Fanficwriter01's Anthology (Completed)

Grumpy Old Men

This piece was written as one of creative writing group writing exercises in 2019. Some part may be incomplete. Thank you for nine reads on this anthology and small shout out to wattpadder for adding this anthology to their reading list. Thank you.

without further adew, Grumpy Old Men.

Three men are neighbours visit one another once or twice a week to grumble about their problems, from neighbourhood kids, construction crews, many topics personal or events. They are living on Walters street that was in the quiet part of the suburbs, only half an hour away from the city of Adelaide. Every Wednesday they tend to go on outings to a café, nearby by vehicle to get there, one of Lilliana's friends worked at Florence Coffee, would often hear grumpy about limited options for coffees or tea, she would make suggestions and do her best to bring the best service and had remarkable patience. One-time Lillian asked her friend how she did it, her friend only smiled and said "They may appear gruff on the outside, but deep down they are softies at heart. It is hard not to like those old souls. They have all sorts of interesting stories to tell and knew one another since young lads. They've lived on Walter Street since it was in the early days."

On one Summers day they came into the café on a summer's day, the air-conditioning on full blast to cool down the heatwave outside close to boiling hot, the footpath was practically radiating heat off the pavement. Even animals chose not to move about least become cooked. There were crowds of people choosing café and restaurants as haven to escape it's glaring anger.

"That blasted dog is at it again" one of the grumpy men grumbled to his childhood friends as the men sat down at a table for three. "What did he do this time?" the second asked picking up a menu. "Russel was causing a racket." "Russel, that new dog the Greys bought two years ago?"

"I tell you one of these days the owner ought to about the dogs barking had been so loud it kept young Brucey up." Vernon said with a frown. Bruce was his grandson, who lived with his grandparents. The child was out with friends at an amusement park with the friend's parents for birthday party for the afternoon.

"Eh, you think that's bad. The road construction, those workmen ought to start setting prior notices. That darn drilling to fix the kerbs is giving me a headache. Even Marge going deaf hearing that wretched sound, she can't hear Neighbours tv show she watches five days a week."

"hear here, just the other day one of them scratched my old Holden. I complained to their manager but the employee still won't pay for the damages claiming just a scratch. We may be on a pension but we're not made of money"

The waitress came to their table to ask for their orders, could overhear the conversations. She knew Russel, the German shepherd that lived down the street from her place. But, had absolutely no idea the dog constant barking was causing problems for the elder residents. Nor, the council plans to rebuild the old kerbs either. She had been so busy with work life. Never gave any thought what it would mean to other people in her neighbourhood before. There must be something she could do to help.

She had an idea. What if she told the gentlemen about the council website and put forward a complaint about the poor organisation of the crew. See if they can find a solution to resolve the situation.

"Russel, that German shepherd that is owned by Ms. Brier?" "I used to babysit her children on Friday nights. If you want. I could put in a word to her and ask if she could keep Russel inside at night."

"Maybe, the council could send out notices in the letterboxes for us residents live on Walter Street on set date of construction work on roads, or if need to move our vehicles. One of them scratched the side of old Holden. I complained to their manager but the employee said he won't pay for damages. I heard a lot of city councils have been doing this for a while now.

"It would be nice to have some advance notices of construction work. Thank you."

After her shift she came to help them put together a complaint from the residents to give more notice and gathered signatures from other residents to forward complaint of roadworks and carelessness of employees in regards to resident property.

Within a fortnight received a reply from the local council, who had a meeting to discuss the matter and thank people of community for their response and apologise to residents for the inconvenience.  Resolve the matter as soon as possibly could with their employees and construction workers.

As for the barking dog, kind lady had kept her word talking to the neighbour, they were understanding and started taking their dog for a stroll around the neighbourhood in afternoons or on their days off, leaving dog popped but satisfied. The barks ceased, but become more bearable and headaches wore off.

"it ain't easy as it used to be boys. We're getting old and grey old farts, but we are forever young at heart, soul and spirit."

There were three men that lived on walter street. Grumpy but satisfied.

END OF GRUMPY OLD MEN