7 Chapter 7

“Good morning, Mrs. K.,” Jesse responded. “Something I can do for you?”

“No, not really.”

Jesse knew better.

“I was just wondering about our new neighbor?”

“Nick, Nick Warden,” Jesse offered.

“Hmm, nice ordinary name. Seems you two have hit it off pretty well. Walking the dogs together last night and jogging this morning.”

Jesse chuckled to himself. Still keepin’ tabs on all of us behind those lace curtains, eh, Mrs. K.?

“Yes, he’s a nice guy.” Then anticipating Mrs. K’s next question he added, “He’s a teacher.”

“Hmmm.” She nodded and looked expectant.

“And he’s single.”

“Ah, how nice,” Mrs. Kloswick said, looking over her shoulder toward Nick’s door. “I should really get to know him. My niece, Angela, is coming to visit later this month, you know.”

Jesse merely smiled. No need to burst your balloon just now with a news flash on Nick’s sexual preference

Mrs. Kloswick started to turn away, then turned back. “He has a dog.” It was a statement, not a question.