There's no other way to explain how I feel. It's as if I hear the words but my mind hasn't
registered it yet. Burned? Freya. I face the window and wince as the pounding headache surfaces again.
How? How can Caleb be so cruel? I mean he can be evil but I didn't think he would go as far as
to burn my house to the ground. No, this is him. He'll do something like this.
I'm sorry. When I returned home yesterday morning for a change of clothes, I saw it.
No one knew it was on fire until it was too late.
Now I don't even want him to see me crying. Everything I own and worked for has gone up in
flames. That man has done nothing but make my life a living hell. I thought it had been me.
I thought I was overreacting. That I wasn't good enough. But no more excuses.
Caleb has pulled the last straw. And now that he's done the unthinkable, I'll make him pay.
He'll be rotting in that cell for as long as I can keep him there.
I can't believe he would do something like that. Arson?
I face Alex feeling a slight jab in my rib. I can believe that. And now here comes the judgment.
Here comes the scrutiny about why I'm still with a man like that. Why I chose to stay despite
him beating me to a pulp. I know that look in Alex's eyes. And when I think he'll ask me,
he doesn't say anything. Only rake his fingers through his dark, messy hair.
Caleb and I go way back. We met in college. He was a sweetheart. He'd come from a partially
wealthy family so he'd used that to woo me with expensive gifts. I never had to worry about anything.
I barely used my money in college since I met him and I was happy about that. My mom had died
leaving me with my abusive father and when I'd gotten the scholarship, it had been the fastest
I bolted from home. I haven't seen my father since then. I was on my own. So when Caleb came along,
everything had been rainbows and sunshine. And it had been like that up until we graduated.
Caleb graduated first and then me a year later. Caleb hadn't been an angel but was much more
tolerable than my father. However, his behavior worsened in my final years of college. He'd
gotten overprotective and didn't want me talking with anyone. Mostly men. I remember that faithful
night when I'd finished my final exam for the semester and my classmates wanted to chill at a
night club. I knew Caleb would have said no so I ignored his calls and texts all evening.
I'd gone out and had fun ignoring the dozens of calls on my phone. But he'd been sitting on the
floor leaning against my door when I returned to my apartment, albeit tipsy. Caleb followed me into
my apartment and began yelling. But the worst part was that my colleague who had given me a lift home
had found my apartment to drop off my scarf. I'd forgotten it in his van.
After the guy left, Caleb went livid, accusing me of cheating. No matter how many times I told him
I wasn't, he kept at it, even calling me derogatory names. And somehow a fuse had blown in me.
I yelled back at him and told him to get the fuck out of my apartment.
But the moment the words left my mouth, Caleb's hand had slashed across my face.
I'd been so shocked that I didn't know how to respond. He'd never raised his hand at me.
He apologized of course, but I still couldn't believe it. If I had known better, I would have
ended the relationship there, but I kept thinking it was a mistake. Honestly, it hadn't been that.
It was more about him taking care of me and not worrying about my next meal. So I let it slide.
Caleb behaved well for a few months, showering me with expensive gifts and dates,
but little by little he displayed some micro-aggression, slapping my hand, shoving me,
or even squeezing my neck. I'd left it alone because I had graduated and moved in with him.
I was still jobless and he was the provider. It was easier to tolerate him than being homeless,
but his behavior worsened and worsened. And here I am, in the hospital, with nothing.
I guess this one is on me.
So, what are you gonna do? Do you have a family? A friend?
I shake my head, thinking about what's next is just painful. I've invested everything and lost everything.
I'm sorry, did I say something?
No, I'm just…
Please don't cry, I'm sure everything is going to be alright.
The only reason why my eyes are filled with tears is because I honestly don't know how to feel.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around him burning everything. My clothes, my house,
every damn thing. What am I supposed to do?
Caleb was the only person that meant something to me.
The only person I had in my life, and he did this.
Alex rubs the side of his cheek and sighs loudly.
I know I have a job and I can easily find a place to rent, but I have a loan now to pay,
and have nothing to show for it. I mean, I can claim insurance, but there's a whole long process for that shit.
