FISH N' CHIPS 

When Connie came back from her morning walk in the ravine, Jean was leaving for work. She waved Connie over and invited her to come for dinner that evening as Kami and her mothers were coming over.

Connie walked closer to Jean who didn't say anything, but Connie knew she'd noticed her eyes. "You might want to warn Kami about my eyes as sometimes it startles kids."

"That is unusual. I guess I've only seen you with glasses before. Does that affect your vision?"

"No, not at all. I usually wear my grey tints when I go out. Cuts the commentary."

"I get that. My dad had a skin condition that kind of turned him into a recluse. Except for fish and chips on Fridays." Jean grinned. "They always kept a booth for him in the back. That's what Angie's bringing tonight with some special dessert. If you're gonna to live in this neighborhood, you need to eat fish and chips from Duckworth's. They'll come by around 5." She began walking away.

"Is this a special occasion?" Connie called after her.

"It's my birthday. 64." She waved a hand.

Well, that was spontaneously nice. Connie couldn't remember the last time she had fish and chips. Probably some time going into town with her grandparents. Jean's birthday gave her the idea of something to putter on. She had a few partially finished wooden spoons left over from her projects for Findley's personal support staff.

Precisely at 5:00, a car drove up and parked in front of Jean's. Connie took the wrapped spoons and went out the front door. Jean was on her porch with a huge smile. Connie watched as two women, a little older than her, carrying bags, got out of the car with a four-year-old Kami. Jean introduced everyone.

Kami looked up at Connie, "Are you the one with two funny eyes?"

Angie spoke down to the little girl, "Kami, what did I tell you?"

Connie smiled, "It's okay. Do you want to see, Kami? It's kind of special." Kami nodded. She walked close to her, bent down, and took off her glasses. "Pretty cool, huh? My grandparents had a dog once who had two different eyes like mine. A husky. He was pretty cool too. I have a picture of him I can show you some day. Would you like that?"

Kami nodded and looked up at Angie. "She's pretty, like Snow White."

Angie said, "Last night's bedtime story. I'm sorry Connie. I told her not to make a fuss."

"It's totally fine. And Snow White's probably the nicest compliment I've ever had!"

Looking at the friendly faces of the women and the attentive little girl, Connie relaxed and looked forward to the evening's activities and getting to know Jean and her family.

After fish and chips, Nicole and Kami went into the kitchen and shortly came out singing Happy Birthday with a beautiful candlelit cake that Nicole had made. Kami helped Jean blow out the candles and carefully monitored the distribution of cake and ice cream, ensuring equal portions for everyone.

They all oohed and aahed when they found out Connie made the wooden spoons she gave Jean.

Jean said, "These are beautiful. This is too much."

Nicole asked, "Do you ever make any to sell?"

"No, I haven't. Though, just today, I was thinking about maybe someday setting up a table at a craft show. I like messing around on little projects and there are only so many wooden spoons I can use myself."

THE PEEPER 

The recent activities across the street disrupted Peter's dedication to his daily routines. He finally moved a laptop to the table upstairs so he could work and still keep an eye on what was going on. After so many years with no change in the little piece of neighborhood he could track from the bay window, he now found himself sitting there drinking endless cups of tea, binoculars at hand.

Maybe Jean was right. Maybe it was time to move beyond his secluded life. But how? He had a scarred face and a scarred faith that he deserved anything better than to stay holed up in the boarded-up corner store. Over the years, he'd built up an on-line community that saw him as someone interesting and worthwhile. He wanted to be that person in the off-line world too.  

When Jean called to find out what he needed from the store, she told him that the new neighbor's name was Connie and that she seemed nice. And for Jean, an improvement over the former occupants, those stuck-up transients, as she called them. They were still around, but there were fewer of them and now just in the one house. Something always a bit weird about them, didn't Peter think so? Nice to have someone more normal and friendly, like Connie, living next door.

Putting the house up for sale had been a curious business. He watched the transients bring in materials to build a fence. And late one night, before they sold the house, they smudged up the paint around the front windows and door, hung the mailbox askew, knocked out a couple of slats in the front porch railing. The 'For Sale' sign was only up for one day.

He hadn't noticed any more nights with Connie's lights on late and wondered what that one late night had been all about. She was back on her usual schedule, morning walks toward the Taylor Creek trail, bed by 11. Maybe she was like him and found comfort in routine. A few days ago, he watched her join Jean's family on her birthday and looked forward to Jean's next delivery to find out more about his new neighbor.

GARDEN TOUR 

Connie hardly saw anything of Pria or Milo the next few days. Several times she saw them down in the ravine but always at a distance. They waved but seemed to be avoiding her.

She finished making her table and benches and set up a sitting area for herself under the bur oak tree. Soon the leaves would be completely out and the days warm. Even now, it was sometimes nice enough to bring her laptop and work outdoors.

She returned Eneko's sawhorses. Him, she saw a lot, as he was frequently puttering in their backyard. She sneaked a peek a few times. For someone who talked about not fussing too much and letting things go natural, he spent a lot of time messing around. Their yard did look natural, but a lovingly tended natural. Which was much the same affect that Connie was trying to achieve on her side.

She was trying to build up her courage to ask Eneko for some pointers, or at least help her identify some of the plants that were coming up. He probably still thought of it as 'his' garden. No doubt that had a lot to do with his less-than-friendly attitude toward her.

One morning, when he was in the garden, she finally got up her nerve, climbed up on her bench by the oak tree, and called out to him.

"Eneko, sorry to bother you. I'm wondering if you can help me identify some of the plants coming up in my backyard?"

"Just a minute," he held up his hand and kept looking down. "I need to go inside. I'll be back in a minute."

Maybe he had to go to the bathroom? Still, he could have at least glanced over. He came back quickly wearing a hat and sunglasses, carrying a mug of coffee. He held up the coffee, "I thought I'd take a little coffee break."

Sure, whatever. At least he seemed ready to acknowledge her for once.

"I wondered how you might feel about doing a little tour with me and telling me about the plants? You probably know, I know about the gate. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but use it if you wish."

He swung the gate open and came over. He started pointing at plants and talking about them. Connie paused him so she could run inside for paper and pen to take notes.

Eneko said, "You can't remember without writing it down?"

"I doubt it."

"That's too bad."

They walked around the yard for a long time. Connie had no idea the man had so many words inside him. He never exactly warmed to her, but he was cordial.

"Of course, you're aware that before long, many of these plants will be struggling with the hotter days and erratic weather. I even worry about our old friend, here." He put his hand on the bur oak. "Though that will be someone else's worry."

"I expect to be here." His assumption that she wouldn't stay in the house peeved Connie. "Perhaps you have some advice about what I can do for the garden."

"Okay, sure. We can do this again and next time we'll layer up your memory - without notes." He walked through the gate and slid closed the deadbolts.

Layer up her memory. Always something with him. What did that even mean? And why assume she wouldn't be living here for long? At least he was talking to her. That was a start.