great dad. I love
watching you with the kids in your classes.”

He
sweetly kissed me on the forehead, and we left it at that.

After
a few days of mulling over his choices, he decided he would like a nautical
theme. He felt it reflected him best, and I agreed. We set our shopping date for
the coming Friday. We would each take a personal day and spend the day browsing
furniture stores. I was more than looking forward to it. I couldn’t think of
anything better than combining two of my passions: Scott and decorating.

The
day went beautifully too, until the end. We had found the perfect white
sectional and blue accent chair and nautical themed throw pillows in red, white
patterned, and blue. We also found this fabulous coffee table that looked like
a weathered treasure chest, but larger. Scott purchased a dining room set; his mother
was going to be happy. Then the problem began at Pier One. We had found several
accessories for the wall and coffee table, and then I found the perfect
seascape picture that would look fabulous above his fireplace. Ok, maybe I had
ulterior motives, and they weren’t completely pure, but I wanted that picture
to come down. He could put it up in his room. I felt terrible for feeling that
way, but I couldn’t get over it.

I
suggested to Scott that he get it and told him where he could put it. Let’s
just say he didn’t take it well at all. I think it was the first time I had
seen him angry. I backed off of it quickly, but the damage was done, and he was
not happy with me at all. I think he accused me of trying to push Jenna out of
his life. That stung. I didn’t want her out of his life. I just wanted him to carve
out space for me. I had listened to him go on about her for months. I didn’t
ask him to take his ring off, and in fact, I told him on several occasions that
it was good he still loved her and that I knew he always would.

The
car ride home was dead silent. I just stared out the window and tried
desperately not to cry. I decided maybe this was a bad idea. Sure, I liked
Scott. Ok, I more than liked him, but I obviously couldn’t compete with Jenna. And
I had had enough in my marriage of being second best.

He
pulled into his garage, and I immediately got out and walked as fast as I could
home. As soon as I got home, I did what any girl would do. I called my mom. She
listened to me vent and cry, and then she asked me to come home again. I told
her I would think about it. She and my dad were acquiring some new foreclosed
rental properties, and she said she would love my help renovating them. It was
an enticing offer.

I
sat there thinking about the sun and sand and my family. Then I thought about
Scott and his family. That’s when my past came calling, literally. I couldn’t
imagine why Peter would call me at eight o’clock on a Friday night, so I
ignored it like usual. He called again and I still ignored it. Then he texted,
“Please answer. I have Gia for the night and she won’t quit screaming, I’m not
sure what to do.”

I
was surprised by the fact he had taken my advice, and like an idiot, I answered
his next call. I was a sucker for babies.

I
could hear Gia screaming in the background when I answered.

“Ava,
thanks for answering,” he sounded frantic.

“Peter
can’t you call your mom or sisters?”

“They’re
out of town and I’m desperate, I don’t know what I’m doing and she won’t stop
crying. Please help me.”

I
thought for several seconds. “Peter, if this is in any way a lame attempt just
to get me to come over, I swear…”

“Ava,
I swear to you, it’s not. I just don’t know who else to call.”

“Fine.
Text me your address.”

“You’re
the best, Ava.”

I
was stupid, that’s what I was. This had started off as such a good day, too,
with just Scott and me. Now I was ending it with no Scott and a visit to my ex
to help him with the baby he fathered with another woman when he was married to
me. The beach was sounding better and better. I grabbed my medical bag, just in
case, and my purse and keys.

I
opened my door to leave and was startled by Scott standing there on my porch. I
didn’t know what to say, so I just stood there for a second.

Scott
looked troubled.  His hand came up as if he were going to touch my face. “Ava,”
But then he noticed I was going somewhere and asked where I was headed. I
begrudgingly told him. I didn’t really want to tell him where I was going, and
why, and I especially didn’t want to talk to him right then. He was definitely
surprised to hear my destination and why I was going. I wanted to say, “Join the
club,” but I needed to go, a baby needed my help.

“Please
let me take you,” he said.

“I
don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
For several reasons,
I thought. I
didn’t like the thought of Peter and Scott in the same room. It was weird for
me.

I
shut my door and locked it and began walking down the steps.

