New Neighbors
It was Ana who first noticed the new neighbors moving in next door. She burst through the apartment's bright red front door, Sammy, our fluffy Golden Retriever with fur that shone like honey in the sunlight, eagerly trotting beside her. In a sing-song voice, Ana proclaimed, “We have new neighbors!”
Sara was in the small, cozy kitchen lined with oak cabinets and cluttered counters, attempting to make chili from a new recipe she'd found online. The distraction caused her to slice the tip of her thumb, blood immediately staining the crisp green celery.
“Fuck!” Sara exclaimed, grabbing her finger and attempting to apply pressure to the wound while also saving the celery.
“Language!” Ana admonished playfully, shaking her head at Sara and the mess in the kitchen. “There are children in the room,” she continued, theatrically covering Sammy’s ears while he happily licked her face. Sara stuck her tongue out at Ana and Sammy while running her stinging wound under cold water. Sometimes, it was tough to know who was the parent and who was the child in their relationship.
Ana laughed while still wrestling with Sammy, her long black hair bouncing around her shoulders, her cheerful brown eyes sparkling with mischief. Sara smiled, momentarily forgetting her injury and the ruined celery. Ana's laugh always reminded Sara of her sister—warm, melodic, and filled with pure joy. No matter how many years had passed since the accident, the memory still stung. Not only because Ana sounded exactly like her mother, but because it reminded Sara of the promise she'd made six years ago while standing beside her sister's casket—to give Ana as happy a life as possible and to keep her safe. Seeing Ana laugh and filled with joy was proof she was keeping that promise.
Ana finally managed to unhook Sammy’s leash and turned to Sara. “Don't you want to see who they are?”
“Oh, right, new neighbors!” Sara replied, drying her hands quickly and heading toward the front door, trying to peek through the tiny brass peephole.
“You can see better from my room!” Ana called out from down the narrow hallway. Sara joined her, careful not to be too obvious as they peered through the white lace curtains of Ana’s bedroom window. Their apartment complex, painted in faded beige and brick red, shimmered under the oppressive Texas heat. Three new people carried boxes up the concrete stairs to the second-floor apartment directly across from theirs.
“They look miserable,” Ana pointed out, pressing her small face against the glass. “A man and two women. Are all three going to live there? They seem cool. Look! That one is wearing a Ghostbusters T-shirt! Isn't that your favorite movie?” Ana kept chattering, but Sara was already captivated. The woman in the Ghostbusters shirt had stunningly curly hair cascading around her shoulders, and dark eyes that seemed endless. The sweat glistening on her smooth, milk-chocolate skin made Sara feel unexpectedly warm. At that exact moment, the woman looked up directly at their window. Sara and Ana instantly jumped back, bursting into laughter, knowing they'd been caught.
“Do you think she saw us?” Ana asked, giggling and finally calming down.
“Nope, no way! We were like lightning,” Sara replied, making them laugh even harder.
Sara had forgotten about her thumb and the chili popping on the stove. She quickly ran back to the kitchen, turned down the heat, and tried to refocus on the recipe. Yet those captivating dark eyes lingered in her mind. Having feelings for her new neighbor was the last thing she needed, but she couldn't help it.
After dinner, Sara and Ana tidied the kitchen and settled onto their worn but comfortable brown leather sofa to watch their favorite show. Still, Sara’s thoughts repeatedly wandered back to the mysterious new neighbor. She wondered if the dark-haired beauty was really moving in.
The next day, returning from work, Sara spotted her again. The woman wore a flowing tan dress that hugged every curve, the fabric moving softly in the warm breeze, leaving Sara breathless. She imagined the woman as a goddess standing in ancient Rome, bathed in golden sunlight. But reality snapped back abruptly when she noticed the other neighbor, Jenn, arguing intensely with a tall, aggressive-looking man at the foot of the stairs. The dark-haired woman quickly intervened, comforting Jenn and sending the man away with a decisive glare. As she looked up and caught Sara's eye, Sara found herself unable to breathe once again.
The following evening, another intense scene unfolded as Sara returned home. Her heart raced with alarm when the same man struck Jenn across the face. Instinctively, Sara rushed from her car just as the man started choking Jenn. Sara tackled him hard, knocking him away. Pepper spray in hand, she stood protectively over Jenn until emergency services arrived.
Sara called 911, and soon sirens filled the air. Eve, Jenn’s roommate and the dark-haired beauty herself, ran towards them, panic evident on her beautiful face. When Sara assured Eve that Jenn was safe, Eve embraced Sara tearfully. Grateful and emotionally drained, Eve accepted Sara’s invitation for tea. Inside Sara’s warmly lit apartment, decorated with soft throws and family photos, Eve finally felt safe.
Ana warmly introduced herself, her bubbly personality instantly charming Eve. Sara prepared chamomile tea, and their conversation eased the trauma of the night. After ensuring Jenn’s family was informed, Eve left to visit the hospital, leaving Sara to wonder longingly after her.
That night, Sara struggled to sleep, haunted by thoughts of Eve—her soft voice, lavender fragrance, warm smile, and creamy coffee-colored skin. A late-night message from Eve thanking her again warmed Sara's heart, further disrupting her sleep.
The following morning, unusual sounds and the enticing aroma of bacon woke Sara. Surprised, she discovered Eve cheerfully cooking breakfast with Ana in the sunny, inviting kitchen, sunlight filtering gently through the sheer curtains. Eve smiled brightly, looking perfectly at home.
Sara wasn't dreaming. Eve approached her softly, taking Sara’s hand. "Good morning. I thought breakfast might be a nice way to properly thank you."
Blushing deeply, Sara smiled as her heart raced. Ana giggled, watching them closely.
“You're welcome anytime,” Sara said softly, warmth radiating from her voice. Eve’s hand lingered gently in hers, marking the beginning of something beautiful.
Over a joyful breakfast in their cozy kitchen, laughter echoed warmly around them, and Sara knew she'd finally found the peace and happiness she'd been seeking for so long.