Love Thy Neighbor

Chapter 5

It's Canadian Thanksgiving. Or rather, tomorrow is. I was given a half day off today and I'm using my time off to travel back to Quebec. I took an additional day off and am going to spend some time with my family.

Before drive to the airport, I leave something by Shawn's door. I'd spent several hours last weekend crafting an elaborate Thanksgiving card out of construction paper, glue, markers, and glitter. Glitter is essential for crafts. Inside my card was the envelope.

Happy Thanksgiving, neighbor! Enjoy a night out on me! (Well, really on you, but you get the point.)
-Jess

We'd run into each other a couple times in the hall over the last couple weeks. I'd smile or he'd smile and the other would say hello and that was it. It was probably what most people wanted in terms of a neighbor relationship. I know I don't want someone who pops in and wants to hang out. I am busy and I have enough friends. Okay. Maybe I could use friends in Toronto, but a pop star is not likely to become my new BFF even if he lives eight feet away from me.

I was trying hard not to develop any kind of crush on him. It wasn't easy. He was easily the handsomest man I'd ever seen in person. He was so good looking that it felt like staring at the sun when he was near. You knew you should look away for fear of going blind.

I smile at the card, pleased with my effort, and pick up my luggage and hustle down the hall, into the elevator, and out the door into the crisp October air.

Days later I am back, feeling refreshed from time spent with my mom, dad, sister, and Nana, who came from New York to celebrate with us. She insists that the real Thanksgiving is at the end of November, having never really accepted Canadian ways despite living here for almost half a century. Nana is my inspiration for how I want to be when I get older. She's smart and sassy and does not take shit from anyone. I know she misses my grandfather, but she makes the most out of life.

I'm thinking about Nana as I step off the elevator. I probably won't see her again until December. I have limited time off, and despite my best efforts, I have not been able to convince her to take a two hour flight from NY to Toronto.

I am snapped out of my thoughts by seeing an object in front of my door. It's a turkey. A large stuffed turkey. By large, I mean three feet tall. Attached to its beak with a rubber band is that stupid card.

I groan, unlock my door, and then grab the bird with my free hand, since I have a suitcase in the other. I take everything inside.

Belated Thanksgiving wishes, Jessica/Jess! Stop by when you get back.
-S

What the hell. Stop by? Why?