My Neighbor Ted

The music from my neighbor’s apartment was obnoxiously loud this time around as I laid out on my couch looking up at the ceiling. I had my book open and was preparing to catch up on my readings that I wanted to finish by the end of the day. I’m a bookworm most of my friends would say, “she loves to dive deep into depth on Metaphysical, suspenseful and historical genre of books by analyzing every detail of it.” And they would be absolutely right about that, especially when I have any days off to myself and I just want a good book to read. Uh, I can’t take this noise anymore I said to myself. The thought of me knocking on Ted’s that’s my neighbor’s door were really plaguing my thoughts, as I knew an uncomfortable encounter was going to lead to an ongoing pursuing conversation. Teds apartment was right above me the echo from the ceiling gave me the impression that my fixtures against the walls were just about to fall to the ground. I closed my book and proceeded to my front door and walked up one flight of stairs. The noise got louder as I approached his door.

I rang the doorbell about three times before he turned down his music and opened the door. His face was flustered, clothes were a little disheveled and not to mention he had an out of breath tone. “Julia what’s up, it’s nice seeing you?” he said with uncertainty. “Ah yes, hey Ted, everything is good how are you doing?” I asked him very skeptically. “Nothing much, just jamming to some music albums that I brought at the new record shop that opened down the street from us. Are you sure everything is okay; you look a little flustered? He said to me. “Oh nice, Ted. I am going to be really honest with you, your music is way too loud and if you can kindly turn it down to a minimum level that would be so great. I’m trying to do some reading on these new books that I got from the bookstore and I would just love some peace and quiet for today.” I said with a smile.

At first, he looked at me with a bit of confusion and contemplation of saying much more. Then he just politely apologized. “I’m sorry for all of the loud noise and disturbances, I guess I didn’t realize how much of an interference it could have been.” It’s fine, no worries and apology accepted.” I said with a rebuttal. As I was about to leave and he was about to close his door. Ted mentioned that maybe one day we can bond over some music and some of my books together when we both had some free time. I told him,” Thank you Ted, that would be great.” Making my way downstairs I remembered that I had a four o’clock appointment to meet with my friend Linda for our yoga class. Ah shoot, I need to hurry up, I said to myself. Rushing I threw all of my attire for the class into my backpack, grabbed my water bottle, phone and headed out. The drive was about fifteen minutes longer as traffic was so packed on the highway. By the time I arrived a few parking spots was readily available and people were already heading into the class. My friend Linda saw me from a distance and waved, she rushes over, “Girl I knew you were going to be late.” She said jokingly. “You already know time was not on my side.” I spoke. I made my way into the lockers room got dressed and headed to my class. I found a mat and placed it right next to Linda.

The instructor filled the room with some meditative music, an aromatic scent filled the air, good vibes with additional new techniques that I haven’t tried before was part of our training for the day. Me and Linda was cracking up and struggling at the same time. “Linda you are not doing that position correctly, you are supposed to put your arms like this and cross your legs this way.” I got up and showed her at the same time I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, I thought I was doing it right,” she leaned in and whispered. By the end of the class me and Linda became a pro at mastering our techniques. “All right ladies, good job! I will see you here the same time next Friday,” said the instructor. I stayed behind for a few to chat it up with Linda. She’s a good friend of mine that stayed in touch after I left my last job last year for about three years now. “What have you been up to? I haven’t seen you in a while.” She jokingly said. “Nothing much, just as of lately I have been working from home for this insurance company based out in Atlanta but remotely here. I travel sometimes during their big meetings and holiday events. And just taking time to myself and hanging with friends when I can.” I replied to her. “How about yourself?” I asked. “So, no dating Julia, you know you have to have a work life balance, we both are not getting any younger. And as for me, I am trying to go down the entrepreneurial route. This corporate route and making other people rich while we just get the leftover squirrel nuggets just isn’t it.” She said sarcastically, we both busted out laughing. “Honestly if I can open up my own flower shop that would be ideal, and maybe I can branch off from there and connect with others and do some event collaborations,” she told me.

