A few years ago, they moved in next door. I had gone to school with her mom. Her mom was about three years older than me but came in my parent’s grocery store frequently. I got to know everyone this way.
When they first moved in, they kept the yard mowed and clear. They made no noise. No one out here makes noise. Then one of her adult children moved back in. At present I estimate there are three families living in the house. The house is made for one family at most.
One day, my first husband was out mowing the yard. He looked up and the mom and son were standing on their side of the property. The son was holding a tie and was dressed for prom. My husband stopped the mower. He walked over. The mom extended the tie and without a word my husband tied the tie for the young man. He explained the steps for tying a tie. I don’t know if it helped but that was the last tie for which they asked for help.
Two years ago, my second husband (who was also the first) was out mowing. He looks up and there are the mom and son. This time they have a chain saw, oil and gas. My husband stopped the mower. He went over and explained how to mix the oil and gas correctly. He showed them how to safely operate the saw. They took down a rotten tree. That was the last time we saw the chain saw.
They have taken to throwing things in the backyard. It started small. Now, as I look out I see a half-buried riding lawnmower, a refrigerator, two dogs, a bicycle with no tires, and a bed frame. I am wondering if I need to go over and show them how to dispose of trash. There is a mountain of trash. I would except for one thing. The smell eminating from the entire property is rank And I’m afraid I might find a dead body or two. Which would account for the mountain of trash.
Be a good neighbor. Help dispose of the bodies? Help them learn how to compost? Stay over here and pray I am not witnessing the birth of a trash monster! Being a good neighbor is a tiresome job. Thankless even…
msboothe 