I’ve seen my neighbor a few times since this incident.

Yesterday, he was in the driveway picking things up. I saw him look over at us and then go back into his yard. I thought, “Oh well. I can’t worry about this.”

I don’t really know him. I’ve had only a few short conversations with him and the waves over the fence. I shouldn’t really care what he thinks or if he has a problem with this.

A few weeks ago, Lee said, “Guess who was on the unit?”

It was our neighbor. Lee only knew who he was because I pointed him out that night. He must have moved into our neighborhood since Lee’s been gone.

Lee said he said to him, “So how’s life on Maple St?” Lee said he grinned at him.

I told Lee that he should be careful. I don’t know if a guard could think that was a threat or that Lee is “stalking” him.

So last time this guy was working on Lee’s unit, Lee said to him, “Hey. My wife says I should tell you we’re your neighbor so you  don’t think I’m looking you up or anything.”

He smiled at Lee and said, “Yeah Norris. I know.”

So he knew all along where Lee was and he was still kind to us. That makes me feel good.

Except that he hasn’t waved across the fence since this interaction with Lee.

Today, James had a friend from church over and they were splashing in the pool. I was knitting and reading some Charlotte Mason.

The neighbor was walking up the driveway and saw us. He stopped and smiled and waved. His arm high in the air. Not a little “Oh no she saw me I better wave.”

That made me feel good. You know,  I don’t really know him. I’ve had only a few short conversations with him and the waves over the fence. I shouldn’t really care what he thinks or whether or not he waves at us.

But I’ m glad he did today.

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