Scott
just followed me. “Ava, please.”

“Fine,
you can come with me, but I don’t know why you would want to since apparently
I’m a home wrecker of sorts.” Yeah, I was ticked.

He
tried to hold my hand, but I pulled away. “Ava, I was out of line.”

“Yep.”

We
got to the garages and he said he would drive. I didn’t say anything. I just
walked to the passenger side where he held the door open for me. I glared at
him as I got in. He looked sorry, but I was still too upset to be affected by
it.

He
got in and asked where to. I showed him the address on my phone. We didn’t say
anything on the twenty minute ride over. I had so many emotions running through
me. I was furious at Scott and my ex-husband, both of whom were putting me in
uncomfortable positions tonight. I was also tired of being reminded that I was
never good enough for either of these men.

Peter
lived in an upscale apartment complex. I guess he had found a good-paying job
after he lost his first one. I never got the details, but I knew he had been
fired after his affair came to light. As we rode the elevator up to Peter’s
fifth floor apartment, Scott kept looking at me. I still didn’t say anything. I
just wanted to get this over with. Peter was the last person I wanted to be
around, and it was odd to have my pseudo-boyfriend, who I wasn’t getting along
with, in tow.

As
we approached Peter’s apartment, I could hear Gia’s blood-curdling screams. I
knocked on the door and was greeted by a harried Peter with a very unhappy baby
in his arms. He looked like a fish out of water with Gia in his arms. He was
holding her away from his body, like she was tainted or something.

 “Ava,”
Peter said. At first he looked relieved, but then he looked annoyed when he saw
who was with me. I was annoyed too.

I
immediately took Gia in my arms and ignored the men. I held her tight to me as I
walked her over to the couch where I found her diaper bag. I laid a blanket
out. She was definitely out of sorts.

I
laid her wailing body down and spoke to her softly as I kneeled near the couch.
“Ok, baby doll, let’s see what’s wrong.”

First,
I took her temperature, which she didn’t like. She had a low grade fever of 100
degrees. I checked her ears; she didn’t like that either, but they looked
clear. I listened to her heart and lungs, and they all sounded normal. I
discovered culprit number one with a very soaked diaper. I changed her, and
that seemed to calm her down a bit.

Peter
knelt next to me and asked what was wrong with her. I didn’t like being that
close to him. I told him she was running a slight fever, but everything else
was normal. I asked him if she had any immunizations lately, and he said he
didn’t know. Of course he didn’t. I asked when the last time she ate was, and he
told me he had tried to give her a bottle, but she refused to take it. He
handed me the bottle. It was ice cold and it looked odd. I asked him to tell me
what he did to make the bottle.

First
of all, the idiot read the directions wrong on the formula can and didn’t add
enough formula. Then he used ice cold water. I instructed him on how to make a
proper, warm bottle for a baby, and he did so. While he was making the bottle,
I held a still-crying Gia in my arms. Scott came and sat next to me.

Peter
came back, he handed me the bottle. He looked at the two of us and asked if we
were together. I promptly told him it was none of his business. I wasn’t even
sure what to tell him anyway. Both men eyed each other like they were sizing
each other up.

I
ignored them both and began to feed Gia. She hungrily took the bottle and
calmed down.

“That’s
a good girl,” I said as I stroked her dark hair.

I
noticed that, toward the end of the bottle, she was chewing on the nipple
viciously. I removed the bottle and felt in her mouth. I discovered her top
front teeth were coming in. I asked Scott to hand me her diaper bag. He smiled
at me as he handed it to me. Maybe it was the baby in my arms making me feel
warm and fuzzy, but I smiled back. I searched for a teething ring and found
one. As soon as she was done with her bottle, I burped her, laid her on my lap,
and placed the teething ring in her mouth. She began to gnaw with a vengeance.
I talked with her, and she cooed at me and even smiled.

Peter
sat on my other side. “How did you do that?”

I
turned toward him. “Let me tell you a few things about babies. They like to be dry;
you need to check her diaper often. Do you need me to show you how to change a
diaper?” He said he knew how. I hoped so. I continued. “They like to be warm,
but not too warm and fed and secure. You can’t hold her out away from your
body.”