Chapter 2
Gathering myself up I limped through my door to the bathroom and began doctoring my bloodied knee. It wasn’t near as bad as it felt but that still didn’t make me feel any better. Inside I was seething at the thought of having a long unpleasant summer ahead of me.
Now I found myself glancing over my shoulder with nervousness as I sat at my computer writing my stories, watching the house behind me for any repercussions that might result from that letter I’d sent. Would they be angry or possibly vindictive? They couldn’t know for sure which neighbor had sent it, so maybe I felt a little paranoid. And it was possible they just pitched it in the trashcan and would laugh it off as just an old busybody neighbor with nothing better to do than complain.
After a week, I was beginning to wonder if they were right as I was becoming too preoccupied with what was going on across the alley…or more so as to what wasn’t going on. It became so quiet after all the frantic activity that I was beginning to wonder if I’d imagined it all.
With the early summer weather and warm evenings I began my late night walking once again. I’d write for a few hours then sometime around midnight I’d push away from my computer, stiff and tired from sitting, put on my shoes, strap on my walking music and head out the door.
Oh walking late at night is exhilarating!! It’s so quiet and the streets are empty and the night air is cool and refreshing. Walking past some houses will bring whiffs of a late night supper or someone’s dryer spinning clothes to put out the sweet smell of fabric softener sheets. Cool evenings bring the scent of a wood burning fireplace.
Some people leave their curtains open and it’s interesting to see their wall decorations and get somewhat of a layout of their home. Seldom do I see people…just occasionally their televisions going and I picture in my mind their stretched out bodies relaxing after a long day.
In late May, I left to walk earlier than usual…just after the sun set which left the sky a deep purple before blackness sets in and shows off the stars like diamonds twinkling against a velvety deep purple curtain. I walked the side streets working my way downtown. I love walking through downtown and looking in the store windows…I love looking at our beautiful courthouse with ground lights lighting up its grandeur. I love the tall trees and stately towering evergreens and the huge rock with its plaque…and the monument. I sometimes circle the courthouse two or three times just to look at it…and sometimes sit on its steps just to take a quiet break.
Coming through downtown I am awed by the really huge flowerpots that later in the summer will overflow with leafy vines and flowers that I can smell before I ever reach them. Often I take the two block walk to the river where sidewalks cut from the south bridge to the north bridge, and then I cross the bridge and bring the other sidewalk back to where I started. It’s lined with trees…flowering in the spring season…and old fashioned streetlights and benches. The east walkway has a gazebo that in the summer is nearly hidden by flower beds, and more benches and streetlights…a lovely, lovely place to walk.
This night is particularly sweet as my writing has been coming along right on schedule and I will meet my deadline…the pressure is off and my publishers will be thrilled to receive it earlier than they expected. I opt for the longer walk along the river and then head back home. I hear the music blaring and smell the smoke almost before I can see my house. Well, so much for it staying a sweet evening and I can feel my blood pressure is rising and my nerves tightening.
Unlocking my back door I come through it boiling. I remove my walking music and proceed to bang windows closed, cutting off what was the sweet night air that had been drifting lazily through my little house. Sitting down at my computer I will write one final letter…a warning this time. Cease the noise and figure out how to curtail the heavy grilling smoke or I will file a formal complaint with the authorities!
Dropping my letter in the mailbox, I cut back down my alley and pause outside their privacy fence and listen to the voices. I can’t pick out what is being said but I notice the laughter and sense the fun they are having….at my expense I remind myself. I do notice the absence of kids voices and figure it’s just an adult get together and I wonder to myself when I’m gonna start having to endure squealing, raucous kids. I feel sure they will spill over into the alley with their bikes and toys…and noise.
I slip through my door and close off what noise and smoke I can and prepare for bed. My manuscript still needs some final work but I’m tired. I need to sleep so I can finish my work with a clear mind. Crawling between the sheets though my mind turns to what’s going on across the alley and sleep evades me for too long.
To be continued....
Copyright blbadgley
05/10/08
Copy & paste to friend: (Click inside box; Ctrl + C to copy; Ctrl + V to paste)
|
|
read more blogs!
Blogs by newpatches:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A Stone's Throw Away...pt. 2 (story) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|