A quote: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ~~ Maya Angelou

I’ll start with a story …

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I remember when the young man moved into 5G, 3 doors down from me. I don’t social much but I was in the hall fumbling for keys and he was trying to direct a couple of movers holding an emerald green couch into his apartment.

Emerald green. Bold choice of color when even beige was a relief of too much gray. I had hopes for him.

We later met at the mailboxes in the lobby.

“Oh, you’re 5D,” he smiled.

“Yes, and you’re emerald couch,” I smiled back, “Now that introductions are made, young man, please knock on my door and let’s have coffee sometime.”

When they pass out your old lady creds, you get to be bold. A couple or three times a month, he’d stop by and we’d sit on my balcony, mugs of coffee and a plate of pastries.

William (never “Bill”) was polite, droll sense of humor and our talks were entertaining. Though, as time went on, I noticed that while we laughed, we never got beyond the surface. Oh, I could tell him about me, but anytime I asked about him, he would easily move on.

There was no girlfriend (or even a boyfriend). Sometimes I’d be introduced to a co-worker or two if I bumped into him in the lobby. He was vague about family – a dad somewhere, grandparents gone, mom … well, he shut down on that.

One day I heard commotion in the hallway and watched as the emerald green couch was being taken away and an older woman watched as a new gray couch was brought in its place.

Looks like Mom had arrived.

Over the next few days I tried to catch William in the lobby. Fail. So I grabbed my old lady creds and knocked on his door, smile ready and when she answered, her eyes narrowed at my invitation.

“I’m here now. He doesn’t need anyone else,” and the door closed.

I had had hopes.

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Now, it’s your turn.
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. featured image, cropped, Adobe Stock standard license.