I may never be ready to leap, but like Tristan said, this is a slow progression of coming into my true self, and I’m so thankful that Ashley’s with me as I try to find my way free of my insecurities.
Ashley’s parents’ neighborhood is totally different from our community in Connecticut. The houses are smaller and the cars out front are older, not as flashy. Even the yards look more like they’re lived in than the manicured lawns around ours. All of that makes this area feel homier and less stuffy, but the thing that strikes me with the greatest impact is the number of parents and children that are outside, a rarity in our neighborhood. Women are talking on front porches, watching children playing in the yards. Two teenage girls are sitting in the grass in the side yard of a house across the street. I can’t remember ever seeing neighbors socializing on our street in Connecticut, unless you count Halloween, when kids went door to door begging for candy. Only our neighbors’ candy was bagged in sparkly little bags and tied with ribbons.
A black car pulls into the driveway next door, and a guy jumps out and waves to Ashley.
“Hey, Ash!” He jogs up the sidewalk toward the Jeep.
“That’s Bolton. We went to school together.” Ashley climbs from the car, and Bolton, who’s at least as tall as Wyatt, with blond hair and bright blue eyes, picks her up and spins her around. “God, look at you.” He sets her back down on the ground. “You’re gorgeous.”
Seeing Bolton reminds me of Wyatt. I text him before I forget, and let him know we’ve arrived safely.
Ashley slaps Bolton’s stomach. “And you’ve turned into a rock star. You’re all muscles and manly.”
“I’ve always been muscles and manly. You just never noticed.” Bolton waves to me as I step from the Jeep. “Hey. I’m Bolton.”
“This is my girlfriend, Delilah.”
I hadn’t considered how it would feel to be introduced as her girlfriend. It feels good and embarrassing. I watch Bolton’s face for a reaction, but his smile broadens, revealing dimples that could rival Mario Lopez’s.
Bolton comes around the Jeep and hugs me. Tight. “You’ve got the best girlfriend around. I’d date Ash in a heartbeat if she liked guys.”
Okay, now it feels good. Really good.
“Let me help you guys bring your stuff inside. Are you here for Kenny’s play?”
“How’d you know?” I ask.
“Kenny’s leading lady is my sister Patricia. You should see the two of them practicing. I swear they’re not seven. They’re teenagers.” He reaches into the back of the Jeep and grabs our bags. “So, how’d you two meet? Where’d you go to school? Do you live in Harborside, too?”
“Don’t give her the third degree.” Ashley grabs my arm and holds me back from following him. She lowers her voice. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, so I won’t hold your hand or anything inside, but just don’t take it as me not wanting to. Okay?”
She’s just won the best-girlfriend-of-the-century award.
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Come on,” Bolton hollers. “The minute I open the door, Kenny’s going to barrel out. Are you ready?”
“He’s right.” Ashley glances at the house, then back at me. “Kenny also has no filter. He’ll embarrass you. I apologize ahead of time.”
“He’s seven. How embarrassing can he get?”
Ashley touches my arm but doesn’t hold it as we walk toward the house. “Way more than you can imagine. He doesn’t slow down to think before he speaks. Maybe he’ll be sidetracked with Bolton. He adores him.”
The front door swings open and a lanky blond boy barrels into Bolton and wraps his spindly arms around him.
“Bolton! You’re back! Are you coming to the play? Patricia and I have to hug and I think it stinks. I don’t want to hug her, but she said sometimes I have to do things I don’t want to.”
“Hey, buddy. I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and one day you’ll be glad you got to hug Patricia. You’ll see it won’t stink. Trust me on that.”
Kenny laughs. “You’re so weird.” He pries himself from Bolton, and his eyes widen, his mouth drops open, and he sprints toward us. “Ash! You’re home! You’re home!” He jumps into her arms, and the force of his body sends Ashley stumbling back. She laughs and hugs him tight.
“Hey, little buddy. Wow, you’re so tall.” She sets his feet on the ground, and he’s chin height. I have no idea if that’s tall for a seven-year-old, but he’s beaming, so I assume he likes hearing it.