Struggle For Control

Alex hooked Julia’s carseat up behind the
passenger’s front seat. She then
adjusted the review mirror to keep an eye on her. Alex looked at the slip of paper in her hand that held Mort’s
address. “Only a mile or so,” she said
to herself. She turned the key and was
soon on her way.

She turned onto Mort’s street and it was very much
like her own. Neatly manicured lawns,
attractive houses, people out and about.
What else was I expecting? She
studied the house numbers and came upon Mort’s. The house was a modest split-level home that looked as if it had
undergone recent renovations. She saw
Mort standing on the steps that led to the front door.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> He waved at her and she smiled.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This is going to be fine.

Alex got out and opened the back door.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Julia was wide-eyed and alert; she smiled
when Mort came into her line of vision.

“Find it all right?” Mort asked.

“Uh huh. We
don’t live very far apart, actually.”
There was a sense of awkwardness, but Alex ignored it the best she could
and kissed Mort’s cheek. “Thanks for
having us.”

“I’m glad you decided to come.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> He helped Alex by taking the diaper bag off
of her shoulder. “Let me apologize for
some of the mess in advance. I’m almost
done, but there are still a few things here and there I need to finish.”

“A handyman too?”

“Just the small things,” he said with a smile.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Painting, fixtures, the easy things.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Let me give you ‘the tour.’”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Mort led Alex inside and, after helping to
take Julia out of her seat, began to show Alex around.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The house was smaller than Alex’s, but more
than enough for someone living alone.
There was a galley style kitchen at the top of the stairs and a living
room attached to a small dining room to the left of them.style="mso-spacerun: yes">

The kitchen was painted a bright white and something
was definitely in the midst of cooking.
The living room and dining room were painteght ght blue and all of the
furniture appeared to be brand new. Not
wanting to send any mixed messages, Mort avoided showing Alex the bedroom, but
did show her the bathroom, proudly boasting about hanging the mirror and shower
door without any help.

Finally, he took Alex downstairs to his office.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This part of the house couldn’t have been
more of a contrast to the rest. The
walls consisted of dark wood paneling and the furniture was much older than
what the upstairs held. The center of
attention in the room wasn’t Mort’s desk, but a very old, worn couch.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Mort saw Alex looking at it and smiled.

“It’s like a pair of sneakers that you know you
should throw out, but they’re just too damn comfortable.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> That couch and I have been through lots of
naps, Doritos, and writer’s block together.”

Alex returned Mort’s smile.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “It’s pretty, um, rustic, down here.”

“Yeah, reminds me of a home I had.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I wrote a lot there, but now…I just don’t
have any stories in me.”

“Writer’s block?”

“No. No, I
don’t think so. I just think I’m a bit
burned out, you know?”

“I guess.”
Alex heard a timer go off in the kitchen, so did Mort.

“We can talk about it – about anything you want to
know – over dinner.” Mort waved a hand,
signaling for Alex to follow him back upstairs. Before leaving the room, Alex took a final glance around the
room. She looked back at the couch and
noticed something she hadn’t seen before: a black hat.

Not sure that would be the best look for him.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She chuckled to herself and went upstairs.

***

Author’s note: As I write this,
I keep getting more ideas…the story’s going to be longer than I intended.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I hope that I don’t lose any reader’s due to
length. Thanks for reviewing!style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Your comments are keeping me going!