The Neighbor
by Jay Cameron
Every twenty-nine and a half days there's a new moon. It's a weird or strange way to describe the moon, because it's still there, you just can't see it. Maybe if your imagination is warped like mine, you know there is a strange God that sneaks into the sky and takes the old moon and replaces it with a new one. It's fun to think up stupid nonsense like that and see if you can get people to believe it.
Personally, my father was a teacher as I grew up. One day I asked what the moon was made of, and he said, "Green Cheese." And like the son of any educator, I believed him. Imagine my disappointment when I found out the truth.... It's Wisconsin White Cheddar.
Take the night of a new moon three years ago. It was a night lit only by the stars when you could see them. And the city lights reflected from the bottoms of a few low clouds passing. There are plenty of stars to hang dreams on, but the darkness is welcomed only by Franklin Sprouse. On this night, Franklin is relaxing on the upstairs deck outside his bedroom. He shouldn't be able to see from his perch, the lighted pool of his neighbor. But it's the peace and the quiet he is seeking, not a show.
Gianni and Antonella Costa moved into the neighborhood just over three years ago and immediately had a pool installed in their back yard. A hot tub was added, and then a Tiki for more privacy. Little did they know that a minor quark in the alignment of the houses in this new sub-division, gives Franklin a slightly obstructed view of the Costa yard and pool.
It was only a few years ago, Frank's wife, Helen, wanted a deck added to the second floor of their home. It was just after her diagnosis. She knew in her heart there was no going back for her. She could enjoy what little life she had left, thanks to her husband of twenty years having the deck constructed. Now she could spend her final days and hours outside on the deck bathing in the flourishing of the canal and in the green space around it.
Except for Kate, his daughter, Frank is now alone. His wife had passed away and the time since that dark day had been dedicated to the life of his daughter. That's not true. Kate is the one holding Franklin's life together. Not a thankless job, but a difficult task, nonetheless.
Kate, a student at the local University, took the responsibility of caring for her distraught father as a duck takes to water. She bore the duties of caring for her daddy, as she refers to him, without question. As a result, Frank has seen her as more than just a blossoming young woman, but as an equal. Unfortunately, Kate has little time to herself. But she is an important player in the life of Franklin Sprouse.
It was a little over a year ago that Franklin, perched on the deck outside his bedroom, noticed the exquisite Antonella Costa was a habitual swimmer. Every night at about the same time, he would hear what sounded like someone diving into the pool next door. At first this didn't mean more than someone was swimming. But when he made the effort to see if he might witness this event, he found the flaw in the housing alignment. Franklin Sprouse was astounded by what he was able to see.
Antonella Costa was a Goddess. Frank couldn't believe he was intruding into the private life of his neighbor. He was shocked at first and turned away almost instantly. Then the remembrance of what he had seen made him straighten his body and regain his composure. Afterall, no one could see him. There were no homes behind them, and he didn't have the TV or radio blaring, He was mesmerized by the sight that intruded upon his squinting eyes.
Her body cut through the water like a knife. When she lifted her arm to pull herself forward it was as though the water feared her strength. Her face appeared for only an instant at regular intervals. Once to the end, flip around and return. This was repeated over and over. Franklin could only dream of what was hidden under the waves of the pool.
Occasionally Antonella and Gianni Costa would have a party for their friends, business associates and many times invited the residents of the affluent neighborhood to rub shoulders with the movers and shakers of the community.
Frank was always invited, but never attended. There were always crowds of adults taking advantage. Flowered candles floating on the water while men gathered to discuss what men discuss at such events. The women gather to pass along the latest gossip.
There were occasions when Antonella failed to appear for her nightly swim. On the nights when she found the weather uninviting, Frank would be alone with his thoughts. He would take in the stars or visit with, and converse with the imaginary creatures in the sky. Even the rain was warm against his face.
On a normally oppressive day for the Florida Panhandle, Frank was almost startled by the sound of the doorbell chiming through this house. After the loss of his wife there had been an almost countless number of friends and neighbors coming to his door to give their condolences. But it had been ages since that parade had ended.
Kate would have a friend come by the house, but Kate was always home to answer the door. Since she was at school today, Frank didn't expect a visitor.
After complaining under his breath, he opened the door after the second ringing, and was suddenly stunned. Standing there in front of him, on his doorstep, was Antonella Costa. She was more beautiful than he had even imagined. Her enchanting brown eyes, and her hair joyfully bouncing around her face in the gentle breeze. He took her hand when offered and was taken aback by her strength camouflaged in a softness that would melt any man's resistance.
Without giving Frank the opportunity to speak. Antonella's soft and soothing voice broke the silence. "Hello, Mr. Sprouse? I'm Antonella Costa, your neighbor from next door. I'm very sorry I haven't been over here before, but I never see you out and I was concerned you maybe didn't like having neighbors barging in on you."
Her disarming smile immediately softened any resistance Frank might have. "The reason I'm here is to invite you to a party at our house this Friday night to celebrate a project that will bring the City into the twenty-first Century." She paused only to place emphasis on that final comment. "We want everyone who grew this city from its infancy to be there to celebrate its growth and its future."
It was at times like this, that Franklin Sprouse would rely on his daughter. But Kate was not there. His protector was missing. Any idea of his resisting was completely washed away by his neighbor's sincerity and disarming manor. Even if he tried, he couldn't play the part of the grumpy old man. Now, if he was grumpy, the part about being old was far from true.
Frank could hear in her voice she was hoping for a positive response. The sensation felt strange as he acquiesced to her wishes. Let's face it, since the passing of his wife, he became and modern-day version of a hermit.
The two neighbors ended their conversation with grace, and a little disappointment when Antonella politely refused an afternoon libation. When she turned and walked away from the door of Franklin Sprouse's home, there were smiles on the faces of both. Of course, those smiles represented widely different feelings.
Antonella, pleased with her neighbor's commitment to attend the gathering was for her, very exciting. The project she had been promoting would mean newer and more modern transportation, new businesses, newer and more advanced medical care available locally. Of course, his attendance wouldn't affect the overall outcome to the project, but it would show that Franklin still had the best interest of the community in mind.
Now, when it came to Franklin. He was just caught off guard. His mind was so fogged over by the beauty, and grace of his neighbor. Plus, here was his opportunity to get close to her and of course her husband.
