Source...
"Now that's going a bit too far, Andrea. I wouldn't exactly stereotype Matthew as a toxic resident." With wide eyes, I stared at his wife in disbelief. It was the first time she'd voiced her opinion so vehemently. The otherwise docile and caring mother and friend to all on our block made it known, though, her dislike of our neighbor. Embarrassed was hardly the emotion I felt for her treatment toward him whenever he strolled past our home. Between defending Matthew and keeping peace with my wife, a boiling point approached.
Andrea swung around from the window and marched toward me.
Flailing arms barely missed my face. She then tapped my head hard with her index finger. "Drew, what exactly would you call someone who litters our block with trash. Dumping is illegal you know? And you've caught him at it. Why don't you just call the police?" Andrea's nostrils flared as she paced the floor.
"I admit I haven't been inside his home for more than three years. And, I did speak to him about accumulating trash. I even offered to help dispose it. The situation was tolerable when Helen was alive. Perhaps he's still in mourning." My attempt to quiet Andrea didn't work.
"It may well be. In that case, he needs professional help, not enabling." The stack of tires are higher than the fence. What would he need with all that rubber and iron in his back yard. Don't you realize the danger to our neighborhood children with the standing water?"
I watched as color drained from her face. She pushed her hair back from her forehead as if her head pounded with tension.
Suddenly she shouted, "what if our children contract Malaria, West Nile Virus, or another of those dreaded diseases spread by mosquitoes?" Her stomach twisted in knots as a sudden stab of fear assaulted her.
With her fingers covering her mouth as if she'd spoken harm onto them, tears started to flow.
I could understand her point. Why would I defend that guy seven houses down in the cul-de-sac? The home and grounds were beautiful when Matthew and his wife moved in over fifteen years ago. The idea of him eliciting sympathy from the neighbors by proposing he downsize was madness. And the downsizing proposal that sent chills up my spine included moving next door to my home.
Incensed, Andrea stopped pacing. It was a good thing the children weren't home. She made no attempt to keep her voice in check.
"He's delusional. And now he's spreading rumors that he's downsizing to a smaller home. If true, I hope it's to another neighborhood and not next door. If you're not going to call the association, then I'm going to report him to the authorities. In a year, his backyard will look the same as it does now. Better still, you can move in with him if you love trash that much!"
Confused, I couldn't take it any longer as I swept past Andrea. Fresh air and a clear mind was sorely needed.
I could deal with the situation from afar. But now Matthew was proposing moving next door. I shook my head at the disgust Matthew's neighbors on either side of him must feel. Years of complaining did nothing to ease the situation.
What I failed to disclose was my conversation with other neighbors. They pressed me weekly on my holding out signing a petition against Matthew.
Oh, how I craved at that moment for a smoke!
I headed toward my own backyard and sat inside the lanai. I never confided in Andrea about my family. I recalled growing up my mother and aunt's struggles related to collecting souvenirs, I regretted not taking action as an adult. Those situations left scars. My brother and I were taken away for several years to live with relatives.
Knowing my experience, I still hadn't come to a decision concerning Matthew. It's a painfully personal issue.
True to her word, the next day, Andrea called our city's Health Department and reported Matthew. She wasn't ashamed, and proudly informed our neighbors. As a result, Matthew was assigned a case worker. The process of clearing his home and backyard was a struggle against a strong-will man who believed no problem existed.
Although other neighbors put the petition in place, we all assisted in the cleanup efforts. I should have stood up and joined in for what was decent to helped Matthew seek professional help.
Recognizing the signs should have spurred me into action. Instead, I sat back and did nothing when I could have helped long before the hoarding became serious.
In the end, we discovered that since Matthew's wife had passed, he experienced several illnesses related to dementia. He'd forget to take the trash out. We had no idea the pain he was in as he walked past our home occasionally.
Matthew's home was finally cleared and would be livable again. However, it was determined that Matthew could not longer live there alone. His children had moved away long before the hoarding started. They weren't physically there to see the problems. His unwillingness to allow anyone in his home should have triggered reactions from neighbors.
I believed I was being a good neighbor. But tolerating a situation is not the way to help someone who may be crying out for help in silent desperation.
For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the @daily.prompt's publishing of 23 August 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2473: toxic resident.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
nice write up.Thank you for
Thanks @ekojah for stopping by and viewing my story. I'm so happy to hear you liked it. I appreciate the lovely compliment. Take care and have a good rest of your week.
Initially I thought Andrea was overreacting but I got her point and I think calling in the City's health department was the best thing to do in that situation. It also helped clean up the neighbourhood and Matthew.
A beautiful post.
Hello @edith-4angelseu. Thanks so much for your visit and lovely compliment for my story. I appreciate it.
Helping each other is what the world is about. Often, people don't want to get involved. But when it comes to health and safety, sometimes it's best. You never know what is behind closed doors, especially when a senior citizen lives alone. What's outside usually carries over into the inside or vice versa. Danger of mosquito bites from standing water is real when you or your children are involved.
I appreciate your engagement and support. Take care.
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BEER.What a poignant story! Being a good neighbour is not easy but more importantly, knowing when a neighbour needs help.
I understand Drew's tolerance of Matthew's trash/hoarding problem but if only he'd dug deeper, Andrea wouldn't have taken the step of calling the authorities on a sick man. It seems harsh at first but on second thought, it's good to step in even when it's uncomfortable. Means Matthew gets help and proper medical care as well.
A fine and though-provoking story as always! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day.
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