What was that...
Did I even hear him correctly?

A whole minute had passed, which would've been enough for him to take whatever that was back and introduce himself properly.
However it didn't happen, instead, he just continued standing there with a rag, wiping his hands as he stared back at me, with a bored look.

I blinked twice before I narrowed my eyes and stood up, crossing my arms.
"Excuse me what." I cautioned.

"Oh my dear, are you done with your work? You should've joined us earlier!" Nicole Rejoiced as she looked at the man.

"That's not how we greet our guest, son."
John spoke glancing at him before turning back to me. "May I introduce you to my son, James. Jamie this is——-"

"The coyote from last night." The man, James said, with that sound like a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Jamie that is not nice, we agreed you'll—"

A gasp escaped my lips, and I couldn't help but glare at him. "Coyote you say, then you must be the jerk that shot at me last night."

The bored look on his face shifted to something more serious as he crossed his arms. "Are you slow or somethin'? I've told you I did not shoot at—-"

"Jamie!" John stood up. "Watch your words." He said before turning to me.
"Darlin, Trust me he wasn't shooting at you or had any intention of harming you, this is all just a—"

"Why is he calling me coyote then!? Because last time I checked, I for sure don't look like one." I addressed before Turing to the jerk. "Maybe he's the slow one!" I added.

"All right, you need to watch your—"

Nicole stood up interrupting as he started pointing a finger at me.
"James! That's enough." She scolded him. "You said you'd apologize, which is not what you're doing right now."

"Yeah, I did say that, after She apologizes first, not only she was torturing the cat but she walked into—" he began, but I wasn't going to let him make up such things about me.

"Woah woah! Did you just torture?! I was playing around with that cat! And apologize?! For what exactly!? I wasn't the one shooting at people! Oh, you're such a jerk!" I snapped at him, then turned to his parents.
"Excuse me, I think I better be going now. It was nice meeting the three of you." I concluded before I started heading toward the door.

As I walked off, my only way out of the living room was past the jerk. I walked as fast I could past him as I kept glaring up at him.
He only stared back down at me, and I just realized how tall and fit he was.
But that wasn't going to intimidate me, not the slightest.

I heard Nicole calling after me but I thought it would be for the best if I just left. As I made my way to the front door, I heard the voices getting louder and louder behind me, mostly Nicole's voice.

"STOP. Don't you walk out of that door!"

I was just about to walk out when someone came running after me, it was no other than the jerk. He came rushing and stopped right in front of me, holding the door closed. My eyes widened at his audacity.

"What— what do you think you're doing?!
This is kidnapping! Move, now!" I almost yelled, as I looked up at him glaring.

He looked down at me, clearly agitated.
Which is good, let him be angry.

"No." He responded, grinding his teeth.
My lips parted, and before I could speak he continued talking.

"Not before I...." He paused for a second. "I apologize." He finally spilled.

Well, this is getting interesting.
I raised an eyebrow as I crossed my arms.
"Oh yeah, alright. Go ahead." I ordered.

"Do you really need to hear it, we both know what happened last night—"

"Yeah, and what was that?"

"Trespassing. You trespassed and you were chasing the cat around, the only thing that chases pets around here are coyotes, so."

"Really, trespassing?! It was too dark for me to see anything! How would I have—"

"Well, maybe you should have known your way around before sneaking around in the dark like some intruder! My actions were justified in protecting my property." He hissed.

I couldn't believe him, I just got here yesterday and he expects to know my way around here just like that?
"I just got here yesterday! And This whole place is a maze! You're just trigger-happy, shooting first and asking questions later!"

"Of course, whatever you say. Look, I don't have the time or patience for this. I don't want to fight with my family over someone like you. Just stay away from my land unless invited, and we won't have any more issues. Got it?"

"Oh, believe me, I'll make sure to give your property a wide berth. I have no interest in interacting with someone as hostile as you. Unfortunately, your lovely parents have to deal with someone like you." I said sarcastically.

"Fine by me. Stay out of my way, and I'll do the same. Let's keep it that way for both our sakes." He said, Dismissive.

"You can count on it. Good luck dealing with your imaginary coyotes, Mr. Trigger-Happy. I'll be glad to stay away from you." I huffed.

"Likewise. Just remember, the next time you go exploring in the dark, be prepared for the consequences." He finished, then opened the door wide as he moved out of my way.

"Whatever." I walked past him but paused for a second. "Do Tell your lovely parents we are still up for lunch tomorrow, yourself excluded please." I spoke before stepping outside.

"Do I look like your personal butler or somethin?" He sneered. "You city folks are all the same."

"Yes, because I look like a coyote right? And really, Do you have a problem with— ugh.
I'm not gonna even start with you." I shook my head as I started walking away, and the door slammed shut after me.

"Dear, you're just in time for dinner. How did it go?" Ruth said as she came to the door.

I stomped inside, and fumed.
"Ruth! You're not going to believe it!"
And so on, I tried telling her about everything that happened next door.

"No no, I did not even say anything! I'm telling you he started it!" I returned, as I paced around the kitchen.
"And— Oh, I assure you, he knew exactly what he was doing! He accused me of trespassing on his precious property, so!? We are neighbors it's not like I'm some kind of thief.." I ranted.

"What am I even going to steal! A cow!? Maybe that cat but— Ugh! He was so dismissive and rude, he just wanted me gone and made it clear he didn't care about any explanation. You get what I'm trying to say right?"

Ruth finished setting the table and looked at me. "Edith, this is getting dragged way too long." She sighed. "Didn't you say he eventually apologized—"

"That was anything but an apology!" I laughed, hands over hips. "It was more of a peace treaty if you ask me.." I mumbled.

"There you go then, and peace is what we want. So what it is the problem now?" She muttered then motioned for me to sit.

"Yes, but the problem is—...I don't know what's his problem." I rolled my eyes as I sat down.
"Because I for sure don't have a problem with anyone." I added.

Ruth sat across from me and sighed.
"Then it's over, we don't need to linger on this anymore— "

"But—"

"It is over, Edith." She shut me down.

I've eventually let it go, and as we sat there eating dinner I remembered I forgot to tell her about lunch tomorrow. I glanced at her before looking back down at my food.

"By the way, I invited them over for lunch tomorrow." I mumbled.

"Tomorrow? Then I'll have to start preparing from now." She responded. Then stood up as she was done.

"Billy hasn't joined us today, is he still working outside?" I asked as I got up as well.

"He finished earlier and left." She answered. I hummed in response.

After dinner, I changed into a more comfy set of clothes and laid down along with Ruth in the downstairs living room, with the lord of the Rings playing on TV. I absolutely adore this trilogy.

"Ruth.."

"Hm, yes?"

"I was thinking maybe when we are back home, I can find work with Mr.Cameron." I said, eyes on the TV, while Ruth scrolled down her iPad.

"I think that's a wonderful idea, dear." She responded. "Your father liked working with him, I think he'll find you a good position in the firm."

"Yeah.." I sighed.

We spent the rest of the night in the living room, having small talks until it was time for bed.
Tonight I thought it's best not to look outside like yesterday if I wanted to sleep in my one room, which is what I ended up doing. As I lay in bed ready for the sleep to take me away, I couldn't help but think about what happened today, and that jerk.

"Mhh...I hope he has the most restless night of his life." I mumbled before falling asleep.