Neighbors

I'm sitting here, watching the neighbors across the street move out. It was especially strange this morning, because for several hours the people moving boxes out weren't my neighbors. I might have wondered if they were being robbed, except the boxes were so neat and the people were taking their time, packing in a very orderly way.

I didn't know my neighbors were moving, but I'm not surprised. They were renting from a family friend, and at some point, when we were still talking regularly (more about that in a moment), the woman had mentioned their lease would be up last fall. She's about to deliver her third baby (second since I moved in less than two years ago -- very efficient!), so I imagine they've outgrown the house.

I liked these neighbors, although they curiously decreased their friendliness sometime last summer. After a very strange interaction when they ignored me while I was standing about six feet away, planting flowers, I clued in that they may think I stole their garbage can.

In fact, the garbage pickup just switched them, but mine was crappy and theirs is nice. It took me weeks to notice (I thought mine had just been automagically replaced by the sanitation department), and by then I thought, well if they're mad they should just ask for theirs back rather than being passive-aggressive.

I have to say, I won't miss their dog. They let the dog out every evening until about 10:30, and he stands in the one place where he can see from the backyard and barks at anything that moves. The noise travels in a beeline for my bedroom window.

Nope, won't miss that at all.