Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Neighborhood Watch

Well now, Officer, I don't know. Let me think. You don't mind if I have a seat do you? These old bones don't hold me up like they used to. Just shove that stack of magazines off to the side and rest yourself. Ahh...that's much better. 

I pride myself on knowing my folks and I don't imagine that anyone living here would've done such a thing as that. My husband and I started overseeing this building forty years ago. After he passed, my grand boy came to live with me and help keep the place up, but I still mind the people.

Let's see now, there are "The Bobbsey Twins" up on the seventh floor. Of course, that's just what I call 'em. They're a mischievous pair. They think they've fooled these old eyes by pretending there's just one of 'em living in that studio apartment, but I know there's two of 'em sharing the space. They might think their matching freckles and ponytails have fooled me, but one hums and the other chews her nails to the quick. However, I don't think they'd do such a thing. They don't cause any trouble, they're just poor.

Then there's Mr. Faraz. He was a professor for years. He's very private; I don't know that we've spoken more than a handful of words, but he's always polite, bowing and smiling. He's up on the fifth floor. You'll know his place by the smell of curry wafting out into the hall.

I know it couldn't be Mr. Pelko on the fourth floor. He hasn't been out of his apartment since he moved in. He has a terrible disease. What's that called? Agora-something-or-other. Poor soul. He hired Danny to shop for him and run errands. Best thing that could have happened to that sweet boy. Seeing as his father doesn't seem to much care about what happens to him, at least Mr. Pelko looks after him. They're good for each other.

There's that young couple up on the second floor, but they have their hands full with that new little girl. Oh, they longed for a baby for years and years. It broke my heart to watch them pine away for a little one, knowing they would be such good parents. Finally they adopted sweet Kotahi. I once heard another tenant remark that she was "damaged goods", what with her limp. Made me so angry, I refused to renew their lease. She's their little princess, she is.

Of course, Old Lady Robel wouldn't have done it. She's too busy with her birds in the courtyard. She shuffles down to her bench every morning with her pockets full of birdseed. I can always tell where she's been, following the little trail of seeds she leaves behind. She's lonely, but for the company of her little feathered friends.

Then there's...what's that? Well, if you've gotta go, I'll keep your card here. And I'll keep my eyes open for any curious characters.


Image courtesy of Unsplash.

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500 words inspired by the above picture and the cozy-noseiness of neighbors. I was struck by the thousands of stories tucked away behind those windows and how they might be woven together.

14 comments:

  1. I've been missing your stories. Glad you're posting again : )

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  2. Great write - Great descriptions of these characters, most especially, The Bobsey Twins.

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    1. Thank you, Kelly. They were the first tenants to introduce themselves to me. The rest followed suit.

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  3. I like how you tied it to a questioning about a crime, and you did a great job showing how there's always something who knows everything going on in a building like that!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. I wanted to focus on the residents, but I knew I needed to anchor it somewhere. I think there is more to this story...but I hope the trouble maker isn't the grandson. I guess I'll have to find out!

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  4. I love stories that combine various people and their backgrounds. I'd love to hear more about the crime and what happened. Great character descriptions. There's so much you could do with this!

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    1. Thank you, Roxanne. In truth, I'm not sure what the crime was...I simply liked the premise of one lady knowing the comings and goings of the entire building! I might need to flesh this story out because, as you said, there's a lot of potential for an interesting tale.

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  5. This reminded me of Rear Window with all the busybodiness of neighbors in close proximity. :)

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    1. Thank you, Mandy. I do love the idea of someone keeping tabs, knowing the comings and goings of her neighbors, but with a good heart. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Very typical city landlady chatter--you captured her so perfectly. I could see her in my head!

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    1. Thank you! Her voice was very strong in my head, too. I was happy to have her translate to the page as well as she did.

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  7. Mandy said it perfectly, with the Rear Window reference. Hopefully the officer isn't investigating a murder! Great character in the landlady, Morgan.

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  8. Thank you, Cameron. She yakked away in my head for a couple of days before I got her on paper. She was fun to "interview". I'm not even sure what the crime was (yet) but I think I might have to flesh this situation out a bit.

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Thanks for visiting! Your comments are warm fuzzies! (And con-crit is always welcome, too.)