Peculiar Neighbors

We have neighbors who have a note by their doorbell that essentially says, “we don’t answer the door.” It isn’t the typical “no solicitors” sign. It makes it clear that they don’t respond for any reason, even if they are home.

One time some friends came for a party and knocked at the wrong door. (I suppose they felt the “we don’t answer” sign was in keeping with my personality.) And then, seeing people inside, they let themselves in. When my friends realized there was no menopause celebration at that address, they apologized and backed out.

I didn’t think of that for six years, until last night when a florist rang our bell. There was a bouquet for the neighbors, who were not answering, and it was too cold to leave the flowers on the porch. Gary took on the task of getting the flowers to the neighbors.

He peered into their empty front room, knocked, called out, no response. He left the flowers for a moment on their porch while he got their full names off an envelope in their mailbox. He came back home to google a phone number, and discovered that all the names on the mail were all aliases. 

The alias thing creeped him out. I pointed out it might be something innocent, like someone changed their name after a marriage. “Their first name?” he asked.

He went back to just leave a note and discovered they’d darted out to get the flowers off the porch.

I don’t know, man, it’s odd. And now, in retrospect, everything they do is odd. Every day they hose off their hubcaps. Why? They don’t put their car in their garage even though there’s room. Why?

I’d say they were quiet and kept to themselves like your typical serial killers, but they aren’t. I’ve had conversations with “Pam” the one I know as “Pam,” and I’ve discussed snowblowers with the older gentleman who lives there. So, not serial killers. Evading the law? Subpoenas? Witness protection?

Really really shy?

Comments

[KC]

Traumatized lottery winners or child stars? I got nothing further there.

[TheQueen]

KC - and I can’t talk to them about it, either. It would cross a line.