Breaking glass cuts the thin walls and fighting ensues but it isn’t the shattered shards of Champagne flute that’s caused it.
They’ve been struggling since I can remember. There is no beginning or end.
It just is.
Always.
A jukebox full of themes seamlessly moving to a new genre even before the last pick comes to a quiet.
I slice red peppers, add them to the oil and onion in the pan…let them sizzle over the crescendo next door. Leaning, one elbow on the counter, I stir slowly, splashing red wine into the mix and a little extra into my glass. My mouth waters as garlic rushes the air. Even the diced Romas seem particularly fragrant tonight. I scrape them off the board and into the fusion – juice, seeds, skin and all.
The bellowing gathers into a twisted tornado of assault and injury. Another glass breaks. Something’s thrown against our shared wall. Sounds like a book. Could be a shoulder.
Once the water is on to boil and the bread in the oven, I kick off my shoes and flop. My wine is spicy, my feet sore and my mind roaming, but soon the muffled throbs of next door subside, as much as they ever do, and I laze through a magazine, alternating page flips with sips of Syrah.
I text, I flip, I wait and sip. I relax.
Just as the smell of my sauce seduces me off the couch, the doorbell rings.
“Anna! Thank you so much for inviting us. Um, we hope you like Champagne…?”
I take in her slightly smudged liner, their entwined fingers, his insane grin and their green bottle of bubbly with the shiny pink label.
I smile.
“C’mon in, guys. It’s lovely to have you.”
Neighbours, socially tolerant and tolerable! A comfortable pattern.
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Yeah, I guess. Ha ha.
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Wow – just wow. This is beautifully written, Hazy!
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Wow is all I can say back. Thank you very much, Dianne!
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Nicely done. You’re a master of saying a lot with few words.
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It’s painful, but I try. Thanks for noticing! ;0)
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Great intensity – never thought they’d be on your doorstep. Is the blood red color to go with the wine, sauce, or something more sinister?
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Yay! I’m glad you didn’t expect that. I was hoping it wasn’t obvious. Thank you, PC!
I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you mean about the “blood red color.” Are you referring to the wine and peppers? Ha ha. No, I wasn’t trying to tie the red to anything…but it is one of my favourite colors! ;0)
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Sorry – typo! “blood red” on behind your widgets. Isn’t that new? And it’s one of my favorites too.
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Ack, no…the typo was mine! Oh my goodness.
I did recently change the background and accent colors on my blog, but hopefully no one thinks it sinister. LOL!
Yes, RED is my favourite. I even made it my wedding color all those years ago.
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