The Canopy Lunches
One of my dearest of friends and neighbors caused me severe attacks of jealousy and envy. Part of it was her over-confidence; but most of it was her blond hair, and adorable freckles. But I think I’m getting too far ahead of myself.
Leslie was her name and she and her husband Norman lived a couple of doors down from us. She was a short story writer and Norman was an insurance salesman. He usually seemed overwhelmed by being married to her; but she was so incredibly sweet and gorgeous to look at, that he hung in there and put up with all her tantrums. He always forgave her as we all did.
They lived in a small indistinct house with a gorgeous landscaped yard.. Norman built her a little patio area and they surrounded it with white drapery fabric. The red and white striped pillows gave it a more formal look. Norman attached a hook on one of the poles so that Leslie could hang up her pet canary whenever she came out to write her stories.
This usually happened at lunch,and I was often invited. I always contributed food for our little soirees and at times the combination turned out to be pretty ridiculous. Neither one of us seemed to mind. I would bring my sketch pads along and sketch, while she typed out her stories. We seldom ran out of ideas and the friendship went on for a few more years. On our own we both reached a comfortable level of success.
A chill suddenly took over us, and Leslie became more and more withdrawn. I couldn’t blame it on the onslaught of winter. I stayed away and soon picked up more friends.
It was on an early Sat. morning that I heard yelling, screaming, and swearing. I ran out to see if Leslie was alright. Norman was in the yard, and chopping down the construction that formed the patio. He had already torn down the canopy.
“Norman, stop it, what are you doing?”
”Get the hell out you bitch.”
Stunned I went back home. It was days later that I found out that Leslie had secretly packed up a few of her things, and left Norman a note explaining that she was leaving him for good, and was going with his best friend, and business partner, to live in Florida.
Soon after Real Estate Agents appeared, and the house sold to some nice newlyweds, but the neighborhood never seemed the same.
