New Neighbors | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: New Neighbors | Previous Challenge Entry
By Vickie Buchanan
06/04/09
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The moving van backed into the driveway at 2120 Acorn Street. The garage door yawned open, ready to receive the van’s contents. New lives were about to become a part of the neighborhood on the quiet cul de sac. A blue SUV arrived moments later and parked at the curb. The woman that emerged moved quickly and with purpose, her dark hair in a pony tail that bounced with each step. She wore sweat pants and a loose shirt that looked as though she meant to get to work.

Edgar Barney sat in his brown tweed club chair with well-worn arms and lumps that fit his aged body. He sat in that chair every day in his house at 2124 Acorn Street, situated so he could watch life as it happened up and down the street. Recent years hadn’t been too kind to old Edgar. His wife died 3 years ago and there was a bitter misunderstanding between Edgar and his 2 sons. They didn’t come around anymore. So Edgar fussed over his yard, read the newspaper from front to back and sat in the brown tweed club chair, watching the action on Acorn Street. He watched intently as the moving van unloaded the furnishings. The usual…a couch, refrigerator, some tables, several beds.

“A lot of beds,” he mumbled to himself. “Wonder how many people they’re planning to cram into that house. And how many of them will be bratty little kids?”

As if to answer his question, the side doors of the SUV opened and the youngsters began pouring out. Six in all, they soon filled the driveway. Voices began competing, demanding the whereabouts of personal possessions.

“Oh, no,” groaned Edgar. “There’s a whole flock of them. There goes my lawn! And my peace and quiet.” He continued grumbling under his breath all afternoon as he watched the household spill onto the driveway, then get whisked into the house. The woman, obviously the mother, directed where to take each item. Before the summer sun had set the driveway was clear and the moving van was gone. The trash and debris that Edgar had anticipated didn’t exist; it had been a pretty smooth operation.

Two days passed with a minimum of activity outside the house at 2120. There was enough to do inside, with four bedrooms and a play room to organize. Finally, eight-year old Becky found a reason to spend some time outdoors. She was sent out to water the roses that had been neglected while the house was vacant. Her hands held a firm grip on the hose as she went from plant to plant.

Edgar was doing his usual fussing in the front yard, getting things done before it got too hot. He watched the young girl as she put her best effort into watering the plants. There were more of them than she thought, and her hand was getting tired. She looked up to realize that someone was nearby, looking at her. Her grip loosened and the hose became a wild snake, spewing water in a vicious arch, soaking Edgar in the adjoining yard. It didn’t miss his front window.

“Look what you’ve done! I’m drenched and so’s my window! Where’s your mother?”

“I’m really sorry, Mister. You startled me. I’m Becky. What’s your name?”

Oh, fine, he thought. I’m soaked and she wants introductions. “I’m Mr. Barney, and I want to talk to your mother! Or maybe I should talk with your father.” Edgar thought he might learn why he hadn’t seen a man with the family.

Laura came out of the house trying to stifle her laughter. “I’m so sorry, sir. I know Becky didn’t mean to do that…she’s a very good little girl. Are you alright?”

“Of course I’m alright,” he growled. “My name’s Edgar Barney.” He offered his wet hand. “How many kids do you have, anyway?” Right to the point, that’s Edgar. She’s younger than I thought, he mused. Those kids can’t all be hers.

She smiled at his boldness. “I have no children of my own, these are all foster children,” she explained. “I’m licensed for six now that I have a bigger house. They’re great kids that have been through too much.”

Edgar didn’t know what to say. He felt guilty for what he had thought. But now he thought of a lot that a good neighbor could do for a special woman and six sweet kids. His heart softened. That felt so good!

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