Getting to Know the Neighbors

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Artfully Adelie

Three weeks ago, they moved in. Since then, we’ve only exchanged waves.

Their second night here, I was gardening at dusk, and noticed their driveway overflowing. Guests walked in wearing various disguises: top hats, opera masks, sombreros…

The neighbors must be theatre enthusiasts.

But then commotion came seeping out from their foggy windows. It wasn’t the laughing and screaming of typical parties. No, these noises made my cheeks match the tomatoes I was harvesting. I’ve since adjusted my gardening schedule, as these “parties” occur almost daily.

Though, this morning, I found a scuba helmet on my doorstep, a note attached.

“Come join us!”

*** Thanks for reading my post for this week’s Friday Fictioneers! I do hope you’ll visit other 100 word stories based on this photo prompt that are sure to excite, intrigue, and entertain!

59 thoughts on “Getting to Know the Neighbors”

arthurdidymus on April 16, 2014 at 3:27 pm said:

I love it! More! Encore! Bis! It really made me curious as to what those neighbours were doing. Which reminded me off a song … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-iENCZKFzk

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- artfullyadelie on April 17, 2014 at 1:33 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much for reading and for providing the wonderful song! I tried to subtly imply that the neighbors were…getting friendly with one another. 😛 I never thought I’d write about an orgy, but I like to challenge myself to do something different every week! Thanks again!
  
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  - arthurdidymus on April 17, 2014 at 6:39 pm said:
    
    Dear Adelie,
    
    You write wonderfully well. I wasn’t thinking about an orgy, I was more thinking about some sort occult sect. It leaves a lot to the imagination and that’s what I liked about it most. Thank you for visiting me. I hope to be reading more of you.
    
    Kindest of regards,
    
    Arthur
    
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aliciajamtaas on April 16, 2014 at 4:37 pm said:

What a fun story. Will she?

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- artfullyadelie on April 16, 2014 at 8:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks for reading commenting. I believe she might try it out… You only live once, right?!
  
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paulmclem on April 16, 2014 at 4:55 pm said:

Go on, you know you want to!

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- artfullyadelie on April 17, 2014 at 3:45 pm said:
  
  lol maybe if I wore the helmet I might summon the courage. 😛 Thanks for reading!
  
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lingeringvisions by Dawn on April 16, 2014 at 5:04 pm said:

What is the metaphor the helmet represents? Going down? lol

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Gunn's Cabin Fever on April 16, 2014 at 6:13 pm said:

You tiptoed around the topic very cleverly there! A scuba helmet! Great disguise..and funny by Dawn, but an equally funny tale. Gave me a real chuckle.

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- artfullyadelie on April 17, 2014 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  Thank you so very much for reading and for the thoughtful comment. I spent quite a while revising because I didn’t want to be too obvious. I’m still working on my subtlety, so I’m glad I was able to succeed with it this week!
  
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  - Gunn's Cabin Fever on April 19, 2014 at 6:14 am said:
    
    Yes, important not to just ‘relate’ events’. I thought everything was well-dosed.
    
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Properly Ridiculous on April 16, 2014 at 9:37 pm said:

I wish this was real, but I totally enjoyed the fiction!

If I’m going to be honest…initially I thought it was, until I saw the Friday Fictioneer’s tag.
So, ultimately – I was pretty sure you were telling us swingers moved in next store and make loud embarrassing noises while you attempt to garden (which I also thought was pretty early for Michigan, but I don’t judge anyone trying to beautify their yard).

Ultimately, as you can tell…this made me smile.

Good work. 🙂

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- artfullyadelie on April 17, 2014 at 8:41 pm said:
  
  Oh, Jen! Your commentary always makes me smile! I’m glad I was able to make this seem realistic. If it weren’t fiction, I’m not quite sure how I’d respond to my swinger neighbors! You’re right, those would have to be some seriously ambitious tomatoes to be growing this time of year! I hope it’s warming up for you in Wisconsin right now. It’s a little better here lately, but I heard that our upper peninsula has a winter storm warning. Hopefully you aren’t getting any of that! 😀
  
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sustainabilitea on April 16, 2014 at 11:02 pm said:

