Tofu and I went for a walk around our new neighborhood after perusing the house and making sure everything was in order. It was even nicer in person, and I loved my suite! I’m gonna have to look into getting a door though because…no. I loved my children, but separation and privacy were necessary.
Newcrest looked a lot like Willow Creek, so I felt at home right away. All the houses were similar in style, so I felt like we were all connected and not just out here doing our own things.
When we returned home, a few neighbors gathered on the porch. I’d forgotten all about the whole welcome wagon thing; it had been so long since I moved. To my surprise, one of them looked familiar. As I got closer, I saw it was my old friend Nylah! Gosh, I hadn’t seen her since…wow, maybe right after our young adult birthdays? She, Gemma, Diamond, and I used to be thick as thieves, but we drifted after high school. She lived around the corner from me now, so maybe we’ll rekindle our friendship. We were probably completely different people now.
A very handsome gentleman and a woman who desperately needed some sun (and a read through Mommy’s fashion blog) came in behind Nylah when I invited her inside. Hottie brought fruitcake and earned 20 points. Everyone looked around, which honestly was kind of weird, and made comments about how lovely my home was.
Hottie—whose name is Cannon Barkley—welcomed me into the neighborhood and offered himself if I ever needed anything. Just as I wondered what exactly anything meant, Ms. Pale Face piped up behind me.
“He’s divorced.“
So she’s the neighborhood gossiper, huh? I would have replied by saying I too was divorced, but just in case she implied Mr. Barkley had ulterior motives, I kept that information to myself. I didn’t need that kind of drama in my new-ish relationship. Besides, I didn’t know those people from Bob Newbie.
A barefoot man wearing a paper bag over his head startled me as he fumbled his way into the house.
“Dearest,” the pale woman shouted. “I thought we discussed losing the bag!”
It was funny how she told me Cannon’s business but failed to give me her own name.
“I know,” the man said, “but my neck-“
Pale face began laughing hysterically, cutting off whatever her husband (???) was going to say.
“Oh, darling, you have the FUNNIEST way of moping! Elderly…if it’s not one thing, it’s another.”
I had no idea what went on with those two and didn’t want to. It was nearing 3 p.m. anyway, and my children would be home soon. I didn’t want to kick everyone out and be known as the rude new neighbor. But I really wanted everyone to leave so we could enjoy our new house together. Hopefully, this little shindig would die down soon.
