Our neighbor, Mama Flora, sold her house. She packed out a week ago, and we're expecting new neighbors. And to be honest, Mama Flora wasn't really the best neighbor, but she's good. She often played loud music on her porch every Saturday and has a little garden. A couple of kids already married and a few grandchildren who often visit. One time, I got down with a fever, and my brother and parents went on a charity event. Mama Flora took care of me until they got back. She was like my second grandmother—the one without issues.
On Tuesday, I got home from school, and there was a big move-in truck outside of Mama Flora's old house. I quickly concluded it was the new occupants, and I was wondering what they were like and hoping we wouldn't be getting blasted with loud music on Saturdays. When... snap! Emory—long hair, green eyes, a bit taller than me—but I could tell he's 18 or 19. He was pretty much a gym guy. I could tell he's so handsome. As I stood there, frozen and admiring God's work of art, he was about a foot close to me, and I was almost going to get embarrassed from staring that much. Then my mom called out from our fence, "Oh, shit!" I ran as fast as I could, and I could tell he was looking at me, and not the "who's that girl?" kinda like, "who's that weird girl?" I spent the rest of my day taking the trash out and looking through my window, and it was not a coincidence that I met him over and over again. It was so noticeable, but I don't care.
Some hours later, my dad called to tell my mom he wasn't going to be able to come home because of work and we shouldn't wait up, so my mom decided we have a meal in the restaurant across the street. It was recently opened, and Mom wanted us to try it out there. I got ready, and for some reason, my brother was taking time to get downstairs. "Could you call your brother down? I'm not having this," Mom said. "Heyyy, dingos!" I called from downstairs. "Mama ain't having this, get your ass down!" We got in the car, and about five minutes later, we got there, and it was so packed up. I thought we wouldn't even be able to get in.
As soon as we settled down, a waitress came to take our order, and I was so ready to try everything. Then I heard mom being greeted. She replied, "Oh, Mrs. Moore, how are you?" "I'm good. Are these yours?" she asked. My mom replied, "Yes, they're this is Melanie and Miller." Mom introduced us. "Hi!" we chorused. "Oh, you know, we are actually about to get some food. Would you mind joining us?" Mom offered. "No, not at all. Emory and his dad are actually parking, so they'll be here in a minute," Emory, well... first, that was when I got to know his name, and the awkward moment this afternoon was just a... no, uhmm... "Mom, who is she?" I pretended not to know. "Oh, silly girl," Mom laughed. "This is our new neighbor." "Oh!" I exclaimed and turned down to my phone. I'll say, this was one unenjoyable dinner I have ever had since last two years. It was just stares, blank emotions, and no conversation except the adults on the table. But it was good to be across the table with him. I bet tonight is going to be great.
We got home some minutes past eight, and I was so sleepy and tired, but I couldn't help but think about him all night long.