The View From Next Door (Part 1)

Such a beautiful neighbourhood. Two rows of well kept houses line each side of the street, each accompanied by a tree on their nature strip which combine to create something of a natural arch across the road. The street is home to families and young professionals so the neighbourhood is generally quiet outside weekends and holidays. I can come and go as I please and no one pays me any mind, no one except him.

I first noticed him watching me the day I moved in. I initially dismissed it as curiosity over having a new neighbour but as the months passed he continued to watch me from his window. He worked the night shift and would leave for work in the late afternoon and not return until the dawn of the following day. At night his house stood dark and silent in contrast to the warm lights emanating from the other houses in the neighbourhood.

One afternoon while I was bringing in some shopping from my car I tripped over my own feet and fell right on my face in the middle of my front lawn. Almost immediately he came running out to help me. “The perks of having a stalker” I joked to myself as he helped me up and took my things inside for me. Once we’d gotten inside and I had a chance to compose myself I thanked my rescuer and offered him a cold drink.

Our eyes met and it was at this point I realised this was my first time seeing my admirer up close. He was ruggedly handsome with the kind of body that comes from years of back breaking manual labour. I put on my sweetest smile and introduced myself: “My name is Evey.” He beamed as if finally learning my name was a revelation. “I’m Joshua,” he replied. I handed him his drink and we both took a sip while an awkward silence hung over the room.

“You know, I’ve seen you watching me” I told him, feeling daring. His face went a deep red and he looked down embarrassed. A moment later his eyes widened. “Your leg!” It wasn’t until then that I noticed that I had a rather nasty graze on my right knee that had sent blood trickling down my leg. Without hesitation Joshua got down on one knee, took a handkerchief out of his pocket and applied pressure to the wound.