Last weekend I noticed that my neighbors newspapers were piling up in his yard, he had about 4 of them. I have lived here 10 years and my neighbor and I have barely exchanged more than 40 words. He is a loner, single and in his late 40s. My roommate, back in the day, nicknamed him Light bright because he left every light on in his house and never closed his curtains! We could see right in his house if we opened the curtains in our room or the boys room. We often saw him eating dinner and watching tv.
Truly he was a good neighbor, never complained and was friendly to the kids at Halloween. I would see him at the grocery store but we never talked. He quit smoking after he got sick a few years ago. His uncle came to stay with him and we talked more to his uncle than we did him! He had few visitors. He mowed his lawn 3 times a week and began taking walks. He left for work when I did and was home around the same time. He did his laundry at the laundry mat on Tuesdays...I would see him leave w/his baskets and then see him at the laundry mat if I drove by. No, I didn't know him but after 10 years I knew his routine. It amazed me how much I did know about him.
This week I have been struggling with the fact that his papers and mail are not being picked up. His car is in his garage, yes we looked in the window of the garage. I saw his cat on Wed. so maybe he was just on vacation? I made my sister come over and look in his front window with me. TV was off and we didn't see anything.
I had my brother in law call his dad who is a police officer in my town. Shortly after, 3 police cars appear. The PO came over to interview me after looking in the windows. I told him "I really hope he is on vacation!". PO said, "No ma'am he is on the couch.". What? I couldn't concentrate on his questions and felt like I was in an episode of Law and Order. I don't know when I saw him last, at least 2 weeks. He was neat. I told this poor PO everything I knew and I asked why no one would look for him! This poor man sat in his house alone and dead for over 2 weeks? They had to break in the back door and had to let the house air out a bit. God that poor man!
Why didn't his boss call about him? Was he laid off? I know if I had called sooner the outcome would have been the same but still, I wish I had called sooner. I had to rack my brain for his name b/c we use to get his mail once in a while. I am still in shock. I am glad that Jason and Jonathan were in the country. I am glad that when my sister and I looked in, God spare us from finding him.
I just pray that they find his family, that he has family and that he can get a proper funeral. My heart breaks for him.
I hope that if I don't show up for work for two weeks that someone will call someone about me. I just don't get why no one did anything? I mean I was afraid I was being to nosey so I minded my own business but at what point does this become our business? It has to be someone's business, right? I guess we all get wrapped up in our own lives that we forget to take notice of the small things. I think I will become a little bit more nosey now!
They also couldn't find the cats. So I told animal control I would watch for them and call her. Poor kitties.
RIP S.W. I will miss you even though I didn't really know you.
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