Julie finds a side hustle - part I
It was Memorial Day and we were hosting a neighborhood block party. Dan and I had been doing this for some years. We are in a senior neighborhood of smaller houses in Lubbock Texas. Houses in our subdivision can't be larger than 1600 square feet and must be only one story. Most of our neighbors are retired and have downsized to our community.
Like always we set up our grill, Patrick and Jill, our next door neighbors wheeled their grill over to our driveway, we set up lawn chairs and an awning. Other neighbors brought their coolers filled with beer, or soft drinks. I had asked a couple of my friends to bring coleslaw, lettuce salads, or desserts. We have several widows in the neighborhood that love to bring things. I helped Dena come across the street with her walker, and a Tupperware container of the yummiest brownies.
By 1:00 our driveway and yard is full of chairs, coolers, tables, and people. Both our house and Patrick and Jill's house were open so our neighbors didn't have to run home for the toilet. And, as the expression goes, 'you don't drink beer, you borrow it for a while'.
In particular, I was interested in Rosalie who was new to the neighborhood and lived four houses away on the other side of the street. I didn't know her yet. Jill had gone over with a pie as a welcome gift, and so we did have a little knowledge to gossip about. Rosalie, who insisted on being called RJ, was a retired geologist with Sunplant. She was on the team that built the first wind farm near Lubbock, and also worked on major solar projects.
We all did know that RJ rode a motorcycle but also had a bicycle that he rode in the neighborhood and a Toyota Prius.
Dan set up our Alexa speakers to play 60s and 70s rock and roll. We had a channel with more folky music, Simon and Garfunkel, Mamas and Papa, John Denver - mostly easy listening that could play in the background.
RJ came over just a little after 1:00. She had a halter top and short shorts. She looked like a sexy senior with her short gray hair, hoop earrings, and glittery sandals. She came up to me first and introduced herself.
She said, "Hi, I'm RJ, your new neighbor. Thank you very much for hosting this party. I'm looking forward to meeting people."
I greeted her warmly but was surprised when she gave me a big hug.
She said, "You are beautiful".
I was taken aback, I had on my red halter top and some jean capri pants. I had my red hair (only my hairdresser knows for sure) pulled back in a ponytail.
I stammered "Thank you. You look beautiful as well".