Early Morning Conversation – aka, I’m Socially Inept

Scene: Early Monday morning. Your heroine (aka, me, aka Susan, aka SpaceCase) is bundled up in a hat, scarf and wool coat to fight the single digit temperatures. On her walk to the car at the back of the house, Downstairs Neighbor (DN), dressed in bathrobe and slippers, pokes her head out of her backdoor.

DN: Hey there!

SpaceCase: (who, I should point out, has not had her coffee, and is going to work after an 11-day break) Oh, hi!

DN: I just saw you and wanted to say hello.

SpaceCase: (waiting for the next shoe to drop regarding noise level, amount of our recycling, or how we tend to leave the hallway light on), Oh, sure, good morning!

DN: I’m never home, I work 7 days a week, so I haven’t really gotten to see you and say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

SpaceCase: (hesitant, still waiting for the inevitable complaint/request) Of course! Happy New Year!

DN: Thank you!

SpaceCase: (Now realizing DN was just being nice, and is probably freezing as she tries to be sociable) Well, you better get back inside and get warm!

SpaceCase: (to self) Awww, crap, that was awkward, she probably thinks I was trying to blow her off.

DN: I sure will. Stay warm! Have a good day!

SpaceCase: You too!

End Scene

Really and truly, sometimes I forget we live above people. Granted, the floors are a lot thinner at this place and we can hear people downstairs more (especially during a raucous UK vs. UofL basketball game). For the most part, the DN and her son have been invisible – that’s the second time I’ve seen her since we moved in 10 weeks ago. They have been great neighbors so far, and we haven’t had any problems with them. I’m kicking myself that I was so paranoid to think that DN might have a problem with us. Because really, Mr. M and I are very considerate, and I’m sure that after 15 years (that’s how long the DN has lived there) she must have seen every type of upstairs tenant. We’re probably a relief after some of the folks that may have lived there.

I’m sure I probably acted weird enough that she won’t feel too obligated to seek out any more conversations for the time being. Which is not how I wanted to come across, but in all honesty, is fine with me, really. It’s one thing to be civil to your neighbors, it’s another thing to feel obligated to constantly talk to them and invite them over for dinner. I’m still too much of a recluse/hermit/misanthrope/socially backwards idiot for that to end well.