You? You can stay with me? Well, until you find something.
Alex digs his fingers in his hair again, seeming highly agitated.
I… I don't want to impose that's probably not a good idea.
Do you have somewhere to stay? Maybe someone you know?
I shake my head.
Then I'm offering you a place.
He pauses as if to think about what he's actually offering me.
I have a lot of space where you can stay with me.
I peer up at him. I never thought Alex would have offered me anything.
This man is sitting at my bedside and has spent two days with me, and now he wants me to stay with him.
Are you sure? I ask. It may be easy for him to offer, but I know it might be hard for him to accept me in his home.
Definitely. I mean, part of this is my fault, right?
None of this is my fault.
I mean, part of this is my fault, right?
None of this is your fault, Alex. Caleb was the one who did this to me.
Yeah, but…
I shake my head. No more picking up for him. No more placing blame on myself or others. It was him. All him.
But I mean it, Freya. You can stay with me until you get back on your feet. It's the least I can do.
Why does life have to be so complicated? It's embarrassing enough that he's seeing me like this, that he knows what I'm going through or what I've been through. I feel like he's pitying me. I stare at him for some time and I know he's waiting for me to accept. But is this right? Is it really right for me to stay with a stranger and the guy I've been distantly intimate with?
Alex exhales a breath and stands.
Maybe I should just give you some time. I don't fault you for having to think about this. It's strange, I know. I'll check in on you later, alright?
He makes a turn for the door and I call out to him.
Wait. Alex pauses and turns around. Yes. Yes, I'll stay with you.
Four days have passed since my doctor gave me the clearance to leave and I'm still reeling from everything that's happened. I'm sitting in the back of Alex's car and despite not ever seeing him driving it, it seems to be in pristine condition. Maybe he knew he would be picking me up because it's so clean. It smells like brand new.
My body still aches but it's much better than when I first woke up. When Alex pulls up at his house, everything seems surreal. My house is gone. It's a charred frame with plenty of burnt wood and what's left of my furniture. It's a complete eyesore for the neighborhood and I know I'll have to do something about it quickly. But right now I just need to lie down.
This guy is such a gentleman. He's nothing like what the neighbors played him out to be. He might be a hermit, but it's for a good, well at least, to him.
Ever since the incident, Alex has been at my beck and call ensuring I am okay. And even though he blames himself for it, I fully know it's Caleb's fault.
Moving into his place while I sort myself out will be difficult. I'm on foreign territory by force.
He asks again for the millionth time as he closes the car door behind me. And as usual, I nod. And I may be fine physically, but mentally my mind is on my house. I have a very strong heart.
And the shitty thing about it is that I have to start over with a debt. I make it up to his front steps and pause glancing over at my house. Caleb, you bastard, look at what you've done.
I step inside Alex's house and exhale. His home is like mine except it's bigger. It's living room and it's a living room.
His home is neat, tidy and surprisingly homely. It's almost as if a woman lives here.
Alex stands at the center of his living room peering at me as if he's expecting me to comment. Nice place, it's neat.
Much neater than mine had ever been. He exhales a breath I didn't know he was holding.
Oh thanks, I was wondering if it would have been good enough for you to feel comfortable.
It definitely is. His eyes shift around the room and then he turns around.
Follow me.
It almost seems like he's nervous or something. Why would he be? I should be the one to feel unsteady. It's me who's in his space. I'm the one who should feel guilty and out of place. Alex had been living his life sheltered away from humans and having no interaction whatsoever.
And now I've forced his hand. I follow him down the narrow hallway and it leads us to a bedroom.
It's not much but you can stay here until you know.
It's way more than I could ever ask for Alex, thank you. My home had been a two bedroom with a room like this as the laundry and the other upstairs. But I guess this house is supposed to be a family home.
I'll get some more change of clothes to make sure you're comfortable.
And about that, Alex has been providing me with his dead wife's clothes. I don't even know what to think of it. Isn't that weird?
