The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry Page B

I hoped he didn't think I was intruding, but I felt as if I couldn't ignore him.
    “I don't know.” His elbows rested on his knees and his body slumped over, defeated.
    “Is Nathan settling in?”
    “He didn't recognize me, Leigh—not at first. He didn't want to get in the car. He's grown up so much since the last time I saw him. I've already missed so much. How much more won't I get to be a part of?”
    “I don't know.” I didn't know what to do. I ached for him. I couldn't imagine what it was like to have kids, especially in Brian's situation.
    “He asked for his mom tonight.” Brian stared at his hands clasped in front of him.
    “Of course he did. He probably would have asked for his mom if you two were still in the same house, Brian. He'll settle in, and once you guys get set up in a routine again, he'll be excited about coming up here. You'll see.”
    “Yeah, maybe.”
    “Have you prayed about it?” I asked.
    “Is that always the answer?” He didn't move.
    “Not always, but it is always the start of the answer. Or the start of feeling better.”
    He looked up at me and smiled. “You're a very wise girl, Leigh.”
    I laughed. “Every time I hear that word I think of Owl in the Winnie the Pooh story, who thinks he knows everything but really knows nothing. It's cracked me up at inappropriate times in Sunday School more than once.”
    “Well, I don't think that at all.” His voice was still quiet, thoughtful.
    “It'll work out, Brian. Boys are programmed to idolize their fathers, and you're definitely worth looking up to.”
    “You don't know me that well, Leigh. I haven't been a great father. I was a terrible husband…” He shook his head while looking down at his feet on the worn porch.
    “I know where you are now, and that's all that matters. The rest is just the stuff that got you to where you are. Good, bad—doesn't matter.” I shrugged, trying to keep things light. I was dying of curiosity. Who was this ex-wife? I couldn't imagine anyone getting a divorce from sweet, mellow Brian.
    “Maybe.”
    “There's no maybe about it. You say sorry for what you've done and you move on. You can't think you're exempt from the blessings of forgiveness. That's ridiculous.” I sat back in my chair, waiting for his response.
    “What's going on up here?” I heard Jaron ask as he walked up the stairs, pulling his coat up around his neck.
    “Your sister was just making me feel better,” Brian said.
    “She's expert at that.” Jaron smiled and gave me a hug.
    “Well, I'll leave you guys alone. I've had enough cold for one night.” I got up and walked back to my house. I felt bad for Brian. He was a nice guy. But one thing I'd learned is that crappy things happen to nice people all the time. I was living proof of that. Well, so was my family, for that matter.

     
    I woke up in the morning really needing a few hours in front of the TV. I was awake but not ready to be up. Megan looked enraptured in the middle of an Anne of Green Gables marathon. I sighed. The first movie had been fine—a little oversentimental, but fine. The rest of it? I couldn't care less. I grabbed my pillow and lap blanket and headed next door.
    “Knock, knock,” I said as I opened the door. My brother, Brian, and a little boy who must have been Nathan were sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons. It looked better than what was happening next door.
    “Mind if I join you?” I asked.
    “Come on in.” Jaron waved from the floor.
    I walked around the couch. “Hey there, you must be Nathan. I'm Leigh.” I stuck out my hand to shake his. He looked like his father in miniature. His dad's brown eyes on such a small face were like large pools of chocolate. He must have been about four or five.
    “Hi Leigh.” He smiled. “You can sit with me on the couch.”
    “Thanks.” I did as instructed, a little surprised he was so friendly.
    “They have to sit on the floor.” He pointed to my brother and Brian, who both stifled a laugh