I think those neighbors I’d only mix with during the day! 🙂 I like your title, since the neighbors and their friends were getting to know each other biblically, although I don’t know if you meant it that way.

janet

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 2:31 pm said:
  
  I always love your feedback, Janet! Yes, those neighbors could certainly be…trouble! I never thought of the biblical application, but I appreciate you bringing it up, as it’s always nice to know the various ways my words can be interpreted. Thanks again! 😀
  
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Horus on April 17, 2014 at 4:57 am said:

An entirely different kind of party there! will she or wont she is what i wonder too ! 🙂

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- artfullyadelie on April 19, 2014 at 11:30 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much for reading and for leaving the wonderful comment! I kind of hope she takes the opportunity. Neighbors like that aren’t all that common…or are they? 😀
  
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  - Horus on April 20, 2014 at 10:18 am said:
    
    nopes.. they are not common.. 🙂
    
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Emilio Pasquale on April 17, 2014 at 5:57 am said:

I’m not sure about the helmet at any time other than diving. But I’m definitely sure about your writing. I love it. Or maybe it’s your imagination I love!

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- artfullyadelie on April 19, 2014 at 11:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks so very much for reading and for the lovely comment- it warms my heart! I very much love your writing AND photography as well! On a side note, you’ve made me reconsider the practicality of the helmet…not sure it would be very…accommodating in certain circumstances. 😀 Thanks, again!
  
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siobhanmcnamara on April 17, 2014 at 7:18 am said:

I think her life is becoming a lot more interesting – I take it from the title that she decided to go?

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- artfullyadelie on April 19, 2014 at 11:37 pm said:
  
  Hmm I can’t say for sure whether she went or not. However, I’m sure that having a disguise increased the likelihood of her going. 🙂 Thanks for reading and for leaving the creative comment!
  
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rochellewisoff on April 17, 2014 at 10:15 am said:

Dear Adelie,

I’d think twice about joining them if I were her. Well done.

shalom,

Rochelle

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- artfullyadelie on April 19, 2014 at 11:44 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much for reading, Rochelle! I’m not sure how she might go about this “invitation.” After all, if she doesn’t attend, she’s stuck with an awkward diver helmet!
  
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Snow's Fissures and Fractures on April 17, 2014 at 10:26 am said:

Who knows where that helmet has been? Great job.

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- artfullyadelie on April 19, 2014 at 11:45 pm said:
  
  Very true. I can’t imagine those are very easy to come by, so there has got to be some interesting stories behind it. Thanks for reading and for the wonderful comment!
  
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Karen Whitelaw on April 17, 2014 at 11:47 am said:

A fun story and very well written. Loved her cheeks matching the tomatoes she was harvesting. Great image.

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- artfullyadelie on April 19, 2014 at 11:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you so very much for reading and for the lovely comment. Somehow, tomatoes and gardening ran quickly into my mind while writing this. I’m so ready for summer! 🙂
  
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patriciaruthsusan on April 17, 2014 at 11:48 am said:

Well-written story. Since the noises made her blush and she now gardens at a different time, I wouldn’t think she’ll be joining the party. A party like that might go terribly wrong. It would be a good hook for a longer story, perhaps a mystery.

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 2:44 pm said:
  
  That is true. Given her previous reactions to the party, it’s less likely that she’d willingly join in. Though, sometimes curiosity gets the best of us! I really appreciate the suggestion as a possible mystery, you always give me something new to ponder! Thanks for leaving such a thoughtful comment!
  
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Shandra on April 17, 2014 at 1:55 pm said:

A swinging time indeed. I suppose it’s a compliment she was invited. 😉

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 2:55 pm said:
  
  I greatly enjoyed your comment, Shandra! I do think she should be flattered that she’s finally been deemed worthy of an invitation! 😀
  
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Judah First on April 17, 2014 at 6:06 pm said:

My, my … “interesting” neighbors to say the least? 😉

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 3:15 pm said:
  
  Indeed! Most of us don’t get to know our neighbors that well…I’m not sure whether or not she’s lucky to have such “friendly” people living beside her! Thanks so much for reading and for the delightful comment! 😀
  
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themasculinepen on April 18, 2014 at 2:10 am said:

LOL, oh my goodness! Well done and some neighbors are well, “dramatic!”
Regards
Jim

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 3:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks for reading and commenting, Jim! There are definitely some interesting things we can learn about our neighbors, even if by accident!
  