I mean, I wasn't in the position to shop around for new things and he may not be the one to go to the nearest thrift shop or anywhere in public.
But the idea of wearing his wife's clothing when he clearly adored her feels like an abomination.
I move to protest and tell him that I'm fine with what he has already given me. But he walks off faster than I could say no.
The room is small but has enough space for me to move around. It has its own bathroom and is equipped with a small closet and matching chest of drawers.
It should be fine until I get my home and a new place sorted out, hopefully within a week.
Alex returns with a few clothes wrapped around his arm.
I'm not sure if these will fit, but the ones I gave you do so.
I smile up at him. Thanks. They will. But you don't have to do this. I don't want to...
Nonsense.
He cuts me off.
It's there and no one is using it. I was to carry it to Goodwill a long time ago, but I just haven't gotten around to doing it.
I give him a small smile again.
He hasn't gotten around to doing it because he cherishes his wife and her memories and giving it away might be a form of letting go.
When my mom died, my dad began selling her stuff. I cried for weeks. He'd sold so much of her things that the house barely had a memory of her.
He sets the clothes on the bed beside me and rubs the stubble on his cheek.
Well, I have some work to catch up with. There's food in the fridge so you can make whatever you want.
Thanks. I tap my fingers on the bed.
Um, Alex? He stops at the door.
Yes?
Do you have an extra laptop? I need to get some stuff done.
Oh, yes. I'll get right on that.
By midnight, I'd spent over two grand on clothes and stuff I think I needed.
I've even made appointments with my bank and my insurance company. Just thinking about everything is giving me a headache.
And ever since I've arrived at Alex's house, I haven't fetched anything to eat. I haven't even seen him since he brought the clothes either.
I set the laptop on the bed and head outside. The hallway is dimly lit, and when I make it to the living room, it's darker.
I have no idea where the switches are, and bumping my hip on the edge of the small dining table didn't help.
I feel my way to the fridge and open it. There are so many things in here I don't know what the fuck to eat or drink.
There are beers, fruit juices, milk, water, and there are also fruits, salads, eggs, and plastic-wrapped sandwiches.
No wonder he never leaves his home. He has a fully stocked kitchen.
I'm reaching for the sandwiches and fruit juices, and just as I'm about to grab a bottle of water, the room suddenly becomes bright.
I turn around with a sandwich in my mouth, one under my chin, two juices in my hand, and the bottled water in the other.
Oh God, I'm pretty sure I look like a raccoon with my blackened eyes and all the food in my hand.
Alex gives me a small smirk.
You know the food is free, right? And you can have as much as you want, whenever you want.
I make a face and rush to the countertop, setting them down. I didn't want to be back and forth, plus I couldn't find the switch.
Alex points at the wall at the end of the hallway. Oh, I open the fruit juice. What are you doing up?
Pulling an all-nighter. I've got deadlines to meet.
I'm sorry, because I know him having to stay up has to do with my incident over the past few days.
Alex waves his hand in dismissal.
Nothing to be sorry about, I just came for water.
I hand him mine. Here you go. He smiles.
Thanks, but I prefer room temperature.
So why is there?
I put it there for you. I wasn't sure if you like it warm or cold, so I...
Cold, and thanks.
My wife, she, uh, liked it cold.
Oh. Silence engulfs us for a bit too long, and then Alex moves to the kitchen and grabs a water from the case in the cupboard.
Anyway, I gotta get back to work. Hope you're comfortable.
Yeah, thanks. He meets halfway up the steps.
Oh, right.
He snaps his fingers.
The hot water in the guest bath is not working, so you may have to shower upstairs if that's a problem.
I'll see if I can get it fixed. I forgot about that.
Oh, uh, I don't think it should be.
Are you sure?
Well, if you decide on a hot shower, the bathroom is on the left when you clear the stairs.
All right, but I'll be fine. Thanks.
Hey Raiders, you have met the end of The Neighbor, Part 3. Stay tuned for the final part, and if you haven't already, subscribe and share. See ya.