Green Eyed Monster

...Envied By His Neighbor

Today I woke up extra early, showered, made myself a cup of coffee, and then headed to my new beautiful swing. With one foot on the porch, I push. My neighbor Joy comes outside to water her flowers. She's an attractive woman in her early to mid-forties who just recently divorced and moved into Gypsy's old home. She has never held a job in her life because she married a newly retired NFL player. His spousal support will sustain her for the rest of her life. 

Joy and I are pretty close. I like her. She's a genuine soul; down to earth, classy, and a joy to be around, so I greet her, "Good morning, Joy. Don't you look sexy today?"

Grinning, she sets her running hose near her flowerbeds then heads my way, saying, "Well, I'll never be as sexy as you, Ms. Mae."

    "Go inside, make yourself a cup of coffee, and join me."

Joy adheres and returns, sipping her coffee. She sits next to me on the swing and sighs, "What a perfect day, huh?"

    "Extremely. My grandson is coming to see me today. He's been studying at Oxford for the past four years. He just graduated last week and has promised to hang out with me this weekend."

    "Oxford? Wow. Very impressive. He must be smart."

    "My baby's a literal genius. He graduated early, top of his class."

    "When's the last time you saw him?"

    "I saw him once two years ago, but it was very brief. He's been in Great Britain, learning abroad for over 4 years now."

    "How nice. Hope my kids do something with their lives."

    "I thought your daughter was a doctor?"

    "Well, yes, she's in school for medicine, so I can't complain. But I'm not referring to her. I'm more so on my sons living this football dream. Their dad is in the Hall of Fame, but they can't even get on the field regularly in college football. I need them both to give up the dream of being their father and find real careers. Time waits for no one, Ms. Mae. They'll look up and they'll be old."

    "Tell me about it."

    "Oh no! Old and you don't even match, Ms. Mae!"

    "Kill that flattery. I love my age. Thankful to God, I get to see this age. In youth, you're crazy as hell and don't know it. That's a dangerous place in life. So, I'm so glad I made it through."

    "Well, I'm past youth, too, Ms. Mae!"

    "Nah, you're at the worst age. You're still young yet clinging on to youth as if it's gone, too afraid to set it free and cross over to the next phase of life."

Joy sat carefully listening before agreeing, "I can't deny that, Ms. Mae. You're so right. All I know is youth. I'm so afraid to relinquish it."

    "Let youthful Joy go and embrace Joy-full! You're at the perfect age now. You know who you are and what you want. Rejoice in that. Your mother gave you a great name. So, live in it!"

Joy and I converse most of the morning. It's now time for me to prepare for Lee. Everyone comes over to see him. Drake and his new wife and daughter. Marshall, his wife, and his children. Trevor, Jessica, Deuce, and Lola Mae. \

We're in my backyard when Joy comes over. I say, "Family, this is my beautiful neighbor, Joy."

Everyone speaks, but once I introduce her to Lee, her eyes light up. I know that look anywhere. I'm instantly perturbed as I see Lee's eyes light up, too. Joy's daughter Jazmine comes over and meets everyone as well.