Old Man Eli

"Vince's fist."

"Vince who and...what the hell happened?"

I shared every detail of my encounter with Vince and the police and of helping Kelli as best I could.

"So she's okay?"

"She looks a little like me right now but she seems okay."

"What will she do?"

"She didn't share any details with me but I got the feeling that she was going to make some changes in her life."

"God I hope so."

"You know it's really weird. I had talked to Eli a couple of times not long ago and he told me to as he put it 'keep an eye on your pretty neighbor' and something about her needing my help or something like that. How could he have known to say that?"

"That is strange. You and Eli are becoming pretty good friends." "He's so strange but I do enjoy talking with him."

"So you saved your pretty neighbor, she must see you as her hero."

"I seriously doubt that."

"Well you really were."

"I just happened to be there when Vince went nuts is all. It was kind of frightening in a way because when I saw him backhand her I wanted to beat the crap out of him."

"Had you seen what's her name a lot or anything like that?"

"Kelli. We'd had coffee a couple of times and I'd talked to her in the backyard a time or two but that's all."

"I guess he objected to that."

"How would he even know unless he was spying on her."

"Maybe she told him."

"Why would she do that and ask for trouble?"

"I don't have answers just questions."

"I've been getting a lot of that."

We met Kay and Mark at the restaurant and as soon as they saw me Mark smiled and jokingly said, "I told you to leave that woman alone."

"Very funny."

Sara added, "Actually it really was over a woman."

I shook my head and defended myself saying, "It wasn't over a woman but it did involve a woman. I'll give you two the unpleasant details inside." I went through my tale once again and they were as mystified by Eli's comments as I was.

Once I was done Sara said, "We should have invited Charlie to join us."

Kay agreed and Mark tried to stir things up by smiling at me and adding, "Maybe we should invite your neighbor too."

I gave him a crooked smile and said, "Charlie doesn't need our help."

"I wasn't thinking about Charlie, I want to meet this woman that got you into that fight." Then Sara added, "Yes maybe I should meet her too."

I wanted to get away from that subject and asked, "So what's the latest with Charlie?"

There was a short pause and then my Sara came back with, "I went to see him the other day after work. He seems in good spirits actually."

"No more info about Nita?"

"He just said it was time for him to move on. We talked for a long time but that was all he said."

Kay then finished it with, "Okay then the next time we get together we invite Charlie and your neighbor Kelli." I was glad when the conversation finally moved on to other things but I was having trouble keeping my attention with our little group.

I didn't see or hear from Kelli for almost two weeks and my one attempt to go see Eli ended in failure when he didn't answer his door. I talked to Charlie and he mentioned that Sara had stopped in to see him again and that didn't surprise me a whole lot because she had said she thought he was a nice guy. I was home from work no more than ten minutes when I heard a knock on my backdoor and then Kelli poked her head in asking, "Mind if I come in?"

I gave her my best smile and went to her saying, "Hi it's good to see you" and we shared an embrace. I held her at arms length and surveyed her before pronouncing, "You look great, even better than before."

"Thanks. I'm sorry I've been neglecting you."

"I'm sure you have had your hands full."

"I have."

"But you look so radiant things must be coming together for you." "They really are and I feel better than I have in a long time."

"What can I get you?"

"How about something cold and another hug." I took her in my arms and softly told her, "I've missed you and worried about you."

She held me close and said, "I've missed you too and thought about you every day."

Chapter Ten

Kelli seemed more relaxed than I had ever seen her. She hadn't mentioned what was happening regarding Vince and technically it was none of my business but I asked her anyway. "Feel free to tell me to mind my own business but...how are things between you and Vince?"

"I have a full restraining order against him and I've filed for divorce. He's out on bail of course and there is no trial date set yet but I suspect the lawyers will work out some kind of plea and he'll get a reduced charge."

"I'm sorry for what you've had to go through but I'm glad you're safe now."

"I feel like a great weight has been taken off of me. Vince was such a great guy in the beginning and we had a lot of fun together. What caused him to change I'll never know. Maybe he was hiding who he really was all along."

"You seem almost like a different person."

