Miriam

I had a neighbor just next door, the perfect neighbor really. I rarely saw her, never heard her, but always thought of her as I passed her doorway just the same. I knew she was old, and a recluse. There were rumors that she had no family and that she was a hoarder. Getting a glimpse of her was like getting a glimpse of Sasquatch. Now let me clarify that she looked nothing like Sasquatch. It was just such a rare thing to see her. Being so rare, she gained her own bit of lore within the building. She even had black trash bags taped to her front windows. I still don’t now if this was for privacy or if she just really hated a glare on her TV while watching her programs. Odd either way.

My first real encounter with her was after work one day. Coming down the hall, I noticed what seemed to be mailed prescriptions piled up on her doorstep. Knowing she never left her apartment, I decided to knock on her door and let her know her packages were there waiting for her. I feared it would be days before she ventured out, and these pills were probably pretty vital to this old crone’s health. I knocked on her door a few times before she finally responded. “Who’s there?” she shrieked from the other side. If I were 9, I would have bolted at this point. It was a bit scary even being in my 30’s.  I took a deep breath and responded, “It’s your neighbor. You have a package.” With the click of a deadbolt the door finally cracked open. Two black eyes peered through the crack sizing me up. I guess I looked safe (or like a delicious snack) because she finally opened it and greeted me. She looked much like one would expect from all the whispers. Old, crooked, jet black dyed hair to her waist, white papery skin. (Incidentally, this is exactly what I imagined the witch to look like when my German nursery school teacher would read Hansel and Gretel to us.)

I handed her the packages and was surprised at how sweet she really was. She thanked me profusely and asked my name. I told her, and let her know I was just next door should she need anything. She smiled, and for a moment I could see that she was once quite beautiful. For that brief second, the spooky air about her lifted. Sadly, there were few sightings after that.

One day as I headed out, the police were at the back gate trying to get into the building. Being a civic minded person (and a sucker for a man in uniform), I did my duty and let them into the building. I got back on the elevator with them and they hit the button to my floor. They asked me if I knew Miriam and I realized that they were looking for my elusive neighbor. They explained that someone was assigned to call her daily just to make sure she was okay, and this time she had not answered. The police were then called to check in on her. I showed them to her door. After several knocks, and no response the door was kicked in. No Miriam. We were baffled as to where she could have gone off to so late at night. After some time, the police gave up and we rode the elevator back downstairs. As the doors slid open on the ground floor, there she was with her walker, in all her Hansel and Gretel glory.

“Miriam!” I said, smiling. “These nice gentlemen came to check in on you. Some one was worried!”

“What the fuck are you talking about, god damn it? I don’t need any fucking cops. Get out of here you dirty bastards! Fuck off! Can’t you see I’m fine? Just leave me alone! Rat bastards! Don't touch me!”

The stunned cops looked at me for help. “You’re on your own boys!” I said as I exited the elevator laughing. Yes, Miriam was a crotchety old bitch, but, I had seen her softer side.  I was actually tickled to see this side of her too. “God bless her!” I thought. She had the spirit and fire of a wild mustang even in old age. And while her lonely last days were not what any of us would hope for ourselves, she maintained a spirit about her that I had to respect. No need to worry about Miriam! She could fend for herself.

Sadly she was moved to a home a few months ago. The black trash bags were removed from her window and from my balcony I could see into her apartment for the first time in years. Books were piled everywhere.  Hopeful, I awaited my neighbor's unlikely return. Soon someone came and started cleaning. Just last week, everything went. She had finally died. I can’t say I knew her, but she sure left a hell of an impression. And another great memory about this building. Thanks Miriam!  There won't be another like you.