I can see the enlightenment and daydreaming light up in her eyes. “Well unfortunately I haven’t been focused on the dating scene and you have a valid point, maybe this Summer, I might put myself back out there. You know what Linda that sounds like a plan, I don’t see why not.” I told her, and as I continued talking, I can hear the optimism coming from my mouth. “I mean you have always been a creative individual since the time we have worked together and became friends. Remember when we did that painting class for our annual work event? And you decided to help redecorate the setting so that we all could feel welcomed, lively and at home.” Linda nodded at me with excitement “By thinking outside the box, you created a space that was so memorable that I couldn’t even imagine, yet believe and surely could not forget. Also, to top it off you painted the best art piece ever while convincing the group that you couldn’t paint at all. We knew you was fibbing when the art instructor came over and her jaw dropped with amazement because she couldn’t believe her eyes either that a first timer could paint so well.” My words must’ve struck a good nerve because she kept on getting up. “You’re are magical Linda and your gifts should be out there, so yes going the entrepreneur way is right up your alley and I will be there to support you.” I told her. “Awe, thank you so much for believing in me Julia, you don’t know how much that means to me.” She spoke and gave me a hug.

As I drove back home, I decided to pop into the supermarket to grab a few things for the weekend. I grabbed my favorite snacks, a few fresh produces, meats and of course some shampoo because I needed to wash my hair. At some point I forgot to add some conditioner to my shopping cart so I turned back around and headed down the aisle. The cashier was super friendly, however the customer ahead of me was not having a good day at all. “Are you telling me that these are not on sale?” a man said with a bit of friction in his tone. He was holding some men products and showing the clerk behind the register that some of the things he had was on sale. “I do apologize sir but what we have in the store compared to what we have online is not always accurate,” she told him. “That can’t be accurate because its saying that it is on your website” he said. “Again, I can’t offer you the sale price but I can offer you a little bit of a discount because its not reflected in the store. Does that work for you?” she responded back to him in a stoic and calm manner. He replied, “Fine that works for me.” And she rang up his order and he picked up his bags and proceeded to exit. The cashier waved for me to come up next. “Thank you for being so patient, did you get everything that you needed?” She asked me. “I would say so, all of the items I had on my checklist was available and I couldn’t be happier than that.” I said gently as I placed all of my stuff on the counter. “Well, I am thrilled to hear that. This is my second week working here and I think I’ve met some pretty interesting people so far.” She said with a smirk on her face. “I totally understand where you are coming from.” I said to her. We both exchanged eye contact and a smirk that was understood between us.

A handwritten note tapped onto my front door from my neighbor Ted. The note said, “Hey Julia! I was wondering if you had some free time this Sunday afternoon. I wanted to invite you up for a listening session of some new music, trivia games etc. Okay, well I don’t want to sound awkward by rambling on and on but I hope to see you then. I was a bit shocked yet a little curious by his enthusiasm to upkeep his word. That evening I just relaxed and fell asleep to the sounds of the rain that fell against my window pain that night. The next day I was catching up on all of my favorite tv series, binge watching all of Stranger Things and a few old classic movies on Tubi. Cooked me a good dinner, took a bath and ate some ice cream. Before I knew it, it was getting late but I wanted to end my evening by reading a book by one of my favorite authors Jane Austen. My interests as of lately has been focused on old literature books. I woke up to the brightness of the sun peeking through my window shades and shining bright against my face.

There my book was laying on the floor as I got up to get myself ready for the day. Around noon I decided to take Ted up on his offer. I took a few books with me and some other fun board games I had stashed away in my closet. Surprisingly I didn’t hear any music coming from Ted’s apartment as I rang his door bell and he came to the door. “Am I too early?” I asked. “Oh no not all this is perfect timing, umm come on in.” He said to me. He opened the door as I walked inside and I noticed that there was music playing but it was on very low. Ted’s apartment was well decked out with art décor, musical instruments, magazines you just name it. Just a real enthusiasm for artistry and a really nice coffee maker on his kitchen counter. We talked for a bit, on various topics, shared some childhood memories, laughed and just had fun, He asked me what I would love to drink and I told him that I wanted a Latte from his coffee espresso machine, and he kindly obliged and made me one of the best shaken Latte’s that I ever had in a long time. That night was the highlight of forming a friendship over music, games, books, food and drinks with my neighbor who I had a lot in common with.