"I can be myself now and not have to worry about him catching me buying something he thinks I shouldn't or that I'm talking to my special neighbor."

"He didn't seem to like me very much."

She laughed and confirmed that with, "No he was sure you were out to take me away from him."

I gave her a light kiss and said, "It's a good thing he couldn't read my mind."

She looked at me for several seconds and then stepped back a little and asked me, "Have you seen Eli?"

"I tried but he wasn't home but I'll try again, maybe this weekend yet. Oh speaking of weekends I'm inviting you to join us for dinner this Saturday night."

"Really?"

"Yes, there will be six of us if you'll consent to joining us."

"Your girlfriend will be there?"

"Yes."

"How does she feel about this?"

"She seems fine with it."

"It's obviously a good thing she can't read my mind" and she laughed.

"But you will come won't you?"

"Do you really want me to or are you feeling sorry for me?"

"You don't need my sympathy I really want you to."

"I'd end up feeling like a fifth wheel."

"I'll see that doesn't happen."

"Be careful or you'll get hit again but by your girlfriend the next time."

"You're worth the risk." We talked a while longer and before she left I told her I'd pick her up Saturday at six for dinner.

Saturday morning about ten I went over to Eli's and knocked on his door. I found I was relieved when he answered and even smiled. "Morning Aaron the coffee is just done."

"How do you manage to always have fresh coffee when I see you?"

"Another mystery or another wonder?" There he went again with no answers just more questions. I had many questions but for most of them at least I knew I'd never get a straight answer. He always had an unshaved look and yet his facial hair never got longer. It was a short stubbly dark gray for the most part and just added to his aura. His slight build and strong penetrating eyes completed his look along with his slightly forward slant when he walked.

Somehow I knew I could know him for years and still never really know him. Was he eccentric? At the least. Odd? By most standards yes. Unbalanced? Perhaps to some but not to me. He was a harmless old man with a very sharp mind that just didn't work quite like mine or most likely most other people and I always looked forward to our short visits.

As was so often the case, as I was saying goodbye to Eli he had one more thing to tell me. "Come over tomorrow morning at nine. No sooner and no later." Simple as that, no explanation or any more information. I just looked at him and nodded in assent, glanced at the painting by the door and went home. What could he possibly want precisely at nine Sunday morning? We both knew I'd be there.

I went to get Kelli right at six and when I saw her I rudely stared at her. It wasn't because of her beauty so much, though she certainly was very attractive, it was just her pure and simple. The way she had dressed, her makeup and hair, her smile and her sparkling eyes. She was sexy and yet had a demure quality. I was under her spell instantly. I silently took her hand in mine and stepped back as I held her hand up and looked at her in an appraising way. My eyes went over her and I smiled like a happy drunk. Earlier I had mentioned how she dressed kind of frumpy but that look was long gone. "You are so awesome, so perfect."

"Thank you Aaron. You are sober aren't you?"

"Completely sober but totally overwhelmed by you."

"You better not let your Sara hear you say things like that but I' glad you approve. I'm not over dressed am I?"

"Not at all. I can't wait for the others to meet you." She stepped close to me and brushed my face gently with her hand and gave me a light kiss.

"Aaron I'm so flattered and happy that you find me attractive but be careful okay? I don't want you to spoil your evening just to please me."

"We'll be fine but as long as I'm alone with you I am compelled to tell you what I feel about you."

She smiled and paused and then said, "Maybe we better go."

"Maybe we better." When we picked up Sara, Kelli dutifully got into the back seat and we headed for Sanders Glen Steakhouse.

