This is the second part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I before continuing.
2024
“Hi neighbor!” I shouted to the man walking his dog as I headed out the door of our new home to grab another load from the moving truck.
“Oh, hi,” he said.
“I’m Lara,” I said, extending my hand to shake his. “It’s spelled L-A-R-A, but pronounced ‘Laura’.”
“Nice to meet you, Lara-without-a-U. I’ll try to remember that if I ever get your mail. I’m Bob, and this is Susie,” he said with a gesture to indicate his dog. “We live just next door.” He gestured to the bungalow. “So, you’re the one moving into the Black Widow House.”
“The what?”
“Every time a couple moves into the house, the woman always ends up killing the man. So we call it the Black Widow House.”
“That can’t be true.”
“Oh, it’s true. The realtors don’t like to talk about it, because they’d never sell the house if they did. That’s why you have to learn to ask about these things before you sign on the dotted line. If they ask you directly, they have to tell you.”
“OK, well, I should really get back to unpacking.”
“Good luck!”
“Thanks?”
Back in the house, I set down the latest box with a thud. I was catching my breath, getting ready to tell Bill about the weird conversation when he said, “Do you have to be so in-your-face all the time?”
“What do you mean?”
“HI NEIGHBOR” he shouted, waving his arms in an exaggerated imitation of my greeting to Bob.
“I was just being friendly. Also, I was hoping he would help me unpack, but after what he said I’m not sure I want his help.”
“What did he say? That you’re loud and obnoxious?”
“He called this the Black Widow House. He said every time a couple moves in, the woman always ends up murdering her partner.”
Bill rolled his eyes. “Tell me you don’t believe in that stuff.”
“Well, it’s a little weird, don’t you think? I wouldn’t worry about a house where there had been one murder, but a string of murders?”
“I think he’s just pulling your leg because we’re new in town. What you need is to get your mind off it, and I have just the thing.”
“Unpacking more boxes?”
“See? I knew you were smart!”
To be continued…