Fifty to sixty-degree winds blew from my window meeting my ceiling fan, distributing a brisk freshness through my bedroom--a feeling better than air conditioning. The sounds of children playing, cars driving down the main road behind our quiet neighborhood, and the sounds of neighbors returning home from work and their duties for the day typically keep me company.
My home is my sanctuary, more specifically my cozy and comforting bedroom. I'd never leave if I didn't have to.
The window in my bedroom's my channel of interaction with the world, "getting to know" people from a distance. I gage temperaments, personalities, and lifestyles based on what I observe. I can tell when someone had a great day, a long day, or just wants it to be over. I can tell when a person needs a hug or a drink--maybe both.
The Johnson's live a couple of houses over. They're people-persons, always having company over. Repeating cars are regularly parked in their driveway along with ones I've never seen before. Always always having some sort of gathering, they were very much socializers.
Mrs. Rogers lives directly across the street from me. She spends most of her days tending to her garden. Although she lived alone, she seemed genuinely happy, keeping herself occupied. Her hobby brought her much joy; I could tell from the smile that was always on her face while she planted her seeds into the soil and pulled out weeds.
Then there's my newest neighbors who's been living next door for a few months now. I can tell they're fairly private people. When they see me, they greet me with a wave and a quiet smile on their face. They'll waltz into their home, not to be seen again until it was time for them to leave the next day. Not huge talkers I assume.
They didn't come out much unless it was to go to work or pick their kids up from their nana's house. Sometimes upon their return home, usually around 5:30 P.M., the kids would jump out of the car, describing the fun activities that took place there, their excited voices piercing through my bedroom's window screen.
Their blinds are always closed, their curtains probably closed behind them. They dressed rather conservatively, even when they didn't have to work. Reserved characters. They were introverts like me.
I do my best to keep a low profile. When I have to go out, I make it as quick as I can, anxious to return to the confines of my home. I delve into my personal life with a few close family and friends, but mostly keep to myself. I usually live vicariously through people, painting a picture of what their lives are like through observation. It allowed my mind to stay active without having to verbally engage much. What's unspoken speaks the loudest to me, and not many words are needed.
I've grown a keen interest in my new neighbors--about what they did for work, where they were from, their backgrounds. Hell, what their names are.
The Jones's. They look like they could be "Jones's." That'll be their name for now.
I don't know why I had this fascination with uncovering who the Jones's were. I was never this much interested in people or their personal lives. I usually go with what I see and keep it moving. But these people intrigued me for some quiet reason.
The next day, a Friday night, the Jones's have their bedroom blinds and curtains open to my surprise, something I never seen before. I peered through their window from mine, only able to see so much through the obscurity from the blinds. The Jones's were out of sight.
I started making my typical assessment. The baby blue paint on the walls told me that they were chill, maybe sensitive or calm people. They were lax, laid back. Didn't make a fuss about things. Their family picture was mounted on the wall above a desk. It was huge--at least a forty by sixty-inch frame. The photo was a vivid display of their family structure. The light pink dress on Mrs. Jones told me she was sweet and likeable. Probably great with other kids. She could have been a schoolteacher or worked in childcare. Her smile was bubbly, with teeth well taken care of and absolutely invested in.
Mr. Jones wore an all-jet-black tailored suit. He was definitely some sort of executive or had some white-collar career. His eyes were bright behind his black-framed glasses. His smile was the smile he'd give me when we crossed paths--warm and comforting but exuding the reserve I always sensed. His personality wasn't nearly as serious as his wardrobe depicted. It was like he had another side to him.
And their two kids--a son and a daughter. Twins. They're dressed in all-white, each of their smiles mimicking their mother and father. The son with the warm, reserved smile of his father, the daughter with the brightly, stretched smile of her mother. Cute.