I’ve been raising my children alone since my husband left for his lover, who ironically happens to be my rival for a promotion at work. As I try to navigate my personal and professional lives, a persistent neighbor always offers me help. Life hasn’t been easy, but after several setbacks, I’m reconsidering my opinion of him.
My morning started as usual. Jake’s loud cries echoed through the small house. I groaned, trying to shake off the fog of exhaustion after another sleepless night. I dragged myself out of bed and headed to Jake’s room.
“Mom!” he whimpered.
I quickly realized the problem. His wet pants were sticking to him. Again.
“Jake, honey,” I sighed, scooping him up into my arms. “I’m sorry, I forgot the diaper.”
I stripped off his soaking wet pajamas and dried him off as quickly as I could. No time to dwell today. Today was a big day.
As I carried Jake to the kitchen, I saw Mia sitting up in bed and yawning. She wasn’t one to jump out of bed. No, she was waiting for me to come get her dressed, especially on a school day.
“Mia, honey, you need to get up and get dressed. We don’t have much time today.”
She groaned and flopped back onto the pillow, her curly hair covering her face.
“I don’t want to go to school! They’re serving steamed vegetables again.”
I smiled, even though I didn’t have time to argue.
“We’ve talked about this before, Mia. You need to eat healthy. It’s good for you.”
“But they taste gross!”
“Gross or not, you eat them. Come on, we’re gonna be late!”
Jake’s gluten-free breakfast was a pile of crumbs on the counter while Mia stared at her plate of vegetables like it was poison. The ticking of the clock grew louder in my head as I checked my phone.
“Alright, let’s go!” I yelled, grabbing my bag and juggling coats and backpacks.
We rushed outside, and just then, our new neighbor, Nick, appeared out of nowhere.
“Hello, Emma!” he called with a friendly wave.
His wide smile was a little too bright for 8 a.m.
“Need help?”
I didn’t have time for small talk. I put on a polite smile.
“Thanks, Nick, but I got it.” »
Before I could sit Jake down, he reached out his sticky hands—which had somehow found syrup—and smeared it all over my suit jacket.
“Jake!” I yelled, my stomach in knots. “Not today!”
I didn’t have time to change. I wiped the stain away as best I could and hurried to drop Mia off at school.
I was already late for work, dropping Jake off at my friend Lisa’s office at the front desk before rushing upstairs to the meeting. I pushed open the door, my heart pounding, and there she was—Stephanie.
This was the woman who had not only destroyed my marriage, but was now competing with me for a promotion. She smiled that cocky, confident smile, and it hit me. She was ready to win. Like she always did.
I pulled myself together, determined not to let it get to me. But when I opened the presentation slides, my heart sank. Scribbles. Colorful scribbles all over my files! It was Mia’s work from the day before.
I wore my stained suit, my career hanging by a thread. My boss’s face turned to disappointment.
“Emma,” he said quietly after the meeting, “if you don’t get this together, I’m afraid we’ll have to reconsider the promotion.”
I was about to lose everything. Then my phone rang. It was school. Mia was sick.
I had to hurry. Again.
That night, after I’d finally gotten the kids to sleep, I collapsed on the patio chair. The cool night air brushed my skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me.
One day. I have one day left to finish the project that can make or break everything.
Stephanie’s face appeared before me, smug and victorious. She had already taken so much from me. She wanted my career too.
I sighed and looked over the fence. Nick was standing there, waving again. I hadn’t noticed him before, he always showed up when things seemed unbearable.
Before I knew it, I was waving for him to come over.
What do I do?
“Hey.” Nick sat down next to me. “You look… stressed.”
I don’t know what came over me, but it all came pouring out. The words came out faster than I could stop them.
“I’m drowning, Nick. Divorce, kids, work… I feel like I’m failing at everything. I don’t know how much longer I can take it.”
To my horror, tears started streaming down my face. I hadn’t cried like that in months, maybe years. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t stop.
“Emma…” Nick began, but I cut him off.
“No, no, no! You have to go.”
“I’m fine,” I snapped, shutting down, my heart pounding with fear. “Please, go.”
What do I do? I don’t need any more men near that fence. I don’t need anyone.
The next morning was complete chaos. I barely managed to get both kids dressed and out the door.
Mia, still pale and sniffly from the night before, clung to her blanket, while Jake was a bundle of energy, bouncing around like he’d had two shots of espresso.
My mom had promised to help, but her flight was delayed and I had no one to watch the kids. Desperation washed over me as I realized I had no choice but to take them to work with me.
It was the last thing I needed on the day of my big presentation.
As we pulled into the office parking lot, I glanced at the clock. I was already walking over.
