***
A cul de sac cannot simply be built. It must develop and mature. The Sack is currently in its preadolescent stage.
***
Four years ago, there were still open building lots in The Sack. Over the span of six months, five new houses were built. The Sack is now full.
***
On a particular Saturday afternoon, Oscar and I sit leisurely on my front steps. We sip iced cappuccino and speak little.
We watch our soon-to-be neighbour, Elizabeth drive into The Sack. She has been making weekly visits to check on the construction of her new home. This is a wise decision.
***
The new house is completely framed. The roof is in place, but only partially shingled. The outside of the foundation is yet to be filled in. The house still lacks its front steps and porch. An eight-foot ladder is the only means of gaining entry into the house.
***
Oscar and I wave to Elizabeth in a practiced, neighbourly fashion. She waves back and gives us a broad smile. We are becoming familiar.
***
Elizabeth is matronly in appearance and rather regal in deportment. She is wearing a bright, sleeveless summer dress. Sunglasses rest on her head. On her feet, she sports high-heeled sandals.
Our new neighbour begins to climb the ladder, in order to inspect the progress on the house's interior. This is not a wise decision.
Our new neighbour begins to climb the ladder, in order to inspect the progress on the house's interior. This is not a wise decision.
***
Oscar and I are distracted by the sudden appearance of a hummingbird moth. It looks like a hummingbird, but it is actually a moth.
As we marvel about Nature's creativity, we are interrupted by a short, high-pitched shriek.
***
Elizabeth has fallen between the top two rungs of the ladder. To make matters worse, the bottom of her dress has become entangled with the ladder as she plunged between the rungs.
She is now clinging to the ladder. Her dress is bunched up and covering her head. She swings gently under the ladder with her stomach and panties now exposed to the gentle Maritime sun.
***
Oscar and I simply stand up and watch. We are mesmerized.
Fortunately, Big Doug is only several houses away from Elizabeth. Engrossed in the task of creating the perfect lawn, he was still alerted by her exclamation.
***
Big Doug carefully and modestly disentangles Elizabeth from the ladder. He, too, is now familiar with our new neighbour.
***
In unspoken agreement, Oscar and I move to my backyard, leaving Elizabeth alone with her embarrassment.
We look briefly for more hummingbird moths. There are none to be found. To this day, we have not seen another one.
***
2 comments:
Greetings from the Future!
When you and Oscar waved to Elizabeth, what kinds of waves did you use?
Yeharr
Well, this was in the days before any of us had grown fingers. If I recall, both of us were into elbow flapping at the time. . . .
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