New Chances
Chapter 2
Two weeks later, Ellie walked into her apartment after a sixteen-hour shift. She was exhausted, but the overtime was nice. She hadn't given much thought to extending the invitation to her neighbor to have dinner until she saw his truck in the parking lot. It made her junky car look silly. Ellie was honestly shocked he even kept an apartment, but he was nice enough. Her mom, Gwen was giving the kids their after-school snacks and gave Ellie a warm smile.
"Hey, I'll have supper on the table by six, so you'll be able to get some sleep. You look rough." Gwen said. Ellie poured herself a cup of juice and kissed the top of Ollie and Charlotte's heads.
"Thanks, Mom. Kids, how was school?" Ellie asked.
"Good! I love my art class and got another star for reading a book out loud." Charlotte supplied. She was always more gregarious.
"Ollie?" Ellie asked.
"It was fine. Sign up for baseball is tomorrow and I really want to play this year. I missed last year." Ollie complained. Ellie took a deep breath, because she simply didn't have the money for baseball fees, a new uniform, shoes, cleats and various other items.
"Hey, Ollie; why don't you go get your backpack so you can start on your homework?" Gwen suggested. Ollie got off the stool with a huff and went into the bedroom to get his school bag. "Ellie, I spoke with your neighbor. Super nice guy. He mentioned needing his apartment deep cleaned. That's something I can do, and he'll pay. That would get the ball fees paid for, and everything that comes with it." Gwen explained.
"I hate to ask that of you. I do have tomorrow off, so I could help you." Ellie said.
"We'll figure that out later. I did invite him for supper. You know…it's been seven years since Jack died. Admiral Slattery is a handsome man." Gwen said, never failing to get to the point.
"Mom? Seriously?" Ellie said.
"What? I maybe old, but I'm not blind or dead. He's twenty years too young for me, but he's just right for you." Gwen said. Charlotte had run into her room and so they were a bit freer to talk.
"Wow, Mom. I bet he would love to be objectified." Ellie complained. Truth be told, he was a handsome man, and was Ellie's type. Tall, brooding, reasonably good looking, and good with people. Charlotte had talked about him since they had delivered food to him.
"Just think about it. He's a good man. Jack would want you to go on. He would want you to have some fun and he would want the kids to have someone. Its not an engagement, but there is no harm in having a lonely man over for dinner." Gwen said.
"He had a wedding ring on two weeks ago. Maybe there is a missus somewhere." Ellie said.
"If there was a missus somewhere, he would not be living in an apartment, or needing it cleaned. He would be in a house in the suburbs, eating a roast dinner on Sundays." Gwen said.
"True." Ellie agreed. Gwen pulled the lasagna out of the oven and whistled. There was also salad, rolls and a lemon meringue pie on the counter. If nothing, Mike would eat well.
"Perfect. I made a larger one then normal. A man that size has a big appetite." Gwen said.
"You are a mess." Ellie said. Just then there was a knock on the door. She went to it and opened it, revealing Mike. He was wearing plain clothes. Jeans, a t-shirt, ballcap and had a bag in his hand.
"I hope you like red wine? I wasn't sure what to bring." Mike said. He looked nervous.
"Perfect. I've not had red wine in forever. Come in." Ellie said, inviting Mike in. He followed her into the dining area and gave Gwen the wine to chill.
"It smells really good in here." Mike remarked.
"That's all Mom's doing. Ollie? Charlotte?" Ellie yelled for her kids about the same time she realized that she was wearing her scrubs. All she really wanted was her pajamas, but she needed to change. Ollie appeared and gave Mike a rare smile.
"Hi, Mr. Mike!" Ollie said. He had obviously met Mike at some point and liked him, which was rare.
"Hi, Ollie. Its nice to see you again." Mike said.
"Ollie, help Grandma set the table. I'm going to change clothes real quick." Ellie said. Mike nodded and began helping Ollie. Ellie exchanged a look with Gwen, who just smiled. Ollie seemed to really like Mike.
Ellie walked into the room she shared with Charlotte. The little girl was sitting on their bed with one of Ellie's dresses in her hand. "I think you need to wear this, Momma. It looks so pretty on you." Charlotte said. It was a dusty blue in color with white flowers all over.
"Alright." Ellie said, not having the energy to argue. She put on a white camisole and then the dress. She choose to go barefoot, because her feet were killing her. At least she had shaved her legs the day before. The dress was only knee length.
The table was set, and they all sat down to eat. Mike spoke to both kids on their levels, telling Ellie, he knew how to talk to kids. Charlotte and Ollie both seemed to really like him, and Ollie was much more talkative with Mike.
"I hope I can play ball this year, but Mom isn't sure, and I don't know how to throw the ball." Ollie told Mike.
"I could help you with that. I'm home for a few days. Are you left-handed?" Mike asked, indicating how Ollie held his fork with his left hand.
"Yeah. The mitts are more expensive for a leftie. It stinks." Ollie said. Mike nodded in understanding.
"My son was a leftie too." Mike said quietly. Ellie and Gwen exchanged a look. The sadness was palpable.
"So, what will you do with all your time, since your home?" Gwen asked, more to change the subject.
"I still have to go into the office, but not away. I don't really know what I'll do during the evenings." Mike said. Gwen gave Ellie a smile, it was obviously a tactic of her's.
"You could take Ellie out for dinner? She's free most evenings and I would watch the kids." Gwen said. All Ellie could do was take a long drink of her wine.
"MOTHER!" Ellie said.
"Its alright." Mike responded.
"Do you not want to take my momma out for dinner?" Charlotte asked Mike.
"CHARLOTTE!" Ellie said. She was embarrassed by her family's behavior. At least Ollie was behaving.
"I know she looks a little wore out now, but we can get her cleaned up a little." Ollie said.
"OLLIE!" Ellie exclaimed.
"Its alright." Mike answered. He was actually smiling.
"You don't have to take me for dinner. I don't know what my family is thinking. I apologize." Ellie said.
"I actually wouldn't mind to. What night is good for you?" Mike asked. Ellie was shocked.
"Tomorrow at six is good for her." Gwen said. Ellie rolled her eyes in response.
"Perfect." Mike answered.
The rest of the dinner was full of good conversation. Mike was funny and connected well with the kids. As aggravated as Ellie was, she did like him. He sat between Ollie and Charlotte and showed Charlotte how to cut her lasagna up. He also kept Ollie talking, something that neither Ellie or Gwen were successful at. Maybe Ollie needed a male influence. He didn't remember Jack.
What shocked Ellie was that both kids gave Mike a hug before he left. She could tell he was touched by the gesture. Charlotte was very outgoing, but Ollie wasn't. The fact that he had hugged a near-stranger was shocking. He was too old to tuck in, but he did seem more talkative with Gwen and Ellie before bed.
Ellie fell asleep with Charlotte wrapped around her, but her mind was on the date the next night. She wasn't sure what to even talk about on a date, let alone what to wear, how to do her hair and make-up, or what perfume to wear. Hopefully her mom would help her, without planning a wedding.