Flower Power

I opened my door this morning, telling Rich goodbye as he headed to do some overtime work.  I was wearing shorts I’ve had since high school, the little fabric ones that you see cheerleaders and runner wear.  These were black and said DANCE across the rear.  They also fit me a bit (ok a lot) more snuggly than they did back in the day.  I was also wearing a huge grey shirt from my college desk assistant years.  No makeup, my hair falling down in that "she obviously just got out of bed" look.  Of course that meant my next door neighbor was at his door.   Apparently today is the day he is moving out.  We chatted for a bit, with me trying to hide as much of myself behind the door as possible, and then I retreated back into my apartment.  

I showered, dressed, did my makeup.  I realized I’m feeling rather… melancholy, and a wee bit abandoned.  The abandonment part is absurd, I admit.  I barely know the guy, as our paths crossed only rarely in the two years we have been neighbors.  From what I do know of him, though, he’s a good guy.  The couple that lived across the hall from me broke their lease and left already, so with my next door neighbor moving out as well, that leaves only two of us on the third floor of this building.  We’re both females living alone.  Nothing wrong with that, but I have to admit I took comfort in knowing that if something happened there was a friendly male next door I could count on to help me out.  

Even worse, my neighbor moving means… Mario is leaving too.  I’m going to miss Mario.  He’s greeted me every time I come home for the last two years.  When I first moved in and had difficulty finding my apartment still, Mario was there, guiding me home.  Now, though, when I come home and look up at the third floor balcony, there will be no Mario.  He won’t be pointing up to the sky with that little grin across his face, glad to see I came home safely once more.  I won’t be able to give people directions to my apt that include "look for Mario" anymore.  It’s a rather melancholy feeling to know that the 3 foot tall plastic Mario is moving on, I’m going to miss that guy.