The New Neighbors - Conclusion

 The weekend arrived and, as was often the case, JW's wife, Denise, was in the front yard gardening when a man came out of the house next door - the new neighbor!  He was turned away from her, but she called out, "hello," but there was no response. (Maybe he didn't hear - so she said it louder - still no response.)  Hmmm, she thought, well, that was embarrassing.  I guess they don't want to be bothered with neighbors.

Meanwhile.....at the new neighbors house.  Jim told his wife how he had walked by the neighbor on his way to the mailbox and tried to make eye contact, but the guy wouldn't look at him so he didn't say anything, "so I guess the neighbors here aren't going to be friendly," he surmised. 

One day a package arrived at JW & Denise's house addressed to the new neighbors, so Denise took the package next door and rang the bell.  She noticed the lights flashing as the doorbell was activated. and thought that was interesting.  Jim appeared at the door.  Denise smiled and said that she was their neighbor next door and handed him the package explaining that it had been delivered to her house.  He spoke and signed "thank you" to her as his wife joined him at the door.

Denise introduced herself and explained the reason for the visit.  She said if they ever needed anything, she and her husband would be happy to help if they are able.  "My husband's home most of the time.  He's visually impaired so if you come over during the day, knock loud and identify yourself or he won't open the door..

Jim and his wife exchanged a look and then both said it was so nice to finally meet.

Denise went home to tell JW that the new neighbor was deaf so he must not have heard him when he called out.  And so - they now live happily next to neighbors who are friendly, just a little different on both sides of the fence.  Keep your mind open, full of gratitude, grace and kindness - you never know.... 

Denise greeted her and introduced herself and her reason for the visit.  

 

The New Neighbors - Part 2

 The New Neighbors - the other side of the fence.

The realtor told Jim and his spouse that the folks in the home next door were super friendly and that he'd spoken to JW and they were looking forward to meeting them.  He was sure this would be a good fit, not only because they were moving into a newly renovated house, but because this was an established neighborhood with friendly people.

Moving day came for Jim and his wife.  He told her, "you know what, I'm just going to tell the neighbors that we'll be moving in today so they know what all the commotion is and we get off on the right foot with them.  Maybe they have some suggestions that will help."  So - off he went and knocked and knocked on JW's door.   - JW asked, "who's there?" The knocking continued.  "Who's there?"  But no one ever answered so, blind, he did not answer the door. - Jim knew someone must be home - there was a car out front.  Maybe they didn't hear the knocking - so he pounded louder.  Eventually - he gave up, and somewhat frustrated, began to unload the moving truck.  He thought - these people aren't friendly at all - maybe they don't like people with tattoos.  

Later he saw a woman come to pick up the man (JW), who came out of the home and down to the car. Now Jim was even more unhappy as that confirmed that the neighbor had been home all along.  The woman picked him up and they were gone.  Jim went into the house and got his wife's attention so he could sign/tell her what he had just witnessed..

The New Neighbors - a short story

So, a blind man (we'll call him JW) was waiting on the curb for a ride.  Someone passed near him and he called out, "is someone there?"  His query was met with silence.  His wife, approaching in their car to pick him up, noticed a man walking behind her husband, cutting across their lawn and on to his home next door.  As the blind man entered the car, he asked his wife if she saw anyone and she responded with what she had seen.  He related his experience of twice calling out as someone passed him and being met with silence as he heard/felt someone pass near him.  Both then had a sour taste in their mouth about this new neighbor who was seemingly rude and unkind.  All of the other neighbors had similar encounters and most conversations relating to them ended with - they aren't friendly to anyone.

The unfriendly neighbor sells his house and moves away.

One day JW calls his wife and asks if they were expecting a delivery because someone was pounding on the door, but would not answer when asked who was there.  She told him they were not.  JW did not answer the door.

That evening JW's wife came home to see the new neighbors working swiftly unloading a rental moving truck as she picked up JW to take him to a medical appointment.  As one of the men looked up, it was with an almost angry expression on his face.  After several errands, she returned home intent on saying hello and welcoming the new neighbors to the neighborhood.  The moving truck next door was gone and all was quiet with nary a person in sight......

tomorrow - the new neighbors continues....