A good neighbor

She also knew what I thought — not just about what Emma had asked, but what she, Andrea, was doing… and how, and why. When she looked into my face and eyes, she also knew that I wasn't going to apologize for what I'd said, or how I'd said it; and that I damn sure wasn't going to 'discuss' it.

Saying that she needed to get home and make sure the girls had finished their homework, she excused herself and left. I knew there was a distinct possibility that I'd completely pissed her off… but if it got her thinking before she gave Em an answer, I figured it was worth it. I spent the rest of the evening deep in my own thoughts.

Emma came over by herself the next afternoon, and as she was sitting on my lap, I told her 'Em, if you'd said something to me before last night, maybe I could have helped by talking to your mom, first. I think you know that you surprised her pretty bad. Surprised me, too, but her the worst.'

'I know I could have talked to you first, Gary. But it's my life, and body, and everything; and I have to learn to start learning the being grown up and responsible stuff that you talk to me and Gail about. I'm just sorry that Mom started to act the way she did. I was afraid she was going to tell me 'no', and that I was, like, grounded, or something!'

I gave her a hug, and told her 'You have to remember that even though you're almost fifteen, you're still her daughter; and no matter how old you get, sometimes she's still going to think of you as her little girl. That's just part of being a parent, I think. After last night, I think she's maybe starting to understand that you are growing up — at least, a little bit' — that earned me a dirty look, until she realized I was teasing her — 'but it's still going to take a little while before she really understands it in her heart, and not just in her head. Just like there are times when you wish you could have done something differently, it wouldn't surprise me if she wishes she could have talked to you differently last night. I know it isn't easy, but try to remember that just like it's hard for you to get her to understand that you're growing up, it's hard for her to accept.'

She sat there in silence for a little while, then looked up at me to ask 'What did you think about what I wanted for my birthday?'

That was the thing that had been on my mind most after Andrea left, so I was able to answer

'After you and Gail left, I told your mom that I thought you were being mature and responsible, and that I thought it showed you were really thinking about things before you did them. Like you said, it's your life and your body, and you have to be responsible for them. I know you're still a virgin, and it's not for me to say when you decide not to be, or who you're with. I just want to ask you to make sure, first, and be careful about who and when and how. From what I've heard from other women, your first time should be something special, so that you're happy to remember it afterwards. I told you I love you, and I mean it; and it would hurt me, too, if you did it before you were really ready. Okay?'

Pleased by what I'd said, Emma gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before resting against my chest while I held her. A little while later, Gail came over and the two of them got it into their heads to go skinny-dipping for a little while. They shed their clothes right there in the living room, and went out to the pool. I stayed inside, content to watch their lithe young figures playing.

Several days later, and I had to answer a knock at the door late one morning — only to find that it was Andrea. I didn't hesitate to invite her in, and we were soon sitting in chairs in the living room, generally facing each other. I asked if she wanted anything to drink, and she declined.

After a couple of false starts, she managed to tell me 'I was pretty surprised by what you told me the other night, after the movie. After I got home, and the girls went to bed, I even started to get mad about how you talked to me — but I couldn't stay mad. I kept thinking about what you said… about what you thought would have happened if you hadn't interrupted me; and what Emma asked, and why; and… and even about what you said about me. I didn't like it — any of it; but I had to admit that you were right. I don't like it that Emma's asking me to help her start using birth control — but that doesn't change the fact that if she IS going to start having sex, it's best if she can make sure she doesn't get pregnant. And you were right that I should be helping her learn to be grown up, instead of pretending it isn't happening the way I've been doing. I've been trying to raise her, and Gail, the same way my parents raised ME; and that wasn't right back then, and it's even LESS right, now. I haven't been doing them, or myself, any favors by how I've been trying to bring them up. I've seen changes in them since I told them they could come over here, after we talked that night — and they're good changes, so I know that whatever you've been saying to them — which I'm not asking you to tell me, now or ever! — is good for them. I dearly wish that I'd brought them up to be as happy and forgiving and tolerant as you've helped them become, but I haven't, and I have to admit it.'

I simply nodded for her to continue, and after she'd taken a deep breath, she told me 'A few weeks ago, my boss told me that the company is going to be opening a branch office in a town a couple states away, and asked me if I would be interested in managing it. I told him I wasn't sure, that I'd have to think about it. He said there wasn't any real hurry, since the office wouldn't open until right before school starts again. Well, I've been thinking about it ever since he told me about it; I'd just about decided to tell him I wasn't interested when we were over here that night. After you talked to me, and I really thought about everything you said, I realized that there are a lot of things that I need to deal with in my life. As much as I love Emma and Gail, I have to face up to the fact that you're a better parent for them than I am, or could be; I'm still carrying around a LOT of… crap from the screwed-up way my folks raised ME, and I'm dumping a lot of that nonsense onto them, when I shouldn't. I've checked a few things, and talked to my boss some more, and done a lot of very serious thinking. I've figured out that what would probably be best for me, and the girls. It's not something I'm happy about, not by a long shot — but it's what I honestly think is best. But what I have in mind, it isn't something I can do all on my own… not if it's going to help Emma and Gail, most importantly, or me. I… I'm going to have to ask if you think you'd be willing to try and help.'

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what she was talking about, or where she was going with all of that. It was obvious as could be that it was serious, and that what she had to say wasn't easy for her; she'd asked me for help, but what kind? How much? For how long?

'Andrea, I think you know I'll do what I can, but you haven't told me yet what's going on that you need my help with.'

Another deep breath, and she said 'What I think might be best all the way around is… is if I don't try to raise Emma and Gail any more.'

Stunned, I could only sit there for several seconds before asking 'You want to tell me the rest of it? What else is going on?'

'I've had a couple of sessions with a psychiatrist, and she thinks that it would be best if I went through some therapy. Not just a few sessions, or once a month for a couple of years, or anything like that; she suggested that I see someone several times a month for a few years, to start with.

I… I told her about my parents, and me and Bill, and even about some of the problems I've had dealing with Emma and Gail. I told her I was worried about how I was affecting them and she said that it sounded like it would be best if I didn't have to worry about them while I was going through therapy. I was afraid that I was going to have to give them up for adoption, or turn them over to foster care, but she told me that I didn't have to give them up permanently; that if there was someone I could trust, I could simply give them guardianship. So… so that's what I came here to ask you — if you would agree to… to take my daughters, and watch after them while I get some help with all the problems I have. I know it's a lot to ask, but if it will help any, I'll be able to help with their expenses — clothes, and medical, and that sort of thing. You see, I've told my boss that I'm interested in managing the new office, and if I get it — which he thinks I will

— then between the increased salary and the medical program I'll have, I'll be able to pay most of their out- of-pocket expenses, but keep them on my medical coverage so you wouldn't have to worry about them getting hurt or sick. The town where the new office is isn't very big, so me going there to manage it would be a good reason for the girls to stay here, where the schools are better, their friends are, and all that. I know it won't be easy for them, but I think I can help them understand how and why it's best. It's only a few more years until they're both out of high school, and by that time, maybe… maybe they'll be grown enough, and things will be better enough with me, that… that we'll be okay together. But until then, it would be best if they were with someone that could take proper care of them. You're the one person I trust the most in the world, and I hope that you won't mind doing it. Like I said, I know I'm asking a lot, so if this is something you can't do, or don't want to get