Everything I Ever Want

''We're back again!''

I open the door a little wider and ask them to come in.

Elise gives me a kiss on the cheek and says:

''I brought the kids to use the pool, as we agreed.''

''Great!''

We met when I went to their house a few days after the move.

Her oldest son comes in and greets me, I think his name is Dylan, then little Erin comes in. Elise tells me she is seven years old, so I bend down so she can give me a kiss and she says:

Can I go to the pool?

Elise says:

''Erin, for God's sake!''

She questions:

''What is it Mom?''

I just say:

''All right.''

Then I point toward our backyard:

''Go ahead.''

She then follows and as I stand up, I see another silhouette in the doorway and as I stand up, my eyes travel up her body.

I stop at his face, where his blue eyes are staring at me. He looks shy.

Elise interrupts our too-long eye contact when she says:

''Oh, we brought Dylan's friend with us; I hope you don't mind.''

It has a beauty that really catches the eye.

I turn to her and say:

''Of course not. Come in...''

In my expression is the doubt about what his name is.

He holds out his hand and says:

''I'm Ethan.''

I hold his hand and just as I am about to say my name, Dylan calls him to go to the pool.

...

''And how are you Norah?''

Elise asks me while we are in the kitchen and I prepare some juice for the children, because Linda, my maid, is off today.

I know Elise is referring to the fact that I commented to her the other day about my marriage.

''Well, Connor and me, we are relatively well.''

I told her about what happened with my husband last year. I have only known her for a couple of months, but she has proven to be a friend I can trust and the fact that she has been through it before and commented to me first only made me trust her even more.

Also, even though we moved to get some new air and upgrade the relationship, I still feel that having someone to talk to about it is good for me.

She looks at me with a comfortable smile, but I feel like I am lying to myself by saying that. So I continue:

Actually, I don't know. He has been present when he can, because his work and travels cooperate little.

''I know how it is. But you'll get through it all, honey.''

''I don't say this to him, but I know I can say it to you. But it's hard to forget that your husband was having an affair with his secretary.''

She takes a deep breath.

''It is I know.''

Her husband cheated her with a much younger girl and she also still feels bad about it.

She finishes drinking the juice I served and we decide to take it to the kids in the pool.

As we arrive, I say:

''We brought you some juice and cookies.''

Dylan sitting on the edge of the pool looks at us smiling and Erin claps her hands, lovely as always.

I don't see the other boy.

I put the tray on the table under the parasol and as soon as I look at the pool again; he is leaving and when he finally stands up; he looks in our direction and runs his hand through his hair.

My eyes go down his body slowly and I swear I feel a little embarrassed to see him like this.