About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
Meet and Greet
eckler plus one canada
(Jun.11.10)
I’ve never been a very “neighbourly” neighbour. Meaning, I like to keep to myself at home. Since moving into my new neighbourhood a couple years ago, I have started to wave to the family across the street. I’ve never wanted to get too close to my neighbours. I don’t like “pop by” visits. (Because I’m usually in pyjamas.) I don’t want to feel that every time I come home, I have to make small talk.
After months of gutting their home, my new neighbours have finally moved in. First, they are young! Also, they have a swimming pool. (But that’s not the reason I thought maybe I’d try to become friends with them. Well, not entirely.)
When the husband next door peeked over our fence and introduced himself, I was weary. (It wasn’t the best time. My hungover friend had stopped by and was SMOKING in my backyard and we were laughing at her post-night antics of picking up and bringing home a bartender…) Still, my new neighbour threw out the invitation to “Come over and use their pool anytime.”
So I kind of liked them. Unfortunately, they may think I’m a freak. But, it’s not my fault. My new neighbours also have a cat. I like cats but I’m NOT a cat person. I just don’t get cats. I have an irrational fear about cats (like about dentists and gas stations.)
It was a beautiful night and I left my kitchen door open to let the breeze in when suddenly A BIG FRIGGEN ANIMAL ran in. I FREAKED OUT. I went to look at the animal and it was a cat, and not a happy cat, and it was making weird cat sounds and when I tip toed towards, it ran upstairs. Yes, the cat RAN upstairs into my bedroom! I had two choices: Call 911 because I was about to have a heart attack or go to my new neighbours and ask if they had a cat. (Since I’ve never seen a cat in the two years I’ve lived here.)
I ran over to their house, barefoot, pounding on their door. “Do you have a cat?” I asked, my voice trembling, interrupting their dinner. “Because it’s in my bedroom and I’m terrified of cats.” My new neighbour came over and sure enough it was their damn cat. So now I’m like, “Great. I can’t leave my door open, EVER!”
The following day, I saw my neighbours. I apologized, saying I’m not really scared of cats, but I just wasn’t expecting one to run into my house and into my bedroom. They felt bad. I felt like an idiot. I thought, again, that maybe it's best not to become friends with the neighbours. Friendly? Yes. Friends?
How close are you to your neighbours? How close should you be?
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