Neighbor

Two years ago, I moved from a single-family home to a duplex style house.  The design is clever because the two units are only connected by our separate garages. 

From the street, you see my front door. 

The entrance to my neighbors' is on the side of their house.  So, mine looks like a single-family home. 

I don’t hear any noise from them and, hopefully they don’t. hear any from me. 

Since moving in, I’ve only spoken to George and Cathy a handful of times.  

We’ve exchanged phone numbers, just in case we ever need one another.

Even though we don’t socialize, they’re nice and it’s comforting to know they are there, 

We each have a small backyard space. But because of how the houses are positioned, I have a direct view into their sunroom, and they have a direct view of my patio. 

Cathy mentioned they spend most of their time in the sunroom. 

In other words, not much privacy.  

Last year I bought planters with trestles. 

 I filled them with lovely plants which do provide a small amount privacy.  

George told me they are thrilled with the planters. 

One afternoon, Cathy, who told me she rarely leaves her house, walked over to my patio to tell me she enjoys looking at the flowers. 

As she was heading back toward the sunroom, she stopped, turned around and said: “We have binoculars. If you see us using them, don’t worry, we are bird watchers.”

I was a little taken aback by that. But I’m quite sure they are not spies.  

Or are they?