October 19,2022

I admit to having an inclination toward a bit of intrigue, mystery perhaps…things just a bit askew from the same old same old. However, on this Wednesday, October 19th, my mind was on the day’s business. I had come from an appointment, then I went to ShopRite, stopped for some overpriced gasoline on the way home and had just carried my groceries into the house because my new husband was having lunch with the guys. I was looking forward to having the rest of the day to myself when my phone buzzed with a text message from my fellow sleuth across the street.

She made reference to the fact that one of my adjacent neighbors’ front doors was open and no car was in evidence. Did I know, she queried, if they were home. I did not. 

I told her as soon as the perishables were refrigerated, I would investigate.

Now my sleuthing skills are not what they once were (not sure if they were ever that good) but on this particular day, my mind was elsewhere. I was planning to cook for my son and send food up the hill for their dinner. I was trying to remember if I had curry powder in the spice cabinet or if I was going to need to improvise. Those thoughts were predominant when I ambled out the door and checked out the front door of my neighbor who is closer to the lake, which was closed tight.

At this point, I re-checked my fellow sleuth’s message and realized that she left clues that I had ignored, like my neighbor’s name! At this point, I texted the correct neighbor and asked if she knew her front door was open. She did not and said it shouldn’t be open, all the members of her family were at work or school. Would I please close the door and excuse her dog if she barked at me. 

Now, if there was a criminal present, I wanted someone to be able to identify my body, so I texted my fellow sleuth to watch out her door while I did the deed. She did not immediately respond to my text and since I was already down the stairs and out my front door. I decided to risk my life and proceeded without back-up. I felt like a cross between Bosch and Nancy Drew. I walked boldly up the steps to the front door, peered in, saw no one, opened the storm door, reached in and pulled the inner door closed and re-closed the storm door. In the middle of all this, their aged watch dog barked, but did not move. As I was walking down the stairs, I got a text from my sleuth across the street. She apologized for not answering, she was washing her hair…

When I got home, I texted my neighbor with the formerly open door that all was well. She was grateful and I felt appreciated. At 75, I had finally accomplished one of the goals that I had set when I was about 12.