Читать книгу Wherever the Wind Blows Me... - Laurie Jr. Murphy - Страница 6

I have never really committed to exercise, but since they’ve been here, I walk every evening, so as not to miss anything. Tonight I see a man dressed in work clothes. He looks at me, as if he wants to say something. He looks like a handyman. All sweaty and dirty. What would he have to say to me? More to the point, what would I have to say to him? I keep on walking, though truth be told, I should stop to ask about the renters. He probably knows plenty. Looks like he works until he gets tired, then he sleeps at the house. Must be some major renovations going on inside. Must be somebody rich who can afford to employ the handyman full time.

The next night I walk the circle again. I see the handyman. He waves, and I stop to talk. Do you know the owners? I ask. Yes, he says. Are they nice? I ask. Pretty nice, he says. Well, I’m not going to like them, I say. They’re moving into my house. That’s too bad, he says. They would have liked you.

Just like that, brazen and bold. Making assumptions about who might like whom. He should stick to putting in windows and door sills. He should take out the rot underneath the roof eves and not bother about my business.

The next night the handyman stands in the circle, staring at the little house. My house. He says hello, and waits for me to stop to chat. I appease him. What are they like, the couple moving in? I ask. He says the man’s name is Rod, and he is a musician, and the lady’s name is Julie, or something like that. The boy’s name is Hawk, like the bird, which I find to be extremely suspicious. Why would a boy be named after a bird? He holds out his hand in greeting. I shake it. We exchange names. Rod, he says. My name is Rod.

Deception! I think. He deceived me by allowing me to think he was a handyman, when he turns out to be the new owner. He says his wife and child will follow along in a couple months, once the house is ready. I nod my head, as if I care, but I don’t. I don’t need another friend, especially not one who lies by omission. He should have told me straight away his relation to the house. He should have known I would mistake him for a worker. He should have introduced himself on day one. He should have stayed where he came from.