Charlie was there ahead of everybody and had a table large enough for the six of us. I was going to watch and see how long it would be before he started to hit on Kelli because I had a bet with Mark it would be under half an hour. The introductions were made and Charlie and Mark in turn complimented Kelli on how nice she looked. Sara sat to my left and Kelli was at the end to my right with Kay and Mark across from us and Charlie at the other end next to Sara. Our first round of drinks was delivered and conversation went on continually and Kelli didn't have to feel like a fifth wheel. Between Mark and me she had no time to feel left out. After half an hour I had lost the bet with Mark because Charlie and Sara were having a great time. I behaved myself but my thoughts were never far from Kelli and I found seemingly innocent reasons to touch her arm and even put my hand around her once for a moment as we shared something funny. Kelli and Kay seemed to really hit it off and Mark all but forgot about Sara, Charlie and me. Kelli's magic was working on him too. Her hand would touch mine as she made a point or to seemingly get my attention as though she really needed to do that. I did pay attention to Sara too though and she seemed comfortable and was having a good time so I wasn't worried that I had overdone it with Kelli. It was a bit of a tightrope walk for me but the evening went well and our dinner turned into cocktails at the bar for awhile before I took Sara home and then headed to Kelli's house.

Chapter Eleven

I walked Kelli to her door and we stood there for several minutes and talked. "Aaron I really like your friends and I had a wonderful time tonight."

"I'm glad you like them because they certainly like you."

"I hope so and I hope it wasn't to terribly uncomfortable for you."

"Sara and Charlie were having so much fun that it was easy."

"They do like each other that's for sure."

"They always have." We looked at each other for a second and then came together in a warm kiss that went on for some time.

"I was going to ask you in but I don't think that would be a good idea at the moment."

"Thank you for going tonight." She kissed me once more and then slipped inside. I felt like an old fashioned teenager left on the doorstep of his girlfriends house while her father waited inside tapping his toe impatiently.

I managed to get up Sunday morning in time to shower and wake up a little bit before I was to go see Eli. He said right at nine so with less than two minutes to go I went out the front door and headed toward his house. I made it as far as Kelli's house when she came out the front door too. "Well good morning Aaron where are you headed?"

"Good morning I was on my way to see Eli."

"I was going to get my Sunday paper."

"Come with me, it's time you two at least met."

"Are you sure he won't slam the door on me?"

"I don't think so."

"Okay let's see what happens." We slipped our arms around each other and made our way to his front door. I rapped on the door firmly and it slowly eased open. I looked at Kelli and then through the door into the semi darkness of his living room.

"Eli," I called out, "Eli it's Aaron." Still no sound or signs of life. Kelli and I let our arms drop and I went through the door first. The whole house seemed dark after being out in the sunlight but as my eyes adjusted I started to notice how dusty and dirty the place was. "Aaron is it okay?"

"Yes you can come in."

She stood next to me and her eyes slowly adjusted too and she said, "I thought you said the place was immaculate."

"I don't get it, it's never looked like this." I took a few more steps taking me deeper into the house and I called out again. "Eli it's Aaron." Still nothing so with Kelli hanging onto my hand we eased through the kitchen and then through the rest of the house. I tried to turn a light on but it didn't work and I looked at Kelli again. "This is weird beyond words."

We ended up back in the living room and then Kelli said, "Aaron here's a note to you." I don't know how we missed it when we came in but I picked it up and even before reading it I said, "Kelli look. There is dust on the note and no dust under the note, just a rectangle of polished wood in the middle of all that dust." I started to read aloud.

"Aaron. I'm sorry I couldn't be here to receive you and Kelli. I know you must have so many questions now especially as curious as you are by nature. All that I have told you I believe to be true and I have enjoyed your company over those many pots of freshly brewed coffee. I know how the two of you feel about each other and you have no more need of the ramblings of an old man. Kelli I admire your strength and resilience. Aaron has mentioned his very pretty neighbor on many occasions and I must agree with him on that point. My apologies for not being more sociable but I felt I was here for a reason and that precluded my desire to make your acquaintance.

Aaron you have long admired that painting by the door so please take it as a token of our friendship. Here is one last bit of interesting information. Did you know that Eli was the fourth son of Aaron in the Bible? Of no real significance I'm sure but interesting none the less. Good bye from your friend and mentor, Eli."

I looked at Kelli and asked, "How is it that he could make me feel so enlightened and yet I'm still in the dark. None of this makes sense, it's...it's all impossible and illogical."

"What is that painting he mentioned?"

