Jaded

Neighbours

"Hello, may I help you?" William asked, he'd realised exactly why the infamous Ann Clarke had questioned him earlier that day, she'd set up some form of a 'Welcome Party'. He shuddered silently to himself as the the many eager faces stared back at him, wanting a positive reaction. Reluctantly, William decided to play the part, however he still detested it in all earnest.

"Er, thank you everyone for coming her today to make me feel so welcome, I'd invite you all inside but there isn't enough room. How about we all go round the back? I've got a large yard that will be more suitable for this 'party'."

Many nodded in agreement and headed through the gate to one of William's pride and joys. As a boy he had always adored the outdoors, it posed unknown wonders and excitements unfamiliar to his young mind.

During the summer of 1964 William once again had to be taken care of by his grandma, his dad had left his mother before his birth and his dear mum had been hospitalised. She had cancer, of course young William didn't know that at the tender age of four.

He trudged through the muddy hills of the peak district with his granny on that fine summers day as he smiled happily to himself. A magnificent red butterfly fluttered slowly across the fields heading towards the horizon as the sun began to lower in the sky.

"Granny, what is that?" Young Will asked his beloved Grandma.

She chuckled heartily and smiled at him,"My dearest cherub, that's a butterfly."

"Is it made of butter?" The excited four year old boy asked, thinking of many possibilities.

"No, no! It's an insect, it won't harm you but they're really fascinating to watch."

"Wow!" He replied in awe.

Margret gazed towards her young grandson, she wanted him to be happy for as long as possible. In the end it was most likely that cruel world would take her daughter, William's mother, away from her.

Dark times laid ahead, for all of them.

William smiled wholeheartedly to himself, nature was one of the things that he still enjoyed. The planned to make his new garden as perfect as his last. There would be lots of flowers growing daintily in their flowerbeds and the bushes would be trimmed into trophies of various shapes, he thought it would be just like before, back when he was young, back when the world didn't feel like a hopeless pit of despair.

He headed towards the back of his new home, the party was just beginning. Crowds of people chatted amongst themselves as alcoholic beverages were handed out to most of the adults, this worried him, alcohol's intoxication created rowdy and uncontrollable mobs of idiots. As a company manager he would be able to handle it, however even the thought of it still made him cringe. He grumbled taking a seat in a garden chair, quietly drinking his beer. The tapping of high heeled shoes on the wooden decking interrupted him from his thoughts as the ever delightful Mrs Clarke approached him from the side.

"We all appreciate your generous kindness William, you've only just moved here and you've opened up your home and your heart to us. Thank you for moving here, we really hope you enjoy your time here with us." She gently said, just loud enough to be heard over the males behind her who were having an argument, but quiet enough to not draw attention to herself.

"Thank you Ann." William said slowly, he didn't know what to say, he hadn't realised that there was any real humanity in this woman. In way he was kind of surprised, however as he had previously learned looks could be deceiving.

The two males argument that had been occurring at the time escalated, they began to use sour words in front of the children. Parents quickly covered their children's ears trying to prevent them from learning things they shouldn't at that age. William, with all his managerial experience and his general hatred of community gatherings, he had had enough.

Standing sharply to his feet he yelled,"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!"

Brawling men stared bewildered, unable to speak, there drunken screaming ceased. Silence filled the air as almost everyone stared daggers towards him. He no longer cared, he hated having them there, they were pests to his paradise.

"Everyone out. Everyone get the..." He glanced over towards the small children, deciding not to 'enlighten' them further he continued,"...heck off my property!"

They all very quickly gathered their belongings and left, very few said goodbye and none said it in confidence. William stood disgruntled in the middle of his empty backyard, nothing more could be said.