The Nosey Neighbors

You stand with Rupert in the crowd, eyes fixed on the vandalized car three houses down. The police have cornered the new neighbor, questioning them about the incident. Rupert squints, leaning in to catch your words.

"What did you say?" he barks, his voice louder than necessary.

"I said, this neighborhood is going to shit!" you repeat, your voice straining with frustration. "First, that teenager with the skateboard, now this."

"Teenager? What teenager?"

"The one always smoking and skating around here. Looks sketchy," you say, waving a hand dismissively.

"Oh, him. Yeah, he's trouble, that one," Rupert agrees, nodding slowly. "And who's the new neighbor anyway? Don't know a thing about them."

"All I know is they got a little boy/girl. Seen the kid playing in the backyard," you say, your gaze shifting to the new neighbor's house.

Rupert peers through the crowd. "A boy/girl? Must be the new neighbor's kid."

"Obviously, Rupert. Who else would it be?" you snap, rolling your eyes. "Maybe we should tell the police about that teenager. Could be involved, you know."

"Or that weird woman/man who's always spying on the new neighbor," Rupert adds, scratching his head. "He/she's a bit off, that one."

You both turn your attention back to the scene. The new neighbor looks stressed, hands gesturing as they talk to the officer. You notice Mattos jogging by, his/her usual charming self. He/she stops and heads inside the new neighbor's house.

"Look at Mattos, going in there," you whisper, nudging Rupert. "He/she's probably babysitting the kid while the police interview the new neighbor."

"Mattos? That charming runner?" Rupert raises an eyebrow. "He/she's always nice and smiley around the new neighbor."

"I think he/she's got a thing for them," you say, a smirk forming on your lips. "Always blushing and all."

"Doesn't look like the new neighbor has noticed," Rupert mutters, shaking his head.

You both watch as a young police officer approaches the new neighbor and they both gesture toward the basement. Wasn't there news recently about pipes being broken? Can't quite remember.

"That Mattos is something," Rupert says, pulling you out of your thoughts. "Always so helpful."

"Too helpful if you ask me," you grumble. "Maybe he/she should be a bit more careful."

Rupert nods in agreement, the scene starting to lose its initial excitement. The crowd begins to disperse, the police wrapping up their questioning.

"Let's head back," you suggest, tugging at Rupert's sleeve. "We should ask Paris to stop by and install a security camera."

"Paris?" Rupert echoes, clearly struggling to keep up. "Why Paris?"

"Because this neighborhood is going to shit, Rupert! We need to protect our house," you snap, leading him back towards your home.

As you walk, you can't help but glance over your shoulder, hoping the police catch the culprit soon. This place used to be so peaceful, and now it's filled with suspicion and fear. You decide to make a list of all the odd characters in the neighborhood—just in case.

"Do you think it was the teenager?" Rupert asks, breaking your train of thought.

"Maybe. Or the weird woman/man. Or someone we haven't even noticed yet," you reply, sighing heavily. "Let's just get home and call Paris."

"Right, call Paris," Rupert mutters, nodding along.

You step into your house, the familiar smell of old wood and lavender calming your nerves. Picking up the phone, you dial Paris's number, but as usual, the call goes to voicemail.

Ungrateful child, you think to yourself. You wonder if Paris would still act so high and mighty if he/she ever found out that you and Rupert adopted him/her from a redheaded junkie. Yeah, probably, you sigh. If anything, such a revelation could make your relationship with him/her even worse. Sighing, you decide to leave a message.

"Paris, it's your mother. The neighborhood's getting dangerous. We need you to come by this weekend and install a security camera. Call me back, alright?" You hang up and place the phone back on the receiver with a bit more force than necessary.

Rupert is already in his favorite chair, flipping through the TV channels. "Did you get ahold of him/her?"

"Voicemail," you mutter, sitting down across from him. "He/she'll probably call back later."

Rupert grunts in response, eyes glued to the screen. You watch him for a moment, feeling a mix of affection and exasperation. It's been years of the same old routine, yet somehow, the small changes in the neighborhood managed to shake things up just enough to keep life interesting.

You turn your attention back to the window, where you can still see the police wrapping up their investigation. The new neighbor stands off to the side, looking lost and overwhelmed. You can't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for them. Moving to a new place is hard enough without dealing with vandalism and fear of your child getting hurt.

"We should invite them over," you say suddenly.

Rupert looks up, confused. "Invite who over?"

"The new neighbor, Rupert. Maybe a friendly face will help them feel more at home in this neighborhood."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Rupert asks, scratching his head. "We don't know anything about them."

"That's the point, Rupert. We should get to know them. Besides, if they need a friend, maybe we can introduce them to Paris. I would like it if Paris made a friend in this neighborhood."

Rupert finally nods in agreement. "Alright, fine. But don't expect me to be all chatty."

You smile, shaking your head as you murmur to yourself, "After one or two beers, I'll be the one asking you to shut up."

Still looking outside, the thought of a new connection in the neighborhood, despite the recent drama, makes you hopeful. And maybe, just maybe, the new neighbor could be a best friend for your sweet Paris.