Fake Neighbors
- Hannah L
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
In the glow of the kitchen, she’d stir her tales
With the spoon of sharp wit, and the cup that never fails
“My dear,” she’d chuckle, “you wouldn’t believe!
Those neighbors – oh goodness, what a web they weave!”
With a twinkle, she’d mimic their high-pitched chat
“Them, so refined, but look at that!
Do you hear how they laugh? Like pearls gone astray
A symphony of privilege, leading the play.
Oh, the way they raise their children!” She chortled, a sneeze
“A parade of activities – organized ease
With yoga and girl scouts, tennis and snacks
While we’re here just thriving on unpolished tracks
They’re alcoholics – did you see how they dine?
A glass of their merlot, like eight, maybe nine”
But mom in her wisdom would never insist
“Wine’s just the nectar, it’s love that’s amiss”
Yet under the chuckles, the laughter and jibe
Was a love thick as carpet, a heart in which to imbibe
For how easy the world at the cusp of a glance
To throw names in the mud, to join in the dance
When I enjoyed someone's company, I was always confused. My mother would find reasons why I shouldn't like someone. We had these wonderful neighbors. Who in hindsight, were much more stable than our family, despite my mother painting a different picture. These neighbors lived in the condo that my mother and I rented from. When I was 15, she bought the condo next-door because our landlord wasn't willing to give us a good deal.
These neighbors moved in, and I instantly knew I liked them. It was a father, mother, and two daughters. Without going into too much detail here, they liked to drink wine, and my mother loved to gossip about their, "Alcohol problem." She wouldn't stop there, though. She'd talk about their daughters and how, "Out of control" they were. She'd critique every parenting choice they made, make fun of how, "Dorky" the husband looks, how, "Annoying" the oldest daughter was. At one point, the mother's brother moved in with them. My mother would say things like, "What a fucking loser. I don't care if he served our country. What fucking moron has to move in with family because they can't afford their bills?" She'd then look at me and say, "It's different for you. You don't know any better." My mother would make fun of the girls' paintings on the wall, talk about how, "Ugly and useless" they are. She'd look at the awards they have hung on the wall, and if they weren't first place, she whisper things like, "Participation for everyone. Shit shouldn't go on the wall unless you win first place." All while in THEIR home!
My mother would help them a lot. We would both babysit, come to birthday parties and other parties, enjoy summer days and nights in the backyard, etc. My mother would tell them how amazing they are. She would tell them what a good job they are doing, and how she, "Admires" how they keep going. Only to come inside the house and say how much she, "Can't stand them and their children."
Some of you may think this blog is one big, "Bitch fest." And maybe it is. I'm telling you how I grew up. What I learned from the only caregiver I had. The things I would hear, see, and witness, and how that affected my entire life. How I became that, but was able to overcome it. This type of behavior is NOT normal. There is something deeply wrong with my mother, and I know what it is. But despite this blog, there are some things I will not share. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Hurt people hurt people?" That's my mother, and her hurt had spread to so many people without them even realizing it.
I now realize these neighbors are due an apology from me, however, I doubt they even care. They are likely still stuck in this web of this woman that secretly hates them, but, "Bends over backwards" to make them feel loved, then bitch about how they never do anything for her. These neighbors are good people. So what if they drink wine? They don't get drunk with their kids present, and they work and pay their bills, and are super nice people. All the nice people end up being the biggest victims. I truly hope they are all happy, thriving, and healthy.
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