From then on, we ate over at Jill’s. For the first couple of weeks, he’d gripe about going over there and then he’d actually have to drag me over sometimes. It took a while, but I think my dad started enjoying having neighbors.
Then the Millers came. They were “rowdy” kids as my dad put it. When the builders started construction, my dad peeked through the windows and saw the plot they chose for the house was a couple down from Jill and Mike’s.
There was no question that my dad was annoyed with getting more neighbors, but every once in a while, it seemed like Jill and Mike weren’t too fond of the idea either. When we’d go over to dinner they’d complain about the constant noise from the construction and how they liked having just our two houses on this big street. I started to think my dad rubbed off on them as that seemed to be the main topic of conversation on Tuesday night dinners.
After what felt like an eternity, construction finally ended, and the family moved in. But I think we all would’ve rather heard construction any day than those two teenage boys. They always blasted music as they drove down the street entirely too fast, they’d attempt to hold parties when their parents left town but my dad would shut that down fast. My dad almost reverted right back to his unsocial recluse self, but thankfully, Jill and Mike didn’t like them either so that gave us plenty to talk about.
Eventually, we got used to the Millers as the teenage boys calmed down and the street was back to its usual quiet self. But, as you guessed it, another family moved in. Luckily, they were a stark contrast of the Miller family, and if their house wasn’t there you wouldn’t know they lived there. It was a single mom and her little boy who looked to be no older than 6 years old.
One Saturday afternoon, my dad and I were outside. He was building a firepit while the mom and her son just got back from grocery shopping. They moved in a week prior, and by the looks of her overstuffed garage, they were still deep in unpacking. Jill saw us outside and walked over, holding a plate of cookies.
“Hey, Jill.” My dad said, he wiped some sweat off his face and rose to his feet.
“Hi, Lucas. I see you’re finally getting started on the firepit.” To be fair he’s been saying that he’d build this firepit for nearly a year now. My dad shook his head with a smile.
“Yes, finally got around to it.”
Jill stared back at our new neighbor’s house before redirecting her attention back to us. “I wanted to give her a few days before bombarding her, but I think it’s been long enough now. Want to come with me?”
“You think we should all go over at once? Don’t you think that would be overwhelming?”
“She’ll be fine, besides would you ever go and actually introduce yourself?” Jill remarked, fully aware my dad wouldn’t. “Come on, it’ll just be for a few minutes.”
We all trudged over there; it was a hot summer day, so we were all a little sweaty by the time we got over there. She was filling up a little pool for her son as we walked up her driveway.
“Oh, hello!” She said. She handed the hose to her son to fill up the remainder of the pool before saying to him, “Don’t overfill it, okay?”
“Hi! I’m Jill and we wanted to welcome you to Lonesome Street!” She handed her the plate of cookies and her son immediately snatched one up.
“Thank you for these! I’m Lena and this is Carson.” The pool was full at this point, so she excused herself and turned the hose off. Carson jumped in but not without eating another cookie first.
“Sorry about that. Is this your husband and daughter?”
“Oh no, I live a couple houses down with my husband, Mike. But they live across the street from me.” Jill glanced towards my dad, raising her eyebrows to signal my dad to introduce us.
His face flashed red for a second, although I couldn’t tell if that was because of the blistering sun before he said, “I’m Lucas, and this is my daughter, Riley.”
“They were actually the first house on the street here. He built it himself.”
“Oh really?” She glanced back at her house. “I have a few projects I need to complete around the house. I was gonna ask my ex-husband to help but maybe I could ask you?” She flashed a small smile and my dad stood there silent.
Luckily, Jill came to his rescue by saying, “He would love to. He’s constantly building something new or fixing something. He’s actually building a firepit right now.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that, I’ll be taking you up on that offer soon if that’s okay?”
My dad nodded, seemingly unable to speak a single word.
“Thanks again for the cookies, Carson clearly likes them.”
“Of course, don’t be a stranger!”
My dad looked relieved when we stepped into the road and off her driveway. “I’ve never seen you clam up like that, Lucas.” Jill nudged my dad in the side.
“I didn’t clam up.”
“Oh please, you could barely get a few words out. Looks like Riley and I have our next mission, don’t we sweetie?” I nodded with excitement while my dad looked less enthused.
“And what’s that?” My dad asked.
“You’ll see.” She winked before heading back to her own house.
