I tend to walk the dogs around the same block every evening. I chose this particular block for a couple of reasons. One being that it’s the flattest block in our location. I know I’m not old enough to complain about my knees, but these hills just kill me in the cold weather. Second, it’s simply a beautiful block. Well maintained and nice houses. It is very quiet and peaceful.
There is one house in particular that I enjoy walking by. It’s nothing fancy. A simple, three story, white (not that color matters) house. Not too big, not too small. Nothing spectacular about the yard, but there is very limited yard space as the house sits fairly close to the sidewalk. What does makes it special is the elderly man who lives there. He is almost always sitting in a recliner which is positioned next to the front window. From time to time, we would make eye contact and give the polite nod. The dogs started acknowledging his existence as well by going closer to the window each time we walked by.
Something that catches my eye about this house, besides the friendly man, is the sign in the front door: “Warning: Oxygen in Use.” Every time I walk by, I wonder why this gentleman needs to use oxygen. I know the said oxygen is used for this man because sometimes I see the nasal cannula attached to his face.
Well, months go by and we’re still exchanging our nods and smiles. Watson and Ginny shared their love by depositing in his yard. The man would watch me as I cleaned up after them. His look would be of, “what a caring person to clean up after their pet,” not a look of, “damn straight you better clean that shit off my yard.”
Since the days have been getting warmer, I decided to walk a longer, different route to see all of the trees and flowers in bloom. It had probably been at least two weeks before I went back to my usual block. When I did, I noticed that the air seemed a bit quieter. As I approached the simple house I noticed it was unusually dark inside. Only one light was lit on the third floor. The sign was still in the doorway: “Warning: Oxygen in Use.” I thought nothing of the stillness until I noticed a new sign leaning up against the house: “For Sale.” My heart sank. Did the old man’s oxygen run out? I continued my walk home and told Ben about my findings. He told me not to worry, that the old man was probably getting ready for bed – and probably just moving to another place, not dead.
The next day I made sure to take an earlier walk during day light to see if my neighbor friend would be in his recliner. No luck. Maybe he was out on the town, or something.
The following night, I went for a walk after dusk. It was pretty dark out, but the streetlights provided me with enough light. I approached the simple house. No lights on. Both signs staring back at me. I glance in the gentleman’s window and out of the corner of my eye I see A GHOST!!! A GHOST IS STARING AT ME!!!
My heart starts racing. I had a feeling he had died, but had he actually come back to keep nodding and smiling as I walked my dogs?
I quickly scoot by and fumble with the dog leash as I try to pull my phone out. I finally get my shaking hands under control and press “two - send.” Ben answers after the second ring. “Yeah?” he asks.
“Where are you?” - I asked in a frightened voice.
“Walking down Columbia one-way.” – Ben replies.
“Okay, good, please meet me at the corner. I just saw a ghost and I’m freaking out!” Thank goodness he was so close!
“Umm… okay.”
Click.
Ben and Ginny meet up with Watson and myself at the proposed corner. I grab Ben’s free hand with mine and immediately fill him in on my findings.
We slowly turn the corner heading toward the simple house and I quickly whisper, “Look, right there in the first front window. Is it still there?”
Ben casually walks up to the house, staying on the sidewalk. He turns and stares at the window for what I think to be way too long.
“Well?! Do you see it!?” – I plead, quietly.
“Yeah. But, I think it’s just Elvis.” Ben replies, quite calmly.
What the freak? Elvis? I cautiously approach the house, heart racing, and ever so slowly peek in the window.
Through the darkness I make out the unmistakably shape of Elvis’ hair. It’s freakin' Elvis. Are you kidding me?! IT’S ELVIS! A stupid half mannequin head of Elvis was starring right back at me.
My heart beat starts to become regular knowing that I had not seen a ghost, but a stupid mannequin.
“Who the heck would put Elvis in the window?” I ask Ben as we turn to walk home together.
"Maybe it's a selling strategy..."
