I was still living in my parents' house where I'd grown up and lived all my life, inheriting the house from my folks when they died. I was sad to hear that our next-door neighbors, the Hanovers, were moving to Florida so they could enjoy their retirement. I'd known them for as long as I'd been alive. As I was growing up, they were always nice to me, watching over me when Mom or Dad needed their help. I liked them a lot, and since they were a little older than my parents, I took to calling them Grandma and Grandpa, even though we weren't related. When I was a little older, I'd help them rake leaves, and shovel their sidewalk when it snowed. I might help Grandpa carry out the trash, or help Grandma plant her flowers. I'd help them whenever I could. They were ideal neighbors in a small town like ours.
About a week before they moved, Grandma waved me over. "Oliver," she said, "our granddaughter will be taking over our house and moving in. Would you help her get settled and keep an eye on the place? It'd make us feel better, knowing that a good neighbor was able to help her if she needs it."
"Sure, Grandma, I'd be glad to help her out," I answered.
Grandma smiled and patted my cheek affectionately. "We're going to miss this neighborhood and our good friends, you know. But I'll tell our granddaughter, Betty, to call you if she needs any help."
Several days after they moved away, a car pulled up loaded to its roof with stuff and a woman got out. She was dressed casually, but I expected nothing else after a day of packing her car and what was probably a long drive. Sort of spying curiously at her from my upstairs window, I guessed her age to be about 20, a few years younger than me. She appeared to have a nice figure and looked attractive, at least at this distance. Her red Honda looked like she took good care of it. I admit I was impressed at the ease and skill she'd exhibited as she'd easily backed into the long driveway to facilitate unloading her stuff out of its hatchback.
I went out and said, "Hello, and welcome to the neighborhood. I'm Oliver, your next door neighbor."
She smiled and shook my hand, saying, "Hello, Oliver. I'm Betty, and my grandparents told me that you're a good and helpful neighbor. I'm very glad to meet you."
I grinned, saying, "Speaking of helpful, would you like some help unloading your car? It looks like a lot of things to carry."
She laughed, and she had a nice laugh too. "I see my Grandma wasn't wrong. Thank you. Yes, I could certainly use some help. Many hands make light work, they say." She looked askance at the crammed car. "I guess we'll be putting that to the test with this lot. It's hard to believe how much stuff you can accumulate without noticing until you move."
After a few hours, we had the car unloaded and had her belongings at least mostly sorted into the various rooms where she wanted them left until she could unpack the boxes later. I wondered if she was now as hungry as I was, so I asked, "Betty, if you're hungry, can I take you out for some fast food? You'd get to see a little more of the neighborhood."
She replied, "That sounds great Oliver, because I don't have any of my cooking things unpacked yet, and the cupboards and refrigerator are completely empty. When we get back, now that my car is unloaded, it would be wonderful if you'd direct me to a good grocery store, so I can do some quick stocking up for my immediate needs."
Therefore, I drove us to a local place, ordering sandwiches and soft drinks. As we chatted, I said, "I've known your grandparents all my life, Betty. I was sad to see them go, but I'm hoping they'll enjoy their retirement in that warm location." We made small talk about a lot of issues, getting to know one another. During this, I realized how really cute she was and enjoyed her great personality. This may sound strange to report, but I also became aware of how good she smelled. Her scent enticed me to inhale more deeply, and my heart sped up. I really hoped I could see more of her in the future. I reminded her, "If you need anything, Betty, just call me or come on over next door and ask."
We finished eating, so I took her home but on the way showed her where the grocery store was located. I offered to stop while she shopped, but she said she wanted to make out a list first. When we reached her house, I wanted to prolong our time together a little longer, if I could, so I asked, "Is there anything else you need at the moment, Betty?"
She hesitated for a long pause before answering, "Oliver, you remember that very heavy box that you managed to lug from my car and I had you place it just inside the door?" I nodded, remembering it well. "Can the two of us carry it up the stairs and put it in the empty back bedroom? I can't do it myself."
I readily agreed, and as she lifted one end, and I took the other, we slowly ascended the stairs, her backing upward while I lifted and took its weight from below. Having her lifting her end helped a lot. I wondered what could possibly be in it, but it was sealed shut with a lot of tape. It made a little noise as it's contents shifted, but we put it down gently in the room where she wanted it.