***So far, Miranda Jessup Buckley has been jilted, fired, and left to take care of her ex-lover's child.   It's been tough but things are finally starting to settle down.  Her neighbor, Aaron, confides in her that he's rich and really didn't trust a lot of people with that information.  Now, he is asking for her help.***

 

 

 

 

 

Aaron reaches over to turn on the lights.  I feel like I'm being pranked right now.  This modern chandelier lights up and I can see more of the room.  There is an electric fireplace with a dark wooden surround.  

 

"Dougie never knew you were rich, hunh?"  I can't help but laugh.  Dougie was a user of people.  A self-serving user.  I bet he would have left Waylon with Aaron had he known Aaron's  situation.

 

"Dougie was nice enough but," he says, letting his voice trail off.

 

"Say no more." I look at some pictures that are framed and hanging on the wall.  One catches my attention.  It's a candid shot of two boys both in their early teens.  It has to be Aaron and his brother.  "Is that you?"

 

He crinkled his nose.  "I was fourteen.  Dale and I had just won the Sunfish race at the yacht club."

 

"Oh, the Yacht Club."  

 

"Come on, Miranda.  Don't be like that.  I'm not like that anymore."

 

I nudge him playfully.  "Just giving you shit, Aaron.   If you live like this, why would you say my place was cozy?  Is that a rich person's way of saying it's a dump.  Cause if it is, I'm okay with it.  It is a dump."

 

Aaron shakes his head.  "Noooo.  Your place feels like a home.  I like it.  My mom did all this.  When I moved out she was devastated that I bought a trailer.  I wanted to get stuff from the thrift store.  Maybe build my own coffee table. But she took it upon herself to fix it up.  So, what you see here, all this, is her."

 

"She has style."

 

"Can I ask you something?"

 

"Shoot."

 

"Do I come off as an idiot?"

 

What to do, what to do?  Should I lie?  Should I tell him he reminds me of a big dumb puppy?  I'm not good at lying.  "Well, you don't come off as a business owner who lives  here."

 

"What does that mean?"

 

"It means that you, well, you just don't seem like someone who would run a successful business."

 

"So, you think I'm stupid."

 

"For crying out loud.  I'm not saying you're an idiot, but you sure do act like you're in left field sometimes."

 

"I don't like what I do.  Mainly, cause everybody thinks it was handed to me.  I guess it was, but I do have a lot of responsibilities.  I just don't like the construction business."  

 

"So, sell your half to your brother.  Does he like it?"

 

"Not as much as my dad but a lot more than me."

 

I glance at the stove and see the clock.  Ive been here for almost thirty minutes.

 

"Ok, Aaron.  I've got to go."

 

He reaches out impulsively.  "Will you help me?  I really want to go back to Haynes Pond.  I got a friend who can give us scuba equipment so that we can go back down.  I just can't do it alone.  I'm sure Waylon will be up for it.  But I'd like for you to be there.  You don't have to so much as touch the water.   It would just mean a lot to me, having you there."

 

It's hard to say no to someone who looks like they just might start bawling if you do say no.  "I'll think about it."

 

He starts to look excited.

 

"Pump the brakes, Aaron.  I didn't say no, but I didn't say yes, either.  I need to think about it."

 

"Thanks, Miranda.  You're as smart as you are pretty."

 

I turn away quickly, before he can see my face.  This is just what I need.  A confused, rich, younger guy fawning over me.  It really doesn't sound that bad once I think about it, but I've never been the type of girl to fall for a guy with a wad of cash. Besides, this is Aaron Earl we're talking about.  Until about thirty minutes ago, I envisioned a roadside couch and couple of crates for side tables in here.  And I never thought I'd ever hear the words yacht club come from his mouth.

 

"I'll walk you home," he says.

 

"I'm good.  Just watch me from the porch."

 

"I don't mind."

 

"I know you don't.   But, like I said, I'm good."

 

I'll be the first to admit it.  I can be kind of judgemental.   I had written Aaron off as a doped up hippie.  One minute he's acting stupid over a sunken car in Haynes Pond, the next he's showing me around his palatial trailer, and the next he's acting all star crossed lover on me.  The kid is a puzzle.

 

 

Waylon is laying back on the cushions, craning his neck to watch television.  "So, where you been?"  he says.

 

"Aaron had to show me something."

 

"Uh huh."  He stretches and tugs his sheet and blanket up around his neck. "Night."

 

"You want me to turn off the TV? "

 

"Yeah, thanks."

 

I turn it off.  Lock the door to the trailer then turn down the living room lights.  I think about the fancy chandelier in Aaron's place as I look up at my boob light.  You know the kind I'm talking about.  Looks like a naked boob hanging from the ceiling.

 

I turn on the shower and close the bathroom door.  My reflection looks back at me.  "Hey, dummy.  Some rich, kinda cute young guy is interested in you.  What's wrong with you?" she says. 

 

"Nothing's wrong.  I've got a lot going on.  Besides, it's only been a little over two weeks since Dougie and I split."

 

"You mean since he dumped you." My reflection can be a real bitch it seems.

 

"Sure.  Since he dumped me.  I just can't go there."

 

"The kid waited up for you, did you notice that?"

 

"Hmmm. He did, didn't he?"

 

"You know what your problem is, Miranda?"

 

"No, but it sounds like you're gonna tell me all about it."

 

"You are so focused on your pre-conceived notions that you can't see the forest for the trees."

 

"Okay, what the hell does that mean?"

 

"It means take a chance and help Aaron."

 

I step under the warm spray and close my eyes.  What could it hurt to go back to Haynes Pond?  It would give Waylon something to focus on other than the fact his deadbeat dad hasn't returned any of his calls.

 

But Haynes Pond will have to wait.  I have to get through the rest of the week.  And lately, my weeks have been a little bit bumpy.

 

 

To be continued ...