1. Like a Good Neighbor 24


    Date: 7/30/2024, Categories: Fiction Author: Rhiannon57

    ... very good worker and has become a great asset to the business,” I replied.
    
    By that time, an adorable little blonde-haired girl had gotten up and walked up standing slightly behind Ryleigh. It was not hard to see that it was her daughter. I knelt and looked her in the face which caused her to move further behind Ryleigh.
    
    “You must be Maci, I have heard so much about you. Today is your birthday, right?’, I asked.
    
    She simply nodded but relaxed a little bit and stepped from behind Ryleigh somewhat. Ryleigh was urging her daughter to talk up.
    
    “Well, since it’s your birthday, these are for you.”, I said, extending the two wrapped boxes.
    
    “Those are mine?’, she asked.
    
    “Yes, they are.”, I answered.
    
    “But you don’t know me…….”, she replied, confused.
    
    “That’s true but……... I work with your mom and she has told me a lot about you. So, I feel like I kinda know you.”, I laughed.
    
    She stepped up and took the presents thanking me and ran over and set them on the table with several others. She then ran back and sat down with the other two girls. I was then introduced to several aunts and uncles who had arrived before me.
    
    A few minutes later, Ryleigh’s father asked me to help him start up the barbeque pit. This was his way of interrogation the new guy his daughter had brought home. I understood it perfectly. I followed him out to a large patio that was completely covered by an awning. He started fooling with the gas barbeque and had it on in several ...
    ... minutes.
    
    “So, you’re the one that is responsible for this transformation my daughter has gone through.”, he asked.
    
    “Not really sir. I showed her how to train but she did it all on her own.”, I replied.
    
    “Even though, I want to thank you for what you have done. Ryleigh has her confidence back and she looks amazing. She has been through some tough times, but I think this is exactly what she needed. Understand, she is my only child and means the world to me.”, he confessed.
    
    “Yes sir, I understand.”, I replied.
    
    “I’m sure she has told you about her husband, Dustin. He’s a real piece of shit that I have absolutely no use for. But he is very well connected and the father of my grandchild. He will make Ryleigh’s life hell until that child is grown and can make her own decisions.’, he said, in an angry tone.
    
    “Yes sir, she told me some things about him.”, I answered.
    
    “I’m not sure whose worst……... him or his father. Be careful around them. They can cause trouble for you.”, he warned.
    
    “I doubt that sir. Half the police force trains in my gym daily including the precinct captain and two lieutenants. I do not charge then anything and love having the police presence there all the time.”, I replied.
    
    “Well, that’s good to know.”, he answered.
    
    Several hours later, everyone had eaten, and it was time to give Maci her presents. She was elated when she opened the IPAD and came over and gave me a hug voluntarily. By the end of the day, she was sitting beside me watching cartoons on ...
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