A week later, we were outside again. Dad was finishing up the fire pit while I was reading under the tree shade with Jill. Mike’s out of town often so most of the time Jill ends up hanging out at our house. She attempted to help my dad with the fire pit but gave up soon after and joined me in the shade.
I had just finished my book when I noticed Lena walking up.
“Hey guys.” She tucked some loose hair behind her ear, looking timid. My dad’s head whipped around at the sound of her voice. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Not at all, need help with something?” My dad asked.
“Actually Lucas I was wondering if you could help me fix something back at my house?”
“Sure, lead the way.”
They headed over to the house and Jill turned to me wide-eyed. “Wonder what that’s all about.” I shrugged my shoulders and we anxiously stared at her front door to watch my dad leave. After a couple of minutes, the door opened and they both stepped out.
“Oh wait, she’s coming back?” Jill whispered, despite them not even being remotely close to hearing us.
“I’ll probably finish it later day, just putting the finishing touches on it.” My dad explained to Lena, I’m guessing she asked about it back at her house.
“Are you wanting a firepit too, Lena?” Jill asked.
“Oh no, I was curious to see if Lucas had finished it. I’m still amazed that he was able to build this house.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a smirk on his face. Lena lingered around for a second, an awkward silence looming over us.
“What was that, Riley?” I narrowed my eyes at her, confusion surely written all over my features. “You want me to show you my garden?”
I nodded despite still being confused. “We’ll leave you guys to it.”
“Why are you showing me your garden?” I stared at her “garden” which consisted of two half-dead blueberry plants and a half-opened bag of soil.
She gave me a dead-panned look and said, “I’m not actually showing you my garden, it’s pretty pitiful. Look, I think Lena wanted your dad to ask her out, so by us leaving it might make him do it. Plus this angle gives us a good opportunity to spy on them.” I looked over at them and my dad was standing stiffly and had a red blush on his cheeks, though he dawned a small smile.
“Do you see how red his face is?” Jill laughed. I grinned, I haven’t seen him this happy in a while.
“He hasn’t dated anyone since mom died.” I heard her gasp upon hearing this. My dad rarely talks about my mom, and never in front of anyone else. Jill has never asked, although I know she was curious about it.
A few minutes later, Lena left, and my dad motioned us over.
“Nice move back there, Jill.” My dad smirked.
“How’d it go, Lucas?” Jill asked, a coy smile spread wide on her face.
“Good.”
“Good? That’s all you’re gonna say?” She crossed her arms on her chest and looked down at me and bumped my shoulder. I crossed my arms in solidarity and my dad playfully rolled his eyes.
“Okay fine, we have a date next Thursday.”
“Well, would you look at that, Riley?” She beamed down at me before looking back up at my dad. “Guessing you need a babysitter then?”
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t.”
Thursday rolled around sooner than my dad probably would’ve liked. As soon as he stepped foot in the house, stress was written all over his face. He was ready an hour before he had to leave so he paced around the entire house several times. I’ve never seen him this nervous, or nervous at all really.
“What’s wrong, dad?’
He stopped in the hallway, wiping his sweaty hands on his pants as he sighed. “I just-” He paused, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I just haven’t dated since your mom.”
“I’m sure she would want you to be happy, Dad.”
Tears welled in his eyes as he nodded and choked out, “I know she would.”
“Then you better head out.” My eyes ticked over towards the clock, and he took a shaky breath in.
“I’ll walk you over to Jills.”
Jill opened the door, “Well hello!”
“Thanks again, Jill.”
“No need to thank me, Lucas. Now go have fun!” She winked. I gave him a hug before he left which seemed to calm him down.
During that time, Jill taught me how to make her famous double chocolate chip cookies and I showed her one of my favorite movies. When he came back a few hours later it was impossible for him to shake the grin off his face. And from then on, they’d go on a date once a week. I didn’t mind, I liked spending time at Jill’s. She’d show me a new recipe to bake, and we’d put on a movie while she helped me with my homework.
This routine continued on for a while, and soon after, the rest of the empty lots filled up with families. At first, my dad would’ve hated seeing all those lots fill up, but he doesn’t seem to mind anymore, in fact he would be the first to introduce himself and would have block parties at the house.
My dad still lives on Lonesome Street with Lena and their two kids. While the house has some new colors, decorations, and add-ons, it’s still home to me. I’m sure that my dad never knew Lonesome Street could be just the opposite.
Such a sweet story! :)