Written By Brad Harness
The next morning Mark made certain that he walked his dog at a different time. Early. Very early.
He did not want to risk running into his neighbour Francine again.
It’s as though she’s watching my every move, coming out when I go out, he thought. Normally he’d discuss any problems he had in life with his sweetheart of a wife, Julia.
However, he felt embarrassed and concerned that she might take it the wrong way. He really had zero interest in this neighbour Francine.
The early morning air was refreshing, and Jocko seemed to enjoy the briskness, stopping here and there to sniff messages any other canines may have left for him.
I should go see Reggie, and discuss this problem. He’s a good pal and will say something useful, he thought.
After work that day Mark stopped by at Reggie’s garage. The man was a car nut, and had been rebuilding an old British Spitfire two-seater car for several years now.
“Not finished yet?” he began.
“Me?? Naw…where’s the fun in finishing? Then what will I do?”
“Ever since I’ve know you, you keep yourself busy in your garage.”
Reggie wiped his dirty hands on a rag, considering the matter.
“After work, I have two choices. Stay in the house with my wife - or come out here and be free.”
Mark looked a bit confused.
“Reggie, man, I thought you loved Stephanie?”
“Oh…I do, I do. Don’t get me wrong. I love her, she’s great. But she can be a bit…domineering.”
“Hmm. Ya, I could see that…”
Reggie motioned to the old chesterfield in the garage and offered him a beer from the vintage Molsons fridge next to it.
“Thanks.” he twisted off the cap.
“Now, what’s brought all this on, Mark?”
He studied Mark and then added, “You two having problems?”
Mark raised his hands as if motioning him to stop. “No! Us?? No way.”
“So, what is it?”
“It’s my neighbour…Francine. She seems to be following me, orchestrating meetings where we ‘bump’ into each other.”
“Oh, ya??” said Reggie.
“This morning I had to walk Jocko before sunrise to avoid her.”
“She’s single, eh?”
“Too single, if you ask me!”
“So, what do I do about her?”
Next Week: Part 5