"Oh just a small thing that caught my eye the very first time I was here. It isn't even all that impressive. Here I'll show you." We stepped over to the wall and I pointed at the little painting and my knees almost buckled. Kelli reached up and gently removed it from the wall and whispered, "It's you and me and you have your arms around me. That's not possible." She looked at me and then back at the painting again and then we just wrapped ourselves in each other and stood there like that in silence. I finally looked around once more and said, "Let's go home."

We stepped out into the bright sunlight and looked at our painting once more to make sure it was real and smiled at each other as the door closed behind us with a click. I turned the knob but the door was locked tight. It was just one more of the many mysteries surrounding Old Man Eli. With our arms around each other again we walked slowly home and Kelli kept looking at the painting in wonder and then would look up and me and smile. I still had his note in my hand as the only other evidence that he had ever entered my life. That and Kelli. Somehow I knew that without him I would not have my arms around her at that moment. I couldn't explain it, I couldn't diagram it and I couldn't measure it with a yardstick but I knew he was in that house to bring Kelli and me together and keep us safe.

When we got back to Kelli's she put the painting down on the table and I laid the note next to it before we embraced each other so hard it was difficult to breathe, but that led to a hard kiss which led to more. For some time then I didn't even consider Eli. Kelli and I were making love and just sharing love for quite a while. I felt so overwhelmed by my love for her it was like nothing I had ever experienced before. We proclaimed our love for each other many times over the next few hours and looked at our painting again and again. He was right, life is full of wonder and mystery but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Chapter Twelve

I left Kelli's about three o'clock because I had to talk to Sara and I wasn't looking forward to that at all. I called her and told her I wanted to come over and talk to her. She sounded guarded so I had a feeling she knew what was coming. When I got to her place she let me in and we went straight to the living room and sat on the couch. There was no way to sugar coat it or make it easy for either of us. We had been together for quite a few months and I thought the world of her. We'd had a lot of fun together and I had assumed we would end up falling in love and getting married. But it didn't happen. "Sara...I'm...we...I'm seeing Kelli." She didn't cry exactly but tears were appearing and it was killing me to see her hurt. "I'm sorry Sara I really am. I didn't mean for this to happen."

She swallowed a couple of times and looked down as she said, "I talked to Kay this morning for quite a while and she had a feeling there was something between you two."

"I've never meant to deceive you and I never planned any of this."

"Kay apologized because it was her idea to have Kelli join us for dinner. If I hadn't been so involved with Charlie I might have noticed myself."

"Sara it was already too late by then but I just hadn't accepted it yet. Sara I hope you don't hate me. I think the world of you and I treasure our memories." She didn't say anything so I stood up and kissed her cheek before leaving. Even though I loved Kelli I went home with a heavy heart and it was still hard to realize that it was over between Sara and me.

In the coming weeks Kelli and I were together almost all of the time. Either she was at my house or I was at hers. We were getting together with Mark and Kay fairly frequently and as time passed Kelli seemed to get happier and become more carefree and I loved her all the more for it. One afternoon Mark was teasing her and he said, "I'll bet you'd never strip to your underwear and wash cars for losing a bet."

"I'll take that bet. And just what makes you think I wouldn't?"

"I...I just know it."

"The only trick there is to get me into the position of losing a bet. Now would you have the nerve to wash cars in women's panties to settle a bet?"

"In women's panties? No way."

"Oh so you're chicken."

"No but...why women's panties?"

"Because they are a lot smaller and skimpier than your skivvies. For you to wash cars in your underwear would be about the same as a bathing suit."

"Yeah well I'd do it. But like you I'd have to lose a bet first."

"You just did."

"What?" "You bet me I wouldn't do it but I called your bluff. So...you lose and Kay and I watch you wash cars in a pair of her panties." "Now wait a second."

Kay laughed and said, "I have the perfect pair for you honey."

"No...I...Aaron don't you have something to say?"

"I think you've been had buddy."

Kay kissed him and said, "I think next weekend is open for us." The only one not to laugh was Mark. We were still laughing when my phone rang so I picked it up and it was Sara. "Um...hi Sara how are you?"

"I'm okay. Do you have a minute? I have a question."