The Block

Going through the real estate ads, I needed to find a place to live. I had limited funds, but I was a teacher. I was a union teacher, so I wasn’t going to rent. I was going to buy. The union made it possible for us to buy a home. We had almost 200,000 members. This created benefits.

After work I headed south on Woodhaven. Im sure I can afford South Queens I thought. Ahhh, a realty office on Cross Bay. I pulled over to park. The realtor was kind and she introduced me to her partner. He had a glock in his waistband. Are you a cop I asked? No, but I need this in some of the places I go. The three of us nodded.

I showed them three listings I was interested in. Thats fine they said, fill out these forms, we need to run your credit, so come back tomorrow. The next day I returned and we saw the three houses.

The smallest one connected to me. At that time, I had planned to be in New York for two years and then move on. I just need a low maintenance home I thought. The house was a sad looking attached row house with a small backyard that was overgrown. It had been neglected. It will be fun to fix the house up. I’ll be here for two years or so I thought. The universe had other plans for me though. It seemed it always does. You can make plans but they are subject to change.

A week later, I got the call, my offer was accepted. Closing date came and that was it. I was happy to be settled. I walked up the stairs to put the key in the front door and as I turned the knob music met my ears.

Que un segundo es mejor que el día que fue ayer

That a second is better than the day that was yesterday

Que el año que pasó, que el tiempo que se fue

That the year that passed, that the time that left

Se fue, se fue

It’s gone, it’s gone

Que un segundo es mejor que el día que fue ayer

That a second is better than the day that was yesterday

Hello, hello I said as I walked through the foyer door, hello. Out of the dining room stepped a thin, wiry man. He had salt and pepper hair and a wrinkled face. He was carrying a radio.

Hello he said to me, who are you? What? I live here, who are you? He laughed, I’m your neighbor, just making sure everything is ok. When Leidy and Sam lived here I checked things for them all the time. How did you get in I asked, and they don’t live here anymore.

Caro, Caro a voice called out. Dad! I screamed! Dad! He came in the room and hugged me. He was there to help me get settled. Hey, hello, Who are you he said as he turned to the man. Gonzalo he said and they shook hands. I live next door, I will look after your daughter. My dad shook his hand and we walked him out to the sidewalk.

Gonzalo walked up the stairs to the attached house next door. The door opened and a short smiling woman appeared and waved. Gonzalo went inside and the door closed. I don’t know what’s up with that I said. Close and lock the back windows my dad said and we both laughed.

To be continued………