Opportunity

Tony crouched behind a shrub as the jogger passed by, engrossed by whatever played in her earbuds. She didn’t even notice him, inches from her legs.

Across the street in her yard, Maisie rode in her shiny new pink toy Hummer. Its engine was nearly as loud as its real counterpart. 

So far, the little girl stayed in the grass, but she kept inching closer to the sidewalk. She was eyeing the concrete like it was a prize to be had.

Her dad was in the garage, tinkering with a motorcycle. Every so often, Maisie’s mom came to make sure he was watching their daughter. He was paying more attention to the bike.

Patience. It would pay off sooner or later.

It almost always did.

The fact that it sometimes didn’t pay off made the whole thing all the more thrilling. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be a challenge. His heart wouldn’t be racing like it was right that moment.

Maisie’s dad went deeper into the garage, hidden by a car. The little girl herself moved closer to the sidewalk. The toy Hummer’s wheels went halfway over the cement this time.

It was getting close to time. Soon he would talk to Maisie again. Maybe convince her to come for the present. Or maybe just build more trust. It might take a few days.

Patience. That was all it would take. Then all his hard work would pay off.

Her dad reappeared, tools in hand and got back to work on the motorcycle, turning his back to the yard and his daughter.

The miniature Hummer now pulled off the grass entirely and rode over the sidewalk as she circled back to the yard. 

Her dad didn’t even notice.

Maisie continued widening her path until she rode up and down the sidewalk, not even bothering with her yard except to turn around. There was no reason, not when her dad was so engrossed with the motorcycle and the mom hadn’t come out in a while.

At first, she stayed directly in front of her house, not crossing the clear lines marking the edges of her property—longer grass on both sides indicated where Maisie’s yard ended and the neighbors’ began. But then she began inching closer and closer each time she turned around until she was crossing over on the neighbors’ yards.

Her dad turned around when she rode on the driveway. “You’re supposed to stay on the grass.”

“This is more fun.”

“Your mom wouldn’t like it.”

“Please,” Maisie begged.

He frowned. “Just don’t go in the road.”

“Yay!” She tore down the driveway and to the sidewalk, barreling down past the property line. 

Maisie was heading away from Tony, but she turned around in the neighbor’s yard soon enough and flew past her house again, squealing and giggling. 

Her dad didn’t turn around, nor did her mom so much as peek outside.

Maisie passed the next house and didn’t slow as she went past another house and another.

It was time for him to make a move. He looked around for anyone who might be looking his way. 

Nobody was.

He rose and stretched his legs. The road was quiet, other than the sounds of the toy Hummer’s engine and of the hammering from Maisie’s garage. Her dad was completely engrossed with the motorcycle.

Maisie turned around and headed back toward her house.

The front door swung open.

Tony ducked back behind the shrub.

Maisie’s mom appeared. “Maisie!”

“She’s riding on the sidewalk.” Maisie’s dad didn’t look away from his project.

“I don’t want her on the street,” the mom objected.

“She’s on the sidewalk. I’m watching her.”

The mom crossed her arms and stepped into the yard, watching Maisie.

The little girl waved as she passed in front of the yard. “Daddy said I could ride out here!”

Her mom scowled but didn’t object. She watched as her daughter went up and down the sidewalk a few times, then turned to her husband. “You’re not watching her if your back is to her.”

“I can hear her!”

“If anything happens to her, it’s on you. Just know that.”

“She’s fine.”

Maisie’s mom glared at him. “I have to get back inside. I wish you’d watch her.”

“Our neighborhood is perfectly safe, and I am watching her. I can hear her just fine.”

They had a few more words, before the wife stormed back into the house, muttering to herself then slamming the door. 

Meanwhile, Maisie continued her path up and down the sidewalk, traveling a little farther each time. 

Tony waited a minute, then rose to his feet again and strolled inconspicuously in the direction of his car with the present inside. He just needed to cross the street to reach it now.

Maisie was inches from it, her blonde hair flying behind her.

He crossed the street and checked to make sure his car was unlocked as he passed it. It was. The balloon and present were all in the backseat, eager to leave and have Maisie join them.

She turned around, now five houses away from her own. 

The man waved and leaned against his car as she neared.

It took a moment for recognition to cover her face. She waved back and then zoomed past, barreling toward her house and passing it.

He didn’t move from his spot, though he was ready to jump out of sight the moment one of Maisie’s parents showed up at the edge of their property.

They didn’t.

Maisie went pretty far away before finally turning around and heading back his way. 

“Come inside, Maisie!” Her mom’s voice drifted his way.

The little girl waved as she rode past her yard and neared him again. 

“We need to go meet Grandma and Grandpa! Put that truck away, Maisie!”

Tony swore under his breath. So much for his big opportunity. He’d been so close.

Patience, he reminded himself. There would always be tomorrow. Or the next day, or the day after that. Each day was a new opportunity to make himself more familiar to the girl. To finally bring her to his cabin.

He opened the back passenger door and pulled out the pink balloon. 

Maisie slowed as she approached, a questioning expression slowly crossing her face. 

The man handed it to her. “Here, have this before it stops floating. Happy birthday, Maisie.” 

She grasped it, her eyes wide. “Thanks, mister.”

“Tony.” He smiled widely. “You’d better get back to your mom before you get in trouble. Go on.” 

Maisie managed to turn around and barrel down the sidewalk without letting go of the string. 

He watched until she turned onto her yard and disappeared from sight. Then he got into his car and drove away, already making plans for next time.