Poplar Grove Lane

Poplar Grove Lane

Oscar opened his eyes and leisurely stretched. He had the king bed to himself. Ivy liked to get up early. Oscar did not. The clanging pots and pans rang out from the kitchen. Preparing breakfast and shuffling the children out the door was Ivy’s ritual, not his. Oscar sauntered down the stairs, gave her a quick kiss and slipped out the door.

The sidewalk hummed with the morning commute. Vibrant red and orange leaves ushered in October. Pumpkins appeared on porches and wreaths hung on doors. Poplar Grove Lane gentrified overnight seven years ago. Payson Boulevard intersected Poplar Grove from north to south. Small businesses popped up on Payson giving a tall glass of water to a commercial district that was severely dehydrated. East of Payson, remodeled, sleek homes lined the sidewalk. West of Payson original, historic homes graced the street. This division not only divided the neighborhood, but also Oscar’s life. Oscar called each side of Poplar Grove home.

Oscar opened the side gate. He crept through the bedroom door in Olivia’s home. Oscar and Olivia had been together for a few years. Olivia’s house was an oasis of respite and peace. Olivia’s only complaint was Oscar’s nocturnal noises. Oscar understood and happily moved into the guest bedroom at night. The bedroom had direct access to the yard and, therefore, the side gate. Once the bedroom door closed, Oscar’s late night routine commenced: Olivia went to bed, Oscar went to Ivy’s, Oscar arrived back in the early morning hours to a sleeping Olivia, none the wiser.

“Where have you been!? I’ve been looking for you!” Oscar froze. Olivia was standing in his bedroom. He couldn’t read her expression. This was uncharted territory. Confusion quickly subsided. It was clear that she was worried about his safety, not his whereabouts. Relief filled her voice. “You must have been out for a morning walk. I’ll make you breakfast.” Olivia had to believe that there was some reason that Oscar did not stay. She made sure he was comfortable in her home, a bright, modern abode. Even when she could, and probably should, quibble at him, she didn’t. She didn’t want to risk him leaving. Olivia tried to make Oscar’s life as easy as possible. And yet, it wasn’t enough. It was never enough. Olivia was never enough. Oscar always left.

Oscar knows that having two homes is less than ideal. The problem is that he cannot find one person to satiate his needs. The uninhibited joy from the children at Ivy’s and the solace of peace at Olivia’s cannot be compared. Each is equally important to Oscar. He cannot be asked to pick one. Which is more than ironic since Oscar demands the full attention of those around him. He knows that this is not fair to anyone. And yet, selfishness can never be overlooked. While each woman gives her entire heart to Oscar, he is only reciprocating with half of his. Oscar doesn’t understand that the one he hurts the most by doing this is himself.

The next morning, Ivy watches him leave as she sips her coffee. She’s not stupid. She knows there is someone else. It doesn’t disturb her. Oscar and Ivy have a history. Through jobs, children, and new homes, they’ve always seen each other through.Their relationship is steady. She knows he has a life without her and that is perfectly fine. Ivy encourages him to explore and meet new people. A sole relationship cannot satisfy a complex being. Ivy doesn’t worry about him not returning. He always comes home.

Later that evening, Oscar and Ivy curled up together on the couch under a knitted blanket and watched the fire dance in the fireplace while an old movie plays on the television. The house is decorated for Halloween with fake spider webs, a skeleton by the stairs and a cauldron full of candy by the front door. The children sleep upstairs while the rain patters the window. It’s quiet. Very quiet. Too quiet. Doubt creeps within Oscar’s mind. Does Ivy know there is another home? Does she suspect that there is someone else? Does she care? Oscar knows that Ivy adores him. Ivy loves deeply and without fear. Unlike Olivia, she harbors no jealousy or despair. Oscar cannot help but feel a twinge of guilt. He knows that Ivy deserves more loyalty, but he cannot seem to summon it. Ivy gave her whole heart to Oscar, the fatal mistake that demands others’ happiness above your own.

Oscar creeps in through the bedroom door. Ever since the traumatic experience of finding Olivia in his room, his senses are on high alert. He slides in and waits. Nothing. He hears typing in the living room. Olivia works from home and greets him as he enters. “Sleep well? Breakfast is waiting for you.” Olivia is so thoughtful.After breakfast, Oscar lounges in the living room and idly glances at photographs on the mantle. Each photograph housing a memory of a moment in time. Oscar has no idea who any of the people are in the photographs. Oscar found it jarring, almost unnatural, that Olivia had a life before him. “Keep me company today?” Olivia’s question jolts Oscar into reality. He joins her on the couch and watches her type.

Even though Oscar is next to her now, Olivia knows this relationship won’t be forever. She’s known that from the beginning. It was always temporary. Oscar had just walked into her life one July night and never left. She remembers it like it was yesterday: Oscar walking down the street, looking lost and Olivia, feeling bad for him, had stepped off her porch and offered help. They had seen each other every day since that summer evening. Her mind spirals into mania. Where does he go at night? Why does he leave? Olivia occasionally allows herself to believe that one day, Oscar will stay. This is nothing more than a daydream. Olivia knows that Oscar will never allow her to truly know him. Oscar holds each woman at arm’s length and by doing this, he hurts everyone equally. As the rain drops on the roof, Olivia reflects. She worked hard year after year to get to where she was in her career. After years of climbing the corporate ladder, Olivia surveys the scene from the top. It’s a lonely scene filled with years of hard work and complacency disguised as hope in her personal life that produces a hollow ache in her heart. Always telling herself: one day…. But one day never came. Her own choices have betrayed her. In the twilight of her sorrow, a thought emerges: She doesn’t have to live this way.

Something was wrong. Oscar couldn’t open the gate. Where was Olivia? The answer was obvious. She was gone.

Later in the week, Oscar went by the house. It was empty. The back door was open. He walked in. Oscar roamed from room to room. Memories flooded his mind. He would miss Olivia. Oscar wished her happiness and love as he walked out of the house.

It would be fitting if Oscar ever learned from his lessons. If there was some small measure of justice for how he treated those around him.

Ivy was in a rush. All the kids and the cat needed to get in the car. “Honey, where’s Oscar? Put him in his crate. Let’s go!”