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rgayer55 on April 18, 2014 at 10:55 am said:

Well, that should liven up the neighborhood. I loved Dawn’s comment about going down 🙂

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  Indeed. It’s a whole new sort of neighborhood bonding! 😀 Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!
  
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justjoyfulness on April 18, 2014 at 11:56 am said:

I think she might have to readjust her ‘blush’ threshold! Fun story 🙂

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 5:12 pm said:
  
  Thank you so very much for reading and for the clever comment! I can guess that after a few years living next to these people, nothing will surprise her! 😀
  
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Kathie Jamison Cote on April 18, 2014 at 7:58 pm said:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post 🙂 Great imagination and humor. Made me want to keep reading 🙂 I’ll look forward to reading more of your posts.

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 5:23 pm said:
  
  Thank you so very much for reading and for leaving such a kind and encouraging comment. 😀 I really enjoy your writing, and I find your philosophy and outlook on life to be very inspiring! Plus, I’m a vegetarian and aspiring vegan, so I’m sure I can learn a lot from your writing as well! 🙂
  
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chattinatti on April 19, 2014 at 10:11 pm said:

Another great Saturday post! I just love your short stories! Always leaves the reader wanting more and wanting to ask lots of questions. You’re very talented! I hope you keep writing loads and loads. I enjoy reading your work. 🙂

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 5:25 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, Natti! You’re always a beacon of positivity, and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read my writing and to leave such thoughtful comments. You know by now I greatly admire you and your talent, so these kind words mean the world to me! 😀
  
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  - chattinatti on April 21, 2014 at 6:16 pm said:
    
    You’re most welcome Adelie! **Reflection** (all kind sentiment is reflected back to you) 🙂
    
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chattinatti on April 19, 2014 at 10:12 pm said:

That should have been *Friday Post* 😀

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 5:26 pm said:
  
  All is forgiven 😀 Wish I could’ve wrote a Saturday post, but this week was a whirlwind of chaos for me! Finally catching up now!
  
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  - chattinatti on April 21, 2014 at 6:17 pm said:
    
    I know how that can be!
    
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elappleby on April 20, 2014 at 2:30 pm said:

Now what kind of mind looks at that prompt and comes up with a story like that?! Great story, made me smile 😀

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 5:39 pm said:
  
  Oh goodness! What you must think of me now! Honestly, I wanted to write a story from the POV of a neighbor, but instead of writing a murder mystery, my mind unintentionally spun into the gutter a little. I’ll try to redeem myself this week. Thanks for the lovely comment! 😀
  
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tedstrutz on April 20, 2014 at 9:09 pm said:

I love this story!

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 5:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks for reading and for the wonderful feedback! I’m always glad to entertain!
  
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atrm61 on April 21, 2014 at 10:30 am said:

Ha!ha!Loved this story with many “naughty” undercurrents Adelie 😀 Am sure the helmet and the note made her abandon her gardening and scurry for the safe indoors 😉

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- artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 6:02 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you liked my shift in genre. I wasn’t quite sure how this story might be received, but I had to go with the inspiration! 😀
  
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  - atrm61 on April 21, 2014 at 6:03 pm said:
    
    You did great 🙂
    
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    - artfullyadelie on April 21, 2014 at 6:16 pm said:
      
      Thank you so much! 😀
      
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      - atrm61 on April 21, 2014 at 6:18 pm said:
        
        🙂
        
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whatsasssays on April 22, 2014 at 2:20 pm said:

Heya Adelie! I was nominated for the Liebster award which means I can also nominate some bloggers. I love your blog so I decided to nominate you! Here is the link to the rules and what you have to do next!

Liebster Award!

Sass x

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- artfullyadelie on April 23, 2014 at 8:05 pm said:
  
  Thank you so very much, Sass, for the nomination! I was nominated a few days back, but I haven’t gotten around to writing my post! I promise I will though. I’m deeply touched that you thought of me. Best wishes!!!
  Adelie
  
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