the little boy riding a tricycle smiled at him

they were in an enclosed back porch off a doorway that led to a laundry a double deepsink wringer ringer washing machine and a lonely commode

he stood just inside the laundry doorway quickly changing into shorts to use the hot tub situated just outside the back porch 

the boys eyes were uncomfortablehaunted him they were etherealcrystalblue it seemed the child could look into his soul not a shabby advantage

the boy had his mothers eyes hers were translucent greenagate not as direct staring as her sons

for all he knew the boy popped out of her head an Athenian birth 

there was no trace on the boy that wasnt drawn on his mother

his affection for her was undiluted unshared

he didnt know their story

she didnt talk about her and the boy earlier didnt allow conversation to spin in that direction and stymied it if it seemed inevitable she kept things at a long arms length way away from any venture

to ask would be rude he wasnt rude

he moved in next door they neighbours only two months

he was private selfsufficient

                              but he didnt have a hot tub his bathroom overlooked the red cedar tub it provoked him then one dayseeing fresh laundry hanging on lines between a rusting tee post and two apple trees he walked next door and rapped on the front screen

looking through the sunlight on the whispered screen into the livingroom she seemed to materialiseappear smiling  Yes

Hi

Hi.

Im youre next door neighbour

You are. You're very quiet. I trust my boy isnt disturbing you.

Children cant possibly disturb me Im no more than a boy myself Im also the oldest of seven Patience is my middle name Joe Patience 

she laughed her hands remained at her side  she pushed the screen door open with her knee 

she wore a frumpish floral house dressits colours working well with her complexion a longsleeved loose green cardigan over it two buttons buttoned just below where her cleavage was getting interesting her ravenblueblack hair was toppled up into a loose out-of-her-face ponytail 

she was utterly arresting young  Mamma her boy called wheeling into the livingroom on his tricycle it wasnt a tricycle as much as it was a companion a trusty steed a good dog like the straight razor his father gave him that he carried in his backpocket habit comfort  Who’s that man, mamma?

This is Joe Patience, sweetheart.

Joe  Patience?  That's a strange name isn’t it, momma?

Ezekeil. Ezzy. Is that a strange name?

No.

Joe Patience isn’t a strange name. It’s Joe’s name, fortunately for you.

Huh?

Nothing Ezzy. Excuse me, Joe, my name’s Sarai; Joe Patience she extended her hand he took it  they shook he admired her firm grip  he enjoyed its roughness her chaffed working hands

I like your grip, Joe.

I was thinking the same of yours

Thank you.

What can I do for you, Joe? 

reams unpeeled in his skullblinding him  he went with why he visited  Hot tub almost a bark Ive noticed since moving in you have a hot tub

Yes.

Yes  However I havent seen you using it that wasnt gooddidnt come out right

smiling furtively Have you been  watching?  

No  nonah  Can I plead the Fifth No  I got a bum wing while soakin in my tub is awright frankly its boring unimaginative  But a cedar tub out of doors  So ridiculously attractiveso inviting

Its been begging me if you really must know Its implored me to take a chance an rap on your door Ask he smiled Momma may I

Momma may I? she smiled Or ask?

Oh yesyes Ask  Ask if you might be inclinedconsider sharing your tub with me

she smiled widely Share it with you . .

. . No nahnah  no  Not share  with me   not that that isnt an attractive idea I think  No If I could use it That said  Im happy to share

Well, thank you  she smiled

                             her smile erupted into laughter her hands gathered at her breasts they didnt go to her mouth It was here when we came.  I don’t know the first thing about it.

Oh I do Id offset any expense I incurredany difference you realise in your utilities 

Hmm a man about the house. Novel.

Ezzy. What do you think, honey?

Ezzy eyed him saw through him  Joe Patience.  Momma, I think he’s OK.

Done she said she smiled again Day or night. Give me a head’s up, fifteen minutes, it’s yours. If it’s inclimate you’re welcome to change in the house, the back porch, we have a laundry area, just a leap from the tub.

Oh goodness thank you Thank you very much  Youll keep me apprised of any expense I incur

I will.

he extended his hand again  Shake on it

Happy to shake your hand, Joe.  she took his hand

up on the little hill they shared a cul-de-sac she named Prop’r Felix Bee from a film she saw called Cul-de-Sac he used the hot tub the Spring the Summer Fall Winter  winters in California were cool compared to Chicago Montana Alaska Minnesota Spring

                   one summer evening he telephoned to ask Sarai if he could use the tub We’re sorry, you have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in order.

that was a douse of cold water Disconnected

he set the phone down in the cradle and walked into his bathroom and looked at Sarai and Ezzys house 

it seemed to age overnight

the tub the slats appeared greyed  weakened

he went out the front door and walked down to their house 

the screen was torn the front door behind it closed

he usually came into the house through back porch door

he opened the screen door it cried like a cold tendon

he rapped on the front door  its paint was fadedminute bubbles needed attention but rapping on the door his rap wasnt absorbed by anything opposite the door  the quietude of furnishings upholstery  the quietude of possession

his rap echoed the house sounded empty

Impossible only word to escape him

he went around to the windows and peered inside

vacant

aged

spiderwebs

unkept

You always entered through the back porch

he went around behind the house the tub was illkept Impossible he used it two weeks before he rapped on its door

he didnt hear Ezzy and his trusted steed wheeling towards it JOE!  JOE PATIENCE! Ezzyd cry

his rap echoed

               echoed echoed

Whadafuck

             they would have something to him that they were leavingthey respected one anothers spacetheir privacy

Sarai

       she would have said

he went home

he tried to work for three days but remained distracted

their house seemed to grow oldervisibly every day

he walked down the hill and followed the dirt road into town a rucksack slung over his shoulder for provisions  

entering the post office to check his box he suffered an AHHAmoment the postmaster a forwarding address he didnt know Sarais last name though he had her address

the lobby was empty

he strode up to the empty window and tapped the bell an inelegant service bell motel bell there was a grate before the window obscuring his viewreminding him of the whispering screen he saw Sarai through when they meet 

eventually an elderly manhalfbent hobbled up to the window Can I help yayungman?

Yes please

I live on Boone Road  top of the hill  the cul-de-sac  Prop’r Felix Bee he thought  

Know it. Don’t deliver up there.

No you dont

How can I help?

My neighbours Sarai  her son Ezzy have moved out I was wondering if they left a forwarding address so I could reach them

You’d think she would have told you.

Fuckin correct curmudgeon he thought Yes But they moved suddenlyId seen them two weeks earlier

You live next door? Two weeks earlier?

Yes

Boone?

Yes

You’re the only address on Boone with a PO Box.

I know the houses; I’ve lived here my whole life.

Thought strange you took that place up there. Alone.

Alone

Yes. Those houses belonged to the Fraziers, family property, generations. They killed one another years back. You’re the first tenant in years. Townspeople won't live there. Terribly grim.  No.

Only a stranger would have moved up there.

You’ve been the only one up there for years.

I'm sorry, young man, I don't know what you're talking about.  I can't help you.

Oh sir but you have  Thank you

leaving he tapped the service bell one more time the old man paid no attention it reminded him of the bell on Ezzys tricycle

between 0800 & 0900,  Thursday,  28  3. 19

1220,  Reggae Friday,  29  3. 19

Mya  Real Compared to What (feat. Common) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqbCfyu45Eo