“Okay, guys. We’ll just sit quietly at the front desk, okay? Mom has something really important to do.”
Mia nodded weakly, but Jake…well, Jake had other plans.
I dropped the kids off at the front desk with a pleading look at the receptionist.
“I’ll be quick.”
After taking one last look at my kids, I rushed to the conference room.
As I prepared to prepare for the presentation, a feeling of dread washed over me. My files. I had left them in the courtyard, scattered in the chaos of getting the kids into the car.
Then a noise from the front desk caught my attention.
I looked over and saw Jake spinning around in the receptionist’s chair, while Mia had found some papers and was folding them into little airplanes.
The receptionist, bless her heart, was on the phone and hadn’t noticed the chaos unfolding.
“Jake! Mia! Stop!” I hissed as I rushed forward, but it was too late.
A stack of papers flew into the air, and Jake, laughing, dashed between the desks, knocking over a stack of brochures.
There was no way I was going to make this presentation. I was about to give up, to tell David it wasn’t going to happen, when suddenly the office door flew open.
My God! It’s Nick! But how?
“Sorry I’m late,” he said with a friendly smile, as if we had planned everything.
He quickly gathered the kids and apologized to the receptionist.
“I was a little late, but I’m here now,” he said, winking at Jake.
“Oh, and Emma,” he added, pulling a file out of his bag. “I think these are yours.”
He had brought the files I had forgotten. I couldn’t believe it.
The presentation went off without a hitch. I was sure I had passed. But when it was over, David approached me with a somber expression.
“Emma, you did a great job,” he said, “but I’m not sure you’re ready for this promotion. Your personal life seems to be interfering too much.” »
His words hit me like lightning. I saw Stephanie across the room, celebrating with my ex-husband by her side.
She won. Again.
Later that night, I dragged myself to Nick’s door, feeling like I had no energy left. The weight of the day still weighed heavily on my shoulders.
“They’re asleep,” Nick said softly as he led me inside.
I glanced into the living room where Jake and Mia were curled up on the couch, peacefully asleep, their little faces relaxed.
They looked so content, fed, and without a hint of fever. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude.
“Thanks, Nick,” I whispered, trying not to wake the kids.
He waved as if it was no big deal.
“They were great. Jake even helped me make dinner. Sort of,” he laughed.
I smiled, but it quickly faded as the reality of my day hit me.
“So, how did it go?” he asked, motioning for me to sit at the dining table. “Did you nail the presentation?”
“No, not really. I mean, the presentation itself went well, thanks to you… but my boss doesn’t think I can handle the promotion. Personal stuff keeps getting in the way.”
I felt my chest tighten as I said it out loud.
“I’m sorry, Emma. It’s not fair, especially after everything you’ve been through.”
I glanced at the food he had prepared. My stomach growled.
“Let’s go get dinner.” Nick smiled again.
I caved. The smell of hot food made me realize how hungry I was.
We ate in silence, and for once, it wasn’t awkward. It was comforting. The food was tasty.
After dinner, I pushed my plate away.
“Thanks, Nick. I think I’ll just lie down with the kids for a bit.”
“Take your time.”
I immediately fell asleep until morning.
I woke up to a text from my boss.
You’ll get the promotion if you can manage your time better.
I blinked in disbelief.
Nick handed me a cup of coffee, and I glanced over at the kids playing in the yard. They were completely absorbed in their new ball and scooter, laughing and chasing each other around like nothing else in the world mattered.
“Thanks for the coffee,” I smiled, taking the cup.
“You know, I already talked to your boss this morning,” Nick said casually, taking a sip from his cup.
I froze mid-sip, looking at him in surprise.
“Wait, you talked to my boss?”
“I told him how hard things have been for you lately, and how you’ve been holding up since your husband left. I also told him I’d be there to help you with the kids so you could focus on your work.”
I looked at him, stunned.
“And he listened to you?”
“Yes,” he replied with a smile. “You get another chance. I convinced him you deserved it.”
I looked at him, trying to figure out how someone who had only just entered my life could have done so much for me.
“Nick, who are you? How do you do all this?” »
He chuckled softly, glancing at the children who continued to playfully kick the ball around.
“I run my own IT company. A few years ago, it was all-consuming, but now I’ve set it up so that it practically runs itself. Now I can focus more on the good things in life… like you and your kids. So…”
“You’re amazing,” I whispered.
“Give me a chance to be closer, Emma.”
I felt warmth spread through my chest. He seemed so genuine, so reliable. I was ready to trust him again.
“Let’s spend the weekend together,” I suggested, looking into his eyes. “And we’ll see how things go from there.”