Page 17 of Lawson & Jill

“Law seems pretty nice. What do you think? It’s only been ten days.” she asked the pretty red zinnias. “Am I getting too excited too early, or are my instincts on track?”

She dug in at another pesky weed and yanked it out. She sat back on her heels and looked at the colorful bed of flowers.

“You know, considering how nicely I take care of y’all, the least you could do is answer me.”

She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and realized it was Mr. Applegate from next door. She prayed that because he was retired and had white hair, that his hearing was not what it should be.

“Hello, Jill,” he said as he walked across his lawn toward her. “How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in far too long. Edith and I were talking not so long ago about our grandson and how we really think we should introduce the two of you.”

Please, deliver me. What did I do to deserve this?

“I met Robin, remember? He was at Lorraine’s service.”

“Oh, that’s right, you did. Maybe we can arrange to have the two of you over to our place for dinner some time?”

Jill put her left hand behind her back and crossed her fingers. Whether it was for luck so that it was true, or to save herself from telling a fib, she did not know.

“Mr. Applegate, I’m seeing someone.”

“You are?” His eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful. Edith and I worry about you. Especially when we see you talking out loud to your flowers.”

It took everything she had not to groan out loud. Time to change the subject.

“So, will I see you and your lovely wife at the Labor Day festival at Founder’s Park?”

Mr. Applegate gave her a quizzical glance.

“You know, the one that the guy from the HOA was taking a headcount for?”

“Jill, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t seen anything on the community website, and nobody has stopped by telling Edith and me about something for Labor Day.”

Jill got up and brushed grass off the back of her shorts. “Were you home on Monday?”

“All day. I beat Edith at Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.”

“Didn’t a man come to your house and ask you how many from your house would go to the Labor Day celebration? He was from the homeowners association.”

“Jill, Edith, and I bought into this development thirty years ago. Nobody has ever come to our door and done a headcount. Maybe back in the day they would call us, but I’d have to ask her. Are you sure?”

“That is so weird. Maybe it’s because he knew that the property has changed hands?”

Mr. Applegate put his hand on her shoulder. “You need to call the guard at the gate. Something’s not right. Find out who came into the community on Monday. It sounds fishy to me, Honey.”

How sweet is that?

“Thank you, Mr. Applegate, I definitely will.”

Her back pocket vibrated and she reached for her phone. She saw it was Law and grinned. “Mr. Applegate, give Mrs. Applegate my best. I’ll bring over cookies next week. Thanks for everything.”

“Don’t forget to call the guard,” he admonished.

“I won’t.” She smiled. It was so nice of him to worry about her; she was so lucky to have neighbors who cared. She turned toward the house and read the text.

Whoo Hoo! He’s back!